4 Pro Stylist Tips for Air Drying Hair This Summer and More

Celebrity hairstylist MJ Snyder shares her tried-and-true tips, must-have UNITE products to have in your summer hair care arsenal and an easy-to-follow, air dry routine for every hair type.
Celebrity hairstylist MJ Snyder shares her tried-and-true tips, must-have UNITE products to have in your summer hair care arsenal and an easy-to-follow, air dry routine for every hair type.
Image from Drazen via Adobe Stock

If you’ve ever tried to air dry your hair, then you know it can be somewhat of an art form. From finding the right products for your hair type and knowing what order to apply them in, to other elements such as the climate, type of pillowcase you sleep on or towel you use to dry your hair, it’s safe to say air drying is not one size fits all.

With the official first day of summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to put down the hot tools and master your air dry routine. To help, celebrity hairstylist MJ Snyder (@m.j.snyder) shares her tried-and-true tips, must-have UNITE (@unite_hair) products to have in your summer hair care arsenal, plus an easy-to-follow, air dry routine for every hair type.

The Benefits of Air Drying

“Air drying not only enhances your hair’s natural texture and pattern by giving it a unique look, but it also helps improve overall hair health, minimize heat damage, and keeps the hair less prone to breakage,” explains Snyder. “Air drying also helps maintain the natural moisture levels, as heat can strip the moisture from the hair. Not to mention it is a huge time saver making it an easy option for busy days.”

What should a client take into consideration when determining an air dry routine?

"Hair texture, climate and wash schedule can all affect your air dry routine. Each hair type also requires a different approach and products. Humidity and temperature can affect how your hair dries and behaves, while the frequency of washing can influence your routine and product use,” says Snyder.

The Dos of Air Drying

  • Use a microfiber towel to help reduce frizz and breakage compared to regular towels.
  • Detangle in the shower using a wide-tooth comb while conditioning to reduce breakage.
  • Use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction while sleeping, helping to maintain smooth and frizz-free hair.
  • Avoid touching your hair once you’ve applied your products to prevent frizz and disruption of the natural drying process.

The Don’ts of Air Drying

  • Don’t Go to Sleep with Wet Hair: This can lead to tangling and breakage as the hair is more fragile when wet.
  • Don’t Brush Wet Hair: Brushing can cause breakage and disrupt the hair’s natural pattern. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush designed for wet hair.
  • Don’t Use Heavy Products: Overloading your hair with heavy products can weigh it down and make it greasy. Use lightweight, moisturizing, air-dry specific products.

An Air Dry Routine for Every Hair Type:

“Each hair type requires a different approach and products to master the perfect air dry. Here is a simple routine for every hair type I like to follow," shares Snyder. 

Straight Hair:

  1. Wash: 7SECONDS Shampoo and 7SECONDS Conditioner
  2. Detangle: Apply 7SECONDS Detangler to damp hair and comb through with a wide-tooth comb.
  3. Style: Use LAZER Straight Relaxing Fluid on damp hair to reduce frizz and smooth the hair.
  4. Finish: Once dry, apply U Oil to add shine and smooth any flyaways.

Curly/Wavy Hair:

  1. Wash: BOING Curl Shampoo and BOING Curl Conditioner
  2. Detangle: Apply BOING Curl Leave-In and gently comb through with a wide-tooth comb.
  3. Style: Scrunch in BOING Defining Curl Cream on damp hair for enhanced curls.
  4. Finish: Once dry, scrunch in SECOND Day Finishing Cream for added texture and hold.

Thick/Frizz-Prone Hair:

  1. Wash: LAZER Straight Shampoo & LAZER Straight Conditioner
  2. Detangle: Apply 7SECONDS Detangler and comb through.
  3. Style: Apply a small amount of U Oil to damp hair to control frizz.
  4. Finish: Once dry, apply a more U Oil to smooth, seal dried ends and add shine.

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