How to Air Dry Your Hair to Perfection
by Elizabeth Swanson, BRIDES
Photo: Courtesy of CNP Montrose
Growing out your hair? Or maybe you want to intensify the shine? Easing up on the heat tools can give your hair a major boost. But we don’t want to resign you to a life of bad hair days, so we asked hairstylist and Wella creative director, Eugene Souleiman, how to get perfectly air-dried tresses. Who knows? You might never go back.
If you have straight, fine hair:
1. Start with a volume-boosting shampoo and conditioner, like L'Oréal Paris Volume Filler Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. (Use conditioner only on the ends of your hair; spreading it all over can make it feel greasy.)
2. To add lift, work a wide-bristle brush through damp hair, making sure to start at the roots.
3. When its fully dry, spritz a sea salt spray into the roots of your hair. This will help remove oil and create texture, Soulemain says. We like John Frieda Sea Waves.
4. Flip your head over a few times and apply a finishing spray, like Wella Stay Essential Finishing Spray. “This will shape the look, giving you a light, textured volume,” Souleiman says.
If you have wavy hair:
1. Start with a texture-enhancing shampoo and conditioner, like Bumble and Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo and Conditioner, to add definition and make freshly washed hair less slippery.
2. Work a light oil, like Moroccanoil Treatment Light, through damp hair, pulling it away from the head with a round-bristle brush. “Wavy hair can often have a mind of its own, so this will let you control the direction and shape of the wave without blow drying it,” Souleiman says.
3. To calm flyaways, dilute a style primer with water and rub it into the ends of your hair. Try Living Proof Prime Style Extender Cream.
4. When your hair is almost dry, split it into two sections on either side of your head. Twist from root to end, wrap each section in a circle, and secure with bobby pins. (They should look like cinnamon buns.) “This twisting technique lets you manipulate the direction of waves, resulting in a natural look that’s also manageable,” Souleiman says.
5. When it’s fully dry, let your hair down and tousle the waves with your fingers. Finish with a light shine spray, like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Glossing Spray.
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If you have curly hair:
1. Be cognizant of using too much product, which can result in a less-than-natural look, Souleiman says. Start with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to tame frizz without weighing down hair. We like Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Shampoo and Conditioner.
2. Apply a styling mousse, like Dove Style + Care Whipped Cream, and brush through using a wide-tooth comb, which will help create polished, frizz-free curls.
3. Use a small towel to lightly scrunch hair.
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If you have thick, coarse hair:
1. Creating a moisturized foundation is essential, Souleiman says, and recommends starting with Wella Professionals Luxe Oil Keratin Protect Shampoo.
2. Spray damp hair with a leave-in conditioning spray, like It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product Plus Keratin, and brush through with a wide-tooth comb.
3. Rub two to three pumps of an oil into the palms of your hands and spread evenly through your hair. TryKiehl’s Deeply Restorative Smoothing Hair Oil Concentrate.
4. For a pretty, whimsical look, create a braid that starts at the nape of your neck. “Braiding your hair will keep you from touching it, which causes frizz,” Souleiman says. “And it will give you a loose wave when you take it out.”
5. When your hair is dry, unravel the braid and flip your head over to add volume at the roots.
6. Prevent flyaways with an even layer of finishing spray, and boost shine with a mist of shine spray. Try Redken Wind Blow 05 Dry Finishing Spray and Rene Furterer Glossing Spray.
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