Air-Drying Hair Tips by Texture
Air-Drying Tricks For Your Hair Type That Guarantee a Breakup With Your Blow Dryer
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Time to pack up your blow-dryer until further notice. We have easy step-by-step instructions that guarantee you won't have to sweat under the heat of a hot tool all Summer long but instead can air-dry your hair to perfection with the help of just a few products.
Scroll ahead for advice from Nicole Leal, a hairstylist and colorist in Los Angeles and the director of education for Nine Zero One Salon, who broke down the best routine for your hair type — because we know Latinas have everything from straight and fine hair to supercurly strands. Say bye-bye to messy, frizzy hair and hello to the hairstyle you've always wanted to achieve without any effort.
Thin and Straight Hair
If your hair is thin and straight, after taking a shower and patting your hair dry with a towel, reach for a spray leave-in conditioner. "Spritz it on the ends of your strands and use a comb to distribute it through the strands — if your hair is fine and you apply product directly to the roots first, it’s going to look greasy," says Nicole.
Looking to give your hair volume and wave? Once your hair is totally air-dried, a texture spray will do the trick. "Get to work or wherever you're going, shake your head upside down, spritz texture spray at the roots, and that's it," Nicole adds.
Product recommendations: Aveeno Active Naturals Nourish + Condition Leave-In Hair Treatment Spray ($8) and L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle TXT It Tousle Waves Spray ($4).
Thick and Straight Hair
Thick hair tends to need shine and can take slighlty heavier product without getting oily. "I suggest a light oil serum, just one pump on the ends," says Nicole. Then you have two options: if you want that blowout, smooth look, put your hair up in a loose bun. If you want a little more bend, keep your hair in a braid until it's dry.
As a finishing touch, spritz texture spray on dry roots. "Just make sure that the formula imparts shine so your thick hair looks healthy," Nicole says.
Product recommendations: Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum ($12) and Oribe Aprés Beach Wave and Shine Spray ($39).
Thin and Wavy Hair
Your air-drying routine should start in the shower when you have fine hair. "It's important to keep conditioning light and just to the ends so hair isn't greasy and weighed down," says Nicole. She also suggests applying a dime-sized amount of a light cream smoothing product from roots to ends to control frizz and keep hair straight or a pump of mousse to give it more wave.
Product recommendations: Aveda Smooth Infusion Styling Cream ($26) or Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse ($3).
Thick and Wavy Hair
"For wavy and thick hair, the key is using a mask in the shower and not rinsing it all the way," says Nicole. This hair type tends to puff up, so that'll help to keep strands frizz free.
It's all about moisture and avoiding that messy look, so spray a leave-in conditioner liberally from roots to ends, and take it with you everywhere. "If you see your hair getting flyaways or puffing up, spray," says Nicole.
Product recommendations: Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask ($18) and Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner ($31).
Curly Hair
"If your hair has lots of curl, it's probably coarse, so you want heavier products," says Nicole. Try a curl cream to keep your texture intact, but avoid frizz — twist hair on your fingers or scrunch up as you apply it.
Once your hair is dry, touch it up with a few drop of oil. "It'll give hair shine, but also refresh your curls halfway through the day," Nicole adds.
Product recommendations: Sexy Hair Curling Crème ($11, originally $18) and Ouai Hair Oil ($28).
Kinky Hair
You're probably not washing your hair often and already have a set routine that works for you for when you do — a mix of curl creams and oils. But the product that Nicole says you must add to your routine is a dry conditioner. "They're basically pomade sprays; they're heavy conditioners but controlled; they add shine, too — they're super versatile," says Nicole.
Product recommendation: Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner ($25).
