How to Blow Dry Men’s Hair for Volume: 2 Looks to Try
It's all in the wrist!
You Will Need
Learning how to blow dry hair (men’s edition) is easier than you might think. The one thing we know for sure? Any bathroom is only ever complete with a blow-dryer. It’s an essential styling tool that deserves a spot on every bathroom counter. It’s an overachiever that gives us awesome style, volume and hold in minutes.
As we’ve also mentioned in prior drying tutorials, the trick is learning how to blow dry men’s hair mostly lies in how you hold the nozzle. Men, especially balding men or those with hair starting to thin out, can always do with a bit of lift-up top as it can help give a denser, fuller look.
Just see the difference some volume makes and what it can do for a hot little pompadour or a quiff (and conversely, what a flattened hairstyle can do for your entire look—and mood—as well). But no guy wants more pouf than he bargained for either, and therein lies the challenge.
Still sorta clueless on how to properly wield a blowdryer for maximum results? Read on for a few quick tutorials on how to blow dry men’s hair:
Tutorial #1: How to Blow Dry Men’s Hair for Volume, Side-Angled
Blow-drying guys’ hair is really pretty easy, once you see the logic behind it. More than just an extra step, it’s something that helps you shape your hair with less product and also helps lock your style in place for much longer. It’s important to use the right products and techniques to give your hair a voluminous finish that’s healthy and not dried out.
Dry the sides.
Starting at a side section, begin brushing hair while focusing airflow. Do this all in one direction.
Style!
Set your style with Bed Head by TIGI Manipulator Matte Cream, massaging the product in from the back of the head, then to the front.
Done!
Now you’ve got the perfect blow-dry technique and lots of volume. If you want to make sure your style stays the same throughout the whole day, use a hair spray like, TRESemmé Total Volume Hair Spray.
Tutorial #2: How to Blow Dry Men’s Hair for Volume, Straight Back
Start with clean, freshly washed hair.
The first step always begins in the shower, as oil and leftover product can cause your hair to fall limp no matter how much product you use. Remove any grease and buildup first and foremost, with a shampoo system.
Use a pomade over a gel.
Pomades usually work better when shaping fuller hairstyles, so save that extreme-hold gel for another day. Usually a finger-swipe or dime-sized amount of a classic, non-greasy kind, like Dove Men+Care Defining Pomade, ruffled through the top of your head, is enough for most short to medium lengths.
Wiggle close to the scalp.
Using a vented brush to help style your hair at an angle (this brush usually has a rectangular head and has slats in it for efficient airflow), run a blow-dryer on the medium setting as close to the roots as possible without feeling hot on your scalp. Remember: Using a tiny wiggling motion, point the nozzle backward and upwards while giving your strands a slight upward tug, for more lift but without the burn.
Start with your hairline, then move backward. To finish off your look, rub a tiny finger-swipe of pomade between your palms and smooth down your back and sides.
Done!
For an extra dose of sheen, blast your hair for a few seconds with some cool air via the cool-shot button on your blowdryer (it’s near your trigger finger). The cold air helps seal down your hair cuticles so they all face one direction, making hair shiner if that’s the look you’re going for. Otherwise, you’re all set!
That’s it! With these products and styling tricks, you’ll be a blow-drying pro in no time.
