Five Steps to Faster Hair Styling

Speed up your style time with these five simple steps.

Long hair can take forever to style. Even hairstylists need to leave extra time to blow dry and style long, thick hair. More than once, I've had salon clients apologize to me because their hair took so long to blow dry. Since my hair is neither long nor thick, I had to learn a few tips from my stylist friends whose hair is heavy and long. Here's what they taught me.

Blot dry. The first thing you need to do after you shampoo your hair is to gently blot it dry. Vigorous rubbing and scrubbing with a bath towel is truly counterproductive when you're trying to style your hair fast. It just roughs up the hair's cuticle, making it look frizzy and damaged. Hair is more fragile when it is wet, so over time, all that rough treatment can cause damage, especially to delicate strands. Instead, gently blot your hair with a soft towel. Carefully squeeze out as much moisture as you can.

Apply the right hair products. Investing in the right hair products will speed drying time and styling time. Applying the wrong hair products will be counterproductive. For instance, if your hair is fine and thin, applying a heavy straightening balm will weigh it down and make it look greasy, rather than volumized. Choose products with the least amount of alcohol, which can dry out strands and make them look frizzy or dull. Choose professional salon products that are created for your hair type, texture, and style. Purchase these products directly from a salon, as salon products that make their way into a big box or discount store could be expired, spoiled, or damaged.

Blow dry. Blow dry your entire head of hair as quickly as you can, until it is about 80 percent dry. Always try to aim down the hair shaft (from the roots of your hair towards the ends) for the smoothest, sleekest look. Be gentle, but be fast.

Style. First, you'll need to finish blow drying your hair. Now is the time to blow dry one small section at a time, with a round brush or a paddle brush, to achieve your desired style. The larger the round brush, the more volume you can create on top, and the straighter you can make the ends. Continue to blow dry down the hair shaft so you get a sleek, frizz-free look. Once hair is completely dry, you can curl or flat iron it. Flat ironing wet hair will cause damage and burning, so don't start until your hair is totally dry.

Finish. Put the finishing touches on! A bit of shine serum, a little pomade, or your favorite hair spray. Use a brush or your fingers to create the look you want.
Even though you want to dry and style your hair in a hurry, always be gentle. Treat your hair with the right care and styling and it will look great and be damage-free.