I‘ll be blunt: I suck at blow-drying my limp, super-straight hair. Which seems weird, right?Theoretically, it could be imagined that my slippery-smooth locks would be somewhat easier to manage while balancing a round brush, hair dryer, and products galore. Alas, they’re not, and more often than I’d like to admit, 20 minutes into the ordeal (and it is an ordeal), I find my forehead sweating, biceps throbbing, and lips cursing. Trust me when I say it’s not a pretty sight, and the resulting blowout is typically even less spectacular.

What I do know is that I’m missing some major points in my technique. But what I don’t know is how to fix it. Thankfully, my wonderful job as beauty editor allows me the ability to reach out to some of the best hair stylists in the business in a quest to solve all of my hair woes. And how to blow-dry straight hair is at the top of the list. So with that in mind, I asked Alysa Pace from Bomane Salon in Beverly Hills what she recommends for the situation.

Keep reading to learn how to blow-dry straight hair, step-by-step.

the prep

Davines Volu Hair Mist $37.00

1. First and foremost, Pace told us that to blow-dry straight hair, you’ll need a round brush—preferably an extra-large one that’s at least two inches thick. Why? The bigger the brush, the more volume you’ll get. We love the Morroccanoil 55MM Ceramic Thermal Round Brush ($28).

2. Next, prep is as simple as applying a sweeping spritz of Davines Volu Hair Mist ($37) on the roots of your hair and then a light dusting to the mid-shaft and ends.

3. Finally, seal some last-minute moisture on the dry ends with your favorite split-end mender or hair oil. We’re partial to Captain Blankenship Mermaid Hair Oil ($34).

The dry

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer $399.00

If you’re looking for salon-worthy volume at home, Pace recommends blowing your hair upside down. And really, the rest is easy:

4. “Next, while upside down, I recommend rough drying your hair with your fingers—forget the brush! Then, once your hair is 90% dry, flip it back up and part it all the way back creating two sections, one on each side of your head.”

5. “To finish, take your 2-inch round brush and smooth your ends back with your blow-dryer.”

The finishing touches

T3 Twirl Convertible Curling Iron With 1.25 Inch Interchangeable Clip Barrel $195.00

To complete the blowout, and supplement straight hair with a bit of body and bend, Pace tells us some strategic curling is key.

6. “For the finishing touch, I love to add some curl. However, make sure the hair is completely dry before you lift your curling iron. Nine times out of 10, it isn’t dry even when you think it is. I recommend a one-inch curling iron for styling, and I’ll typically prep the hair with a dry texturizer.” Team Byrdie is currently obsessed with Amika Un.Done Texture Spray ($25).

7. “Next, section the hair off, usually three sections in the back and two on each side. Then start curling each section, alternating away from the face then toward the face. I always start the curls mid-strand to the bottom to ensure the hair retains a lot of movement.”

Hold the curl three seconds longer than you think you should to ensure they stay intact.

8. Last but not least, gently brush out your curls before setting your blowout with a medium-hold hair spray. Oh, and don’t be afraid to be liberal with your application. Verb Ghost Hairspray ($18) offers premium hold with zero grit or stick.