Short hair can be more difficult to style, and a blow dryer set to high heat can easily cause hair damage. The basic approach to blow drying is generally the same as for long hair, but it's a good idea to change the nozzle or tip of the blow dryer. If you're having trouble adding volume to your short hair, read on.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basic Blow-Drying Technique
Step 1. Absorb excess water on hair with a towel
If you are exposed to the heat from the blow dryer for too long, your hair can be damaged. Reduce the duration of using the blow dryer by absorbing excess water with a soft towel. Gently blow dry until hair is no longer soaking wet.
Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel as it can become unruly and break
Step 2. Apply serum (optional)
To make hair shiny and smooth, apply hair serum to the ends of your hair. You only need a small amount of serum for the whole hair.
- Rub the serum into both palms first to make sure you apply it evenly.
- Some people only apply a drop or two of the oil to their hair. This can cause damage to the hair when blow dried, so use only low temperatures. Try a light oil like jojoba or coconut oil.
Step 3. Use a heat protectant
Spray a sufficient amount of heat shield on the hair from a distance of at least 20 cm. Comb hair gently using a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute this product.
Do not use a comb that is not wide-toothed and do not try to untangle hair with a comb. You might even break your wet hair
Step 4. Adjust the airflow with a narrow tip nozzle (optional)
If your blow dryer has several nozzles to choose from, try comparing the widths of each of these nozzles. If the nozzle is too wide, the air current coming out of the hairdryer is wasted if it is directed at short hair. However, nozzles with narrower openings tend to cause damage. Therefore, try using a wide nozzle if your hair is brittle or thin.
Reduce the airflow setting to low or medium as well
Step 5. Choose the right temperature
If your hair is easily damaged, reduce the temperature on the dryer to low or medium until the air currents are comfortable at the back of your head. If your hair is strong, or strong enough to dry in just a few minutes, try drying it on high heat.
Read the guide below for specific styles
Step 6. Try combing while blow drying
To dry hair quickly and easily, point the blow dryer down. This reduces the chances of making hair frizzy. As you dry your hair, pull your comb or fingers through your hair to ensure that it dries evenly.
To keep your hair soft and in good shape, pull the ends of your hair as you dry them. You can do this with your fingers, but for best results, use a hairbrush that is adjusted to the length of your hair. Pull out a few short sections of hair with a small brush and use a brush with longer, thicker teeth to brush in at the ends of the medium length sections
Method 2 of 3: Adding Volume to Short Hair
Step 1. Part your hair
Divide your hair into four sections: left, right, front, and back. Pin these three sections of hair and leave one section loose. It's generally easier if you first let the back unravel and then move toward the front.
Divide thick hair into more than four sections
Step 2. Wrap this section of hair around the brush
Wrap a section of hair on a round brush. Bring your hair forward so you can easily reach it with a blow dryer.
Step 3. Select the temperature of the hair dryer
A blow dryer on a high heat has a more significant effect, but can easily cause damage. Set the blow dryer to medium heat, unless your hair is really strong.
Step 4. Blow dry from all sides
Gently pull the hair with the brush so that the hair is straight. Hold the blow dryer at a distance of about 1.25-2.5 cm from the hair, and run the dryer along the length of the hair without touching the scalp or the brush. Repeat several times from the bottom, top, and both sides. Occasionally turn the brush to release the hair a little at a time as you blow dry.
- Direct the air from the dryer away from the head, not toward it.
- For everyday blow drying, it is recommended that you keep the nozzle 20 cm away from your hair. This will reduce the risk of damage to your hair, but you will have more difficulty styling your hair.
Step 5. Turn the hairbrush and let the hair cool
Rotate the hairbrush to give your hair more volume. Leave the hair in this position until it is no longer hot.
To prevent hair from sticking up, rotate the brush toward your head, not away
Step 6. Blow dry again while pulling forward
Bring the brush as far forward on the head as possible to add volume. Pull the brush forward so that the hair feels tight and this will make your hair shinier. Blow dry from all sides until dry and adjust to reveal wet hair.
Step 7. Blow dry the remaining sections of hair away from your face
Move to the front section of hair and blow dry this section while pulling it to one side of the face. Pull the sections of hair on the left or right side away from the head to add volume to the hair.
If the ends of your hair tend to fall apart and mess up your hairstyle, blow dry from above, with the blow dryer pointed downwards. You're still adding volume as long as you keep your hair pulled away from your head
Method 3 of 3: Blow Dry Curly Hair
Step 1. Add a diffuser
This diffuser is attached to the nozzle. This tool reduces the flow of air that comes out so that your curls stay in shape, instead of becoming unruly.
If your dryer doesn't come with a diffuser, try buying a diffuser that works with any dryer, or a diffuser that's meant for your dryer
Step 2. Wash and apply the product
As explained in the basic method, it's a good idea to blow dry your hair while it's still damp, but not drenched. Apply a heat protectant before you start blow-drying, and add a serum or oil if you want extra shine.
Step 3. Reduce heat
Curly hair is particularly at risk of heat damage. Reduce the heat to low or your hair will be straight in the middle.
If your hair starts to break easily or looks damaged, stop doing any styling that involves heat. Use a low heat or cool blow dryer, or you can let it dry naturally
Step 4. Put your hair on the diffuser
Turn all the hair to one side of the head. Let the hair fall into the "teeth" of the diffuser with the dryer on.
Step 5. Blow dry with a gentle motion
While blow-drying from below, lift the diffuser up toward the hair strands. Avoid jerky movements that can damage the shape of the curls. Make sure there are no strands of hair stuck in the teeth of the diffuser when you move to the next area.
Step 6. Return your hair to its original position (optional)
Some people find that blow drying with hair piled on one side makes the hair less volume at the top of the head. If this is your problem, return your hair to its original position after a few minutes. Tilt your head when you're done blow drying to let all of your curls fall into the teeth of the diffuser.
Warning
- Do not use the hair dryer too often because it can damage the hair.
- Don't brush your hair while it's still wet.
