Smooth and sleek after hairdresser, rough and thick when I style it...what makes the difference?

[FiftyNotNifty]

I am talking about my hair, although to be fair I feel quite rough and thick myself some days too!
I have a shoulder length bob with some vague "curtain bangs" as the young people call them.
The hairdresser blasts it with the hairdryer, with a round brush, then uses straighteners. I do the same, with much less skill obviously.
I think I can get my hair sitting OK, but the texture is just so different! Its so sleek when she does it, when I do it it's so coarse!
So I'm wondering what makes the most difference...is it the products, the tools, or the technique? I need to change something but don't know where to start.
I use the same shampoo as her now. I wonder is my hair dryer crap? My straighteners? Or is it just the way I use them?
I would love to achieve the same gloss! Any advice gratefully received!

Do they use any serum on it to smooth it?

Think about where your hairdresser stands when they dry your hair… they are standing with the hairdryer pointing down the hair shaft. That’s how you need to hold your hairdryer - arms up, nozzle down.

I’m good at drying my ‘unruly’ hair straight. I use different shampoos depending on how my hair and scalp feel but always shampoo twice. Same with conditioner - I don’t necessarily use the one that matches the shampoo but one based on need. I use a scalp scrub once a week. Ditto a mask.

I use spray in / leave in conditioning spray after I’ve wrapped my hair in a bamboo turban. Then Olaplex, then a blow dry lotion. I blow dry in sections with a bit round brush, moving the dryer down the hair. I then straighten with irons. Pin the front up in a big roller whilst I do make up / carry on with day.

All above results in a big, bouncy but smooth blow dry that lasts 3 days (I use dry shampoo on the 3rd night).

Do they use styling products?

It’s probably a mix. Styling products, tools, technique (angle of air blowing on the hair and the tension and perhaps even does it in smaller sections) and experience.

I have exactly the same issue and agree with the direction of hot air but mainly the tension the hairdresser put the hair under. I can get close to salon swish with my hot air round brush working in sections, working both sides and lots of tension. I usually follow by straighteners to smooth the top and like previous poster, setting in big rollers is fab but I only do this for a night out and always finish with serum.

Thank you all! I'm sure I don't take enough time over the whole thing. I'm going to be more conscious of dryer angle! Do you think all hair dryers are equal or would a more expensive one smooth me out a bit more?

She’ll no doubt use a heat protector serum or cream before blow drying which will have smoothing qualities and more than likely some oil at some point. Conditioner as well as the shampoo, and tepid water. Plus of course a lower heat dryer and a round brush helps.

No not all dryers are equal, salon quality ones are usually more powerful but they don’t tend to use them super hot. I have a Parlux, which is quite an old school salon brand but it’s amazing. So powerful it dries my thick hair quickly and evenly and it doesn’t get ridiculously hot either.

Could it be the way you wash it? Are you getting all the shampoo out and not over rinsing after conditioner?

Otherwise as someone said, make sure you don't make it frizzy and coarse when drying by fluffing it up. Direct the dryer downward in same direction as hair shaft.

In passing, I'm a bit surprised that your hairdresser still uses straighteners - is that what you want? A good cut on well conditioned head should allow hairdresser to get smooth effect without need to use more tools after blow dry. Less heat equals less damage.

Thanks all!

The straighteners seem very light touch, minimal use, she just seems to do the ends with them.
She advised I don't use conditioner every time I wash and that has definitely helped.