Blow drying short layered hair can be a great way to enhance its style, add volume, and create a smooth, polished look. With the right techniques and tools, you can achieve salon-quality results at home. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to blow dry short layered hair.
Preparing the Hair
Wash and Condition
Start by washing your hair with a shampoo that suits your hair type. If your hair is oily, use a clarifying shampoo to remove excess oil and buildup. For dry or damaged hair, choose a moisturizing shampoo. Follow up with a conditioner to keep the hair hydrated and easy to manage.
After rinsing out the conditioner, gently towel dry your hair. Avoid rubbing vigorously as this can cause frizz and damage the hair cuticles. Instead, pat the hair with the towel to remove excess water.
Apply Styling Products
Before blow drying, apply some styling products to help with the blow drying process and achieve the desired style. A heat protectant spray is essential to shield the hair from the heat of the blow dryer and prevent damage. Spray it evenly all over the hair, focusing on the ends and the layered sections.
If you want to add volume, you can use a volumizing mousse or spray. Apply it to the roots and work it through the hair with your fingers. For added smoothness and shine, a small amount of leave-in conditioner or a serum can be applied to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair.
Tools Needed
Blow Dryer
Choose a good quality blow dryer with adjustable heat and speed settings. A dryer with ionic technology is beneficial as it helps reduce frizz and makes the hair smoother. For short layered hair, a medium-sized nozzle attachment is usually suitable. It helps direct the air flow and focus on specific sections of the hair.
Round Brush
A round brush is an important tool for blow drying short layered hair. It comes in different sizes and bristle types. For short hair, a small to medium-sized round brush with natural or synthetic bristles works well. The bristles help to grip the hair and create smoothness and curl as you blow dry.
Combs
You’ll also need a wide-toothed comb and a fine-toothed comb. The wide-toothed comb is useful for detangling the hair before blow drying and for separating the layers. The fine-toothed comb can be used to create more precise parts and to smooth out any small tangles or flyaways after blow drying.
Sectioning the Hair
Divide into Sections
To make the blow drying process more manageable and ensure even results, divide the hair into sections. Start by creating a horizontal part at the nape of the neck. Clip the top section of the hair up and out of the way.
Then, divide the bottom section into smaller sub-sections. You can use clips to hold these sub-sections separately. For short layered hair, you may need to create around three to four sub-sections in the bottom layer depending on the thickness of your hair.
Work from Bottom to Top
Begin blow drying with the bottom sections first. This allows you to build volume and set the foundation for the overall style. As you move up to the top sections, you can adjust the direction and technique based on the desired look and the shape of the layers.
Blow Drying Technique
Bottom Layers
Take a small sub-section of the bottom layer and place the round brush at the roots of the hair. Hold the blow dryer with the nozzle pointing downwards and start drying the hair from the roots to the ends. As you move the brush through the hair, roll it slightly under to create lift at the roots. This adds volume to the short layered hair.
Keep the tension on the hair as you blow dry to ensure smoothness. Move the blow dryer and the brush in a slow, downward motion, following the shape of the head. Once the hair is mostly dry, you can use the cool setting on the blow dryer for a few seconds to set the style and reduce frizz.
Middle Layers
Unclip the next layer of hair and repeat the process. For the middle layers, you may need to adjust the angle of the brush and the direction of the blow dryer depending on the length and shape of the layers. You can also use the round brush to curl the ends of the hair slightly outward or inward, depending on the style you want.
If you have shorter layers in the middle, focus the heat and the brush on these sections to give them more definition and shape.
Again, use the cool setting at the end to set the style.
Top Layers
When you reach the top layers, be more careful as these layers are usually more visible and can greatly impact the overall look. Take smaller sections of the top layer and use the round brush to smooth the hair and blend it with the lower layers.
You can lift the roots slightly with the brush to add volume and create a seamless transition between the layers.
If you have a fringe or shorter bangs, dry them separately using the round brush and the blow dryer. You can style them to the side, straight down, or in a more textured way depending on your preference.
Drying the Ends
After drying the main sections of the hair, focus on the ends. Use the round brush to curl the ends slightly or straighten them, depending on the look you’re going for. Hold the ends of the hair with the brush and direct the heat of the blow dryer on them for a few seconds to set the shape. You can also use your fingers to gently twist the ends for a more natural, textured look.
Finishing Touches
Check for Smoothness and Volume
Once you’ve completed blow drying all the sections, run your fingers through the hair to check for any rough spots or areas that need more attention. You can also use the fine-toothed comb to smooth out any small flyaways or tangles.
If you feel that the volume isn’t quite enough in certain areas, you can use the blow dryer on the cool setting with the nozzle pointed upwards and lift the hair at the roots for a few seconds. This can help add more lift and volume.
Add Final Styling Products
To add extra shine and hold, you can apply a small amount of hairspray or a shine serum to the finished style. Spray the hairspray evenly from a distance to avoid making the hair look stiff. If using a serum, apply a few drops to the palms of your hands and then run your hands through the hair, focusing on the ends and the outer layers.
Style as Desired
Now that your short layered hair is blow dried and styled, you can further customize the look. You can use a bit of wax or pomade to create a more textured or messy look if you prefer. Simply take a small amount of the product and rub it between your fingers, then apply it to the ends and the layered sections, scrunching and shaping the hair as you go.
If you want a more polished and sleek look, you can use a flat iron on the lowest heat setting to smooth out any remaining bumps or kinks. However, be careful not to overuse the flat iron as excessive heat can damage the hair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blow drying short layered hair requires proper preparation, the right tools, and a systematic approach. By following these steps and techniques, you can achieve a beautiful, voluminous, and stylish look that enhances the beauty of your short layered haircut. With practice, you’ll be able to master the art of blow drying and create different styles to suit various occasions. Remember to take care of your hair by using heat protectant products and giving it regular deep conditioning treatments to keep it healthy and looking its best.
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