In the world of fashion and beauty, trends often come full circle (think: brown lips, colourful eyeliner and baby bangs). But a bouncy, ‘90s blowout? It never really left the chat. It's characterised by voluminous waves, often starting at mid-length and cascading down to the ends, creating a flattering, face-framing effect. The signature feature of this hairstyle is the blown-out, bouncy finish that exudes a carefree and effortlessly chic vibe.
While the '90s blowout may look effortlessly glamorous, achieving this hairstyle requires some technique and the right tools.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master the art of the '90s blowout:
- Start with clean, dry hair. Apply a heat protectant to shield your locks from heat damage. Heat protectants serve as a barrier between your hot tool and your hair, sealing in moisture and fighting off frizz. They also work to smoothe the cuticle, making strands look and feel soft.
- Then, divide your hair into smaller sections. This step makes it easier to ensure that each strand gets the attention it deserves.
- Before you start in on the actual styling process, you’ll want to rough dry your hair until it’s about 60 percent dry.
- Begin blow-drying your hair section by section, using the round brush to create volume and shape. Pay attention to the roots for added lift and focus on curling the ends outward to achieve the signature wave.
- After each section is dry, roll the section up with your fingers into a pin curl and secure.
- Once your hair is dry, use a large-barrel curling iron to add extra definition to the waves. Curl the mid-lengths and ends, alternating the direction of the curls for a natural, tousled look.
- Lock in your '90s blowout with a flexible-hold hairspray. This step ensures that your voluminous waves stay in place throughout the day or night.
What to keep in mind while styling a ‘90s blowout
One mistake that people often make with blow drying is to skip step #5. Once each section is dry, pinning it up or using a cool shot to set it is key to ensure that it doesn’t fall or frizz up. If you don’t have clips to create a pin curl, you can leave a roller or even just your brush in the section until it fully cools down.
The right products can make or break your blowout. If you need a little extra volume, a volumising mousse or gel can help sculpt and thicken the hair. Mousse works as a film on the strands. As it dries, each strand pushes out against the strand beside it, so overall your hair is left with more volume. A lifting powder can also help—if the hot tools and the curling leave your hair looking flat, spritzing or applying a little in the roots can help create a look. A strong hold hairspray is a great product to have on hand too—it controls flyaways, fights frizz and ensures that your strands don’t fall flat.
Tira recommends:
Kevin Murphy Heat Protection Leave In Foam
Kevin Murphy Session Strong Hold Finishing Spray
Bronson Professional Crocodile Hair Clip Set (5Pcs)
