Say no to frizz: Hairstylists share the correct blow-drying steps so you can get a halo shine without hair oil
You’ll really feel the difference in your frizzy hair!
Do you carefully care for your hair after every wash, only for it to turn into a frizzy “lion’s mane” as soon as you blow-dry it? In humid, muggy places like Hong Kong and Taiwan, frizz is a daily struggle for many women. Sometimes, even after applying expensive hair-care products, it starts to puff up again less than half a day after you leave the house. The secret to smooth, glossy hair like the actresses in commercials may not be how many hair products you use, but whether you’re blow-drying it the right way. Here, we’re sharing hairstylists’ go-to blow-drying tips: make a few small changes to your everyday routine and you can easily say goodbye to frizz!
- Related reading: No ordinary brush: No need to get your hands wet or rinse it… Japanese brand ReFa launches an at-home “deep hair treatment” device!
The key is whether your hair cuticles are closed
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Do you know why your hair gets especially tangled right after you wash it? When hair is wet, the cuticles on its surface are completely open. If you immediately blast it with a blow-dryer and tousle it carelessly, moisture will quickly escape with the hot air. Without moisture, hair naturally becomes dry and rough, and can even develop split ends.
Professional stylists say that the most important thing for naturally glossy hair is getting the cuticles to “close up” during the blow-drying process. When cuticles lie flat and close properly, they lock moisture into the hair shaft, leaving your hair smooth and shiny once it’s dry.
Never rub your hair vigorously
Before you pick up the blow-dryer, how do you usually towel-dry your hair? To speed things up, many people vigorously rub their hair with a towel, but this is a major hair-care no-no. As mentioned earlier, cuticles are open when hair is wet, making it especially fragile. Rubbing it hard can damage and strip away the cuticles, while also leaving your hair severely tangled.
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Instead, wrap your hair in a towel and gently press it with both hands to absorb the excess water. If a regular towel doesn’t seem absorbent enough, try a microfiber hair towel or drying cap. Let it absorb more moisture before blow-drying; this will shorten the time your hair is exposed to the dryer’s high heat and greatly reduce the risk of frizz.
Proper blow-drying step 1: Smooth your hair downward with your fingers as you dry
When you blow-dry your hair at home, do you usually keep your head down and tousle it around with the dryer? This is exactly what causes frizz. The easiest and free way to help the cuticles close is to gently smooth your hair from top to bottom with your fingers as you blow-dry.
This is incredibly simple, yet many people forget to do it. Smooth downward in the direction your hair grows, and the cuticles will naturally close. The next time you blow-dry, remind yourself not to rub and tousle your hair so roughly. Gently comb it smooth with your fingers instead; that’s the key to a glossy, halo-like finish.
Proper blow-drying step 2: Use a brush to guide your hair’s direction before drying
Many women wonder whether it’s okay to brush wet hair. As long as you choose the right tool, brushing it smooth before blow-drying can reduce tugging and hair loss as you dry, while helping your hair fall in a more uniform direction for twice the smoothing effect.
Try a round brush with a good grip or a cushioned massage brush, and gently work through any tangles. Get your hair’s direction in place before blow-drying, and you’ll find that it’s especially easy to manage once dry, without pieces sticking up in every direction. If you have naturally curly hair, don’t skip this step: it can save you a lot of time straightening it later with a flat iron.
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Why does your blow-dryer need a nozzle attachment?
When you buy a blow-dryer, do you often toss the nozzle attachment from the box into the back of a drawer? Look closely the next time you have your hair washed at a salon: the stylist’s blow-dryer will always have a nozzle attached at the front. The nozzle concentrates the airflow, making the direction of your blow-drying more precise. Without it, air blows everywhere and leaves the cuticles in disarray, so you won’t get that glossy finish.
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Along with directing the airflow from top to bottom, temperature is another key factor. Continuously blasting your hair with high heat can easily cause heat damage and make the cuticles open too much. It’s best to alternate between warm and cool air: dry your scalp first with warm air, then lower the temperature slightly for the lengths, or finish with cool air to set your style. This not only reduces heat damage, it also helps keep the cuticles smooth.
Join Popbee Circle and subscribe to the Popbee newsletter for the latest updates, and get early access to exclusive perks and discounts! Beyond this article, here are a few recent stories worth checking out:
- Want to cut down blow-dry time? The most-watched tutorial by Japanese girls makes at-home smooth hair look straight out of the salon
- No more rushing to the salon: actresses are boldly embracing natural roots, making Root Shadow gradient color the key hair trend of 2026
- Tired of the frustration of frizzy hair? Turns out 5 small lifestyle changes can give your hair a smooth, sleek feel
