Regardless of your hair type – cozy, thick and wavy, fine and short – it is indeed an art to master the art of perfect air drying. Sure, blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can throw many arm-breaking curveballs in your way, but mastering the natural aesthetics of showering and walking is an intimidating animal in itself. With so many potential variables like climate, products, time of application and hair texture, things can go wrong quickly and there is definitely no one-size-fits-all recipe.
Air dry your hair with celebrity-level finesse can be a complete bastard, but we're here to change that. Take a course in Expert Air-Drying 101 provided by Cynthia Alvarez, one of the best hairdressers in the industry.
Alvarez works with clients with a variety of lengths and textures (her regulars include Shakira, Maye Musk and Dascha Polanco) and knows a thing or two about styling any kind of string situation – with or without tools. To get all of their important information, we asked them to explain step by step how best to air dry a selection of different hair types. But we didn't stop here. Alvarez also shares all of its essential products, top tips, and perhaps most importantly, the most common mistakes that every hair type should avoid. Spring is just around the corner and it's the perfect time to retire your favorite tool (at least for a few months) and take on its natural texture. Scroll on!
Top mistakes: As air can take a long time to air dry, Alvarez says the most common mistake is removing the hair before drying, which can cause frizz and an uneven curl pattern. Top tip: For those with super thick or curly hair texture, you should use rich, natural oils such as olive oil, avocado oil and Jamaican castor oil to lock in moisture and a lot of shine.
"Moisture is crucial for curly hair, so I always recommend washing together," explains Alvarez. "This precise formula from SheaMoisture is my absolute contact point."
"Apply a leave-in like Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk ($ 14) and mix it with a hair oil like this from Living Proofs No Frizz Nourishing Oil Treatment ($ 22)," Alvarez said Be sure to distribute it thoroughly through damp hair.
Follow with a styling cream with plenty of moisture and holding power. Alvarez likes Aunt Jackie's flaxseed lock curling gel ($ 6), which you think also helps stretch and define your curls.
"Once you've used these products, there are a few ways that people with curly hair prefer to air dry," Alvarez explains. "You can choose to let your curls dry naturally without protection, or you can twist your hair twice or wrap it with your fingers for a more defined, curly look." Once the hair is completely dry, I spray SheaMoisture & # 39; s Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist ($ 11) before twisting your hair. Once the twists have been removed and separated, use a hair pick to fluff the roots. "
Top mistake: "Most people with straight hair tend to touch their hair while air drying, making it frizzy," Alvarez warns. "Once you've applied your styling products, comb your strands only once so that your hair becomes firm in this shape." Another common mistake? If you have straight hair that isn't overly fine, air drying can cause problems if you don't apply enough product to worry that the hair will be weighed down. Instead, Alvarez says the real key is finding the right products to get maximum volume and movement. Top tip: For fine hair, however, according to Alvarez, you should reduce the product quantity recommended on the packaging. If your hair is a little thicker, you can also use a little more. In any case, it should ensure that the product is raked through thoroughly and evenly.
"Adding volume instantly is key to air drying straight or fine hair," says Alvarez. "Use voluminous products in the shower, such as Bumble and Bumble & # 39; s Shicking Volume Shampoo ($ 28) and conditioner ($ 30)."
Before applying styling products, make sure you dab your hair well with a towel. This helps the products to fully saturate the hair, which, according to Alvarez, increases effectiveness.
"To give natural volume to straight or fine hair, use a lightweight bodybuilding mousse like R + Co & # 39; s Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam ($ 32) for extra buoyancy at your roots," suggests Alvarez. "Then apply a cream like Oribe's Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream ($ 44) to iron your cuticles, add shine, and prevent outliers."
If you need a lunch pick-me-up, Alvarez recommends using a light spray like this from IGK to your roots. "It offers long-lasting volume and disappears without residue in the hair and scalp," she says.
Top mistakes: touch your hair while it is still in the drying process. "If you're concerned about defining your wave or natural texture, try braiding your hair loosely while it's damp or pulling it up into a loose knot," advises Alvarez. Top Tip: "The following routine can actually work for fine hair that is also wavy. Another great option for a styling cream would be Kevin Murphy's Motion Lotion Curl-Enhancing Lotion ($ 30). If your hair is thicker and wavy I recommend using a heavier cream like Moroccanoils Curl Defining Cream ($ 34). "
"Moisture is important when air-drying wavy or medium-thick hair," says Alvarez. "First, use a moisturizing shampoo like Honest Beauty & # 39; s Beyond Hydrated Shampoo ($ 43) and conditioner ($ 50). Then dry the hair with a microfiber cloth or t-shirt to avoid frizz . "
"Apply a light, dry oil to the ends of your hair and then use a leave-in like the Kristin Ess Air Dry Cream ($ 10)."
"Comb the product through your hair with a wide-toothed comb to distribute it evenly. I love this formula because it helps smooth the cuticles of the hair, soothes frizz, and adds shine."
"If you're in a humid climate, you may need to incorporate a light gel like Ouidad's Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($ 26)," says Alvarez. "This gel defines your natural texture or waves without the added stiffness and blocks the effects of moisture."
Top mistakes: According to Alvarez, there are some. "If you use products that are too thick and too thick, the curly hair tends to be flattened, and if you brush the curls down, your curls will stack on top of one another, leaving no room for volume." Top tip: fluff your curls! When the curls are completely dry, use a wide-toothed comb to fluff the roots without touching the rest of the hair. According to Alvarez, this technique leads to maximum buoyancy and movement.
"Start with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner like the banana and coconut formula from Briogeo mentioned above," explains Alvarez. If your hair is thicker, she suggests choosing a wash like Amikas Nice Cream Cleansing Conditioner ($ 22) instead.
After leaving the shower, dry your hair with a microfiber cloth or a T-shirt. (If you don't have any of them on hand, Alvarez says you can just pat them dry with a terry towel. Be careful not to rub your threads with a rough hand.)
"You should always layer your products on curly hair," continues Alvarez. First, she recommends using a leave-in formula like Curls Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner ($ 12) from the middle shaft to the end to work your way down to the roots. Then rake Avedas Be Curly Curl Enhancer ($ 26) with your fingers from the medium wave to the ends.
"Shape the curls with a Denman brush that works in vertical sections and brushes the hair off the scalp at a 90-degree angle. This allows your curls to dry fluffy and airy with a lot of movement," confirms Alvarez. Next: Celebrity hairdressers never travel without these 39 hair essentials
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