Over-The-Top Blowouts Take This Summer's Extreme Volume Trend To The Next Level

Fans of big, bouncy hair are definitely feeling pretty smug right now, as voluminous blowouts are firmly back on trend. While sleek and smooth will always have its place in our hearts, hair straighteners everywhere will likely be getting a much-deserved break for the time being. After all, blowout hair is surprisingly versatile, resulting in anything from straight hair and gentle curls to anything in between, depending on technique. 

Although they seem like a lot of work on the front end, part of the beauty of blowouts is that they can last much longer than the average hairstyle. Typically, that's about three to five days, but people with thick hair that isn't too oily can probably make it stretch quite a lot longer. Although professional blowouts are amazing, it's unrealistic for most of us to hit the salon every time we want one done. Fortunately, all it takes is a hair dryer and a couple of standard products to achieve a (nearly) professional-caliber blowout.

Many hairstyles work best when hair is dirty, but a blowout isn't one of them. Start by using a shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for your hair type. Fine hair, in particular, is going to need some extra oomph in the form of a volumizing or thickening product combo. In other words, this is not the time to cut corners and use your partner's dandruff shampoo. 

A legitimate blowout starts with plenty of lift at the roots that continue all the way through the hair. To achieve that effect, hairstylist Neil Moodie tells Glamour that people should first towel dry their hair. Then, apply either a volumizing mousse or a root-specific spray to the roots. 

Once the roots are taken care of, run a detangling brush through the hair to rid any troublesome knots or tangles. Spritz liberally with heat protectant because even though you're not using a straightener or a curling iron, the blow dryer still emits its own heat. Plus, you want the blowout to be sleek and voluminous, not a frizzy old mess. 

The best home blowouts employ hair sectioning. Rapunzel of Sweden says to section the still-wet or damp hair onto two sides while leaving a section at the nape of the neck. Clip the hair on either side of the head, then lightly blow dry the loose hair on the nape. After that, work some frizz control cream through, then using a round brush, blow dry that section using blasts of cold and hot air. Using metal clips, fasten the hair, then repeat the whole process on the other sections, dividing them into smaller pieces as needed. 

Once the hair is blow-dried, it's time to finish it with some hairspray. After the hair is completely cooled off, go ahead and take the clips that have been holding the blow-dried sections out. Then some people brush through the hair, while others refine the look with a styling tool like a curling iron. The choice is yours. 

Maximize the longevity of your blowout (salon or DIY variety) by following a few rules of thumb. First, don't let the hair get wet, whether in the shower, pool, rain or getting overly sweaty. Minimize the impact of sleep by using a satin or silk pillowcase, and put hair into a messy bun using a non-creasing hair tie. Lastly, if roots need a boost, blast them for a few seconds with the hair dryer, and use a spritz of dry shampoo when hair starts to get greasy.