A quick blow dry tip

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One of the biggest game changers in my getting ready speed in the morning has been showering and blow drying my hair the night before.

I sleep with my hair, after it’s blown dry, in a very high ponytail to keep it from getting crinkled on the pillow (although I would also recommend a satin pillowcase to help with this too) and style it in the morning with my curling iron.

Sometimes, though, my hair feels a little pushed back from my face when I go to style it. One of the easiest ways to create a bit more flattering and softer look with the front section of your hair is to push it forward with the blow dryer. Then, when you push it away from your face, it has a nice natural bend. It looks like it’s just sweeping away, and always looks pretty whether you have bangs or not.

This tip doesn’t require a full tutorial in my mind, so I thought I’d show you the steps! All you need is your blow dryer and a vented brush. You can wet the front of your hair if it’s resistant, but sometimes blow drying dry hair is all you need to do to encourage it to go in a different direction.

Brush the hair forward, pulling it to the opposite side on both sides. It helps to look down a bit while you are drying.

Make sure you allow the hair to cool while it’s in the forward position. Examine your toes, think through a new pedicure color, and wait for that hair to cool down!

Then, push it into place, and establish your part.

I whipped out my 1.25 inch T3 iron on this day because rain was in the forecast. I forgot how well it curls my hair! I only had it on the 2nd heat setting too! Lately I’ve been using my 1.5 inch Babyliss iron for softer waves, but it was fun to change things up a bit on this day.

You can see really well here how the front part is sweeping back naturally. It isn’t pushed back, and it hides my hairline a bit too.

Since I part my hair on my left, the right side always lays a little lower on my face than the left. I like that it isn’t overly balanced. The right hairspray can help keep bangs or a face frame from hanging in your eyes and I’d highly recommend using Kenra Volume 25 hairspray! It’s the best!

You can always do this immediately after blow drying, you don’t need to wait until the following day. I hope it helps and saves you a bit of time in the morning like it has for me!

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Abby says · 05.10.17

Thanks so much for the tutorial! I might actually be able to do this!😊 What hair tie do you use so you don’t get a line?

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Kate says · 05.10.17 Reply
Brenda says · 05.10.17

Love the look. Which T3 1.25 curling iron did you use? There are so many ?

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Kate says · 05.10.17

The clamp barrel. You can click the link right in the post to see the exact one!

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Kellee says · 05.10.17

Kate – How are you liking your T3 hair dryer? I just ordered one , because my Speed Freak is slowly dying. I need to have a back up on hand cause my worst nightmare is to have my hair dryer die in the middle of using it. 🙂 I wondered how the two compared.

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Lauren says · 05.10.17

I have a 1.25 curling iron and my hair is about your length, but my curls don’t look as good as yours. 😭 Can you do a quick video on how you get these curls? Thanks!!

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 05.10.17

The waves look gorgeous on you!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Catie says · 05.10.17

This is seriously so so helpful. Thank you for sharing this tip and for also sharing your night time routine! I had sort of given up on doing my hair since I can never get up early enough to do it – this gives me a lot of hope!

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sara says · 05.10.17

where is the cute brush from??

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Kate says · 05.10.17

It’s linked right below the post area

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Alexis says · 05.10.17

Do you use regular ponytail holders? Ive always heard it’s bad for your hair to sleep in a ponytail…..

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Allisen says · 05.10.17

She uses the fabric (think that’s what they are called) elastics so it’s not harsh on the hair.

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Allisen says · 05.10.17

I’ve always washed my hair at night, too! It saves so much time in the morning, and I go to work at 5 am so I don’t have much time. I only wish I could use the hairdryer without waking everyone up! But this is a great tip for the weekends! Your hair is so gorgeous, btw.

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Kay Nguyen says · 05.10.17

Your hair looks so beautiful and healthy! I’m jealous <3

https://www.myblackcloset.com/

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Sara says · 05.10.17

Are your highlights foils or balyage?

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Kate says · 05.10.17

Mostly foils

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Kerry says · 05.10.17

This is so helpful! Thank you!

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Ashley @ Perfectly Imperfect Club says · 05.10.17

I’m going to have to try this when I blow dry my hair tomorrow. I have a high forehead, and so getting the front hair to lay just right to break up the area has always been tough.

I cut bangs a few months ago, but I’m getting tired of them, so I’ve been trying to do the side-swept look. This technique looks like it would work well for that.

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Tori says · 05.10.17

I always enjoy your posts. I have been an aquage user for couple years now, because of you:) I too wash my hair at night, but always rewet it in the morning to use my aquage! Do you/would you suggest using it at night before bed?

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Kate says · 05.10.17

I would spray it in before you blow dry at night, blow your hair dry, then sleep with it in a high ponytail 🙂

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Tina says · 05.10.17

How do you establish your part? I think I might be parting my hair too straight and too far back. I noticed your part is almost at an angle and stops just about the middle of your head. Is it possible to train your hair into a new part?

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Kate says · 05.10.17

It is, yes, but it can take some time!

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Amanda says · 05.10.17

Thanks for the great tips. Love your haircut, it’s exactly what I’m looking for in summer 🙂

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Jen says · 05.10.17

Recently I’ve noticed that some new hair growth at the front of my hairline have taken on a crazy curl. My hair is thick and unruly but this crazy bend that happens in front reappears after I wash my hair no matter whether I sleep on it or not. Any tips for dealing with crazy new hair growth?

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karly says · 05.10.17

love this post. will have to try this! your make up also looks so pretty and fresh! 🙂

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Michele says · 05.10.17

This isn’t probably better suited for yesterday’s post, it can you do a tutorial on how to choose/apply cream blush? I want to try it for a more natural flushed look but have no clue how to choose the right shade or apply it. Just a thought! You’re the bestest!

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Jasmin says · 05.11.17

Can you recommend various hair dryers at different price points? Are there certain types of hair dryers for different needs?

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Katy Cline says · 05.11.17

I always blow dry the night before (with low heat and a round brush), and noticed the same thing with it being like pushed back, well this morning I tried this trick with blowing it forward (to dry hair, on high heat), and it made a huge difference! LOVE IT! Thanks for the tip!!

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Juliette | Namastay Traveling says · 05.11.17

Wow! I’ve tried to achieve this tousled wave look so many times and could never get it right! Going to attempt it now with some actual direction, thanks for sharing the secrets!

Juliette | https://namastaytraveling.com

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Rebekah says · 05.12.17

This may be odd question, but is there a reason you blowdry your hair when you know you’ll be curling it later? I was wondering if allowing your hair to air dry, wouldn’t help create a fuller look? I wash at night as well, but I keep mine in soft, high bun after air drying. Sometimes it’s still damp, but most days, here at home with the kids, I put it back up in a bun or scrunch it for wavy hair- with or without product. Works for me. I love curling it on weekends or whenever I know I’m going out. I rarely ever blowdry though. I thought the waves formed by the overnight bun helped create a better curl/fuller hair. I don’t know.?

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Sophie says · 05.12.17

This is actually such a useful tip as I can NEVER get the front of my hair to lay how I want it to. Definitely going to try this tomorrow! Your hair looks lovely and healthy, those waves are gorgeous.
Sophie xxx | Sophar So Good

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Kristin says · 05.12.17

I have a chin-length inverse bob haircut, which means that it’s not long enough to pull into a high, loose ponytail. I shower & blow dry my hair at night, but because it’s not long enough to pull it back, I just sleep on it, and it’s all matted and rubbed down when I wake up.
What would you suggest?

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Sarah says · 05.16.17

I have the same cut. Do you use a satin pillowcase? Really does make a world of difference!

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Lauren says · 05.18.17

I have the same issue! A satin pillowcase helps, but I have a cowlick on the back of my head that always shows after sleeping on it no matter what I do 🙁
I would love to be able to do second-day hair without needing to put it up, but that cowlick is always there! It’s kind of like an extension of my part down the back of my head, if that makes sense.

I’m not sure what I could be doing differently with a bob, beyond a satin pillowcase. Any suggestions?

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Kristin says · 05.19.17

I haven’t made the plunge to the satin pillowcase. Mostly because I can’t figure out how to make that work with our current bedding (I don’t want one different pillowcase when I make our bed). I didn’t think it would be such difference-maker, but I’m starting to rethink that.
You can sleep with your hair down on a satin pillowcase, and it doesn’t get matted down?!

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indignus servus says · 01.14.18

Just put the satin pillowcase on your pillow, and put the one that matches your bedding on top of it. When you hit the hay, whip the cotton pillowcase off, and lay your pretty head down on the satin…

The satin cuts down on friction, which can increase bedhead frizz. Pineapple-ing hair up into a pouf, bun or high pony also helps. The satin pillowcase doesn’t stop hair being compressed or matted down from gravity.

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Ella Catherine says · 05.14.17

The curls look so lovely, wish I could get curls to look like this! Don’t you find using a hair band causes it to kink? Love the blog by the way 🙂 xx

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Lucy says · 05.17.17

I quite often wash and blow dry my hair in the evening and then get my irons out in the morning to tame it (I use Cloud 9 wide plates). I never thought to sleep with it tied up in a pony tail though – what a great tip.

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Megan says · 06.21.17

Hi Kate, I often wash & dry my hair at night to save time in the a.m., but I never can quite get it to look right in the morning. I just tried this trick and it worked like a charm! Thank you so much!

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Wanda Billingsley says · 06.29.17

Kenra products are the best

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rybijanotyvy says · 11.18.17

I also blow dry my hair and irons it, but i have been experiencing breakages. That’s when i started using the best shampoo for hair loss. And it really did the trick. It is an all natural shampoo and it strengthens my hair.

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Tammy says · 12.13.17

Did you section prior to curling ?
Tx
Tammy

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Nina says · 12.29.18

Can you recommend a good tutorial for sideswept bangs that do not get stuck to the forehead? Thnx and greetings from Austria!
Nina

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Karen says · 12.30.18

Kendra 25 always clogs for me, how do you keep yours from clogging?

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Kate says · 12.30.18

Sometimes I have to run it under hot water to loosen up but generally this doesn’t occur often. I think it happens a lot when the user only presses the nozzle halfway? Make sure you press it all the way down so the spray is forced out fully!

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Jami says · 12.30.18

If your bored and want to do a quick insta story I wouldn’t hate it. Visual always helps 🙂

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Verla Bell says · 12.31.18

This tip has made styling my side swept bangs so much easier! I have always struggled with them and was always so frustrated! Thank you for sharing this ❤️

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