# How to straighten hair with a hair dryer

Source: https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/how-to-straighten-hair-with-a-hair-dryer
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Blow and Barrel

**In short:** Rough-dry to about 80%, then work in small sections with a concentrator nozzle and a paddle or large round brush. Hold each section under tension, point the airflow down the hair from root to tip, and follow the brush with the dryer. Finish each section with the cool shot. Moderate heat and strong airflow give sleek results without needing straighteners.

A smooth, straight blow-dry is one of the most useful skills you can have with a hair dryer. It can replace straighteners for many hair types, or at least cut the time you spend with them. The secret is tension, direction and cooling rather than maximum heat. This guide walks through the technique, the attachments that make it easier and what to expect for wavy, curly and thick hair.

## What you need

Dryers with a narrow, flat concentrator give the most control. Some premium dryers include smoothing nozzles that blow air across the surface of the hair to flatten flyaways at the end. Our [attachments explainer](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/hair-dryer-attachments-explained) describes each type.

- A hair dryer with a concentrator nozzle
- A paddle brush for flat, sleek results, or a large round brush for smooth bend
- Sectioning clips
- A heat protectant, especially for coloured or fine hair
- Optional: a smoothing attachment or flyaway tool if your dryer has one

## The technique, step by step

Always point the airflow from root to tip. Blowing upwards or across the hair lifts the cuticle and makes frizz worse. Keeping the nozzle a little away from the brush avoids scorching the hair against the bristles.

1. Towel-dry and apply heat protectant.
2. Rough-dry on high airflow and medium heat, brushing down with your fingers, until about 80% dry.
3. Clip hair into sections, starting with a 3 to 5 cm section at the nape.
4. Place the brush under the section at the root and pull gently down for tension.
5. Point the concentrator downwards, a few centimetres from the brush, and follow the brush slowly to the ends.
6. Repeat two or three times until the section is fully dry and smooth.
7. Hit the cool shot along the section before moving on.
8. Work up the head, finishing with the top and front.

## Settings that work

High heat can feel quicker but dries hair out over time. Strong airflow with moderate heat does most of the work. Our [heat settings explainer](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/hair-dryer-heat-settings-explained) explains what each setting is for.

| Stage | Airflow | Heat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rough-dry | High | Medium |
| Sections with brush | Medium to high | Medium; high for short bursts on thick hair |
| Finishing each section | Low to medium | Cool shot |
| Smoothing flyaways | Low | Low or cool |

Suggested settings for a straight blow-dry

## Different hair types

**Wavy hair** usually goes straight easily with this method. Smaller sections and the cool shot keep the waves from coming back.

**Curly and coily hair** needs smaller sections and more tension. A wide-tooth comb attachment or a pick nozzle can stretch curls before brushing. Expect a smooth, stretched result rather than poker-straight hair, and use heat protection. Some people finish with straighteners on a low setting.

**Thick hair** takes longer. A dryer with strong airflow and a long cable helps. See our [thick hair guide](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-for-thick-hair). **Fine hair** straightens quickly but can look flat; use a large round brush rather than a paddle brush for some body.

## Air stylers and straighteners

Some multi-stylers include air straightener or smoothing brush attachments that dry and smooth in one step. The Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x has an air straightener, and the Shark FlexStyle has a paddle brush. These make a sleek blow-dry easier one-handed. Compare them in our [Airwrap-style multi-stylers guide](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-airwrap-style-multi-stylers) or the [Dyson Airwrap vs Airstrait comparison](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/dyson-airwrap-vs-airstrait).

If your blow-dry is nearly straight but you want a glassy finish, a single pass with straighteners on a low setting on dry hair finishes the job with far less heat than straightening from scratch.

## Keeping it straight

- Make sure every section is completely dry. Damp hair reverts to waves.
- Let hair cool before stepping into a steamy bathroom.
- Use a light anti-humidity product on frizz-prone hair.
- Sleep with hair loosely tied or wrapped to keep it smooth.

Note: Keep the concentrator moving and away from the scalp, and let the nozzle cool before touching it after use.

## Frequently asked questions

**Can a hair dryer straighten hair as well as straighteners?** For wavy and many straight hair types, a good blow-dry can look just as sleek. Curly and coily hair usually ends up smooth and stretched rather than poker straight.

**Which brush is best for straightening with a dryer?** A paddle brush for the flattest result, a large round brush for smoothness with a little bend at the ends.

**Why does my hair frizz after blow-drying straight?** Usually the airflow pointed upwards, sections were not fully dry or no cool shot was used. Point the nozzle down and finish each section cool.

**Do I need a concentrator?** Yes. Without it, air spreads out and ruffles the hair, making a smooth finish much harder.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-for-thick-hair
- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-uk
- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-airwrap-style-multi-stylers