When blow-drying your hair into a sleek blowout, the first step is to always predry the strands with a towel before blasting them with heat. This cuts the styling time in half! Skip combing your hair, and apply the towel by flipping your head upside down, wrapping it around the back of your head, and twisting the fabric around your hair like you would a turban or a head scarf.
Any towel can work for this step, but Vaccaro recommends using one like the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Towel ($30). Wear it for about three to five minutes to absorb any excess moisture. Once time is up, you can test to see if this step is finished by removing the towel and squeezing a section of hair in your hand. If little-to-no water drips from those strands, you're all set to comb it out and move on to the next step.
