4 Blow Dry Tips For Textured Hair To Use Every Time

4 Tips For Avoiding Tangles & Breakage

Prepping any style with a blow-dry can create a long-lasting foundation. So we tapped ULTA Beauty Pro Team Member Michelle O’Connor (@michelleoconnorbeauty) to share her four need-to-know tips for blow-drying texture correctly. Scroll down to start using them ASAP and watch the video for everything styling texture, from blow-drying to braids to elevating a style with clip-on extensions!

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1. Prep with a leave-in conditioner to prevent breakage

Avoiding damage to the curl pattern is important in every step of service and that includes the blow-dry. That’s why Michelle always recommends prepping texture with a moisture spray. “You never want to start blow-drying hair from a dry state. You don’t have to completely saturate the hair, just a small amount of moisture will work” Michelle explains. 

She applied Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray to also detangle and give the brush more slip when working through the hair. 

2. Use hair density to determine the heat setting

Instead of thinking about texture when it comes to setting temperature, take note of the client’s hair density. The diameter of the hair strand actually determines the amount of heat the client’s hair can handle.

Michelle broke it down: “Let’s say I have a client with 4C type hair but it is fine, I think of this hair as silk. You wouldn’t iron silk on the highest temperature, but instead turn the setting to low and work gently to smooth and straighten, same with hair. If I have a client with a 3A curl, which is wavy but super thick in density, I will need to bump up my temperature.”

“Remember, it’s not about heating the hair, it’s tension and allowing the hair to set in that straighter position. Don’t think you need to blast the hair with heat—especially if you are just smoothing to style further—less is more,” she adds.

3. How to choose the right brush depending on the style

The right brush can help create volume and body or super straight strands. So Michelle broke down two different brushes to always have in your kit.

• Paddle brush: Since the bristles are further apart, hair can pass through without a lot of tension leaving a subtle, organic texture. This brush is perfect for prepping for styles with a lot of volume or drama. 

• Denman brush: Allows for more tension when brushing, creating straighter, flatter results—perfect for a silky smooth style. 

Pro Tip: Clients with 4C hair texture or tight coils will require more tension when blow-drying, so it is important to note the client’s density when choosing a brush. 

4. Approach tangles from the bottom to avoid major damage

Here’s the thing: Tangles happen, even if you detangle before blow-drying (which you should). But if you do hit a snag don’t panic! Simply place the brush under the tangle and gently work upwards. This will avoid stressing the hair with aggressive pulling or tension that could cause major damage.

Check Out Michelle’s Finish Style!