4c hair blowout
Let’s be real. There are only two seasons in the year, where having your 4c hair out is fun. Spring and Fall. Not summer and its humidity, and also not winter and it’s freezing cold.
So you can imagine how excited I am to finally enter a spring season where my hair is long enough for some cute 4c blowout hairstyles.
Even though I have not yet completely graduated from that awkward length stage, I am ready and prepared to make it work. I even bought new 4c hair clip-ins just in case.
And because I love to share my learnings and tips with other black women, I figured I’d share how you can get the best results with your own 4c hair blowout.
What is a 4c hair blowout?
A 4c hair blowout is a hair styling technique that involves using a hair dryer and a round brush to stretch and elongate your hair. Because 4c hair is a very coily and curly hair structure, a blowout is sometimes necessary to achieve a certain hairstyle or look.
Different blowout methods can also help reduce shrinkage that is common with 4c hair and result in a fuller, more voluminous look. And sometimes you simply need a natural blowout in order to prepare your hair for braids.
And of course, a good natural hair blowout is the first step to the very coveted silk press.
However, anytime this technique is used, it’s important to note that excessive heat styling can damage 4C hair. So it’s important to use heat protection and limit the frequency of these blowouts.
Can blowouts damage your hair?
Yes, blowouts can damage your hair, especially if you have 4c hair, because it is more prone to heat damage than other hair types.
Blowouts involve using a blow dryer and sometimes even a flat iron to straighten and smooth your hair. Therefore the heat from these tools can cause damage and breakage to your hair.
To avoid damaging your hair with blowouts, it’s important to use a good heat protectant spray before using heat tools. That will help to protect your natural hair from high temperatures, and reduce the risk of hair damage and hair breakage.
Additionally, it’s important to use low or medium heat settings during the blowout process. This will help to prevent overheating your 4c hair, which can harm your hair health.
Finally, remember to take care of your 4c hair properly after each blowout. This means using natural oils or serums to help smooth and add shine to your hair. And of course, wrap your natural hair properly at night with a silk scarf to preserve the blowout.
How often should I blow out my 4c hair?
In my opinion, you should blow out your 4c hair not more than twice a month. And that is if you are looking to grow your 4c hair and want to keep it healthy.
Regardless of how much effort you put into protecting your natural hair and how much money you put into buying the right products, blowouts are damaging in the long run.
Every time you stretch, straighten or manipulate your natural hair you are breaking your curly textures which will damage the hair cuticle eventually. That’s when you start seeing split ends and dry hair and eventually need to trim your 4c hair a lot more than you’d like.
This is why I only blow out my natural 4c hair for special occasions and only allow a professional stylist to do it.
How to do a blowout on natural 4c hair
Now let’s get to the fun part of this post – how to do a blowout on your own hair. Even though I don’t suggest it, the steps are pretty straightforward.
- First, make sure to start with freshly-washed clean hair. This will get you the best results because you won’t have any prior product buildup to wear your hair down.
- Next, it’s important to moisturize your hair well. By using a good leave-in conditioner you give your hair a much-needed moisture boost before applying heat.
- Now you have to detangle your 4c hair thoroughly to ensure that all the tangles and knots are out. Use your fingers, followed by a wide tooth comb to gently comb through it. There is nothing worse than getting your paddle brush stuck in a knot while blow-drying.
- Next, use a heat protector like a spray or serum to help protect your hair from the heat of the blow dryer. That creates a barrier between your natural hair and the tool, resulting in less heat penetrating your hair shaft.
- Once your 4c hair is moisturized, detangled, and protected, it’s now time to separate it into sections. Use a butterfly hair clip to keep each section apart. Working in sections makes the blow-drying process much easier.
- Next, use a blow dryer with a comb attachment to blow dry each section of hair. Start at the roots and work your way down to the ends. And if you want, you can use a round brush to help smooth your hair. Be sure to put your dryer on a low or medium heat setting to avoid damaging your hair.
- Another optional step is to use a flat iron or hot comb to straighten any remaining kinks and curls.
- Finally, use a lightweight hair oil or serum to smooth and add shine to your hair. This will help to prevent frizz and flyaways.
With these simple steps, you can easily do a sleek blowout on your own natural hair.
How long does a blowout last on 4C hair?
A blowout on 4c hair typically lasts for several days, depending on how well you take care of it and the weather circumstances. On average, my blowouts last for about 2-3 days, because I sweat a lot and work out often.
However, it can last longer if you are very careful and it can last shorter if you only need it for an event or so. To help your blowout last longer on your natural, make sure to wrap it at night and avoid getting it wet.
Products needed for a 4c hair blowout
Of course, it wouldn’t be right to finish this blog post without sharing all the tools and products you need for a successful 4c hair blowout. Here is what I use:
- Clarifying shampoo and moisturizing conditioner to deeply hydrate your hair.
- Leave-in conditioner to detangle your hair and make it easier to manage while blow-drying.
- Heat protectant spray or serum to prevent heat damage to your hair.
- Blow dryer with a comb attachment, which will help to direct the airflow and make it easier to control the heat and speed.
- Round brush with natural bristles (optional) to help smooth and stretch your hair as you blow-dry.
- Hair clips to section your hair and make it easier to work with.
- Use coconut oil or another natural oil to add some shine to your hair and smooth down flyaways.
Remember to choose products that are specifically formulated for the 4c hair type to ensure the best possible results.