ot every trip to the salon has to be a two-hour visit ending with a $300 tab. Every so often, you can have what I call a coffee date with your hair stylist and get a blowout. However, instead of leaving with coffee breath and slightly browner teeth, you emerge with bouncy, shiny, hair-commercial hair.

Blowouts: Necessity or Luxury?

Some consider blowouts a luxury because you are basically paying someone to shampoo and dry your hair for you, but it does always look better when a stylist does it. Somehow, only a true professional can get those big round brushes to cooperate and turn a potentially tangled mess into a gorgeous mane. But if you still feel guilty about getting a blowout, pair it with an eyebrow wax, manicure or other salon service, so it doesn't seem like it’s a special trip.

	There are times when a blowout is called for on its own: an unexpected hot date, drinks with friends or frenemies...

There are times, however, when a blowout is called for on its own: an unexpected hot date, drinks with friends or frenemies, or when you just need a between-appointment pick-me-up. There are many other situations when you will find blowouts helpful or even necessary. In every instance, I guarantee that someone will ask with a little jealousy, “Did you change your hair?” Just shake your bouncy new ‘do to answer that question. I suggest a quick head turn, as if you just heard someone call your name. And remember, you won’t be lying. You didn’t change your hair, you just fluffed it (well, your stylist fluffed it, but no one needs to know that part).

Blowouts are Healthy for Your Hair

Blowouts are a healthy way to style your hair. If you follow the same blowout method I do, you minimize damage by spreading the heat from the blow dryer evenly throughout your hair instead of concentrating it in one location. In addition, blowouts require fewer products—always a good thing. There are ways to trick your hair into behaving without slathering on gels and sprays. Your stylist is always there for you, but if you want to tackle this on your own, here are a few pointers.

How to do a Blowout

• After washing your hair, apply a dime-sized dollop of a soothing balm. I like to use Davines Defining Cream. This product will produce shinier and smoother hair while protecting it from excessive heat damage.
• Use a a large round brush, that works best, or a paddle brush for the blowout.
• Always start the blowout from the bottom layers, you can use clips to hold the rest of your hair up and away from the section you are drying. When you start drying, pull the hair up and away from the scalp so that you can create volume where you want it. So, for example, the hair at the base of your neck will be pulled up towards the ceiling.
• Be careful not to over-dry your hair, but make sure there is no moisture left or your natural pattern will emerge in spots and the volume you created will fall flat.

If you can master this technique, you will find that shiny, healthy hair isn’t only in the movies. But, don’t forget, your stylist is always there if you find the task too daunting!