What is the correct answer to “how do you want it blow dried?”

[HesBoughtAFuckingHat]

I only get my hair cut, highlighted and blow dried once or twice a year and I always used to say “just straight please” when they asked me this. But it would be super straight, shiny and flat and always looked awful. So last week I asked for it to just be done naturally and she pretty much just rough dried it and it looked so scruffy I had to tie it back to walk home.

What is the correct answer? I have incredibly think, just past shoulder length hair and even though I always mention it when booking in for highlights it is thicker than they expect and they seem to get stressed with how long the highlighting takes. I normally go to a different hairdresser each time as I’ve never yet had a cut that made me feel better. I’d love to have it in soft, loose waves but is asking for this something I’d need to warn them of in advance as it would take longer? I’m 37 and I’ve never been able to style my hair how I’d like it to look or had the guts to even ask for what I think I want. And yes, I know I’m overthinking it all but I don’t really like the way I look but I’m recently divorced and would like to start making a bit more of an effort.

Curly/red carpet blow dry please.

It’s going to take 45 mins to an hour to do and I’m going to look amazing for a few days.

Smooth but no straighteners. If you are not happy with your hairdresser keep an eye out for someone whose hair you do like (similar texture etc to yours) and find out where they go.

If I want a change I do some research on the internet and use my iPhone to take photos of styles I like and ones I don't to show my hairdresser.

A decent hairdresser will not rely on straighteners. You can tell a good blow dry the moment they touch your hair - it needs to be firm and to pull your hair to get the style to set. A blow dry should be a thing of pleasure where you try not to wash your hair for as long as possible because you know you can’t do it anywhere near as well as the hairdresser.

Curly blowdry where it’s big and bouncy is my favourite as that then drops to nice waves. Or beach waves and ask them not to break them up so you do look a bit weird for an hour but they drop into fabulous loose waves, if your hairdresser can’t blowdry then find yourself a new one. A tip if you want a good blowdry. Look for a salon with lots of Middle Eastern / Greek / Turkish clients. In my experience they’re the best

I like a soft wave so I ask for that or gentle curls, they usually do these with straighteners or a round brush and hairdryer.

You may want a classic blow-out, like others have said words like volume, bouncy, movement, or body might let your hairdresser know what you want.

French blow dry. Elegant with volume.

I hate hairdressers using straighteners or curlers, they go completely OTT.

I never know what to say either though. Really I want them to show me a nice style I can recreate by myself.

OTOH, for some reason I felt quite shit and invisible when a hairdresser just assumed I didn't want a blow dry and didn't even ask.

The correct answer is smooth with a round brush. I have very curly hair, although it does behave well to blow drying and I do not want it straightened, I want it smoothed with a bit of movement. So I ask them to blow dry it with a round brush and I get what I want. Straightened to me means they get the straighteners out and you end up with poker straight hair rather than smooooooth hair.

You would be better looking for a hairdresser that will allow you to go in for a consultation first so they can see your hair in person, explain to them that it's thick before hand.

I have thick hair and it always takes my hairdresser the same amount of time to straighten or curl it so don't worry about that! It would be better if you could find a hairdresser you like enough to stick with though so that they can get to know your hair as it can be trial and error if you're not exactly sure what you want

And if you want to be able to do this yourself at home (a smooth blowdry) invest in a babyliss big hair. Salon quality blow dry at home - you just need to master the technique which is not difficult after watching the odd you tube video.

They do mine into loose curls with the ghd and it does take much longer. I too have thick hair that they often seem a bit surprised by and things can take a bit longer.

I am getting a Babyliss Big Hair pronto...

*Doesn't take much longer!

Curly with volume!

I say 'straight but bouncy'. They seem to know what I mean. Not poker straight, some volume and shape to it.

I wish I knew the right answer to this, as I have exactly the same problem.

When I say 'natural' they deliberately dry it to look as though I've been dragged through a hedge?!

I never have time to get mine dried but if I was asked that question I would ask what the choices were.

If you want it in soft loose waves, ask for it in soft loose waves. If you want it smooth but not poker straight I usually ask for 'straight & smooth but with a bit of movement' neither take much longer on thick hair then straightening does IME. I have the same thick hair that always takes AGES to blow dry, so I sympathise. I have stuck with a hairdresser more recently who knows how long it takes, so I don't have the constant comments and rushing as she allows time now!

I always say lots of root lift and volume. I hate it when my hair is flat against my scalp.

I say swooshy.

Good question though Op. I always wonder how to respond.

It's a great question and I never know what to say either. I usually tell them to do what they think will make me feel great!

GHD curls please

Bigly.

My hair is unexpectedly thick too so they look pissed off quarterway through drying it when they’d normally be saying ‘bye’. I think you have to find someone regular. I change about every 3 years, but only get it cut twice a year.

I like the big and bouncy thought, it never occurred to me that you could any that.

I ask for Pouffy .

Smooth with a bit of wave or bounce. Can't bear it ironed super flat and straight - it wouldn't last 5 minutes outside anyway.