Brushes: My Blowdry Favorites!

When it comes to creating a great blowdry, my brushes are one of my biggest tools. Needless to say, I am very particular when it comes to which brushes I use. So, for anyone out there wondering what they need to bring their blowdry to the next level (whether you're a stylist or not) I ask, what kind of brush are you using? 

The two main brushes I use are a flat brush and a round brush, depending on the look I am going for. A flat brush is going to give a straighter, sleeker look where a round brush is going to give a fuller look with more movement. I usually don't go in with either of these brushes until I have gotten about 80 percent of the moisture out of the hair, depending on the hair type and texture.

My flat brush. I use a flat brush that has both natural boar and nylon bristles. The combination of the two create good tension on the hair which is essential in creating a beautiful, smooth blowdry. The nylon bristles also help with detangling. This is also my go-to brush when in comes to bangs. I feel like I can get the perfect amount of bend on the hair, whether I'm doing straight across or swoop bangs. Because of it's flat base, this brush is perfect for getting a sleek, straight look with minimal volume. This is especially nice for clients with lots of hair that tends to get a good amount of body on it's own without product. I also use this brush when blowdrying bobs and want to achieve that smooth, modern bob look. 

My round brush. As with my flat brush, I use a round brush that has both natural boar and nylon bristles. I use this brush when I want to give more body and movement to the hair. Because of its round shape, this brush naturally gives more lift at the roots which is good for clients who are finer and are trying to achieve a fuller, more voluminous look. Additionally, this brush gives a great bend on the ends of the hair which is perfect for giving natural movement to the hair. After I have finished round brushing a section, I like to twist it as I am releasing it from the brush, or just with my fingers, so that as the section cools it is forming into a very loose curl almost. This is a great technique to use on long layered hair.                  

I am a strong believer in that a great blowdry goes a long way. It is a rare occasion that I will pull out my flat iron to finish someone's hair because I am able to get the style I want with my brush, dryer, and product. In my eyes, a blowdry gives a much more natural looking style than any flat or curling iron will give to the hair; those tools have their place, but not to be used to replace a good blowdry. If you feel like you need that little extra something to really boost your blowdry, consider what brush you are using and maybe it is time to invest in a new one. If you are in the market for a good brush, give one of these a try. You'll see the difference, and so will your hair!

Blowdry Tips: Blowdrying Bangs

Bangs are a great way to change your look without doing anything too dramatic. However, sometimes they can be a little tricky to style on your own. One question I get alot from clients with bangs is, "How do you get my bangs to look so good? I can never get them to look the same as when you do them". Here are a few tricks when it comes to blowdrying your bangs.

• Make sure you blowdry your bangs first. Bangs always dry the fastest, so to ensure you get the best finish on them be sure to dry them before they dry how they naturally live and become difficult to style.
• Start by blowdrying with a vent brush, using low heat to ensure you don't dry your bangs before you have them how you want them. Brush your bangs to one side, then to the other (if you have straight bangs, brush them straight down as well between brushing to each side). By blowdrying your bangs across in each direction, it helps to neutralize cowlicks around your hairline. If you have a really prominent cowlick, use a comb with tight teeth rather than a vent brush to get more tension on the hair and help to better smooth it out.
• After you have removed most of the moisture, set dryer to a higher heat and change your brush to one that has nature boar bristles. A brush with natural bristles puts more tension on the hair to help get it nice and smooth. If you need to, part your bangs into two or three sections to make them easier to work with, smoothing one section at a time.
• With sweeping bangs, blowdry them on the opposite side of where you part. Blowdrying a sweeping bang on the opposite side and then brushing it across to where you usually wear it gives a nicer, more natural sweep. Straight bangs can be dried forward.
• You can use a flat brush to make your bangs lay straighter, sleeker, and closer to your forehead; use a round brush to add a little lift and put more of a bend on the ends. It all depends on the look you are trying to achieve.
• After you have finished drying your bangs, you can move to the sides and then the back. 

Be the boss of your bangs! With these tricks in your bag, you will be sure to get great looking bangs everytime.