How to Style Air Dried Hair

Air-drying is a great option if you lead a busy lifestyle or want to avoid damage from heat styling tools. Unfortunately, without a little help, air-dried hair can end up looking frizzy and shapeless. For a great air-dried style, start in the shower by using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to prevent frizz. Use a styling product, like salt spray or texturizing curl cream, to achieve beachy waves with plenty of volume. You can also braid your hair or twist it up into a bun while it dries to get amped up curls!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using Styling Techniques

1
Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to prevent frizz. Frizz is a very common problem with air-dried hair. Combat frizz by starting in the shower with moisturizing products that smooth the hair cuticle. Opt for shampoos and conditioners that contain hydrating ingredients like shea butter, Argan oil, soy proteins, and Moroccan oil. Try to avoid shampoos and conditioners that list sulfates or alcohol as ingredients, since these can dry out hair.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you have dry hair or use drying products on your hair, you may want to consider using a leave-in conditioner.
- Make sure you wash your hair early so it has plenty of time to air-dry before you have to leave the house.
- Choose a shampoo designed for your hair type. If you have fine hair, select a lightweight, moisturizing shampoo. If you have chemically treated hair, opt for a product designed to address dryness caused by coloring or processing.
2
Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair after using conditioner. Once you’re out of the shower, it’s best to avoid combing or brushing your hair, since this can encourage frizz and cause breakage. Apply your conditioner in the shower like you normally would, then comb through your hair. Give it a few minutes to penetrate your hair, then rinse the conditioner out.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you're using a leave-in conditioner, don't rinse it out with water.
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Rubbing your wet hair with a regular towel can cause frizz, tangles, and breakage. Squeeze the excess water out with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to keep your strands smooth. Dab at your roots gently to soak up moisture.^{[3]XResearch source}
4
Spray a fast-acting detangler on damp hair. If you have long or curly hair, tangling might be an issue when your hair is damp. Since you want to avoid combing or brushing at this stage, use a detangler product instead. Use a fast-acting, leave-in formula for an extra dose of hydration. Simply spray it on your hair and let it penetrate, then finger comb your hair to remove knots.
- If you absolutely have to comb through it, be gentle and use a wide-toothed comb.
5
Apply a styling product to your damp hair. The products you use will depend on the look you’re trying to achieve. Serums smooth out frizz, creams define curls, salt spray can provide texture and waves, and so on. Just be sure to use some kind of leave-in product when you’re air-drying to help you achieve the look you want once it’s dry. Put a dime-size amount in your hand, rub your hands together, then distribute it evenly from the roots to the ends.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Choose a styling product that is designed for air-dried or wet-styled hair. Some products that require heat for activation will leave hair crunchy and lifeless if left to air dry.
6
Let your hair hang loose to air-dry or braid it to create curls. If you want a soft, natural look, simply let your hair hang loose around your shoulders while you wait for it to dry. You can create waves and curls by braiding damp hair and letting it dry overnight. Wrap your damp hair into a loose bun and let it dry if you want tousled, beachy waves.
- If you're sleeping on wet braids overnight, consider putting a shower cap over your head to protect the style during the night.
7
Avoid touching your hair while it dries. After applying your styling product, try to keep your hands off your hair. Twirling, scrunching, and combing through it with your fingers will leave a greasy residue behind that can weigh down your locks. Touching your hair repeatedly can also cause frizz when you’re air-drying.
- If you're leaving your hair loose to dry, don't go to sleep until it's fully dry. Otherwise, you may end up with kinks and dents. If you're braiding your hair to create curls, feel free to sleep on your braids as they air-dry!
- A little styling will help your air dried hair, as long as you don’t manipulate it excessively. Comb it into place or leave loose braids or twists to help set curls and waves.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing and Using Products

1
Apply a salt spray to damp hair to achieve beachy waves. Spray the product evenly on your hair, scrunch your hair a few times with your hands, and twist it in a few places if you want more defined waves. Let it air-dry, then use a little more salt spray before you head out the door for hold and to amp up the style.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Spray a light-hold hairspray all over if you want more hold.
- Salt spray can be drying, so it’s best to use it in conjunction with some kind of hydrating product. Leave-in conditioners work great for this.
- Use your fingertips to massage your scalp once your hair is dry to add height and volume.
2
Use an anti-frizz or curl cream on damp hair to define your waves. To give curls and waves definition without frizziness, put a dime-size amount of curl cream in your hand, rub your hands together, then distribute the cream evenly from the roots to the ends using both hands. Move your hair into the basic shape you want and twist your hair into spirals. The cream will help your hair retain the spirals and shape after it dries.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If you’re worried about your roots falling flat, use clips at your roots to give your hair some lift while it air-dries. You can also wrap the spirals into small buns and pin them place to enhance your curls.
- Once your hair is dry, use a tiny amount of cream to twist some of the sections around your face for a little more definition.
3
Apply a moisturizing serum to damp ends to prevent fraying. Frayed ends will create frizz and your style may end up with a lack of definition. Put a dime-size amount in one hand, rub your palms together, and apply the serum to the ends only. Serums are super concentrated, so a little goes a long way! ^{[7]XResearch source}
- If your ends still look a bit frayed once your hair dries completely, you can use a tiny amount of the serum on the ends to smooth the strands.
4
Use a texturizing style cream before you air-dry to achieve soft, tousled looks. Choose a lightweight formula and put a dime-size amount in your palm. Rub your hands together lightly, then distribute the cream evenly from root to tip. Gently scrunch your hair a few times and move it into the basic shape you want. Once your hair dries you’ll have soft, tousled, bouncy waves.^{[8]XResearch source}
- This look creates a piecey look with plenty of texture and volume, but the waves won’t have a lot of definition. If you want to define some of your waves, press your finger pads lightly into pomade, then apply the product on your fingers to a few strands around your face and twist them into spirals.
5
Use texturizing mousse for waves with more definition and hold. Dispense a healthy dollop of the mousse into your palm and work it into your hair from the mid-lengths down to the ends. Scrunch and twist it gently as you distribute the product and let it dry in place without touching it. You’ll end up with enhanced waves that are tousled yet defined.^{[9]XResearch source}
- For humid days, you may want to spray some light-hold hairspray all over your hair before heading outside.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Shaping Air-Dried Hair

1
Braid damp hair and let it air-dry for soft waves with volume. Work some lightweight texturizing cream through your hair or spritz it with salt spray. Create one large, loose braid down your back and let your hair dry. When you unbraid it, you can use a little more of the texturizing cream on the pieces around your face to define your curls.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For even more volume, clip the braid up into a loose bun right below the crown and let your hair dry that way.
- Braid it into loose pigtails if you want a more low-key, bedhead look.
2
Use hair clips on damp hair to create defined, face-framing waves. Apply a texturizing curl cream from root to tip, then tuck your hair behind your eyes. Secure both sides in place with large, metal hairpins and let your hair air-dry. Once it’s dry, remove the pins, and shake out your curls.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Use a small amount of pomade or curl cream to give your waves more definition.
3
Wrap damp hair into a bun if you want tousled beach waves. Start by applying a texturizing style cream. You can wrap your hair in a single bun at your nape or create multiple buns all over your head. The more buns you create, the tighter your curls will be. Secure them in place with bobby pins and let your hair air-dry. Remove the pins once your hair is dry and shake out your waves.^{[12]XResearch source}
- For more texture and volume, spray a small amount of salt spray and gently scrunch.
If you want a straight hair style after you air-dry, preparation is simple! Comb through your damp hair, then apply a dime-sized amount of smoothing serum to your mid-lengths. Run the comb through your locks once more, then let it dry.
To do pin-curls, wash your hair and towel-dry to remove excess water. Then, pin your hair to your scalp in small, flat spirals and let it dry before removing the pins. To make curls with foam rollers, wrap small sections of damp hair around the rollers, then let your hair air-dry overnight.
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Question
How do I stop my hair from frizzing?
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
Frizz is caused by roughed-up cuticles, so the best way to prevent is to treat hair gently. Make sure you are giving it enough moisture and touch it as little as possible.
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Question
What helps with frizzy hair?
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
Moisturizing can make a difference with frizz, but make sure you are using the right kind. Curly hair needs moisturizers that attract water, straight hair needs lightweight oils that repel water. You also want to avoid high heat and harsh styling.
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Question
Is it better to let your hair air dry?
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
Letting your hair air dry is the gentlest method of drying and the one least likely to cause frizz. For the best result, comb hair into the desired shape and add some styling product before leaving it to dry.
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