part 2. Wait? What? How do you do that?

As discussed in my previous post. The best way to get your hair to do what you want it to do, is to predry the roots, up to 50% of the strands. After that, however, you're going to need to finish off by blow drying the remaining 50% of your locks. 

There are several finishing looks for your lengths. You can have a smooth finish, a full finish with curls or a natural end result. Here's how...

For the smooth finish: grab your favorite finishing brush. The brush you choose will be based on how smooth you want the finish to be. Personally, I've noticed that a good finishing brush (like the Sam Villa 9-row finishing brush) give me the control I need to achieve a sleek finish. Another great brush you might want to check out is a styling brush. These brushes have added bristles which add shine to the hair, which most of us appreciate.

For a full and/or curly finish: grab your favorite round brush. Most of us are familiar with round brushes. However, their use can be a mystery. There are several things to think about when choosing a round brush. First, how big of a curl do you want? The length of your hair and the size of the curl you desire will affect your choice. (I recommend meeting with your stylist to discuss options.) One fantastic secret to using a round brush is achieving a full curl, without an extra styling tool. The way you do is, is by locking the brush. To lock the brush: roll the section of hair, in the brush, all the way to your scalp, remove the heat and allow the hair & brush to cool. Once they have cooled, gently unwind the hair. Do not pull the brush out or you will ruin the curl and probably end up with a nasty tangle. Round brush finishes are possibly the most difficult to achieve. 

To all my long-haired ladies. Let's be real... round brushing your hair will be a challenge. If you haven't spent a lot of time working round brushes I highly recommended that you meet with your salon professional before you just stick a brush in your hair. It might not end well.

Finally, if you want a natural, relaxed finish: use your fingers, or grab your paddle brush. This is a very simple way to finish your blow dry. Utilize your free hand and pull it through your ends. If you want a little more control, use a paddle brush instead of your fingers. Honestly, the paddle brush is my favorite for this casual finish. The sheer width of the brush gives stability and control to the tresses. Some people prefer their fingers, so you can choose what works best for you. 

It's okay if you aren't 100% satisfied with your first, second or third time doing these blow dry finishes. When I was in school, we would spend three full days of class every four weeks learning to blow dry. I promise, it's difficult for everyone at first. Just keep practicing and soon you'll begin to love your results!

Leave a comment below to let me know which style you like best. 


HERE ARE SOME OF THE RESULTS

  

First is the smooth predry with the smooth finish. This entire look was achieved with the Sam Villa finishing brush, listed in my post. 

This second look is the round-wrap and the round brush finish. Full of volume. Full of curl. 

I did not use a hot-tool outside my blowdryer and brushes. I hope you like these results and I'll look forward to your comments below.