The Texan blowout is the ultimate nod to cowgirl core this spring

From Beyoncé personifying her country era to the cowgirl-ification of Bella Hadid, in case you missed it, the western-inspired aesthetic is a key trend this spring/summer. And beyond a niche or fleeting one, the runway has demonstrated its breadth and durability ­– with designers including Louis Vuitton, Chloé and Molly Goddard recently joining the likes of Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney in championing the vibe.

When it comes to our wardrobes, the trend naturally translates as cowboy boots and hats, alongside western shirts and tassel-trimmed jackets. But as for the beauty look? It’s all about huge hair, of course.

Dolly Parton in 1976

Stylists are coining the hairstyle most synonymous with the western trend as ‘the Texan blowout’ – a nod to the arrival of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Act II and single Texas Hold ‘Em shining a light on country music and style. “Think extreme volume and high drama for locks that would make Dolly Parton proud!” says Paco Latorre, the senior stylist at the Boots x Live True London Salon. “Texan hair means big hair,” adds the Hairstory hairdresser Wes Sharpton. Known for its gravity-defying volume and height, that beloved Parton-ism remains relevant: “the higher the hair, the closer to God” – the look’s signature silhouette reading more is more. He namechecks Bonnie Tyler and Reba McEnitre as also personifying the look, and – in today’s terms – there’s Miley Cyrus, who recently swapped her mullet for the big tease. In fact, hair appears to be Cyrus’ most significant sartorial code this season; after winning her first Grammy Awards this month with a voluminous coif, she took to social media to “personally thank my hair”. But of course.

Miley Cyrus Grammys 2024 hairstyle

The move towards big hair has been building over the past few years, with the return of Supermodel volume. But the Texan is more about exaggeration, Sharpton notes. “While ‘80s blowouts are voluminous, they allow a lot of movement and ‘swish’ from side to side.” Texas country hair has always been built to last, he says (crediting a whole lot of hairspray). “Modern Texan hair is actually a combination of the two – all the exaggeration of the original but without the stiffness.” It may not be a look to commit to day-in day-out, but for an event it’s something we’ll gravitate to more and more, he says.

Beyonce western hair trend texan blowdry

How to achieve the Texas blowout

You have two options here: the pro route and a DIY one.

If you opt to style your hair at home, Latorre tells us that prep is key when it comes to achieving a high-volume Texan blowout. “Start by washing your hair with a volumising shampoo and conditioner such as the Ful All Rounder Shampoo and Conditioner to get a good base for your style.”

Then, before drying your hair, “apply the Drybar Southern Belle Volume-boosting Root Lifter to the roots to give ultimate lift”. To protect from heat damage, spritz on a protectant such as the Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Treatment Spray, “then dry the hair to about 70 per cent dry with your hairdryer – sectioning your hair so it is easier to style, starting at the front and working your way back”. His hack here is to “direct heat to the roots at the beginning of each section from underneath – this will help create maximum volume”.

Next, working from front-to-back again, “use a round brush, like the Drybar Full Pint Ceramic Brush to create a curl in each section of hair, turning the brush away from your face”. After using the hot setting, he recommends switching to the cold shot, to help set each section. “After releasing the curl from your brush, pin it in place with a hair grip or wrap it around a roller to set in place while you complete the rest of the hair, then spray all over with hairspray.” (He loves the Redken Max Hold Hairspray.)

Finally, “unravel the curls and rake your fingers through them to loosen, apply more hairspray for maximum hold as well as a finishing product like the FUL Hyaluronic Acid Serum for added shine and gloss”.

Alternatively, book into the hairdressers for a blow-dry or dry style appointment. Typically, in-salon, “the hair is set with a curling iron and pinned or set with rollers and a hood dryer” says Sharpton. “Once dry, the hair is backcombed at the root for height and the rest of the hair is back-brushed for volume throughout the entire look. It’s moulded and formed, then sprayed with hairspray to hold the height and shape.” You could also look to Beyoncé’s process herself, which she shared recently on Instagram. The star uses her own Cécred products, then the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and wide tooth comb attachment to stretch her natural curls, which she then smooths with hair straighteners, before tonging and setting large sections in pin curls to achieve a big, bouncy blowout.