With the summer months in full swing, we find ourselves embracing our natural beauty more often. We wear less makeup to avoid running mascara, we flaunt our freckles and sun-bronzed skin (while still wearing sunscreen, of course), and we avoid heat styling tools as humidity is not our friend. However, depending on your hair composition, air drying your hair may feel like a dreadful alternative that results in flat roots and frizz.
Fortunately, we’ve pulled together a list of tips, tricks and products that will help you find the right routine for your own air dried look.
Air-dry tips
Start with a clean canvas
Just wetting your ends won’t always cut it; begin by washing your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type, making sure to condition hair lengths only to avoid flatness on top.
Towel-dry gently
After washing your hair, gently squeeze out excess moisture using a soft, microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can cause frizz and damage the hair cuticle.
Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair oil
To keep your hair hydrated and protected during the drying process, apply a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight hair oil. These products will help to seal in moisture and prevent frizz (spoiler alert: we’ve listed our favorites in the section below!)
Use a wide-tooth comb
Detangle your hair gently using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Start from the ends and work your way up to avoid breakage. This will keep your hair’s natural wave while helping your hair dry evenly, preventing tangles.
Embrace the natural texture
If you have wavy or curly hair, encourage your natural texture by scrunching your hair with your hands while it's still damp. To add a little extra oomph to your curls or waves, use a light hold mousse or texture spray. Careful not to overdo it as too much product will result in stiff or crunchy curls (we’re looking at you, 2007).
Avoid touching your hair too much
Once you've styled your hair for air drying, try to avoid touching it excessively. Touching and tousling your hair too frequently can lead to frizz and disturb the natural drying process.
Protect your hair from the sun
If you're planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, consider wearing a hat or using a UV-protective hair spray to shield your hair from the sun's damaging rays. This can help prevent dryness and color fading.
Air drying takes longer than using a blow dryer, so be patient and give your hair enough time to dry naturally! If you're in a rush, you can use a diffuser attachment on a low heat setting to speed up the process without causing excessive heat damage.
Remember, everyone's hair is unique, so feel free to experiment with different techniques and products to find what works best for your hair type and desired style.
Heat-free tricks
For some of us, air dried hair may not work with our shower schedule. Here are some tricks for air-dried hair that will be ready to go when you need to be out the door quick in the morning:
Braid before bed
If you’re prone to showers before bed, you may find that your overnight-air-dry doesn’t look all to hot when you wake up. To avoid friction and style your hair, try braiding towel-dried hair into one or two braids before bed to wake up with wavy and tame hair.
Heatless overnight curlers
With numerous options on the market, silk wrap heatless curlers are one of our new favorite ways to wake up with glamorous hair. Simply secure the silk ribbon in place at the top of your head where your hair parts, and wrap your hair around the ribbon, securing at the end with a scrunchy. Repeat this process on the other side, remove the clip from the top and get some sleep. In the morning, remove the silk wrap by lifting from the part and allowing curls to fall, combing with your fingers for a glamorous look.
Check out the Sleep Set by Covet and Mane, available at Tease Hair Boutique for damage-free, glamorous overnight waves!
Rough dry roots only
If you’re tight on time with wet hair, try following the tips above while rough drying your roots only and allowing ends to dry naturally. Add a little mousse or texture spray for ample volume on top and natural waves.
Products we love for air dried hair
For air-dried hair, you'll want products that enhance your hair's natural texture, provide moisture, and promote a healthy appearance without the need for heat styling. Here are some of our favorite products for air-dried hair:
Kerastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original Hair Oil
Infused with a blend of argan, camellia & marula hair oil, this versatile leave-in oil is suitable for all hair types. It nourishes and adds shine to the hair without making it greasy, making it a great option for air-drying.
Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique
Formulated with plant-based proteins and strengthening vitamin B2, this heat protectant helps to reduce breakage and smooth hair. Great for dry or damaged hair, it can be applied before air-drying to keep your hair hydrated and smooth.
Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique
If your hair is prone to breakage and damage, this heat-activated leave-in treatment is an excellent choice to reduce breakage and smooth hair. With pro-keratine complex and ceramides, it provides strength and protection during air-drying and styling.
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
This lightweight hair oil is suitable for all hair types and provides deep nourishment without weighing the hair down. Made with camellia oil, this product helps to control frizz, add shine, and protect the hair during air-drying.
Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Hair Mask
To help prevent frizz and encourage shiny air-dried hair, we recommend using a hair like this one at least once a week. Made with argan oil, it provides intense repair and nourishment, making it easier to air-dry without compromising on the look and feel of your hair.
Bottom Line
Air-drying your hair can feel like a gamble, especially prior to big events where you want your looks to shine. With time and practice, you’ll find the right product and routine combination that will leave your hair looking shiny and wavy without the use of damaging heat tools. If you’re unsure which products to use for your specific hair type, make sure to ask your Tease Hair Boutique stylist during your next visit!
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