10 Tips for Making Your Blowout Last Overnight, Straight From Celebrity Stylists

georgia may jagger

@harryjoshhair / Design by Michela Buttignol

A fresh, bouncy blowout is a hot commodity, one that requires a considerable investment. Whether it's the money dropped on a professional execution, the effort taken to DIY a professional-looking style, or the time spent undergoing either option, a blowout is something you want to last. And by last, we mean as long as physically possible and then some. (We're all guilty of dry-shampooing ourselves into a corner.)

So, we chatted with celebrity hairstylists and haircare experts to glean their wisdom and advice on making a blowout last—not only overnight but for days to come. Keep reading to discover our experts' top secrets to enduring hair.

01 of 10

Wash Your Hair Squeaky Clean

While many people think that a long-lasting blowout starts in the salon chair, celebrity hairstylist Justin Anderson says it really kicks off in the shower. "You'll want to start with a really good wash," he says. "I suggest using a clarifying shampoo to get your hair very clean." Scalp scrubs and exfoliators can also help you achieve a squeaky-clean canvas for an enduring hairstyle.

02 of 10

Use Leave-in Conditioner and Heat Protectant

After you've adequately cleansed and conditioned your hair, celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko says that a high-quality leave-in conditioner is a must—she recommends Noughty Haircare's Intensive Care Leave-In Conditioner ($10).

After spritzing your hair with the leave-in, Anderson says to apply a very small amount of Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme ($30) to speed up blow-drying time and pump up the smooth, head-turning shine. While No.6 will undoubtedly cut out frizz (for up to 72 hours, Anderson assures), it won't fully protect strands against heat, so be sure to add a heat protectant to your routine before getting hands-on with any hot tools. 

03 of 10

Perfect Your Technique

It goes without saying that any coif, be it a blowout or bun, is only as solid as its foundation. For a style that stays, ensure your blowout technique lends itself to a secure finish. Start by dividing the hair into equal and manageable parts that will be easy to work with. As much as you may believe that four sections are enough to bring a blowout to life, JOON Haircare founder Shiva Tavakoli promises that eight will be the sweet spot. 

“I suggest dividing your hair into eight sections divided equally around the head—the key is to work in small zones and to use a round brush that will allow you to create enough tension to give hair a smooth and polished look as you dry each section,” she explains. Beyond the number of sections, Tavakoli says that many people also start their blowout in the back of their heads—but she suggests working in the opposite direction. “The front sections are what you see first, so you really want to smooth them while they’re wet and you have more control,” she explains. 

As far as how to style your blowout, you have options. Where Tavakoli recommends velcro rollers for old-fashioned volume, Polko swears by T3’s Cura Luxe Professional Ionic Hair Dryer with Auto Pause Sensor ($285) and a round brush. Of course, if you don’t have rollers on hand or you’re not the most skilled with a round brush, you can reach for Dyson’s Airwrap Styler ($599), which features an array of different-sized barrels to create smooth, long-lasting waves and curls on all hair types. 

04 of 10

Add a Dry Texturizing Spray

Following a blowout, Camila Coelho, fashion and beauty entrepreneur and founder of Elaluz, recommends finishing the look with a dry texture finishing spray to give it a little hold and a lot of style. Then, follow Anderson's technique and steer clear of products for a couple of days before reintroducing the texture hero back into your hair care routine. As for which to choose, Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray ($49) is a fan-favorite for a reason.

05 of 10

Don't Overuse Dry Shampoo

If you're prone to getting very oily roots very quickly post-shower, celebrity hairstylist Chad Kenyon says to lightly apply dry shampoo before you actually need it gravely. "This will absorb unwanted moisture and impurities that can way down your hair and wreak havoc on your hairstyle," he explains. Just remember: Less is more. There's no need to cover a freshly blown-out head of hair in dry shampoo.

For the best result, Oribe educator Adam Livermore says to spritz dry shampoo in sections—not once over your part. "Make partings and open up your hair, spray it right on the roots, [section by section], then work it in with your fingers and brush it out with a boar or natural bristle flat brush," he instructs. "The ingredients absorb oil from your scalp and roots like tiny sponges, but you want to remove that oil-loaded product with a brush. Don't just let it sit in there."

06 of 10

Try a Restyling Spray

Following a fantastic blowout, you might be afraid to introduce any kind of wet mist to your mane—and, hey, we get it. That said, if you have bangs or your hair’s begun to fall a touch flat, reaching for a restyling spray—like Oribe’s Mystify Restyling Spray ($22)—could help. These sprays are designed to nourish and revive hair. They’re particularly great for folks who feel like they can never get their dry shampoo to blend in quite right. By spritzing hair with a restyling spray before a blast of dry shampoo, you can style your hair with a brush and blow-dryer to make it look fresh out of the salon once more. 

Byrdie Tip

Restyling sprays are great beyond trying to extend the life of your blowout. According to Livermore, they work wonders at releasing ponytail wrinkles, rehydrating dry ends, protecting hair against heat, and reactivating products already within the hair.

07 of 10

Sleep With Your Hair High

Extending the life of your blowout goes beyond knowing which haircare products to use. It’s also important to know how to sleep on your blowout without messing it up. One such way is to sleep with your hair pulled up over the pillow. Polko says snoozing this way will prevent you from rolling over on your volume and curls, hopefully protecting them from deflating overnight.

08 of 10

Use a Silk Pillowcase

If you don’t trust yourself not to roll around in your sleep, opting for the hair-over-the-pillow method might not be the best option. Instead, Polko and Kenyon agree that sleeping on a silk pillowcase—like Slip’s Silk Pillowcase ($89)—will help keep your blowout looking freshly styled. That’s because the ultra-smooth finish of the pillowcase won’t inadvertently snag the structure of your hair, so you’ll be able to maintain smoothness and shine without worrying about waking up to frizz come morning. 

09 of 10

Snooze in a Protective Style

No time to run out and buy a new silk pillowcase? Or perhaps you don’t like the sleek feel? Whatever the case may be, Kenyon says that another option is to pull your hair into the highest ponytail possible and gently tie it at the roots (preferably with a silk hair tie or other non-crimping option) before twisting it into a topknot. This way, you won’t have a kink (at least not in your hair) come morning. 

10 of 10

Avoid Touching Your Hair

Last but not least—and, quite honestly, it should probably be mentioned before you even step out of the salon—don’t touch your hair. Your hands are covered in dirt, bacteria, and natural oils that can quickly take hair from fab to drab. So, as stunning as your locks look all blown out, do your best to keep your hands off. 

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