4 Tips to Make that Salon Blowout Last

One of my favorite pampering treats is to spend some time at my hair salon and have my hair blown out. Getting a blowout is a great way to boost confidence and feel special. There are several ways to make a blowout last. With the proper maintenance, I've had blowouts last for two weeks. To get the most from your blowout, follow these simple tips.

Use Product Sparingly

If you intend on making your blowout last, tell your stylist you are planning on making it last for a long time. Ask him or her to avoid using styling products in your hair after the initial shampoo and conditioner washes. This means no gel, hairspray or lotions. However, a dab of a silkening agent which may contain oil is fine to smooth post-blowout flyaway hairs, as long as it's used sparingly.

Clean hair

Before the blowout, make sure to get a thorough shampoo to clean your hair. However, ask your stylist to go light on the conditioner. Too much conditioner can make hair heavy. If you have dry ends, a little more conditioner is okay at the ends only. A better idea to deal with dry ends is to have them trimmed by the stylist.

Stay Dry

To make your blowout last, make sure to use a shower cap while bathing. If you think you can take a shower without a shower cap and make your blowout last, you're wrong. Inevitably, your hair will get wet in the shower.

Be sure to cover your hair if it's raining outside. Definitely use the hoods on your jacket and umbrellas, even in a drizzle. Hair bands or ponytail holders are good to hold back hair while washing your face.

Dry Shampoo

During the life of your blowout, if your hair feels a bit oily or your scalp starts to itch, try using a dry shampoo. The website www.drugstore.com carries several brands of dry shampoo. My favorite is Klorane Extra-Gentle Dry Shampoo with Goat Milk (price is $7.50 for 1.06 oz.).

This product absorbs oil and has a pleasant scent. The proper way to use dry shampoo is to hold the can 12 inches away from your hair and then spray a small amount on the scalp. Then, comb through your hair. This brand of dry shampoo would leave a residue in non-blonde hair.

Salon Grafix makes dry shampoos for blonde, brunette and black hair. This brand is a better option if you don't have blonde hair.

With these tips, you're armed with the tools to make your blowout last. Just stay dry, minimize the amount of styling product and use dry shampoo if you need to.