I think you’re now very much across my lazy-girl attitude to beauty, aren’t you?
I’m all about the looking put together with a minimum of fuss. I don’t even think it’s a time thing. If I had more time to devote to my beauty routine, would I? I doubt it.
So, I’ve made it my little mission to find as many short-cuts to this whole looking “put together” thing as possible.
Mostly these are short-cuts I implement at home but today I’m sharing one that I outsource … well, I outsource the first part, in any case.
The salon blow-dry.
Yes, dear Stylers, a good salon blow dry should set you up for lazy-girl hair care up to a week for many days following.
Our dear Grans and Nanas were on to something with their weekly “set” booking with their hairdresser. They were smart. They knew if they kept up that appointment they’d have good hair days for at least half the week … sometimes longer.
A salon blow dry (that usually but not always includes some styling iron work as well) is the modern equivalent. It took me a while to work out how this could actually be a win-win situation for me but now I’ve got it sorted, the salon blow-dry is firmly part of my lazy-girl routine.
It’s not a once a week thing for me but if I’ve got an event, a work trip or a special occasion on the calendar, then I get on the phone and book in for a salon job (thanks suite three for always accommodating my sometimes last minute requests).
It saves me time (as I don’t have to style my hair myself). It looks good (because at home I can achieve a Gywneth Paltrow straight-lock look but not much else). And it lasts (up to seven days … if I follow a few simple rules).
The rules
1. DO let your hair stylist use A LOT of product on your hair. Mine will not keep any style without a tonne of mousse in it. And really, there’s no use paying for a salon style if it’s going to drop to nothing two hours after you leave.
2. DO protect your newly styled hair from humidity. A Queensland summer does not help but the shower is your worst enemy. You don’t have to get wet to have it ruined … it’s the high moisture content in such a small area that your newly styled locks don’t like. Here’s a very attractive look demonstrating how I protect my salon-dried hair in the shower.
3. DO have the right products at home to help keep your style looking lovely and fresh. I use dry shampoo to get a couple of extra days out of the ‘do. If I get fly-aways, then I spray some hair spray on my hands and gently pat the hairs down with my hands. If the ends start to look a bit dry I’ll add a little hair oil (rubbed first into my hands and then on to the hair) – or (this is a new addition) – dry conditioner.
From left: Klorane dry shampoo (normally $12.95 but on sale at Priceline for $10.99 | Cedel Dry Conditioner $9.99 (Available at Priceline but not listed on its website as yet) | ghd Style Final Fix Hairspray $10
4. DO brush out your salon style the next day – or if it’s a beach-wave style, use your fingers. This doesn’t take away the style, just gives you a new variation on what your stylist created for you. Sometimes I like day two of my salon style better than the first.
5. DO scrape back a curly/wavy style into a ponytail or braid into a plait when you get to day three or four. The extra volume and product from the blow-dry makes it sit a whole lot better than it would with just freshly washed and dried hair.
There you go, the latest in my lazy-girl beauty instalments. Excuse me now … I’m just off to dry my hair at home. It won’t be fancy but it will do until I can swing another salon appointment.
Are you a fan of the salon blow-dry? What tips do you have to keep your style looking fresh for longer? What’s the longest you’ve got out of a blow-dry?
Comments 29
I’ve had short hair for two years now and it’s a lot easier. The only time I had it done at the salon was two years ago when I got it cut. I’ve cut it myself since. I also dye it. So unfortunately I have no need for a salon.
Thanks…for making shower caps “ok”…My husband STILL has a little laugh when he sees me in mine. But I milk the salon “do” for all I can. Thanks for the tips
Dianna … my husband says the same but I’d rather have good hair 😉
Haha dianne, my housmates think im hilarious with mine!!!
Yes I am a fan of the salon blowdry ,I just think it looks better when your hairdresser does it but not every week alas…I always wear a shower cap when not washing my hair not attractive but useful,I have a lovely leopard one my sister got me for last birthday and it’s very cute,willow and finch I believe it is .
Yes I do all those things you do hair oil ,dry shampoo but that’s a new one dry conditioner I will have to get me some of that..Yes I will.Thank you again Nikki for another post and some more new ideas for our bathrooms!
A week is the very most I can get out of a good salon do but that does me fine….
Sorry about finding something extra for the bathroom space, Lisa 😉
I was blessed to receive a VS Big Hair Styler for Mother’s Day from my very clever dog (??). I cannot say enough about the results. I have a medium length thick hair in a bob. Now, low and behold hair’s done in a jiff and looks like I have been to the salon. Poor hubby regrets the purchase now I have informed him of my intention to cart it all around the world when we travel (we are retired). In his opinion I have enough trouble closing my suitcase as it is!
Oh, great to hear that recommendation Denny! Sounds like a must for the suitcase!
I find I do a better job at home.
I guess it is years and years of getting to know my own hair.
I was like that Kelley – then I found my hairdresser who really knows my hair – helps that she’s also one of my best friends and likes champagne as much as I do.
I have very curly hair – picture Shirley Temple and your on the right track. I love a salon blow-dry it’s the only time I can wear it straight. Haven’t done it except for when getting a trim or regrowth fixed up. Feel inspired to book in as a treat!
Oh, that would be a treat – I love She’s Sonic’s comment below – how she treats herself if she’s been really busy or stressed.
Living in the country, prices are a bit cheaper, my Mum has been known to get her hair done at the salon every Friday, just to be set for the weekend!
I love that! And yes, I’m not in the country but prices here are not the same as city prices so it’s an option for me on a regular basis.
I have been known to treat myself to a salon blowdry when I have either been really busy, stressed, unwell or simply to lift my spirits. It works!! I have lots of hair and it is such an effort to wash, blowdry and straighten – so going to the salon means I get to spend a good 1.5 hours having a cup of tea and reading some gossip mags and walk out feeling like a million dollars. Bliss!!
You are one very smart and sassy girl. I need to do that more often – and not just for an event!
hear hear…I can do a pretty good job of my hair (straight bob…how hard can it be??)….But I do love a cheer me up blow dry…or a going dsomewhere special ritual “do”.
I love, love LOVE getting my hair styled at the hairdresser. For the amount it costs it really lifts my mood.. when you look good, you feel good I think 🙂
An old vintage trick to prolong your “set” is to use a satin pillow case as well.
Oops, I forgot the satin pillow case – I was given one for Christmas and it changed my life: http://www.slip.com.au/index.htm
I can’t wait until I can finally style my hair again!…I did the worlds greatest shave in march and atm my hair is long enough that it sticks up lol, but too short to ‘style’ the way I’d like too 🙁
Evelyn, my son did too and would you believe he needs a bit of a trim at the back? Crazy fast-growing hair. Your’s will be back soon and an amazing thing to do!
good for you, Evelyn…styling products will smooth your passage back to hairdom 😀
I also like to give my hair a spray with Sea Mist from John Masters organics. It tends to give my hair a bit of extra body when I’m a few days post Hair salon. xT
Great tip, thanks!!
I also think that you forgot the most important thing – it makes you feel good. It puts a little spring in my step as well as saving me time! Ive always used an old lady shower cap – I recently treated myself to a chicken head one…tres fancy
Chicken head – love it! And yes, you’re right … it does make you feel so good!
I was given a cow shaower cap which I thought was marvelous…My husband nearlt collapsed with laughter….donated it to my daughter 😀
AArgh I can’t do it, I have to wash my hair everyday or else it clumps together and looks gross and greasy. I don’t think dark hair holds up as well as blonde to leaving it extra days. I think I have gone 2 days when I have a good blow dry but it still feels yuk- perhaps it is mind over matter.
At the moment it has a hideous 1 inch grey band of growth, typically pulled into a pony and hat/beanie chucked on top. Just waiting until it gets enough there to actually have a whole style in grey and not look like a scraggy tabby cat!
I think it is a bit of that … your scalp doesn’t feel the same and it certainly works more for me with long hair. And keep me posted on your grey hair mission!