How to Air-Dry Your Hair Without Frizz

Jun 12, 2025

4

min read

A

ir-drying your hair sounds simple, but without the right steps it often leads to frizz and flyaways. The good news? With a few smart tweaks, you can skip the heat tools and still get smooth, defined hair.

Why Air-Drying Causes Frizz

When wet hair dries without protection, the cuticle lifts and absorbs excess moisture from the air. Rubbing it with a towel or touching it too often only makes it worse. Learning to air-dry properly means less damage, softer texture and more shine.

Prep in the Shower

Use hydrating shampoo and conditioner: Look for sulphate-free formulas with ingredients like shea butter or glycerin.
Finish with a cool rinse: This helps seal the cuticle for a smoother finish.

Towel-Dry the Smart Way

Swap rough towels for a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt. Gently squeeze out excess water instead of rubbing. Aim for damp, not dripping wet, before adding product.

Apply Leave-In Products

Serums or creams for frizz control
Lightweight leave-in conditioner for smoothness
Curl creams or mousse if your hair is wavy or curly

Style by Hair Type

Straight hair: Comb through with a wide-tooth comb and apply a lightweight serum.
Wavy hair: Scrunch with curl cream and let it set.
Curly hair: Try the “plopping” method with a T-shirt, then leave untouched.
Coily hair: Use a rich cream, then braid or twist to define curls.

Hands Off Until Dry

The more you touch your hair while it dries, the more frizz forms. Apply product, style once, then leave it alone until fully dry.

Finish and Protect

Once dry, smooth a few drops of oil or shine spray through the ends. For stubborn flyaways, spray a clean toothbrush with hairspray and lightly brush them down.