After receiving the Straight Up at Drybar in Sacramento

I am so lucky to have so many options when it comes to styling my hair. Since I gave up the creamy crack in 2011, I have had the best of both worlds: curly and straight, but the curls reigned supreme. What was once my signature look now only gets play on weekends and on wash days? I love wearing my hair straight and it’s so nice to have places like Drybar around that can get me in and out in a flash. It doesn’t take me a long time to blow dry and style my hair (under an hour), but it’s nice to have someone else do it, plus, I can get some other things done while I’m in the chair, and rest my biceps, too. 😉

I can’t lie, I have been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been to maintain my blowouts over the past several weeks. I thought I’d share my tips in case you were looking to wear your hair curly to straight, or want some general advice on how to extend your blowout since they are such a nice treat from time to time!

I DEEP CONDITION IN BETWEEN BLOWOUTS

I believe overall hair health is important. I haven’t dabbled in supplements, but I do make sure to take extra care when it comes to conditioning my hair. I’m just going to dub myself as a crazy lady when it comes to conditioning. Lately, I can’t get enough of the Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask and Acure Deep Root Moisture Mask. If I’m in a rush, I leave it in my hair while I’m in the shower and rinse it out toward the end of my shower. If I have more time, I make it an affair. I leave the conditioner on, place a plastic cap on my head, add my bonnet attachment to my blowdryer, and sit and watch my favorite show while the product penetrates into my strands with the heat. It has made a huge difference, so much so that my stylist commented on my hair’s condition! My other favorite hair mask is the Mudslide by Drybar.

I ask for the lightest hairspray after my blowout

Adding too much or too heavy of a product on my freshly styled hair can instantly kill the longevity of the blowout. I may have big hair when it’s curly, but my strands are very fine. Using the lightest spray (at Drybar it’s Money Maker) sets the swoops of my blowout and by pulling it back at bedtime in a clip (I am really lazy with the scarf thing), it is able to stay bouncy for a few days.

I don’t load up on products…but I do use Dry Shampoo + Conditioner

I have stretched a blowout over a seven day period by not using too many products. Don’t get me wrong, by Day 7 I may be wearing my hair in a ponytail, but as I mentioned above, the key is not to weigh down your hair with products. If you’re not washing your hair and just loading up on hairspray, serums, and oils, you’re causing a lot of buildup. When I feel like I need a refresher, I love dry conditioner. Really. It revives my hair by adding a bit of body and moisture without the weight. Detox by Drybar in Lush Scent is my favorite.

I use less heat on my hair until Day 3

Getting it good and straight when it’s in the blowdry phase is key to how flat my hair is going to lay and it starts by styling small sections of hair at a time. Once my hair is blow dried and flat ironed, I really try not to flat iron my hair more after the initial styling. It causes additional damage that makes my hair weak and dull. By day 3, some of my swoops have fallen and I may use my curling wand to add some waves to my hair. Waves and curls always hold better to hair that’s a little “dirty.”

I protect my hair from moisture

As a naturally curly haired lady, any kind of moisture, whether it’s rain water, humidity or sweat from exercise, poses a threat to my straight style! For real. And I know you know because of the response to this caption on Instagram. To overcome this hurdle, I use a Gymwrap if I am engaging in any physical activity. It was created by Nicole Ari Parker and it is seriously the only thing that has worked for me. Try it!