I’ve been using heat on my hair for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, my mom would blow dry my hair. I didn’t like the natural texture of my hair, so she would try to tame the waves and curls. I think I was about 10 when I got my own hair dryer. It was a shiny, bright purple Remington from the ’90s with a diffuser, which I quickly threw away. Then, as a teenager in the early 2000s, I had every heat tool imaginable. From crimpers with replaceable plates to steam straighteners, I was obsessed with anything that would give my hair a texture that didn’t resemble its natural state. So, as you can imagine, after 25+ years of heat styling, my hair is not in the happiest state. The only saving grace is that I’ve never colored it, because if I did, I think it would completely break.
So this year, at the advanced age of 35, I decided to cut back on the amount of heat I put on my hair and embrace my natural texture. That meant I spent a lot of time testing the best air-drying haircare products. But before I dive into my roundup of the best formulas I’ve tried to define texture, minimize frizz, and cut styling time, I wanted to talk to a few haircare experts about the benefits of air-drying your hair and some tips for getting started.
What are the benefits of letting your hair air dry?
Before embarking on my own air-drying journey, I was bombarded with mixed opinions on whether air-drying your hair is good or bad for it, so I wanted to get to the bottom of it. “Heat is one of the biggest causes of hair damage, so letting your hair air-dry is a really good way to keep it healthy,” explains hair stylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith. However, hair is most prone to breakage when it’s wet, and Tom says that if you have very thick hair, you might not get the best results with air-drying, as your hair will stay wet for longer.
To prevent breakage, hairstylist Edward James, founder of Edward James Salon and The Hair Consult, recommends using moisturizing, leave-in products. “When your hair is wet, it contains up to 50% water, so using products that lock in moisture and protect the hair cuticle will help keep your hair healthy and prevent damage,” James explains. “You should also avoid tying your hair too tightly to prevent breakage.”
Is air drying best for certain hair types?
Luckily, experts agree that letting your hair air-dry works for all hair types and textures, though you may need to adjust the products you use and your approach to get the best results. “Air-drying very straight hair can be tricky to achieve an attractive, polished look, but hair with waves, curls, or stronger coils can achieve great results when air-dried if properly prepped with the right products,” says Tom.
Micah didn’t use any hair care products and let her hair dry naturally.
(Image courtesy of Mica Ricketts)
For best results, Edward recommends that for fine hair, use a texturizing product like a sea salt spray to add volume and texture once hair is dry, and for curly, textured hair, use a highly moisturizing cream after washing for a more polished, stylish look. What about thicker hair that takes a long time to dry? Tom suggests starting the process with heat. “Using medium heat and a low speed with a diffuser attachment will increase heat and airflow throughout your hair for a few minutes, helping to dry your hair faster without compromising the results of natural drying,” Tom explains.
How can you prevent your hair from looking “unstyled” when air drying?
“In the past, the benefit of air drying my hair was that it left me feeling like I had washed it for nothing. I would often wash my hair perfectly, apply conditioner, then leave it, only to be disappointed by the way my hair looked dull, unruly and flat. Air drying is a great way to minimise heat damage and keep your hair healthy, but it can also leave your hair unruly and lackluster,” agrees Edward. “To achieve great results when air drying, it’s essential to use the right leave-in products that suit your hair type and help tame frizz.”
Mica let her hair dry naturally after using air-drying products
(Image courtesy of Mica Ricketts)
How you apply and style your hair as you let it air dry will also depend on your hair type. “Brushing is best for straight or wavy hair types, while curly or coily hair is better off using your hands or a wide-tooth comb,” says Tom. “For curly or coily hair, shake your hair upside down after spreading the product, then massage it back in. If your curls aren’t holding together well, gently twist them to keep them in place. If your hair is straight or wavy, tucking some hair behind your ear or gently twisting a section will create a nice relaxed curve in the front.” However, Tom advises not to touch your hair after it has dried. “The more you touch it, the more likely it is to frizz,” he explains.
Best Air-Dry Hair Care Products
1. JVN Complete Air Dry Cream
(Image provided by JVN)
JVN Complete Air Dry Cream
Best Air Dry Hair Products
Reasons to buy+
Moisturizes hair, making it soft and smooth
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Hair does not become dry or sticky
Reasons to avoid:
I prefer pumps over tubes, but I’m grasping at straws
I am forever grateful that Jonathan Van Ness developed this product. It is truly a game changer when it comes to air drying, especially for those like me who are completely unhappy with the way their hair looks when left alone. This lightweight cream is infused with moisturizing ingredients Hemisqualane, Moringa Seed Oil, Chia Seed Extract, and Flaxseed Extract, and glides smoothly onto hair leaving it soft, smooth, and healthy. Even better, it not only makes my hair feel better, it looks better too. This product gives my waves and curls natural definition, reduces natural frizz and flyaways, and adds texture without adding stiffness or stiffness. I apply a small amount to my mid-lengths and ends, twist my strands into small sections as if I were creating curls, and leave them to dry. Within an hour, my hair is shiny, mess-free, and naturally manageable. But I do it on purpose. I always use this when I wash my hair in the morning, and I’m always amazed at how much time and effort it saves me.
2. Hersheson’s Almost Everything Cream
(Image courtesy of Hershesons)
Almost all of Hersheson’s creams
Best Multi-Purpose Air Drying Hair Products
Reasons to buy+
Can be used on wet or dry hair
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Add conditions and actions
Reasons to avoid:
A little goes a long way, so use sparingly.
Many of my beauty friends are also crazy about this air-drying product, but I don’t see it talked about much. But it’s amazing. A true multitasker, this styling cream can be used on wet or dry hair to condition, texture, tame frizz, add shine, and get hair ready for styling. It even doubles as a hair mask! It’s packed with complicated-sounding ingredients to enhance its effectiveness, including behentrimonium chloride to fight static, panthenol to boost elasticity, hydrolyzed wheat protein to deeply moisturize, and oils to enhance shine. It’s great for quickly hydrating your hair before air-drying, but I especially like using it on second-day hair to add texture and shine.
3. Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Leave-In Treatment
(Image courtesy of Olaplex)
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Leave-In Treatment
Best Air Dry Hair Products for Thick Hair
Reasons to buy+
Define natural texture
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Reduces frizz and hair loss for up to 72 hours
Olaplex is known for its repair treatments for hair, but this leave-in cream is an underrated gem that Tom raves about as a natural air-drying product for thicker hair. “Those with naturally dry, curly, or coarse hair should opt for a cream or balm that will texture, hydrate, and minimize frizz,” he explains. And this product does all of that. It’s infused with the brand’s patented Bond Building Technology, which not only moisturizes hair for a smoother look, but also strengthens the hair itself to prevent damage, which is a risk that can occur if you leave your hair wet. Even better, once applied to damp hair, it actually lasts for up to 72 hours, so you don’t have to worry about putting extra product on your hair the next day. It also works perfectly on dry hair, so don’t be shy to apply it if you want to tame your locks.
4. Oribe Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm
(Image provided by Oribe)
Oribe Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm
Best Air Dry Hair Products for Fine Hair
Reasons to buy+
Ultra-lightweight lotion
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Add texture and shine
This luxurious air-dried cream is perfect for Edward’s ultra-fine and flat hair, and it feels amazing to use. Like all Oribe products, it smells amazing too. Even though you’re air-drying your hair, it still smells like you’ve just walked out of a five-star salon. The product itself takes a skincare-like approach to hair formulas, and is packed with botanical extracts aimed at strengthening hair, preventing breakage, and basically caring for delicate hair types. The result is hair that’s soft, hydrated, and full of shine and luster. Plus, it’s enriched with Style Retention Complex (made from chickpea extract and tomato fruit ferment), which helps prevent breakage and keeps your hair in place all day long, preventing fine hair from breaking down.
5. Umberto Giannini Banana Coconut Air Dry Cream
(Image courtesy of Umberto Giannini)
Umberto Giannini Banana Coconut Air Dry Cream
Most affordable air-dried hair products
Reasons to buy+
Enhances waves and curls
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Really highly moisturizing
Reasons to avoid:
Rich and perfect for medium to thick hair
After trying lots of air-dry haircare products, we’ve noticed that the category tends to be dominated by luxury hair brands, with very little choice on the street at the moment. But this product from Umberto Giannini is under £10 and offers the same moisture, definition and hold as more expensive products. Packed with shea butter, provitamin B5 and coconut oil, it has a luxurious, creamy texture that’s perfect for medium to thick hair types. However, if that’s you, you’ll love the way it nourishes your hair and flatters your waves and curls without taking up much time in styling.
6. Carlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream
(Image courtesy of Curlsmith)
Carlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream
Best Air Drying Products for Curly and Coiled Hair
Reasons to buy+
Nourishes curls
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Doesn’t weigh down hair
Reasons to avoid:
Not as shiny as others, but looks natural
If you hate the feeling of product on your hair or the dry, sticky feel that can come with some curl products, try this air-dry product from Curlsmith. It’s a lightweight lotion with one main purpose – to soften and smooth your hair, without any silicones or heavy oils. It uses castor oil to loosen curls and coils, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate dry or porous hair. The result is a smooth, bouncy, natural texture that looks and feels healthy. Plus, the silicone-free, lightweight texture formula means your hair and scalp won’t feel weighed down or burdened. In fact, your curls will feel bouncy and full of vitality.
7. OUAI Air Dry Foam
(Image courtesy of OUAI)
OUAI Air Dry Foam
Best Air Dry Products for Beach Waves
Reasons to buy+
A bottle makes it easy to get cool hair
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Creates natural waves
Reasons to avoid:
Too much can make it a bit crunchy
If, like me, your Instagram saves folder is full of photos of carefree California-inspired beach hairstyles and effortlessly chic French women sporting curtain bangs on the streets of Paris, then you should be aware of this air-dried hair product. Jen Atkins has effectively bottled the essence of carefree, refreshing salty waves and transformed it into this air-dried foam. With just a few pumps on towel-dried hair, a blend of moisturizing plant proteins and panthenol nourishes, strengthens and adds enviable, unruly texture. The result is naturally soft waves with a soft, touchable texture that’s chic to say the least.
