While there’s nothing I love more than leaving the salon with a bouncy voluminous blowout, I unfortunately don’t always have the time or funds to get my hair done by a pro. So over the years, I’ve really honed my skills and become pretty damn good at doing my own bouncy blowout. Trust me when I say that you don’t need to be a professional hairstylist with years of beauty school under your belt to get lots of volume, body, and shine at home—you just need the right hot tools and styling products—plus a few key tips courtesy of celeb hairdresser Marc Ballance. Keep scrolling for all the details:
1. Choose the right tools
A powerful yet lightweight dryer is key for DIYing a bouncy blowout at home. There are so many high-tech, low-lift (literally) blowdryers out there that can dry your hair in mere minutes. Here are some editor- and stylist-loved options that are all under two pounds, easy to maneuver, and come with a variety of temperatures and speeds so you can tailor your drying to your hair type.
These lightweight hair dryers >>>
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer
T3 Compact Ionic Professional Hair Dryer
It’s not just all about the hair dryer though—choosing the right brush is important too. “The size of your round brush will determine the final shape and movement of the blowout,” says Ballance. A smaller brush will give a more curled and tighter finish while a large one will provide loose body and a smooth overall shape. And if a blow dryer and round brush duo isn’t your vibe, multitasking tools like hot air brushes (which provide heat and styling in one step) or heated rollers (which give volume without the need for a brush) will get you some serious results too.
2. Prep your hair with the proper products
“Start with freshly washed hair and apply a volumizing spray or mousse from roots to ends,” Ballance says. “This creates the lift and hold needed for a long-lasting blowout. Many people avoid styling products, fearing stiffness or heaviness, but when used correctly, they enhance volume, longevity, and overall finish,” he explains.
Don’t have a favorite volumizing product yet? Try the Oribe Hair Plumping Mousse or the Nexxus Volume Foam. I promise you, these aren’t the crunchy formulas that everyone was using in the early 2000s.
Make sure to also apply heat protectant since you’ll be using pretty high temps for an extended period of time. I personally love Bumble & Bumble’s Heat Protectant and the multitasking Color Wow Dreamcoat spray.
3. Rough-dry first
Ballance suggests rough-drying with your fingers or a diffuser until the hair until it’s 70 to 90 percent dry. This speeds up the styling process while minimizing heat damage because then you won’t need to apply as much direct heat to your strands. Rough-drying first also reduces any excess pulling on the hair. And, of course, how you rough dry or air dry will depend on your hair type and texture too, so keep that in mind as you style.
4. Start with the front sections
Once your hair has been rough-dried, begin styling the front sections first. “Take hair from both sides of the part and place it in the round brush, maintaining good tension while lifting the roots upward as you dry to create volume and bounce,” says Ballance, who adds that you’ll want to hold the dryer about a half inch from your hair while it’s in the brush for the best result.
Once the pieces are completely dry, immediately roll the section into a velcro roller or roll it in a pin against your scalp. Let it set for at least 10 minutes (or until fully cooled) to lock in the shape and maximize volume.
5. Work through each section
Continue section by section, beginning with the bottom half of your head, and clip the damp upper layer of hair up out of the way while you work. Follow the same steps—dry, lift, twirl, roll, and set—until your entire head is done. You can also wrap your ends around the round brush and apply a heat if you like a curled, flipped-out end too.
6. Don’t forget the final touches
Once your hair has fully cooled, take out all the rollers and use your fingers to softly separate the curls. Apply a light mist of hairspray to lock in the shape, then brush or style to your liking.
And there’s your salon-worthy blowout—no appointment necessary!
Meet the expert:
- Marc Ballance is a professional hairstylist at IGK Salon in New York, NY. He’s been blowing out hair in his mother’s salon since he was a teenager and now styles the hair of some of the biggest celebs out there, including Bad Bunny and Nick Jonas.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers all things hair—from the best hair dryer brushes to the best hair trends. As a blowout connoisseur, she knows all the best DIY tips and tools. She also tapped celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance for all his advice and insight.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
