How-To: French Blowout With L’Oréal Professionnel's AirLight Pro

Almost everything French carries a certain air of je ne sais quoi, non? L’Oréal Professionnel's new French Blowout technique is no exception. In this styling tutorial,  L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Ambassador Sara Botsford (@sarabotsfordhair) shares how to master this signature blowout for effortless volume, movement, and shine in record time—customized for all hair types and textures. Best of all? No additional hot tools needed.

Tools You'll Need: 

• L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro
• AirLight Pro App 
• Spray bottle filled with water 
• Round brush 
• Tail comb 
• Duckbill clips 
• Pin curl clips 
• Optional: Extra brushes, towels, tripod 

Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel

Step 1: Consultation & Hair Analysis

Start with a thorough consultation to assess your client’s needs.

• Hair History: Discuss your client's hair history, including past color services, chemical treatments, and known sensitivities.
• Hair Analysis: Identify the hair formation (straight, wavy, curly, coily), density (sparse, average, thick), and texture (fine, medium, coarse). 

Step 2: Customize App Settings 

Prep the AirLight Pro by selecting the concentrator nozzle and adjusting the heat and airflow via the AirLight Pro App based on the client’s hair type and texture:

• Straight, Fine Hair: 250°F, 70% airflow 
• Curly, Dense Hair: 230°F, 60% airflow 
• Coily, Fine Hair: 285°F, 50% airflow 

Step 3: Prep the Hair

Shampoo and condition, or simply dampen the hair using your spray bottle. Then, apply styling products based on the client’s hair type and texture (optional but recommended).

Step 4: Rough Dry 

Remove the concentrator nozzle and rough dry with the AirLight Pro. Use heat up to 130°F and adjust airflow based on the client's needs:

• Straight Hair: 80% dry
• Curly Hair: 60% dry
• Coily Hair: Skip this step 

Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel

Step 5: Section the Hair  

Use a tail comb, duckbill clips, and pin curl clips to create clean, consistent sections. For more tips and visual guidance, watch the above video tutorial featuring L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Ambassador Sara Botsford.

For Straight or Curly Hair:

• Sections 1 & 2: Horizontal from the nape to the base of the occipital bone
• Sections 3 & 4: Horizontal from below the parietal ridge to the top of the ear
• Sections 5 & 6: Diagonal-forward on the left side; section 6 is closest to the face
• Sections 7 & 8: Diagonal-forward on the right side; section 8 is closest to the face
• Section 9: A mohawk section the width of an average round brush; divide into 4 subsections based on hair density

For Coily Hair:

You may need additional sections depending on the density and tightness of the formation.

Step 6: Style Your French Blowout 

Reattach the concentrator nozzle with your pre-set heat and airflow settings. Unpin individual sections and work through one section at a time using a round brush and these styling techniques:

Straight/Curly Hair 

• Sections 1 and 2: Blow dry downward, roll the sections into one, and pin the hair to set. Blend section 1 into section 2 to help avoid hard lines.
• Sections 3 and 4: Over-direct up past the occipital bone, and pin to set. Blend using the same technique as mentioned above.
• Sections 5 and 6: Over-direct down toward the face to smooth roots and dry the base. Blow dry mid-lengths away from the face for volume and movement, then roll hair away from the face and pin to set. Blend section 5 into section 6 to avoid  hard lines.
• Sections 7 and 8: Over-direct section 7 downward and section 8 toward the face. Roll away from the face and pin.
• Section 9: Divide your mohawk section into four subsections (A–D). Blow dry A–C forward, then roll back and pin. Blow dry D forward, toward the face, and pin to set.

Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel

Coily Hair

Use the same styling method, but with more sectioning as needed for tight curls and high density.

Photography: Courtesy of L’Oréal Professionnel

Pro Pinning Tips 

• Roll in the same direction as you blow dry
• Use a pin large enough to support the full section
• Pin larger sections together to avoid hard lines
• Alternative: Leave the round brush in the hair to set instead of pinning

Final Styling & Pro Tips 

Once the hair is cool, gently unpin each section and finger-comb. Apply hairspray and other finishing products as desired.

Here are more expert tips from AirLight Pro Ambassadors to help elevate your French Blowout: 

• Tension: Use strong tension for curly and coily textures
• Tool Alignment: Keep the round brush and concentrator nozzle aligned and moving at the same pace for optimal control and smoothing
• Body Position: Keep elbows down and pull downward for better control
• Volume Boost: Backcomb at the crown for extra lift (optional)
• Airflow Direction: Rotate the concentrator grip to adjust airflow 
• Tool Maintenance: Don't forget to clean the AirLight Pro's two filters regularly 

Master the French Blowout Technique

Join L’Oréal Professionnel for an exclusive digital look-and-learn class on June 23, 2025, hosted by SalonCentric and led by AirLight Pro Ambassadors and co-developers of the signature technique—Mick Lewis, Sara Botsford, and Kara Williams—along with #ItTakesAPro Team Artist Adrienne Dara.