4 Ways I Make My At-Home Blow Dry Easier, Faster & Last Longer

how to blow dry hair Yads how to blow dry hair Yads

Every mum knows that tasks that used to be incredibly simple pre-kids become incredibly hard post-kids. 

For me, making time to blow dry my hair is one of these tasks.

Hence why I only like to do it a couple of times a week, if that.

And honestly, even when I do make the time for it, it has to be quick because my kids like to snack every 30 seconds. 

So what does my current daily hair routine look like at the moment, with three kids under five? 

1. Fast - it has to take no more than 10-15 minutes.

2. Must smooth and tame the wildness, and 

3. It has to be able to last at least a few days. 

Plus, my hair is very thick. So even if I didn’t have small kids, the struggle to find the motivation would be real. 

The answer? A quick, easy at-home blow dry.

How To Blow Dry Hair.

how to blow dry hair Yads how to blow dry hair Yads

I have been blow drying my hair for years, so I have a gazillion and one products in my hair kit arsenal. 

And like I said before, I need them to be quick - and actually work. 

But aside from making my hair look decent, I also try to use styling products and heat tools that won’t damage my hair… too much.

Long story, but once, a hairdresser chemically burnt my hair and the experience scarred me.

So, let’s chat through a few of my current hair favourites that make blow drying quicker, easier and most importantly smooth my hair juuuust enough so I don’t have to do it again for a few days. 

Watch my quick video tutorial below, or keep scrolling for the how to blow dry hair details.


1. Always Use A Heat Protectant.

Most of the products I use in my haircare routine are designed to repair damage, intensely hydrate and smooth frizz.

ELEVEN Hydrate My Hair Moisture Shampoo and ELEVEN Hydrate My Hair Moisture Conditioner are my favourite shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair.

I have used them for years and you are probably sick of hearing me talk about them all the time - but I needed to mention it again.

Anyway, the point is, there is no point using fancy (and expensive) bond repair products if you’re not using a heat protectant when blow drying your hair.

Our hair is already dead, which means from the moment it grows past your roots, there’s nothing we can do naturally to keep it ‘alive’ or thriving.

To keep hair in good condition, it’s all about what you put on it to protect it from heat styling and environmental damage.

Which is the best heat protectant?

As I’ve recently discovered, it's one that also shaves precious time off your blow dry.

ColorWow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray ColorWow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray

ColorWow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray is a heat protectant and speed blow drying product in one.

I am obsessed with this, and so is Adore’s Senior Editor Amy (she wrote about it in this new hair products round up here).

Apply a few spritzes through damp hair, and be amazed by how it speeds things up, without drying your hair out.

Plus, it doesn’t smell weird and helps prevent damage at the same time - which we’ve established I’m very anal about now. Love! 

Shop ColorWOW Speed Dry Spray here:

2. Choose Styling Products For Your Hair Concerns.

Just like with your skin, you can specifically target your hair concerns with the styling and treatment products you choose.

Might seem like it belongs in the ‘too hard basket’, but it all makes a difference to how much you’ll get from your blow dry.

For example, reducing frizz is one of my main hair concerns.

Kevin.Murphy Ever Smooth is a new lightweight spray that fixes this exact issue.

It’s amazing at smoothing hair and reducing all the frizz. I definitely notice my hair is so much more wild when this product isn’t in my routine. 

I just spray it on damp hair after ColorWow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray and it makes everything super sleek and straight - just how I like it. 

Shop Kevin Murphy Ever.Smooth Blow Dry Spray here:

3. The Best Smoothing Blow Dry Products.

Smoothing balms applied after you’ve blow dried your hair make all the difference!

evo easy tiger smoothing balm and evo head mistress cuticle sealer are two of my ride-or-die hair styling products.

evo head mistress cuticle sealer is amazing for when your hair is feeling particularly blah and your ends are crap.

evo easy tiger smoothing balm is, however, much better for reducing summer frizz. If your hair is damaged or just naturally coarse, you can use a balm like this pre-blow dry too. 

I would honestly never wash or blow dry my hair without a smoothing balm now. What I did before I landed on this brand… I’m not sure. 

Shop these evo styling products here:

4. Best Hair Tools For Your Blow Dry.

I think the hair dryer and blow dry hair brush you blow dry your hair with make such a difference.

Invest in hair tools and they will last for years. Parlux hair dryers are great and very reliable. 

I’ve had my Parlux Power Light 385 Ionic & Ceramic Hairdryer for over 10 years and have replaced it once.

If you really wanted to save time and struggle to master blow drying your hair with a hair dryer and brush, Hot Tools Black Gold Volumiser could be for you.

Watch our hot air brush comparison YouTube video here to learn more.

I also have one of the OG ghd hair straighteners and it's still going... if you know, you know.

I honestly think it's been a decade since I bought my ghd original hair straightener and it's one of my favourite hair products ever.

A decent blow dry hair brush also makes a difference.

I've been using the evo spike 28mm radial brush for ages, it's super affordable and awesome for blow drying thick hair.

Want more volume? Raincry magnesium blow dry brushes have just launched at Adore and they’re great too.

RAINCRY VOLUME - Magnesium Volumizing Brush - Medium is very easy to use, doesn’t get caught in your hair and smooths everything down amazingly. 

I think the RAINCRY VOLUME - Magnesium Volumizing Brush - Large size would be what I'd get next time.

Shop these hair tools here:

Using these blow dry tips and products, it takes me around 10-15 minutes to fully blow dry my whole hair. 

Not rough dry, but properly blow dry like I’m a celeb stylist in my at-home salon (aka 24/7 daycare).

Does it feel like I use a gazillion and one products? Yes. 

Still, I think the prep you put into a blow dry actually protects your hair in the long run AND means you don’t have to wash and blow dry as often. Win, win.

And it saves a lot of time, which is very handy for time-poor people like me. 

Also known as a mum who has to make snacks for her kids every 30 seconds. 

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