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There’s no question that blow drying men's hair can be a bit of a challenge.
The hand-eye coordination, the endless choice of products, and the right styling technique all play a part in achieving the perfect blow dry.
But how do you know where to start and what products to use to get the style you want?
There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your time getting ready in the bathroom doesn't become an unnecessary chore!
In this article, we're going to walk you through the various techniques for styling men's hair with a hair dryer and provide a few suggestions around which products can help you look your best! (You can thank us later…)
What Hair Styling Tool Is Best For Blow Drying Hair?
If you want to blow dry your hair effectively and achieve the best results, you need the right tools. In addition to a good-quality hair dryer, you’ll need a round brush and a comb, too.
The round brush will be useful for adding volume and body to your hair while the comb can help to detangle wet hair and allow you to perfect your style with precision.
When choosing a hair dryer, it's important to look for one that comes with a diffuser or a nozzle attachment, as this will help to prevent frizz and, instead, add shine. This allows you to direct the heat in a more targeted way to personalize your look.
Also be sure to look for a hair dryer with variable temperatures—especially a cool shot button—as this will help reduce the potential for heat damage.
Want more tips to help you avoid the frizz? Our 6 Tips for Humid Weather Hairstyles will ensure you look your best, even under the dampest conditions!
Now, don’t forget to invest in a good quality hairbrush as this is the key to reducing unnecessary breakage and damage to your hair (because let’s face it, we already put our hair through too much as it is!).
You can easily pick up a high quality hairbrush for under $10, so there's no excuse not to have one (or two) on hand!
Can You Blow Dry Men's Hair Without Damaging It?
Dry and damaged locks are a friend to no one. In order to prevent hair damage when blow drying, it is important to use the right technique.
The secret is to keep the hair dryer moving constantly and also to keep the heat low. This will minimize the potential for your hair to get scorched.
Try not to focus too much of the heat on one area for a prolonged period of time because that could cause your hair to dry out—and even worse, your scalp to get burned!
If you’ve gone a bit overboard on the hair drying front and need some help repairing your hair and scalp, lucky for you, we’ve got a solution: a dry scalp treatment.
Now, if you're blow drying your hair for the first time, it's a good idea to start with a lower temperature and work your way up to higher heat as you get a bit more comfortable with the process.
Also, keep in mind that different types of hair react differently to heat, so it's always best to err on the side of caution until you figure out what works best for your hair.
- For all of you guys with thin hair, using a round brush while blow drying can help add some extra volume and thickness. Start by drying your hair in sections, using the brush to lift your hair at the roots as you dry. Then use your hands to weed out any spots that still aren’t completely dry.
- For guys with thicker hair, a diffuser can be really helpful for adding definition and texture to your style. Again, start by drying your hair in sections and use the diffuser attachment to distribute the heat evenly throughout your hair. Curly hair can also handle more heat than straight hair, so feel free to experiment with different temperatures until you find what works best for you.
If you're the kind of guy who loves the freshly blow-dried look (and blow dries multiple times per week), you should probably invest in a heat protection spray to keep your locks looking healthy and shiny - and certainly not fried!
Finally, never use a brush on wet hair as this will only increase the risk of hair damage and breakage.
Instead, use your fingers to detangle and style your hair when it's wet, and then switch to a brush once your hair is less damp.
How Should A Man Blow Dry His Hair Properly?
When blow drying your hair, it’s important to start with a clean scalp and towel-dried hair. You want to make sure that you're not starting with soaking wet hair, as this will only make the job harder and way more time-consuming.
To start drying your hair, section it off into manageable parts using a wide comb. Take time to figure out how you want to style your hair first.- Is it going to be slicked back? Or do you want to add volume?
If you're using a heat protection spray, now's the time to apply it. You want to make sure you distribute it evenly through the hair to ensure that your locks are protected before you unleash the hair dryer’s heat onto it.
Start by blow drying your hair at the roots, using a medium-sized round brush. This will help add volume and get you one step closer to creating that desired style.
It's also important to keep the hair dryer at least 6 inches away from your scalp to avoid burning your hair and scalp (ouch!).
Use the force and the heat of the air to guide the hair into the style that you want. For a sleek look, use a brush to smooth the hair down as you dry it.
For more volume, start at the back of your head and lift the hair as you go. Then move towards the front until all sections of your hair are styled as you want them to be!
If you have longer hair, this last step sounds a little bizarre, but it’s actually critical step in blow drying your hair if you want to maximize your hair’s volume. And who doesn’t want a bit more volume?
Once your hair is almost completely dry, lean over and tilt your head towards your feet. Using our friend gravity, direct the airflow from your hair dryer down onto your hair—this is great for adding that final extra bit of volume to your style.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more rugged style, you can use a hair dryer with the nozzle taken off and use your hands to style as you apply heat to your hair.
This method is perfect for guys with wavey or curly hair, as it lets you take advantage of your hair’s natural texture and body!
And that's basically all there is to it. Perfectly dried hair with added volume - all in under 10 minutes. That's not a bad return on investment if we do say so ourselves?!
What Are The Best Products For Styling Men's Hair?
Now that you've gone through our step-by-step guide for blow drying your hair and have successfully styled your hair to perfection, what products should you be using to keep it looking fresh all day long?
Here are our top three products that help your hair handle whatever the day throws at you!
- Hair Styling Pomade: Enjoy a strong yet flexible hold, with a classic, shiny finish. Specially formulated with natural botanicals, it’s proven to add a bit of shine to your hair while keeping every strand in place. Really great if you’re going for that clean-cut look!
- Matt Mud: If you’ve got short-to-medium thick hair and you’re searching for a product that provides awesome hold while allowing you to style your locks any way you like, you need Matt Mud—our worldwide bestseller and the best hair clay for men.
- Styling Gel for Fine Hair: For all you guys out there with fine hair, this one's for you! Our styling gel soothes your scalp and hydrates your hair from the root up, giving you volume, texture, and overall healthier hair. Not to mention, it achieves all that without any stickiness, white flakes, or overpowering aromas.
Check out the selection of Vitaman's natural hair styling products for men and choose the right one for you!
To close, we know that blow drying your hair can seem daunting at first, especially if you've never done it before. But if you follow these simple tips, you'll be able to create the perfectly coiffed style you’ve been looking for in no time flat.
So, what are you waiting for? Go get your hair dryer and brush…and start styling your hair now!
