A Blowout Look… Without the Blowout
- Amber Gresham
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 28
(Yes, even if you don’t have extensions)
I wanted to share a little at-home trick I use that gives major blowout vibes—especially for my women who don’t have extensions and want volume without fighting their arms and a round brush.
Here’s exactly what I did:
I started on damp hair with BioBond Leave-In to strengthen and protect, then layered in Vitamin Silk Leave-In Conditioner for hydration, softness, and slip. This combo creates the foundation for healthy, manageable hair.
Next, I applied BAM! Humidity Armor Spray to smooth the hair and protect it from heat and moisture, followed by KickUp Volumizing Spray directly at the scalp for lift. For added hold without any stiffness or stickiness, I worked in LiftUp Volumizing Mousse—one of my favorites because it works beautifully on both straight and curly hair.
To finish my prep, I applied 2–3 pumps of PrimeShine Argan Oil from mid-shaft to ends. This product can be used in several ways, but here I love it for added shine and for helping cut down blow-drying time.
I made sure everything was worked through thoroughly—don’t be shy with your product. Proper prep is what makes the style last and keeps hair healthy.
Next, instead of a traditional blowout, I used a soft hood dryer (the kind you attach your own blow dryer to—I grabbed mine on Amazon). I set my hair using Velcro rollers, focusing mostly on the top and crown area.
Because I wear extensions, I only set the top of my hair and later blow-dried my extensions with a round brush.
But here’s the important part 👇
If you don’t have extensions, you can absolutely set your entire head this way and get a smooth, voluminous finish that looks like you just left the salon.
How to Remove Velcro Rollers the Right Way
(And why they’re meant to grip)
Velcro rollers are designed to grab the hair — that grip is intentional. It’s what creates that smooth, round-brush-style finish by gently brushing and polishing the hair as the roller comes out.
That said, how you remove them matters.
In the video, I show how I use my index finger to guide the hair out of the roller as I unroll it. Instead of pulling straight down, I slowly release and direct the hair so the Velcro can do its job without catching or tugging unnecessarily.
I also left a few rollers in where I didn’t brush or smooth the hair before rolling. This was intentional. When hair isn’t prepped properly before going into a Velcro roller, the grip becomes uncomfortable instead of productive — and you’ll feel it.
This is the difference between:
Velcro rollers working for you
And Velcro rollers working against you
Smooth, brushed sections going in allow the roller to brush and polish the hair on the way out, giving you that blowout look without a round brush.
The takeaway?
Prep matters. Technique matters. When you do the small steps correctly, the rollers do exactly what they’re designed to do.
Watch the video for the exact finger placement and removal technique — it makes all the difference.
The Shake + Finish
Once the rollers are removed, it’s time for what I like to call the shake.
I flip my head upside down and warm 2–3 pumps of PrimeShine Argan Oil between my hands, then run it through the ends of my hair. This helps soften the hair, add shine, and give separation without weighing it down.
Sometimes, after I’ve worked it through the ends, I’ll lightly touch a very small amount near the scalp — but only sparingly. I don’t want the hair to look greasy, just healthy and lived-in.
If you have fine or thinning hair, I recommend skipping the scalp step entirely and keeping the oil focused on the mid-lengths and ends.
To finish the style, I choose my hairspray based on what the day calls for:
ShineLock Hairspray when I want flexible hold, movement, and polish
MindBlown Hairspray on windy days or when I need a stronger hold
Both sprays are made with panthenol, an ingredient that helps support and condition the hair while holding the style.
Fun side note: panthenol is also used in medical settings to help support skin healing, which makes it a pretty incredible ingredient to have working for your hair long-term.
That’s important to me.
I believe in longevity, not just hair for the day. When clients sit in my chair, I like to have a plan mapped out for the next six months — not just the moment they’re in. My goal is to help solve hair challenges over time and make sure you can confidently recreate these looks at home.
If you’re wondering what’s coming next, my next blog will walk you through how to style your hair with a curling iron. And if you’re really just after that smooth, blown-out look, this method is perfect — you can let the rollers do the work and skip the iron altogether.
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