1. Start with the Right Shampoo and Conditioner

You’ll have better results with air drying when you start with the right shampoo and conditioner. This’ll be unique to your specific hair type. Redken All Soft seems to be a shampoo and conditioner that works well for many different hair types, providing much-needed moisture. Dove and Tresemme are quality drugstore brands that have a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners to choose from. If you don’t love your shampoo and conditioner then you probably aren’t going to love how your hair air dries. Using the right foundation is the first step in how to air dry your hair for success.

2. Allow Enough Time for It to Air Dry

Air drying your hair takes some planning. This is important. You want to wash it when you’re sure you have time for it to air dry before you style it. It may take a bit of experimenting to see how long your hair takes to air dry. Here are a few factors that influence the drying process:

Long or thick hair will take longer to dry than short or fine textured hair. Make sure you don't rush the process if you want the best results.

3. Apply a Leave-in Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner is an extra layer of protection you can give your hair to help it stay healthy. It helps fight breakage and adds a layer of silkiness that is hard to achieve otherwise. It also works great as a detangling product, which you need when air drying. I’ve been using Tresemme’s Split Remedy or their modern equivalents. I can honestly say I haven’t found a split end since I started using it regularly. It's a game-changer for anyone wanting to master the art of hair on air drying.

4. Apply a Styling Oil

Styling oil is going to give you that sleek, shiny look of a blow-out without the damage from heat styling. The type you need will depend upon what type of hair you have. If your hair is thick or coarse, then you’ll need a heavier product than if your hair is fine or thin. Moroccanoil Treatment comes in both regular and light formulas so it’s easy to know which to choose. A little of this product goes a long way, so start small and add more if needed.

5. Direct Your Hair in the Direction You Want It to Go

Sorry, everyone, you can’t just add hair products and walk away. That isn’t the recipe for a good air dry. Your hair needs some direction in the way you want it to go. This is going to be based upon your personal hairstyle but here are a couple of hints. If your hair is fine then you may want to give it some lift by flipping it over and encouraging your hair away from the scalp. If your hair is wavy or curly then you may want to hand shape your waves or curls a bit. This manual "styling" while wet is crucial for how to air dry hair without it looking flat. Once you have applied your styling oil, you need to give your hair some direction.

6. Keep Checking on It

It’s a good idea to take a peek at your hair every 30 minutes or so. By doing this you can catch it if it starts to air dry in a way you don’t want. It could be as simple as finger combing your bangs back to the side or some other small adjustment. This helps make sure that your air dry stays on track and gives you beautiful results.

Monitoring your progress ensures that you don't end up with any weird kinks or cowlicks once the hair is fully set.

7. Be Patient with the Process

It takes time to figure out how to make air drying your hair work for you. Be patient with yourself while learning this skill, starting from the initial wash. Also, be patient with the process of air drying. It does take a bit of work, but the results are worth it. The benefit of having healthier hair is awesome, too. You'll notice less breakage and more natural shine over time.

These are 7 steps to help you make air drying your hair a success. Do you air dry your hair? What tips can you share for the perfect finish?