5 Ways to Make A Blowout Last

When you nail the perfect bouncy blowout—or if you have thick hair that takes forever (and major bicep strength) to dry regularly—you don't want to wash your results down the drain the very next day. We asked Serge Normant of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City, who works with Julianne Moore and Sarah Jessica Parker, his top tips for extending the life of a blowout. (We like the T3 Bespoke Featherweight dryer above to do the job.)

1. Start with really, really clean hair. Make sure your scalp and hair are thoroughly shampooed and rinsed. Work a dime-size blob of conditioner through the ends only; heavy moisturizers weigh hair down.
2. Choose products wisely. Use creamy pomades and shine serums sparingly. If you must use a silicone serum to tame frizz, don't apply it near the roots. But it's fine to use mousse or voluminizing spray near the scalp—these contain alcohol, which can actually help absorb excess oil. Just use half the amount you normally would to avoid buildup, which can make hair look dirty.
3. Protect your hair. As long as you keep the blowout, pull your hair back off your face tightly when washing your face and applying creams to ensure that skin-care products don't touch the hairline.
4. Perk it up. At the first sign of grease, spray your part and hairline with an aerosol dry shampoo. Brush the product through your hair vigorously, because it can leave a white residue. To boost limp hair, spritz a voluminizing spray at the roots, then blast with a blow-dryer for lift. Tame strays with a straightening iron.
5. Skip the workout. Ok, this isn't advice to follow all the time—but if your goal is not to restyle your hair for a few days, avoid serious sweating.

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