I have missed collaborating with Bellacara. Angela and I started Stylebook together and often partnered with events, and I think I am finally getting over the fact that I don’t get to work with her anymore since she sold her store. I decided since I finally ripped off the band-aid, I would write a few posts for Bellacara. A few weeks ago, I wrote about my love of all the Westman Atelier products, and I decided this week was to talk about something I have wanted to write about for years: how to save a blowout.

While I am not good with makeup, I am really good at hair. Well, okay, I stink at doing my own hair, but I am very well versed in booking a shampoo blow dry and making it last a really long time. If I had to apply for a job, I might list this as one of my best skills; I am truly gifted at it. I even can exercise and maintain my blowout. It has taken decades to perfect (I started getting blowouts in my 20s), but I feel as though I have achieved blowout maintenance nirvana.

I will start by saying I have a lot of hair. My actual strand of hair is thick, and I have a lot of them. My hair is also a bit coarse and wavy. Maybe the correct word is frizzy. The first key is making sure they don’t use too many products in your hair when they blow it out. Especially after it is done. NO HAIRSPRAY!

Okay, now your hair is looking fabulous, but you need to work out; here is where I have learned to put the work in. The key is putting in dry shampoo before you exercise. I like Klorane Ultra Gentle at Bellacara. It doesn’t leave much build-up, which is key when you want it to last for days. Second, you have to put back your hair when you work out. I don’t understand how people don’t do that and leave their hair down, but they apparently exist. I use an old-school bandana. I have some Shoe Hive branded ones if you need one! Then I always use the France Lux ponytail holders; they don’t leave a crease. The other key is taking your hair down right when you are done working out.

When I get home from a workout, I brush out my hair and put it in a shower cap. I love the ones from Tonic at Bellacara. I can tuck my hair in them without using a holder, and they are really cute. When I get out of the shower, I put it in a towel because it usually gets a little wet, or it is probably still sweaty from my workout (if you have done a hot class at Mind the Mat, you know what I am talking about). I use the Kitsch Quick Dry Towel. I also use these if I actually wash my hair, which is rare. But it does help absorb more water.

Okay, here is where the work comes in. I hit my hair with a blow dryer. I have all the fancy ones, but the best is the Revlon Hair Dryer and Hot Brush. Okay, you can’t get this at Bellacara, but I swear by it, and it is cheap. The thing you need to know is you probably need to replace it every year or so. The pink knobs on the end of the bristle will come off, and it can really damage your hair. This styling tool gets really hot, so I try to minimize how much I use it; just go around the face or any spot that is looking a little sad. It doesn’t take much time at all. If I need it, and this is usually day three into survival mode, I use another hit of dry shampoo or hair oil. I like both options from Oribe. They smell really great, too, so that is just an extra bonus.

With these tips, I can make a blowout last at least four or five days. And I know this seems extreme for some folks, but if you have thick hair, it really is better to not wash it that much. It really does make getting ready in the morning so much easier when you know you don’t have to spend much time on your hair. And don’t we all need to make getting out the door a little easier?

All the products are available at Bellacara, except the hair ties are at The Shoe Hive, and the Revlon brush might even be at CVS in Old Town, but they sell it everywhere.