Say it with us: hair. washing. day. is. rough. It’s a serious struggle to shampoo and condition (we may be being a tad dramatic), and then when you’re done washing it, you’ve gotta summon the mental strength to dry it as well… is there no end to this struggle?!
But here’s a secret – there are some products that embrace the lazy girl attitude – and they actually want you to let them soak in while your hair air dries, requiring absolutely zero effort on your end – a blessing.
That’s right – regardless of your hair type, there’s an air dry hair solution for you. Because after all, who has the time to spend what seems like hours in front of the mirror fussing with their hair? Nobody! We’re all busy (yes, even in isolation).
So if you’re sick of breaking out the blow dryer, we’ve rounded up the leave-in alternatives you’re bound to love.
RELATED: The best cream highlighters for a natural-looking glow
RELATED: What is your sex language?
Pureology
Pureology Hydrate Sheer & Air Dry Cream
Letting your locks air dry doesn’t have to mean sacrificing hydration – this cream will enhance your natural texture while also keeping your hair soft and smooth. Plus, it’s great for coloured hair!
John Frieda
John Frieda Frizz Ease® Dream Curls® Air Dry Waves Styling Foam
Thought your curly hair needed to be blow-dried every time? Well, it doesn’t. You just need a lightweight product that’s designed for your hair type – simply apply this wave-perfecting foam to wet hair and go forth frizz-free!
Shu Uemura
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Wonder Worker
This strand-smoothing styling primer does it all – hydrates, detangles, conditions, boosts radiance, tames frizz and adds silkiness – phew. You can also use it to refresh second-day hair if washing two days in a row seems overwhelming.
TIGI
TIGI BedHead Beach Me Wave Defining Gel Mist
‘What on earth is a gel mist!’, you ask? Well, it’s a spray that gives your hair beachy texture, but with hold. Balinese sea salt gives you those enviable natural waves, while the gel formulation keeps them in place (simultaneously promoting shine and protection from humidity).
Redken
Got fine hair that tends to fall flat? Try this effortless texture-boosting air dry cream. Quick-dry polymers speed up your drying time while still remaining flexible enough to allow you to shape your hair the way you want.
Bumble & Bumble
Bumble & Bumble Don’t Blow It (H)air Styler ($50, mecca.com.au)
A bounce, body and shine combo is the order of the day with this weightless cream. It also contains prickly pear and cactus flower extracts to keep the hair feeling even healthier, minus the heat.
Kristin Ess
Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Creme, $18.99, priceline.com.au
Don’t have time for multiple hair products in the morning? This leave-in can replace them all, and works for every hair type. It smoothes, separates, adds shine and gives hair texture. It also smells ridiculously good, which is also a bonus in our books.
OUAI
OUAI Air Dry Foam ($44, sephora.com.au)
Ideal for wavy or curly girls, this foam conditions the hair while encouraging your natural wave patterns. It’s perfect for wash-and-wear days, when you need to condition and detangle in a flash.
I’ve never tried any of these products. I do sometimes let my bra strap length hair dry naturally, and it always dries wavy. I wouldn’t mind trying the OUAI as it would detangle as well as condition.
I air dry my hair too. When I had long hair I would open the windows in my car, put on the fan and stick my hair a little out the window. By the time I got to work it was dry!
I air dry 99.99% of the time. If needing speed, I go outside on the wind, it blows dry my hair quicker. If needing super speed…ghd obviously
I really want to try OUAI products, but they are a bit pricey for me.
Want to try that Shu Uemera one!
I air dry my hair regularly, there are some wonderful products to add a bit of texture to hair and the end result can look sensational.
Me too! No idea these existed. I wonder if whatever helps hair to dry doesn't also make hair drier in texture and condition. I already have hair prone to dryness in the ends.
I haven't tried any of these products yet.
I let my hair air dry majority of the time but in a pulled back bun or else if I leave it out – even with product in it – it will get really frizzy
I air dry most of all. It dries very quickly here in QLD and with my hair being so fine that speeds things up as well.
So many options, I allow my hair to air dry naturally and I always have wavy hair and I like to leave it out all day especially after a wash. The only thing that bothers me is the hair halo I get
Adore Shu Uemura and Bumble & Bumble! I prefer letting my hair air dry because I don't want to put any unnecessary heat on it
I’d like to try the John Freida one.
I air dry my hair so I'll be looking into these products. Thank BH!
Awesome, the TRedken and Pureology products look super exciting, I have tried salt sprays, but they dont work on my fine hair
I mostly air dry my hair, can't remember the last time I used heat on my hair. I had no idea these air drying products existed. Would love to try some!
Would love to try these recommendations
I used to be able to air dry my hair all year round until I moved into a colder climate in Oz.
I didn't know there were lot of products available like this too.
I like to air dry my hair in Summer but now with the cooler weather I need to blow dry it. I do use the John Frieda product all year round but not each time I wash my hair.
I mostly air dry my hair, so will have to check some of these out, however the cooler weather will mean it is less and less.
I only air dry these days! So this is an article for me! Thanks so much for these recommendations! I must try! Never knew there was products for air drying ! Yay!
This is me in a nutshell! Air dry! I'm using a spray in conditioner lately I love!! Everescents! Every day. Great product!
I am so lost with all thesr hair products. An air dry product, a leave in conditioner, a styling cream and a heat protectant seem interchangeable to me
Ooo a few new ones added for fine/flat hair. I wouldn't air dry during Autumn and Winter as too cold but a few to remember for Spring & Summer
These products seem like a dream for lazy people like me. I am definitely interested to try. I did not know these products even existed so this is exciting for me.
I didn't realize there were so many products to use to air dry, I prefer wash and wear so rarely use a blowdryer. Most of the brands look realiable ones too.
I love this its great for lazy and quick hair days good suggestions
I am liking the sound of the TIGI bedhead beach me wave.
Great article, I have only heard of the John Frieda product.
never tried any of these products and i air dry my hair every wash, never straighten unless special occasion, and i swear by the eleven hair miracle treatment
I need some of these as I prefer to air dry my hair.
Ooh these sound good 🙂 I don't even own a blow dryer any more, I prefer to let my curly hair dry naturally.
I've heard good things about Pureology, but haven't tried their products yet.
Kristin Ess sounds nice at a good price and I also like the sound of Bumble and Bumble's one but it does cost more $
I let my hair air dry and let it do its own thing…
I have time to wash my hair.
My hair is very fine and dries very quickly. When I bd my hair it goes too fluffy.
I think this is just like dry shampoo.
I also count on Shu Uemura for my hair care! It's been over a year now still love it!
I've only tried the Bumble & Bumble one but it did nothing for my lank hair. I suspect no product would, my hair needs blow drying to have any volume.
I mostly dry my hair naturally, but without using any products in it. I might check some of these products out later.
I'VE reported the spam by HAYEMUPPY and MEGANLYONS on the "SERIAL SPAM MEMBER ON BH" thread.
A few options I hadn't heard of, will have to check them out.
I don't like to air dry my hair.
I always air dry my hair. That gel mist sounds intriguing!
I've marked Ha32 & RoseMoore's posts below as SPAM!
The John Frieda Frizz Ease works well for me as I use this brand when washing my hair anyway.
Shu Uemura looks good, my hairdresser uses Ouai in my hair.