Unplug This Summer: How-to Air Dry Your Hair With Style

In case you haven’t heard yet, air drying is the latest trend for summer hair. It’s effortless and natural. “Air drying is the new blowout”, according to Harper’s Bazzar .  So, it’s time to take a break from taming your curls with damaging heat and embrace them instead!  Here are some great tips to help you rock the air dry method and make your hair look and feel healthy. Besides, wouldn’t you rather spend more time at the pool or by the beach this summer than in your bathroom?

Boho Bedhead for Fine, Straight Hair

Ok, so you’ve always wanted waves with volume and bounce, but if you let your hair type air dry it’s just falls limp with no volume.  Luckily, we have some amazing products to help you get the sexy bedhead look without looking like you just woke up! Start by washing and conditioning with volumizing haircare products.  We love Redken Body Full.  To achieve volume, add in our pick of Cibu Mousse Lee Foaming Volumizer.  Just a few pumps into damp hair will add in some needed body to your locks.  To infuse some texture and create natural beachy waves, spritz in some Redken Fashion Waves 07 Texturizing Sea Spray. Next, do four loose braids, left top and back/ right top and back and let air dry while you finish getting ready.  Once hair is dry, simply remove the braids and lightly scrunch and you’re ready to go.  If you just can’t break away from the dryer, you can achieve this look by skipping the braids and using a diffuser attachment.  Check out our Textured Bedhead video for how to style using the diffuser technique with the before and after looks.

Naturally Wavy

You’ve already got the natural bend, but now the problem is how to make your waves behave. The key to sexy beach waves is all about adding in moisture and combatting frizz.  Start off with hair care products to maximize desired results.  Our top picks are Redken Frizz Dismiss for ultimate protection from humidity or try the NEW Cleansing Conditioners from Matrix Biolage , easy 1 step cleansing and conditioning for fine, medium, coarse and curly hair formulas. Now that your hair is clean, wrap wet hair in either a microfiber towel, a cotton t-shirt, or blot hair with paper towels to remove excess water.  Do not use a regular towel!  Using one of these options instead of a towel is preferred since the little loops from a towel can easily cause frizz.  Use a wide tooth comb and detangle starting from the ends and working up, then add in product that will add moisture and fight frizz.  We’re obsessed with It’s a 10 Miracle Styling Potion and Redken Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame.  You can also cocktail in some serum for extra shine for dry hair.  We suggest Cibu Ancient Serum.  Rub mixture into palms and scrunch into hair from the mid-shaft to ends.  Let air dry for about 20-30 minutes.  Finally, twist hair into a top knot or if you have thicker hair, do two side buns.  This technique works best overnight, so your hair really has time to set.  Simply remove bun and unwind your waves!

Carefree Curls

Curly girls, it’s time to show off your curls! But as you know, it’s not as easy as just wash and go. We have some excellent techniques to tame the frizz, not the curls.  Start with hair care that is designed for your curls.  We love Redken Curvaceous shampoo & conditioner or Cibu Spring Roll Hydrating shampoo & conditioner (select Hair Cuttery salons only or purchase online).  After cleansing, follow the after-shower tips above for removing excess water.  Next, add in product that is best suited to your curl needs.  The Redken Curvaceous styling line offers a styling product for every curl type. Our two top picks for curly hair are Ringlet which is a weightless curl lotion and Full Swirl, a combination of cream and serum that controls frizz and locks in moisture and shine.  Now for the fun part!  Our recommended technique for curly air drying success is called hair plopping (yes, we giggled too!).  But we tried it and it works beautifully!  Simply lay a large cotton t-shirt down on a flat surface, next turn your head upside down and plop your hair down onto the cloth. Fold the cloth onto the back of your head, then take the sections on either side of your head and twist away from your face and raise your head up and tuck twists into the cloth.  Your hair is not in the side twists, remember, it’s plopped on top of your head.  You can leave the plop wrap on as long as you’d but 20-30 minutes should be enough.  When ready, remove the cloth and let your hair air dry unwrapped.  Be sure not to rake or touch your hair as it’s drying.  This is also a great technique to sleep in with dry hair to preserve your curls.

Now that you know some air drying techniques and the right products to use, give it a try!  It’s refreshing and liberating to change up your hair style for the summer!.  Be sure to visit Hair Cuttery to trim off your dry, split ends and pick up some professional hair care and styling products mentioned above. Have a great summer and embrace the waves!