Decided to skip heating tools and just towel dry your hair for a change? Say hello to guaranteed frizz. Air-drying is said to be one of the healthiest ways to reverse damage on hair that’s been through the wringer with constant styling. But, if not done right, it can leave you with a hot mess of a mane. So how do you air dry your hair and still keep frizz at bay?
While the concept might seem quite straightforward and simple, the process requires you to tread carefully. Here are our top air-drying tips that’ll keep your hair smooth and glossy.
Step 1: Hydrate away
The process begins while you’re in the shower. Choose a mild, hydrating shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils paired with a conditioner that is loaded with moisturising nutrients to hydrate the hair shaft.
Step 2: Keep it cool
An ideal way to lock moisture into your hair cuticles is to rinse with cold water just before you step out of the shower. This also smoothens the hair shaft, adds shine and controls flyaways.
Step 3: Drop the towel
Bath towels, no matter how luxurious, are too harsh for your hair – causing breakage, frizz and overall damage. To air dry hair, switch to a microfibre cloth or a cotton t-shirt. These fabrics are gentler on your locks and help soak up excess water a lot faster. The longer your hair is left dripping wet, the more it is vulnerable to breakage.
Step 4: Leave-in to lock it in
A conditioning leave-in hair serum is a must, and not just for curly hair. A volumising mousse or texturising spray can work wonders on straight hair. Those with wavy hair can opt for a leave-in conditioner, while curly haired folks can go for a curl cream that seals in moisture and hydrates those tresses. These air dry hair products will nourish your cuticles, lock in moisture and enhance your hair’s natural texture.
Step 5: Comb alone
In a perfect world, you would want to wait until your hair is fully dry before reaching for a hair brush. If only we had that luxury of time. When attempting to rein in damp hair, ditch a conventional hair brush and go for a detangler, an old-school wide-toothed comb or even just your fingers. Start with the ends and work your way up to the roots, gently detangling any knots caught in your lengths.
Step 6: Air-dry your hair to make some waves
What if we told you that you can add volume and texture to your hair without any heat? Simple air dry hairstyles all begin with tying loose braids while your hair is still slightly damp. For tighter waves, section your hair into multiple braids. For that beachy casual look, just tie one loose braid, sit back and wait for the magic to happen.
Braids create tension in your hair, which smoothens the cuticles and prevents it from puffing up once your hair dries, banishing all flyaways. If you’re taking your braids to bed, sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent friction. In the morning, just shake them loose and you’re good to go. Do not touch, scrunch, or brush them out, or else you’ll rough up the strands and invite frizz. At this point, you can also spritz some texturising spray to give your waves that extra definition.
Article Image : Instagram/@ananyapanday
