Discover top pre blow dry products that prep hair for faster drying, added volume, and smoother styling. This guide reviews five widely loved options for different hair types, focusing on protection, frizz control, and shine before you reach for heat. Use these primers to set a strong foundation for a salon-quality blowout at home.
Summary of Selected Products
- Bumble and bumble. Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray — Lightweight primer for fine to medium hair.
- Aveda Speed of Light Blow Dry Accelerator Spray — Time-saver with heat protection, naturally derived ingredients.
- Kérastase Discipline Keratine Thermique — Smoothing leave-in with ceramides and heat protection.
- Nexxus Blow Dry Balm — Weightless frizz control and volume booster.
- Joico Hydrasplash Replenishing Leave-In — Hydrating pre-blow-dry treatment for fine hair.
Bumble and bumble Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray
The Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray is a lightweight pre-styling product designed to add fullness before a blowout. It targets fine to medium hair, aiming to create lift at the roots and a lush look overall. The brand describes it as a staple on professional styling stations for targeted thickness during a blow-dry.
Key points: lightweight formula, ideal for volume-focused blowouts, root targeting for extra lushness. Suitable for those seeking more body without heaviness. This pre-styling spray works well as the first step in a voluminous styling routine.
Aveda Speed of Light Blow Dry Accelerator Spray
This pre-styling spray is designed to cut blow dry time and improve manageability. Aveda notes a substantial time savings and reduced breakage, with a formulation that is 90% naturally derived. It helps smooth the cuticle and promotes air flow around fibers to speed drying while providing detangling benefits.
Highlights include: faster drying, reduced heat exposure, and a conditioning blend that minimizes breakage during styling. It can be a good fit for busy mornings or for anyone wanting a faster route to a polished finish.
Kérastase Discipline Keratine Thermique
Kérastase Discipline Keratine Thermique is a smoothing leave-in treatment that helps prepare hair for blow-drying by reducing frizz and flyaways while infusing shine. It provides heat protection up to 450°F and includes ceramides to strengthen the hair shaft. The result is smoother styling with improved overall texture and less apparent frizz.
Best for: unruly or sensitized hair that benefits from a smoothing base and durable heat protection. The product is marketed as supporting clean drying and reducing imperfections before you blow out your hair.
Nexxus Blow Dry Balm
The Nexxus Blow Dry Balm offers weightless frizz control and heat protection while boosting volume, acting as a versatile pre-styling cream. It is suitable for multiple hair types, including those that are color-treated or chemically processed, and uses the PROTEINLOCK formula to form a protective barrier against heat and styling damage.
Expect improved manageability, smoother strands, and a foundation ready for a sleek or voluminous blowout. This balm emphasizes a lightweight feel that avoids weighing hair down while delivering performance benefits.
Joico Hydrasplash Replenishing Leave-In
This replenishing leave-in is designed for fine hair as a pre-blow-dry treatment. It delivers hydration to minimize frizz and boost softness and shine. The lightweight formula aims to leave hair feeling nourished without heaviness, supporting a smoother blow-dry and more manageable styling after washing.
Ideal for dry or thirsty strands that need moisture to perform well when heat is applied. Joico emphasizes visible frizz reduction and long-lasting hydration beyond application.
Buying Guide: Pre Blow Dry Product Considerations
- Hair type and goals: Fine hair benefits from lightweight primers that boost volume, while frizz-prone or dry hair may require richer leave-ins with more conditioning.
- Heat protection: Look for products offering heat protection to shield from styling tools, with a suitable protection threshold (e.g., up to 450°F).
- Time savings vs. conditioning: Some sprays prioritize faster drying, others emphasize moisture retention and smoother textures. Choose based on whether you want speed, shine, or frizz control.
- Natural/ingredient profile: If you prefer naturally derived or vegan formulations, check the product claims and ingredients list.
- Compatibility with styling goals: For straight vs. curly, consider how a pre-blow-dry product supports your desired final shape and finish.
- Allergy and scent considerations: Some formulas include fragrance or botanical extracts; verify if scents or allergens matter for you.
When selecting a pre blow dry product, assess how it addresses volume, moisture, and heat protection for your hair type. The right primer can reduce drying time, minimize damage, and improve the overall appearance of your blowout.
Additional notes: avoid mixing these products with other styling primers unless the manufacturers approve compatibility. Always follow usage directions for best results and consider performing a patch test if you are trying a new formula.