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What's your beauty superpower? Framing your eyes with pristine winged eyeliner in one flick? Painting dotted nail art like you're Yayoi Kusama? Mine is no secret: I can make a blowout last… and last and last.
One masterful styling session at the salon (my favorites happen at The Second Floor Salon and Bumble and Bumble in New York City) can stay looking “fresh” for two or even three days on my thick hair, but it's on days three, four, and five (sometimes up to 10 days, which is my record) where creativity really starts to count, and bows, braids, and buns come into play.
Candidly, because my hair is so thick, it absorbs excess oil for a few days—more so than ultra-fine hair would. But the tricks I've cultivated can help anyone extend a blowout. Switching things up, and most importantly, keeping my hair away from my face, has made for multiple great hair days in a row—with minimal effort.
Ahead, how one at-home blowout lasted five days, plus the products that powered me through.
The Prep
First and foremost, it's imperative to start with a clean foundation and a healthy scalp. I begin my routine with a pre-wash (lately, it’s been Aavrani Hair and Scalp Recovery Pre-Wash Oil), massaging the oil into my scalp, focusing extra attention on the crown of my head and hairline before jumping into the shower. After that, I suds up with a clarifying shampoo to wash away any buildup, and then I round it all out with a rich conditioner. I let it sit on my strands for a good five to ten minutes to rehydrate my hair before rinsing out.
Day One
Since my blowout is fresh—and at its bounciest—I wear my hair down. That's it. That's the look during the day. But when it comes time to get ready for a night out or bed, I proceed with caution, making sure to avoid getting makeup or cleanser in my hair. Kitsch Creaseless Hair Clips are particularly useful while refreshing my makeup, and sometimes I wear a spa-like headband that loosely holds back my face-framing pieces without causing any creases while washing my face. I also keep Slip Slipsilk Skinny Scrunchies at the ready. Two loops of these hair ties will hold back my hair—and not leave behind a telltale bend.
To take a steamy shower, however, I don't simply throw my hair up—I reach for a shower cap. But if you have as much hair as I do—or more—not just any style cap will do. (Don’t get me started on the tiny, plastic versions you'll find at most hotels.) I use Glow by Daye Shower Cap, which fits all my hair and comes complete with a nifty pull string that keeps it on extra-tight, so no moisture or humidity makes it inside. I recommend putting it on while hanging your hair upside down and scooping it all in before swinging your head back and tightening the cap.
Day Two
By day two, chances are the bouncy curls are still intact, but some touchups will be necessary. Before an event or dinner with girlfriends, I whip out my Dyson Airwrap. The curling barrels are strictly a touch-up tool for my thick hair—but I can always count on consistent results. In a pinch, I focus on the face-framing sections of my hair; when I have more time (as in, when I have a full hour to spare), I’ll refresh my entire head. The secret: After each curl, let it sit for a few seconds, allowing it to cool and set before adding a finishing oil (like Fable & Mane Smooth and Shine Hair Oil) and finally brush the curls out with a wide-tooth comb or a smoothening brush like The Hair Edit Gold Finish & Shine Boar Bristle Brush for more of a wavy look. (Take a peek at the demo below.)
Day Three
Today calls for a thick, cotton headband (to conceal the inevitable greasiness that's building up—but shhh, no one has to know!). I wear L. Erickson Italian Bandeau Wide Headbands as an easy hair-out-my-face accessory that won’t cause creases but still looks polished for days at the office. I landed here after constantly tucking back my hair behind my ears and discovering it to be the root cause of my greasiness. The more I can keep my hair out of my face, the longer my hairstyle will last—without the need for dry shampoo (notice, I haven't reached for it yet).
Day Four
By this time, I’ve gone to the gym (at least once, but hopefully twice) and the sweat from my scalp has caused my roots to curl up just a touch (I have 2C-type hair). The solution: A half-up, half-down hairstyle to slick back the top (Emi Jay's Mini Boar Bristle Brush helps smooth down flyaways) and some good o’l gel–that won’t dry white or flake. I prefer to top it all off with a bow, like Jennifer Behr’s Alice Grosgrain Bow Barrette, to add a pretty finishing touch, plus a mist of TRESemmé Anti-Frizz Finishing Spray. And then, I’m out the door.
Day Five
On a spectrum of zero to 100-percent greasy, we are on the latter end—but I'm using that to my advantage. And I have a few slick moves: A low, ponytail twirled into a ballerina bun makes day five hair look polished—and a dollop of Crown Affair The Flexible Hold Finishing Hair Gel aids in the process.
A sharp middle part separated into high pigtails is another favorite. To elevate the style, I weave colorful ribbon through braids(again, making the sleekness look intentional) and secure them with Scunci Mixed Size Polyband Hair Ties. I'm also a fan of space buns, which means winding everything up, up, and away from my face.
And just like that, you have five days, with five different looks—and it all started with one great blowout.
Read about more great hair products:
- We Tried Fenty Hair on 3 Different Hair Types—Here Are Our First Impressions of the New Hair-Care Line
- 7 Allure Editors Share Their Favorite Products From the Upgraded Aveda Be Curly Collection
- We Tried Beyoncé's New Hair-Care Line, Cécred, on 3 Different Hair Types
Now, watch Brooke Shields' ten-minute routine for beauty waves:
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