How To Master A Big Bouncy Blow-Dry At Home

There's something timeless about the big, bouncy blow-dry. It's glamorous yet effortless, a style that can easily take you from a casual brunch to a formal evening event. The voluminous waves and soft, airy bounce have been a go-to look for decades, with everyone from old Hollywood icons to modern influencers embracing the style.

It's no surprise that one of the most popular hairstyling questions is, ‘How do I create a big, bouncy blow-dry from home?’ With the right tools, techniques, and a little bit of practice, you can achieve salon-worthy results without leaving your bedroom. 

10 STEPS TO A BOUNCY BLOW-DRY FOR STRAIGHT OR WAVY HAIR

If you have straight or wavy hair and want to add more volume and movement, a bouncy blow-dry is the perfect way to create that lifted, full-bodied look. Follow these steps to achieve the perfect blow-dry for straight or wavy hair:

1. Wash and squeeze: After washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner, gently squeeze out excess water and apply a small amount of CLOUD NINE’s Magical Remedy through the mid-lengths and ends to help de-frizz and smooth.

2. Apply a heat protectant: Mist our Magical Quick Dry Potion heat protection spray evenly over your hair. This will help protect your hair from heat as you blow-dry and reduce drying time by up to 50%.

3. Let your hair partially airdry: Airdry for a few minutes if you can – drying super-wet hair can take longer and damage the hair cuticles. If you don’t have time for airdrying, give your hair a gentle squeeze with a towel – a microfibre one is ideal, but a normal towel works fine if you’re gentle.

4. Section your hair: Divide your hair into more manageable sections before styling, and secure with gentle, snag-free clips. 

5. Use a nozzle designed for blow-drying straight: Click the Airshot Pro’s Precise-Drying Nozzle into place and switch on the hair dryer. 

Tip: We usually recommend a low heat if you have thin or fine hair and a medium heat for thicker hair. If you’re not sure which heat setting to use, head to our Temperature Calculator first to work out the perfect temperature for your hair type.

6. Blow-dry your hair straight: Pointing the nozzle downwards, so it’s facing the same direction your hair grows, place a round brush under a section of your hair and move the hair dryer and brush slowly along the length of your hair. To minimise heat damage, hold the hair dryer around 15cm away.

Tip: For added volume at the roots, focus on the crown of your head and hold the brush horizontally, blow-drying your hair against the direction it lies. 

7. Roll your curls and clip into place: Gently roll each section upwards towards the crown and secure with a Croc Clip.

8. Repeat: Continue drying and rolling until all sections of your hair have been dried and clipped. 

9. Set your curls: Spray your hair with hair spray and leave your curls clipped up for around 20 minutes.

10. Shake it off: Unclip each section, tip your head upside down and give the curls a shake to loosen them. Style and finish with a light spritz of hair spray and you’re all set.

HOW TO MASTER A BOUNCY BLOW-DRY FOR CURLY OR COILY HAIR

When it comes to curly or coily hair, there are two great ways to achieve a bouncy blow-dry. You can either blow-dry your hair straight and add curl with a Curling Wand or straightener like the CLOUD NINE Wide Iron for a sleek, voluminous look, or use a hair dryer like our Airshot Pro which comes with a magnetic diffuser attachment to enhance your natural curls for more definition and bounce. Whichever method you choose, follow our expert steps to get the beautiful, bouncy look you want:

Option 1: Blow-dry straight then add the curls back in

For wavy, curly or coily hair, the chances are you need a little more than a hair dryer to get those smooth, big curly curves. Follow these 10 steps for a smooth blow-dry that’s exactly the kind of bouncy you want:

1. Give your hair a squeeze after washing: After shampooing and conditioning your hair, gently squeeze out excess water and apply a small amount of CLOUD NINE’s Magical Remedy through the mid-lengths and ends to help de-frizz and smooth.

2. Use a heat protectant: Mist our Magical Quick Dry Potion heat protection spray evenly over your hair. This will help protect your hair from heat as you dry your hair and reduce drying time by up to 50%.

3. Air dry your hair: Let your hair air dry for a few minutes if you can – drying super-wet hair can take longer and damage the hair cuticles. If you don’t have time for air drying, give your hair a gentle squeeze with a towel – a microfibre one is ideal, but a normal towel works fine if you’re gentle.

4. Divide your hair into sections: Use clips to divide your hair into more manageable sections first. 

5. Use a nozzle designed for a straight blow-dry: Click the Airshot Pro’s Precise-Drying Nozzle into place and switch on the hair dryer, ready to blow-dry your hair straight.

Tip: We usually recommend a low heat if you have thin or fine hair and a medium heat for thicker hair. If you’re not sure which heat setting to use, head to our Temperature Calculator first to work out the perfect temperature for your hair type.

6. Dry your hair straight: Point the nozzle downwards, so it’s facing the same direction as your hair grows, then place a round brush under a section of your hair and move the hair dryer and brush slowly along the length of your hair. To minimise heat damage, hold the hair dryer around 15cm away.

Tip: For added volume at the roots, focus on the crown of your head and hold the brush horizontally and blow-dry your hair against the direction it lies. 

7. Use a straightener to curl your hair: Once your hair is fully dry, glide The Wide Iron through your hair to smooth out any frizz. To create a curl, turn it as you go, making sure you add a slight bend to add big curls to the ends to dial up the volume. The Wide Iron is designed with wider plates for thicker, longer hair, so it’s perfect for creating big, round blow-dry curls.

8. Set your curls: Clip these curls with Croc Clips to set the curve in place.

Tip: Start straightening an inch away from the crown of your head. This will keep some volume at the root for that iconic ‘bouncy’ blow-dry look.

9. Use hairspray: Set your style with hairspray and let your hair cool for 20 minutes.

10. Free your curls: Take out your clips, then flip your head upside down and shake out for extra volume and texture.

Option 2: Enhance your natural curls with a diffuser

Want to achieve voluminous, defined curls while minimising frizz? The CLOUD NINE Airshot Pro’s magnetic diffuser attachment is the perfect tool to enhance your natural curl pattern and create bouncy, full-bodied hair. Follow these 10 steps to get the perfect blow-dry using a diffuser:

1. Detangle in the shower: While your hair is still wet, use The Wet Hairbrush to detangle and separate your curls, preventing breakage and keep your curls defined as they dry.

2. Gently squeeze out excess water: After washing your hair, use a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out the excess water. A normal towel is fine, but avoid rubbing your hair to prevent frizz. For defined curls, scrunch your hair upwards to encourage the curls to take shape.

3. Apply a heat protectant: Before drying, spritz your hair with a heat protectant like CLOUD NINE’s Magical Quick Dry Potion to shield your curls from heat damage and speed up drying time by up to 50%.

4. Use a curl-boosting product: To enhance your natural curls, apply a curl-defining cream, mousse, or gel evenly through your hair. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends to boost curl definition and prevent frizz.

5. Create finger curls for added definition: Wrap small sections of hair around your finger to create defined ringlets. This step helps lock in your curl pattern before diffusing.

6. Hover-dry to reduce frizz: With the Magnetic Diffuser Attachment clicked into place, and the Airshot Pro on its lowest speed setting, hover the dryer around your head for 1-2 minutes. This creates a ‘cast’ around the curls, helping them set without frizzing.

7. Diffuse upside down for volume: Turn your head upside down and place a section of hair onto the diffuser, gently pressing it against your scalp. This scrunches the curls and adds volume at the roots.

8. Dry each section slowly: Hold the diffuser in place for about 30 seconds per section to ensure even drying. Avoid moving the dryer around too much, as it can disturb the curl pattern.

9. Switch off the diffuser between sections: Turn off the dryer when moving from section to section to prevent air from disturbing the curls and causing unwanted frizz.

10. Finish with 80% dry and styling products: Once your hair is about 80% dry, stop diffusing and let the rest air dry naturally. Finish with a light mist of hairspray or a curl-friendly setting spray to lock in the volume and definition.

Get inspired – learn how to use a diffuser to achieve gorgeous bouncy curls

BOUNCY BLOW-DRY HACKS

Here are some go-to hair hacks that will give you gorgeous, voluminous locks in no time. Whether you’re after more volume, a bouncy curl, or just a sleek, polished look, these tricks have you covered.

Hair hack 1: Preparation is key

During the hair washing process, our 3-in-1 Magical Remedy can be used as a wash-out conditioner, leave-in conditioner, or intensive hair mask – the perfect way to repair and detangle your hair ready for heat styling. Heat protection is also a must to keep your hair looking glossy and gorgeous, and our Magical Quick Dry Potion is perfect for the job. Not only is it packed with nourishing, protecting ingredients, but it also helps you to dry your hair up to 50% faster. 

Hair hack 2: Use dry shampoo for instant texture

Dry shampoo isn't just for day-two hair. Spritz a little at your roots even on freshly washed hair to create instant texture and volume. It gives your strands more grip and body, making it easier to style the perfect blow-dry while keeping your locks fresh for longer.

Hair hack 3: Clip your roots for extra volume

If you’re diffusing your hair and want more lift at the crown, insert clips at your roots before diffusing. This trick creates extra volume for a bouncy, full-bodied finish.

Hair hack 4: Cool it down for extra shine

Cool air sets volume and creates gorgeous shine. Our Airshot and Airshot Pro hair dryers have Variable Temperature Control and a Cool Shot button to reduce the heat and increase the shine.

Hair hack 5: Pin your curls to maximise bounce

Pin curl your hair. Residual heat from styling the hair will help create a bigger, bouncier curl. Pin your curls while still warm and wait until they are cool to release gently for the optimum blow dry effect.

BOUNCY BLOW-DRY FAQs

Can you fake a blow-dry?

To achieve a salon-worthy blow-dry effect with minimal effort, the Wide Iron is your best friend. Start with clean, dry, and detangled hair, then apply CLOUD NINE Magical Quick Dry Potion for heat protection. Set the Wide Iron to the appropriate temperature for your hair type (100-200°C) using the Temperature Calculator, and activate Revive Mode™ to reduce damage. Begin near your roots, smoothing the iron through each section while lifting upwards. As you reach the ends, flick the straightener inwards to create a rounded blow-dry effect. 

Discover how to use the Wide Iron for a range of gorgeous styles

What’s the difference between a blow-dry and a blowout?

Blow-dry and a blowout are often used interchangeably, but they do have a few distinctions. A blow-dry typically refers to the process of drying your hair with a hair dryer, which can be done to simply get your hair dry or to create a basic style. A blowout, on the other hand, usually involves a more detailed styling process where your hair is not just dried but also shaped to achieve a smooth, polished look with added volume or curl. Blowouts often use round brushes and other techniques to create a specific style and can last longer than a simple blow-dry.

How long will my blow-dry last?

The longevity of a blow-dry can vary depending on your hair type, how you maintain it, and the products used. On average, a blow-dry can last anywhere from 2 to 5 days. To make it last longer, avoid touching or brushing too much, and use a light hair spray to keep your style in place. Also, sleeping on a silk pillowcase can reduce frizz and help your blow-dry last longer.

Is blow-drying more damaging than straightening?

Blow-drying and straightening both involve heat, but the level of damage can depend on how you use each tool. Generally, blow-drying can be less damaging than straightening because it's a gentler way to dry and style hair. However, if you’re using high heat settings or over-drying, it can cause damage. You can minimise damage by using a hair dryer like the Airshot Pro that comes with Variable Temperature Control and a Cool Shot button to style at a lower heat. 

You can also keep your hair safe during heat styling by using a heat protectant like our Magical Quick Dry Potion. If straightening, use a straightener like the CLOUD NINE Original Iron which uses expert haircare technology like our signature Revive Mode™ to style your hair in a kinder way. Check out our Temperature Calculator to work out the perfect heat setting for your hair and dial down the heat on your hair dryers, straighteners and curling wands.

How can I speed up my blow-dry?

To speed up your blow-dry, start by towel-drying your hair to remove excess moisture before you begin. Using a high-quality hair dryer with a powerful motor like the Airshot Pro and our Magical Quick Dry Potion can cut down on drying time by up to 50%. Sectioning your hair with Croc Clips to dry it in smaller parts can also help dry your hair more efficiently.

We’d love to see your big bouncy blow-dry in action – share your hair with us on our socials: TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.