How To Achieve The Ultimate Bouncy Blowdry

Big bouncy blow-dries are continuing to be all the hype in 2026, and honestly? We’re so glad they’ve stuck around. Going back to the supermodels in the ‘90s, to now being the modern-day it-girl look, the bouncy blowdry is officially ‘the’ salon hairstyle that clients are requesting every appointment.

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A bouncy blowdry is glossy, full of movement and gives the hair that expensive-looking finish that instantly makes clients walk out of the salon feeling like their best selves. While a bouncy blowdry might look super effortless - achieving that soft volume and long-lasting bounce - it actually requires a specific technique to create. Working alongside our Shed Artist, Amelia Wilmott, we’re breaking down the fundamentals of how to exactly create the ultimate bouncy blowdry, using the one and only Shed styling range. Including Amelia’s go-to techniques, prep routine and top tips for making the style last, you’ll soon be confident to create a bouncy blowdry with every client.

There’s something about a bouncy blowdry that instantly elevates your client's hair, adding shape and fullness and making their colour truly pop. Plus, it’s one of the most versatile salon styles you can offer, making a perfect add-on service to your salon’s menu. If your client has long layers, a bob, a balayage or a fresh gloss, a bouncy blowdry will make every colour and cut look even better. Even for your clients with fine and flat hair, this style creates the illusion of fuller, thicker-looking hair. It truly ticks every box!

Being one of the most requested styles asked for in the salon, Amelia has nailed her bouncy blowdry routine. She tells us, “The key to creating a bouncy blowdry is ensuring you keep lots of tension between the client’s hair and brush. This will set the shape and create that iconic bounce, and also eliminate any frizz.” Tension really is everything when creating a bouncy blowdry, as it helps smooth the cuticle, reduce fluffiness and properly set the shape into the hair when using your round brush. Combined with controlled sectioning and the correct brush work, this is what creates that polished, glossy finish clients want. Amelia also adds, “Practice is everything when perfecting your bouncy blowdry, so make sure to utilise your friends and family’s heads to refine your technique!”

The prep stage is everything when creating a smooth blowdry, and Amelia always starts by applying Shed’s X-in-1 on the client's freshly washed hair to detangle and smooth the hair before blow-drying.

For volume, hold and structure, Amelia reaches for Shed’s Inflatable Blow Dry Gel. This pre-blow-dry gel gives the hair grip and body without making it feel sticky or crunchy, helping the style hold its bounce for much longer after styling.

If it’s rainy, windy or extremely humid, the weather is every blowdry’s worst nightmare. So, to keep the style smooth and reduce fluffiness throughout the day, Amelia takes Shd’s Climate Control to help shield the hair from moisture and frizz, and to keep the style looking sleek.

Once the curls are fully set, Amelia lightly mists the hair with Shed’s Highrise Medium Hold Hairspray to lock in the shape while still ensuring there is movement throughout the blowdry.

And finally, for that glossy, healthy-looking finish, Amelia smooths a small amount of Shed’s Tropic Oil through the hair. This helps to eliminate flyaways, while adding moisture and shine to the curls without weighing them down.

Amelia recommends using larger sections alongside brickwork sectioning patterns to ensure there are no obvious parting lines throughout the hair. This helps the blowdry look softer and fuller, and far more seamless once dressed out.

Using a 15mm round brush, Amelia keeps strong tension throughout the blowdry process to properly smooth and shape the hair. As previously mentioned, this is the key to creating a polished finish while eliminating frizz at the same time.

Rather than simply rolling the hair around the brush once, Aneua moves the brush backwards and forwards continuously while drying. This technique helps create softer movement and will also encourage the hair to form in that signature bouncy curl shape.

Want to know one of the biggest mistakes when creating a bouncy blowdry? Taking the curls out too quickly. Amelia will leave each curl wrapped around the brush to cool and set before removing them and then pinning the curls with grips. Leave these in for 10-15 minutes before dressing out the style.

Once the curls have fully cooled, Amelia removes the grips and twisting the hair down to help maintain the shape and bounce. The bouncy blowdry is then lightly sprayed with hairspray to completely set the hair into place.

The bouncy blowdry isn’t going anywhere, as it never really goes out of style. It’s a timeless and flattering look that instantly makes clients feel put together, so what’s not to love? With the right prep, tension and styling products, you too can create a long-lasting, glossy blowdry that’s full of movement, and it will only get easier the more you do it! So, combining Amelia’s techniques with Shed’s styling products, you’ll be able to create the ultimate salon finish every single time.