Air-drying your hair is the ideal summer styling method. Less hot air blowing in your face and more sleep in the morning is a much better way to start the day, but controlling your results is an altogether different battle.
Air-dried hair, unless you're very lucky, is normally associated with frizz or flatness, tangles or fly aways — and certainly not the bouncy curls, smooth waves, and shiny strands we're after. However, it doesn't have to be so hard to master, according to celebrity hairstylist Michael Dueñas.
The first step is to adequately condition — something that's important for all textures. "Frizz is your hair's way of trying to get more moisture," Dueñas says. Then, with the right products and the proper manipulation, a lacklustre air-dried finish can be a thing of the past.
Dueñas shares his tips and tricks to a better air-dry, ahead.
Curly Hair
Flip your head upside down while in the shower, then rake your favourite conditioner through your hair from root to tip, Dueñas says. Squeeze out the extra moisture by plopping, then style as desired in the morning. Or, if you're washing in the morning, apply a leave-in cream — like Bumble and Bumble’s Don’t Blow It — before putting your damp hair into a high bun for the day. (When you release the bun you'll have smooth curls — with less frizz.) Remember: the best way to fight frizz is to be as hands off as possible, hence the out-your-face updo.
To Polish It Up Once Dry: "If you desire a little more bit more volume in your curls, use a diffuser attachment and set your dryer to high heat, low airflow," he says. "Scrunch your hair towards the scalp, and apply heat for about two minutes." Dueñas, who's a Conair spokesperson, loves the brand's 3QMS dryer. Alternatively, you can smooth any puffy curls with an iron that matches your curl size.
Short Hair
Add your favourite texture spray or medium-hold styling cream to your hair while damp. Comb the product through, then arrange your hair how you like it and allow it to air-dry completely without touching it. Once it is dry, flip your head upside down and shake your scalp to increase volume and texture.
To Polish It Up Once Dry: For a hit of texture, use the dryer for two to three minutes, shaking your hair as you wave the dryer back and forth.
Fine & Straight Hair
First, apply your favourite smoothing, light-hold cream. Brush your hair until it's smooth, getting rid of all tangles. For a little bit of wave and volume, Dueñas suggests you bring your hair to the top of your head and secure with a bun, twisting and wrapping your hair around itself. Once your hair is dry, take the bun down, and smooth your hair out with your fingers or a brush.
Or, for even more volume, add your favourite mousse, brushing it in from scalp to ends after you detangle, then create two large pinned curls on the top of your head, making sure not to secure with any elastics (to avoid dents).
To Polish It Up Once Dry: Try smoothing any puffy sections using an iron with coated plates.
Thick & Wavy Hair
Use a hair towel or T-shirt to blot as much water out of the hair as possible. Once you remove moisture, simply apply your favourite oil or smoothing cream. "I like to use oil because it tends to force the water out of the hair and helps it dry faster," Dueñas says. Let your hair dry halfway, then plop.
To Polish It Up Once Dry: A good leave-in conditioner will help fight dry out, so mist then finger comb.
Textured/Natural Hair
Time for a twist-out! When your hair is damp, apply your favourite leave-in conditioner. Divide your hair into 1-inch sections, split that section in half and twist the two haves around each other. Tension will hold them together. Leave them twisted together until they're completely dry. For those with thick hair, it can take days — so try pinning those twists up into a bun or knots, or wrap them in a printed head wrap.
To Polish It Up Once Dry: Dry any twists that are still damp with the lowest setting on your blow dryer before letting them loose.
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