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My early memories of my childhood are of my NaNa blowing out my hair. Whew, back then, it felt like I was in a war zone, but now, I have learned easier and more efficient ways to blow out black hair. Don’t worry; I will share all of these in this article.
What is a Blowout
A blowout is an age-long way of straightening kinky hair. Yup, out goes the afro-textured hair, and in comes the frizz-free straight hair.
Tools for Blowout
Blow Dryer
Durhhhh, of course, you need a blow dryer and not just any blow dryer, a great one. You should pick out one with a nozzle or concentrator to focus the heat in the direction you want for the best results.
Also, you can get the one with different temperature settings to easily adjust the temperature to the one intended specifically for your hair type and your intended style.
Heat Protectant
With all the heat you are applying to your hair, you can’t afford to leave your tresses unprotected. The heat protectant creates a protective layer between your hair and the incoming heat from the hair dryer.
If your hair is thin, don’t weigh it down by selecting a heavyweight protectant – use a lightweight heat protectant instead.
Shampoo
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Yes, shampoo is a crucial styling product for your blowout. It helps to choose the right one for your hair type. To be on the safe side, go for sulfate-free shampoos; they are easier on your hair and cleanse it without stripping it of the natural oils.
Round Brush
If your blow dryer doesn’t come with a pik attachment, you will need to get yourself a round brush. The round brush helps you achieve the perfect blowout with just the right amount of bounce.
Lucky for you, the hair tools don't cost so much and can be found in local stores near you.
How to Blow Dry Natural Hair Easily at Home
Prep Your Hair
The first step to achieving a perfect blowout on your black hair is to prep your hair. Prepping the hair involves washing it with a mild shampoo (if possible, a moisturizing one), conditioning, detangling, and trimming it. With excellent hair prep, you are well on your way to getting a flawless blowout.
Section Your Hair
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The easiest way to blow dry black hair is to section it and twist off the sections. A simple two-strand twist or rope braid would suffice this way; you get to pre-stretch your hair and speed up the blowout process.
Always remember to make the sections small enough that you can easily manage, and even so that you get similar results all through your hair.
Leave the twist to dry off partially. You get great results when you blow dry natural hair that is 20% damp.
Apply Heat Protectant
Yup, you always have to apply a heat protectant to your hair before styling with any heat tool. Unravel one of your rope braids and rub in generous amounts of the heat protectant. Focus on your strands and avoid your scalp; you don’t want to block your pores.
Start Blow Drying Your Hair
If your dryer has a pik attachment, you can use it to comb through the first twist on your head. If not, you will have to use a regular round brush to work through your hair as you blow dry it. Start from the tip of your hair and work your way down to the roots to reduce breakage.
Direct the nozzle of your dryer towards the hair at the nape of your neck. Next, blow on the medium-sized section there until it is dry. Remember, for best results, work on smaller sections and blow dry the hair from root to tip.
Continue this step until you are done with all the sections. Then, if you want a bit more volume, lift the hair with a round brush and blow dry from the root to the ends of the hair.
Finishing
Before you stash the blow dryer at the back of the shelf, finish off your frizz-free look with a short blast of cool air. Then, spritz some hairstyling spray on your hair to give it more hold.
How to Style Black Hair After a Blowout
Once you have successfully blown out your natural hair, the next step is to style it. The possibilities are endless; you can wear the hair up in a ponytail, style it as an afro, half-up half-down, or leave it down.
As the blowout effects begin to wear off, you can try braiding the hair at the sides or opt for rope braids. That way, the blowout lasts longer.
How Long Does Black Hair Blowout Last?
With proper care and maintenance, a black hair blowout can last until your next wash day. However, the actual length of time your natural hair blowout lasts depends on some factors, chief of which are lifestyle and environmental factors.
Essentially, if you decide to blow out your hair in southern summer, then you must bear in mind that your blowout will not last for as long as you hope.
How to Maintain Your Natural Hair Blowout
Now that you have put in hours to ensure your blowout is as close to perfect as it can be, you must maintain the look. Wrap it up in a high ponytail before you sleep so that it doesn’t get tousled and ragged while you sleep.
A hair bonnet is also a must; you don’t want your hair snagging on the pillow and bed sheet.
Conclusion
I have provided tips and steps to help you blow out your black hair like a pro; follow them and thank me. Remember, it is not as complicated as you think; start with the right tools and hair styling products, and you will do great.
If you want to rock your blowout for longer, ensure that you protect it with a silk bonnet or scarf at night-time.
Okay, I will be more careful next time, and I will note if I am unsure about the issue and let you know in the CS session or text you in the msg first.
