The smarter way to air-dry your hair
Does leaving your hair to dry naturally mean you’ll automatically look like you fell into a hedge? No way! By applying the right techniques and products to bring out your natural hair type, you can look perfectly ‘done’ – no styling tools necessary.
Healthy hair needs a break from heat styling now and then, too, but nobody needs to know that you and your hair tools are ‘on a break’. After washing your hair, follow these simple steps and you’ll be running out the door looking like you just stepped out of a hair salon.
If your hair is poker straight…
After washing with Pantene Pro-V Volume & Body Shampoo and Conditioner – which helps to strengthen the hair shaft from scalp and root to tip – give your hair a quick shake, then pat it dry with a microfiber towel, removing as much water as possible.
When you’ve squeezed out about half of the water, comb out any knots with a wide-toothed comb – never a brush, which can cause breakages and frizz. Then apply a smoothing crème or gel, raking it through hair with fingers, and focusing mainly on the mid-length to ends.
Create two large pin curls on the top of your head, and secure with pins, not bands (which can leave ‘dents’). Allow hair to dry as you get dressed and apply your make-up. Unpin your hair, make and eat breakfast as it finishes drying.
Once it’s dry, pop Velcro rollers in the top section, mist with hairspray and leave for a few minutes before removing the rollers. Voila – natural body and movement without any heat.
If your hair is wavy…
Step away from the straighteners! Instead, coax out your hair’s natural kink. Prep by washing with Pantene Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner to keep it smooth and help define waves. Then detangle your hair while you’re still in the shower – using your fingers to do this will encourage your waves to clump together, rather than breaking them up with a brush or comb.
While hair is still soaking wet, scrunch in curl-enhancing cream or mousse. Tip your head upside down and dunk your hair into a microfiber towel, then scrunch up your curls from ends to roots in the towel. Twist the hair and secure with clips while you get ready for the day ahead. Once your hair is only slightly damp, mist it with hairspray to avoid frizz – you’re ready to go with a gorgeous head of natural waves.
If your hair is curly…
Wash your hair with a smoothing or curl-specific shampoo and conditioner, and detangle with your fingers while you’re still in the shower. While hair is still sopping wet, apply a curl gel or cream by rubbing it between your palms, cupping your curls, then squeezing them up towards the root. This will encourage them to clump naturally and look defined instead of frizzy.
Scrunch again, but this time with a microfiber towel. Apply curl cream and pop hair up in a high bun, secured with a ‘no line hair tie’, while you get dressed. Before leaving the house, release the bun and let your curls tumble down, but don’t touch them – keep your hands off to avoid frizz, and your curls will stay bouncy all day.
If you have thick coils…
Wash your hair with Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, leaving a little of the conditioner in. Detangle your hair with your fingers, then section into back, top and two sides.
Twist each section away and clip in place. Working one section at a time – back, then sides, then front – apply a styling gel to bring out definition and protect against frizz. Rather than using a comb, apply gel with your fingers and stretch your curls as you go, raking gel from root to tip while your hair is still soaking.
Use a paper towel to squeeze out excess water and repeat the process with the three remaining sections. If your hair is particularly thick, pin it up to expose the underside and roots to the air as you get ready. Before leaving the house, use a moisture spray, and quickly twirl and stretch curls one last time. Hello beautiful!
If you have short hair…
Don’t let that pixie crop let you down! After washing, it’s all about adding texture. Do this by applying a medium-hold styling cream to your hair while it’s still damp. Comb it through using your fingers, arrange your hair in your preferred style, and let it dry completely without touching it while you go about your morning routine.
Once dry, turn your head upside down and give it a shake. If your style needs more definition, give it one more spritz, ruffle with your fingers and head out.
These specific tricks for your hair type will leave you looking like you must have used a curling iron, tongs, or straighteners, but you didn’t – and we won’t tell!
Do you have great tips for speeding up your morning hair routine, but still looking effortlessly gorgeous? Share them here!