The Secret to Getting a Salon Blowout at Home (Or as Close as You Can Get)
- Heather Oliver
- 9 hours ago
- 7 min read
Key Takeaways
While hairstylists have skills the rest of us just don't have, there are plenty of things you can do to make home blowouts look better and last longer. Start by practicing your round-brush technique and get in the habit of double shampooing, using the second wash to deep-clean your scalp with your fingertips (not your nails). Always work in small sections to ensure every strand is completely dry, and invest in salon-quality tools. Use the right products for your hair type (remembering that less is usually more), and clean your brushes regularly to remove oils and product residue.
Table of Contents:
Have you ever wondered why a salon blowout can last for up to a week, while your home blowout can barely last three days—and that's if you're lucky? Me too. So I decided to get down to the bottom of this unfortunate phenomenon for the sake of all home blowouts everywhere!
The Key Differences Between Home and Salon Blowouts
First, let's just get this part out of the way. You're never going to get as nice a blowout at home as you can at a salon (or at least you shouldn't). The good news is that we can get damn close! The bad news is it takes a lot of work and an investment in quality products and tools. There's just no getting around it. And believe me, I've tried. And failed.
So what magic does a stylist have that you don't?
Skill
Well, the obvious answer, and why you can't quite match a salon blowout at home, is skill. Hairstylists are professionally trained in hair care, from shampooing and combing/brushing to product usage and styling techniques based on the hair's condition and unique texture.
We, non-hair professionals, are not.
Don't feel too bad, though. Not all stylists master the art of blow drying, either. If you've ever had an incredible blowout, you know what I mean. Traditional blowouts just can't compare once you've been in a stylist's chair who's mastered them.
It's like these stylists go into the back of the salon somewhere, hold up their equipment, and scream, "By the honor of blow dryers and round brushes. I have the power!" and turn into super stylists.😂
But that doesn't help you at home, does it?
Here's how you can get the power of the blow-dry for yourself. Or as close as possible anyway.
Hairstylists Know How to Really Cleanse the Hair & Scalp
Hair stylists have an advantage when it comes to shampooing hair. They're standing above you, have better reach, better technique, and better products. Even if you have the same shampoo and conditioner they used on your hair at home, their cleansing technique is just superior to yours.
If you pay close attention, you'll notice stylists focus on massaging the scalp and using the pressure of their finger pads to clean it, as well as running the shampoo through your hair. What they're not doing is digging their fingernails into your scalp and vigorously scraping it.
Sound familiar?
One of the biggest misconceptions about shampooing hair is that scratching the scalp exfoliates or cleans it deeper or removes more buildup or flakes. The truth is, what you're actually doing is breaking the skin and making scalp conditions worse, even though the scratching might feel good.
Another thing most stylists do is double-cleanse.
Think of the first wash as the one that gets rid of surface dirt and oil. The second wash is what really cleans the scalp and removes buildup. This is important because most people tend to wash their hair only once. And while this one wash does remove oil and dirt, you are almost certainly leaving behind some gunk on your scalp. Yuck, right? So, do yourself and your scalp, and double wash!
If you're like most people, the shampoo is one of your favorite parts of your salon visit. It feels amazing, but it also makes your head feel cleaner. And if it doesn't, your stylist is doing it wrong!
Don't have time for a blowout? Learn why going to bed with wet hair is a no-no and tips for preventing frizz and split ends when air drying in our blog "Going to Bed With Wet Hair and Air Drying: What You Need to Know."
Sectioning: Stylists Section Hair Properly
We've all heard the saying slow and steady wins the race. Well, this loosely applies to hair, too, because you can't race through sectioning and get great results. Stylists know how to section hair properly, and the secret is small sections. Drying your hair in small sections ensures every little strand of hair dries completely. Proper sectioning also prevents frizz, helps the hair set, and provides more volume.
Does it take longer? Yes. But it makes a huge difference when it comes to the look of your at-home blowout—and how long it lasts.
Good Tools: Stylists Use Professional Hair Equipment For a Reason
Has your stylist ever recommended that you buy an expensive blow dryer? It's not because they want the "sale." It's because they know for a fact that it will change your at-home blowout game.
Professional-grade dryers have more consistent heat, more powerful motors and airflow, and use advanced technologies. They're also much lighter and built to last. On top of that, they significantly reduce your blow-drying time. And let's face it, blow-dry time is one of the biggest things that make home blowouts seem like such a chore. That, and it feels like your arm is about to fall off. Professional dryers help with all that.
Product: Stylists Use Professional Products and Know How to Use Them
Salons don't just carry specific products just to sell them. They carry them because they get the job done far better than any store-brand product can. Skimping on products to save a few bucks isn't doing you any favors. And hey, I've tried that too.
The simple truth is, salon products are designed to be high-performing. Some are better than others, of course. But even some of the less effective ones are better than what you'll find at a retail store.
Here's the thing:
Where most people go wrong with salon products is how they use them. Let's use Oribe as an example. If you claim that an Oribe product doesn't work, it's almost certainly because you're using it wrong or you're using the wrong product for your hair type.
For instance, salon-grade products don't require as much of the product to be effective. In fact, you're likely using too much of a product, even if you love it.
Our Oribe rep, Ann Wheeler, dropped some great insight in a product knowledge class I attended. She said to put your hair in a ponytail with your thumb and pointer finger (like you're giving the okay sign) and slide your hair out. The size of the space between your thumb and finger, where your ponytail was, is a good gauge for the amount of product your hair needs.
Thicker hair naturally needs a little more, and thinner hair needs a little less. But this little hack can help you determine if you're using too much—and using too much is the biggest culprit for why people think a product doesn't work or is used too fast.
Cleanliness: Stylists Have to Keep Their Tools Clean
Another reason home blowouts don't last as long as salon blowouts is that stylists must adhere to strict sanitation guidelines. Think about it. How often do you sanitize your brush or comb? The State Board inspects all salons to ensure they are sanitary and properly disinfect tools to prevent infections and cross-contamination, among many other things.
But another thing sanitizing does is remove the oil, dirt, and product residue that lingers on brush bristles and comb teeth. While pulling hair out of your brush or comb is common practice for everyone, most probably don't think about thoroughly cleaning them.
And if you don't properly wash your brush or comb, you're brushing or combing built-up oil and leftover product residue back into your hair as you're blow-drying and styling it. I'm not saying you need to keep a jar of barbicide on your bathroom counter. But routinely cleaning your brushes and combs will help keep your hair cleaner, and because you're not re-adding gunk into your hair while styling it, your blowout will last longer.
Tip: For optimal hair health, don't go to bed with your hair wet. Learn more in our blog: Going to Bed With Wet Hair and Air Drying: What You Need to Know
Best Hair Products For Home Blowouts
Here are our top recommendations for home blowouts using a round brush and dryer. For tips on styling curls and waves, read our blog: A Curly Dilemma: Best Haircuts & Styling Tips for Curly Hair.
Big, Sexy Hair or 90s Blowout
Start by shampooing your hair with Oribe Magnificent Volume or Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo. Before styling, protect your hair from heat damage with Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray and Royal Blowout for shine.
To get that 90s blowout volume, reach for Royal Blowout for shine and to speed up blow-dry time, and a product like Back of Bottle's Plenti-ful, Maximista Thickening Spray, or Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse.
For big, sexy hair, our go-to is always Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for lift and volume. Lock it in with a touchable hairspray like Freestyler Working Hair Spray. Your goal is to hold the look, but keep it soft and bouncy, so steer clear of sprays that make hair hard and crunchy.
If your prep work is good, finishing work on the 90s blowout should be minimal. You can use Back of Bottle's Hi Hydrating Oil or Oribe's Supershine Wax Stick to smooth flyaways.
Sleek Blowout
For a sleeker look, the process is mostly the same, but rather than focusing on blow drying off the root, heat protection and Royal Blowout or a product like Oribe's Gel Serum and Impermeable for antihumidity and hold are really all you need.
In Conclusion
There you have it! Follow these tips and recommendations, and you'll get better and longer home blowouts. Anytime you want to treat yourself or have a special night out, we're here to help. All Alkali stylists are trained in the art of blowouts and have the "Power of the Round Brush and Dryer."
Meet the Author | Heather Oliver, Brand Director at Alkali
Heather is a writer and editor with 18+ years of professional experience and a B.S. in Professional & Technical Writing. With over a decade in the beauty industry, she combines subject matter expertise with a passion for making complex topics easier to understand and personable. Heather continually expands her knowledge through product training and by attending professional beauty classes, ensuring her content reflects the science of beauty and real‑world practices within salons and spas. She partners with Alkali’s owner and lead stylist, Amber Woodall—an industry veteran with 20+ years of experience—who reviews all content for accuracy. Together, they create content that connects readers to the art and science of hair, skin, and self‑care.
Our artistry doesn't stop at hair. We use firsthand knowledge and experience to craft our content and strive to provide highly custom and valued information for our readers. All of our content is researched, written, and reviewed by humans. No AI is used to generate blogs, web pages, newsletters, or emails.
