Blowouts for Long or Thick Hair: What to Expect
A blowout for thick or long hair takes more sectioning and a slower, more thorough dry, which is why we offer a separate Blowdry Long/Thick Hair option. Booking it gives your stylist room to finish every section fully. That means the back looks as smooth as the front, and the style holds for days instead of frizzing by lunch.
Key takeaways
- If your hair takes ages to air dry or you avoid drying it at home, book the long and thick option.
- Thick hair frizzes when the inside layers are left damp, so full drying matters most.
- A precision cut that removes weight in the right places makes every blowout easier.
- Thick hair often holds a blowout longer than fine hair once it's dried well.
Is my hair thick enough to need the longer blowout option?
Your hair probably needs the longer option if drying it at home feels like a workout. A few signs to look for:
- It's still damp underneath hours after you wash it.
- Your hair tie only wraps around twice.
- You have a lot of hair that falls past your shoulder blades.
- You skip blow drying at home because your arms get tired first.
Length and density are different things. Long, fine hair can dry quickly, and shoulder length hair can be dense enough to need extra time. If you're unsure, pick the long and thick option on our blowout page. It's better to have the room than to rush the last sections.
Standard Blowdry or Blowdry Long/Thick Hair
- Best for. Standard Blowdry: Most hair, short to long with average density. Blowdry Long/Thick Hair: Extra long hair, dense hair, or both.
- Home drying. Standard Blowdry: Dries in a reasonable time. Blowdry Long/Thick Hair: Stays damp underneath for hours.
- What it allows. Standard Blowdry: A full wash, dry and style. Blowdry Long/Thick Hair: Extra room to dry and smooth every section.
- Choose it when. Standard Blowdry: Your hair is easy to style at home. Blowdry Long/Thick Hair: You avoid drying your hair because it takes so long.
Why does thick hair take longer to blow dry?
Thick hair takes longer because there are more strands, and each one holds water. The outside layer dries first and can feel finished while the hair underneath is still wet.
That hidden dampness is the reason so many home blowouts puff up a few hours later. As the inside layers dry on their own, they return to their natural texture and push the smooth outer layer out of place. A professional blowout works section by section so nothing is left damp.
Thick hair isn't hard to blow out. It just needs the time to be done right.
Dubé New York
What happens during a blowout for thick hair?
A blowout for thick hair follows the same steps as any blowout, done with more patience. Your stylist asks about the finish you want, then washes your hair and removes most of the water before any brushing starts.
From there, your hair is clipped into sections. Each one is dried with a round brush from root to end, smoothed, and cooled before it's released. The finish comes last: a check in the mirror and any final shaping.
How a thick hair blowout comes together
- Talk it through. You share the finish you want and what the blowout is for.
- Wash and remove water. Your hair is washed, then rough dried until most of the water is gone.
- Section. Hair is clipped into small sections so the inside layers get dried too.
- Dry and smooth. Each section is dried with a round brush, smoothed and cooled before it's released.
- Finish. Final shaping and a check in the mirror before you go.
Will my thick hair look puffy or flat after a blowout?
Neither, when it's done well. Puffiness comes from damp hair and a rough cuticle, and flatness comes from too much tension at the root. Your stylist balances both.
You also choose the shape. Some clients with thick hair want it sleek and close to the head. Others want lift and bend through the ends. Tell your stylist which one you like, and bring a photo if you have one. Thick hair takes a shape well once it's fully dried.
Should I get a haircut first if my hair feels heavy?
A good cut makes every blowout on thick hair easier, so it's worth booking one if your hair feels heavy or shapeless. Our Precision Haircut for Long and Thick Hair gives your stylist the time to remove weight in the right places without making the ends thin.
Long layers help the hair move and let a blowout fall into shape. For more on cutting dense hair, see our guide to haircuts for long, thick hair.
How do I keep a thick hair blowout smooth for days?
Keep it dry, keep it loose, and refresh the roots instead of rewashing. Thick hair often holds a blowout longer than fine hair, but the nape and the underside are the first places to frizz on a humid day.
Sleep with your hair piled loosely on top, and use dry shampoo at the roots before they feel oily. If your thick hair is also lightened, ask about the Plex and Blowdry to strengthen it. See the Service Menu for current pricing.
Related guide: How to Make a Salon Blowout Last Longer.
Your long hair blowout questions, answered
Can I book the standard blowout if my hair is thick but short?
Often, yes. Short hair that's dense can still dry in a reasonable time, so the standard option may be enough. If your hair is thick enough that it stays damp for hours or takes forever to dry at home, the long and thick option is the safer choice. When in doubt, choose the one with more room.
Does a blowout remove bulk from thick hair?
No. A blowout dries and styles your hair, and it doesn't cut anything. Smoothing each section makes thick hair look sleeker and more controlled, but the amount of hair stays the same. If you want less weight, a precision cut is the service that removes bulk in the right places.
Is the Plex and Blowdry a good fit for thick hair?
It's a good fit for thick hair that's been lightened, colored often or heat styled a lot. The plex treatment is designed to help prevent damage and breakage, and you leave with a finished blowout in the same visit. Thick hair that's healthy and untreated usually does well with a regular blowout.
How often do clients with thick hair book a blowout?
It varies. Some clients with thick hair book a blowout every week or two because drying at home takes so long. Others save it for events or after a cut. Since thick hair often holds a style for several days, a single blowout can cover a busy week with a little care.
Do I need to arrive with clean hair for a thick hair blowout?
No. The wash is part of the service, so come as you are. It helps to skip heavy oils or styling creams that morning, since they take longer to wash out of dense hair. If you have a photo of the finish you want, bring it along to show your stylist.
Book a blowout made for thick hair
Choose Blowdry Long/Thick Hair when you book online. Check the Service Menu for current pricing.