How to blow-dry your hair at home

Stage 1: towel-dry and prep

1. 1

   Squeeze water out gently with a towel. Avoid rubbing, which roughens the surface of the hair.

2. 2

   Detangle with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends.

3. 3

   Apply any styling product you normally use, following its directions.

4. 4

   Check your dryer's filter is clean, so it delivers full airflow.

Stage 2: rough-dry

Rough-drying removes most of the water quickly before you start styling. Use high speed and medium heat, with or without a gentle nozzle. Move the dryer around and lift hair with your fingers to let air reach the roots. Keep the dryer moving, and keep it a sensible distance from your head.

Stop when hair is about 80% dry: it should feel cool and slightly damp, not wet. Styling from this point is quicker and gives a smoother result than starting with wet hair.

Stage 3: section and smooth with a concentrator

Pointing the air downwards smooths the outer layer of the hair. Pointing it upwards or sideways lifts the surface and causes frizz.

1. 1

   Clip hair into four to six sections, leaving the bottom layer down.

2. 2

   Fit the concentrator. Its narrow slot focuses the air into a flat stream.

3. 3

   Take a section no wider than your brush.

4. 4

   Place a round or paddle brush under the section at the root.

5. 5

   Point the concentrator down the hair shaft, from root towards ends, with the slot parallel to the brush.

6. 6

   Move the brush and dryer down together, slowly, keeping the hair taut.

7. 7

   Repeat two or three times until the section is fully dry.

8. 8

   Press the cool shot for a final pass to set the section.

Settings and nozzle angles

These are starting points. Fine hair often needs less heat, and thick hair may need more time rather than more heat. Our explainer on heat and speed settings covers what each setting does.

Using a Dyson Supersonic

The method is the same. Dyson's magnetic attachments clip on and can be rotated, which makes it easy to keep the concentrator slot parallel to your brush. The styling concentrator or smoothing nozzle suits the smoothing stage; the gentle air attachment suits rough-drying close to the scalp. On the Nural, attachment learning remembers your settings for each attachment.

Dyson's listing for the Supersonic Origin suggests pre-drying clean hair, lifting the roots with a large round brush and following the brush with the attachment. That matches the steps above. Check your manual for the attachments in your box, and see Dyson Supersonic vs Nural if you are choosing a model.

For curly hair, swap the concentrator for a diffuser and follow our diffuser guide.

Note:Never use a hair dryer near a filled bath or basin or with wet hands. Keep the air intake clear, do not wrap the cable tightly round the handle, and unplug the dryer after use and before cleaning.

Choosing the right dryer

Any dryer with a concentrator will do the job, but a lighter dryer is easier for long blow-dries and a strong airflow cuts drying time. Our guides to the best hair dryers in the UK and dryers for thick hair compare models, and how to choose a hair dryer explains which specs matter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I avoid frizz when blow-drying? Rough-dry first, point the air down the hair shaft, dry each section fully and finish with the cool shot.

Should I blow-dry on hot or cold? Use medium heat for most of the job and cool air to set. Avoid the highest heat close to the scalp.

How far should I hold the dryer? A few centimetres from the hair when using a concentrator, further when rough-drying. Keep it moving.

Do I need a round brush? A round brush adds volume and bend; a paddle brush gives a flatter, straighter finish.