Air-drying looks like it must be simple, proper? You hop out of the bathe, towel-dry your hair, and proceed along with your day whereas the air does its factor, saving you treasured styling time and your strands from potential warmth injury. In actuality, so many components, from humidity to your hair well being, can influence how effectively your air-dry seems. To set your self up for achievement, you’ll want an awesome product—even perhaps two, relying in your hair kind and texture. San Diego-based hairstylist Katelyn Ellsworth recommends gels or lotions to nix frizz and create maintain. “They have a tendency to distribute by the hair higher and block towards the humidity, locking in moisture and smoothing out the frizz with out including warmth,” she explains.
We requested our testers to strive top-rated air-dry hair merchandise at dwelling, evaluating every one on ease of utility, product texture, frizz-fighting capabilities, total end, and longevity. After combining our testers’ suggestions with insights from hairstylists, we landed on this record of the 15 finest air-dry hair merchandise for naturally clean, hydrated, healthy-looking strands.
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Chia seed, linseed extracts, moringa seed oil | Scent: Citrus and white florals | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
What’s to not love about JVN’s Full Air Dry Cream? Enriched with moringa seed oil and hemisqualane (a silicon various) for light-weight hydration, and chia and linseed extracts to effortlessly improve pure texture, this choose is a one-and-done answer to the air-dry of your goals. Our tester was positively effusive about each facet of the cream, praising how clean and smooth it left her hair and the way effectively it managed frizz. The light-weight method absorbed shortly, and the outcomes lasted a number of days, chopping again on the necessity for normal warmth styling. She was additionally obsessive about the scent—an “intoxicating” mix of citrus and white florals—however should you’re delicate to fragrances, it’s essential to know that this one lingers all day.

Candice, tester: “I like the best way this product feels in my hair a lot. It leaves my hair clean like a dream. The impact lasted for round two days after utility, holding my hair outlined and stuffed with quantity all through that point.“
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Castor oil, Dimethicone | Scent: Mango and flowering water lily | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Cool-girl waves can take some coaxing, even when your hair has a smooth S-shape sample. Enter: Kenra’s Skilled Platinum Air Dry Crème 6, which aspires to boost the hair’s pure physique with delicate definition and maintain. Our tester, who has curl kind 2A (aka unfastened waves), liked how effectively this cream improved manageability, turning her hair from unruly to clean, smooth, and silky with minimal effort. The cream is on the thicker facet consistency-wise however didn’t crush her hair; as an alternative, it offered the proper quantity of definition and management. The one draw back is that the product made her scalp really feel oilier than normal, so she wanted to scrub her hair extra usually to take care of the outcomes.

Amanda, tester: “The cream did an awesome job of styling my unruly waves with minimal effort. The general form, texture, and magnificence of my hair was simpler to cope with after the product dried.“
Method: Gel | Key Substances: Amaranthus caudatus seed extract, hydrolyzed rice protein | Scent: Cucumber, oakmoss, ylang-ylang | Measurement: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
In case your straight locks are likely to air-dry flat, limp, and lifeless, a light-weight gel like this one may help inject some much-needed oomph. It comprises film-forming polymers and hydrolyzed rice protein to thicken hair, and our tester says it actually works—even on wonderful, straight strands like hers. After spreading the light-weight gel by her hair and leaving it to dry, she achieved considerably extra texture than normal. It additionally helped moisturize her strands, and though it didn’t get rid of frizz, just a few untamed flyaways accentuated the impression of motion, which was a win in her e book.

Victoria, tester: “It makes my hair seem prefer it has extra texture than it really does. I believe it helps preserve my hair moisturized all through the day too.”
Method: Foam | Key Substances: Kale protein, panthenol | Scent: Wealthy florals and sheer white musk | Measurement: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Avoiding frizz is likely one of the greatest challenges of air-drying, particularly whenever you consider uncontrollable conditions like humidity. This tremendous light-weight foam from OUAI supplies a scrunch-and-go answer for wavy and curly hair (the categories most prone to frizz), which calls on moisturizing panthenol and kale protein extract to clean fluffy, static-prone strands. Our tester appreciated the way it tamed frizz whereas enhancing her hair’s pure texture with noticeable elevate and bounce. Her strands have been shiny and clean, by no means crunchy or sticky, and the outcomes lasted till the following wash. Though it wasn’t particularly hydrating, it improved the feel and appear of her hair total, and she or he didn’t have to achieve for a hair dryer or curling iron as soon as.

Brittany, tester: “This air-drying foam does a superb job of taming frizz and provides my hair some elevate and bounce, which isn’t simply achieved with simply blow-drying. It additionally helps handle frizz all through the day whereas making my hair look shinier and smoother.”
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Tames frizz and smooths hair
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Enhances pure texture of hair
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Light-weight method is straightforward to use
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Dimethicone, argan oil, glycerin | Scent: Floral | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Of all of the funds choices on the market, we predict this feature from TRESemmé is the perfect. That includes a hydrating mix of argan oil and glycerin, it tames frizz and smooths flyaways, chopping down on styling time with out sacrificing your look. Our tester liked the gel-like consistency, which simply unfold and absorbed in a flash with out leaving any sticky or crunchy residue behind. She was impressed by how effectively it decreased frizz, leaving her hair so shiny it regarded like she’d used warmth styling instruments. This selection had no product buildup or greasiness, only a clean end that lasted a number of days.

Kelsey, tester: “TRESemmé Air Dry Smoothing Cream noticeably decreased my hair frizz. That is one thing I battle with, notably after I air-dry my hair. I sometimes should blow-dry my hair after every bathe, which then damages my hair additional. This product considerably decreased my blow-dryer use.”
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Smooths and hydrates hair
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Enhances and holds waves/texture
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Tames frizz and provides shine
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Dreamy scent
Method: Balm | Key Substances: Tomato ferment, chickpea extract, chia seed | Scent: Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Hair that’s dry and straw-like tends to additionally endure from cussed frizziness. For a healthy dose of hydration that can clean and nourish parched strands, attain for this method from Oribe. It has a mix of chia seed extract, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins to moisturize, and polymers (derived from tomato ferment and chickpea extract) for an enduring soft-touch maintain. It prevented our tester’s hair from drying out—even when she added additional waves utilizing a curling iron—noticeably smoothing and conditioning her strands every time she used it. She liked how her hair regarded whereas utilizing this balm; it was shiny with outlined seaside waves that held their kind. Simply be conscious to make use of the product sparingly as a result of it could develop into crunchy if overapplied.

Ashley, tester: “My hair felt fairly clean and hydrated with continued use of this product, it was smooth, shiny, and manageable.”
Method: Foam | Key Substances: Moringa oil, mushroom extract, plant proteins | Scent: Clear | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Frizz-free texture and definition is the final word air-dry success marker, and that’s precisely what this feature from Verb delivers. The tremendous light-weight method is powered by a hydrating mix of moringa oil, squalane, and wheat protein to outline strands and increase shine. The featherweight foam vanishes into hair with out a hint, leaving no buildup on strands or roots. Our tester was amazed at how effectively it styled her hair, making a clean, frizz-free texture that rivaled the outcomes of her favourite warmth instruments. Nevertheless, she didn’t love the pump applicator, which made it tough to get the correct quantity of product out of the bottle.

Kelsey, tester: “One noticeable profit was the added texture that it created. I’ve not seen this with different merchandise. I used to be impressed that I used to be in a position to air-dry my hair and appear like I had put far more time and approach into my fashion.”
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Babassu, murumuru, hyaluronic acid | Scent: Candy, fruity | Measurement: 2, 8, 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Curly hair usually requires extra consideration than its straighter counterparts attributable to it is spiraled form. To make sure your curls stay bouncy and outlined, do this ultra-hydrating air-dry method from Curlsmith. Filled with myriad moisturizing elements, from babassu oil and murumuru butter to hyaluronic acid and castor seed oil, it left our tester’s curls gentle and smooth with a natural-looking construction and maintain. It was extraordinarily light-weight (excellent for layering with different curl-enhancing merchandise) and did an awesome job of decreasing frizz and maximizing shine.

Ashley, tester: “My curls have been effectively formed and pulled collectively. This product could be very light-weight and efficient in hydrating my hair with out weighing it down. The Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Curly Hair Cream is a wonderful product for people on the lookout for a low-maintenance approach to amplify their curls with smooth definition.”
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Coconut oil, aloe vera | Scent: Bergamot, lemon zest, mimosa, heliotrope, and black amber | Measurement: 1.7, 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
On the planet of air-drying merchandise, cream formulation stand out for his or her hydrating and smoothing capabilities. Simple to distribute by the hair, they assist guard towards frizz and produce kind to waves and curls. This explicit cream was a success with our tester, who liked that it made her waves look each fuller and smoother with a extra uniform curl sample. Enriched with moisturizing coconut oil and aloe vera, it boosted shine and moisturized her parched ideas, making a wholesome appear and feel that she in the end most well-liked over blow-drying. The outcomes lasted a full day and have been simply revived the next morning with a spritz of water and a contact extra cream.

Amanda, tester: ”My hair was shiny, bouncy, and hydrated with none extreme styling. I additionally like that the cream did not weigh my waves down or go away my hair greasy after utilizing it.”
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Yucca schidigera stem extract, opuntia Ficus-indica stem extract, hydrolyzed soy protein | Scent: Citrus, white tea, lily of the valley | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
In case you thought a pleasant clean blowout was the important thing to a shiny end, suppose once more. This Bumble and Bumble method excelled at making our tester’s wavy hair look tremendous shiny. The skinny cream unfold simply and dried with a silky-soft end, nixing frizz and giving delicate definition to her hair’s pure texture. It wasn’t notably volumizing, in accordance with our tester, however including a spritz or two of texturizing spray gave her the definition and fullness she was after.

Ashley, tester: “This product helped handle my frizz greater than different air-dry balms and lotions I’ve tried, and my hair was shiny each time I used it.”
Method: Mousse | Key Substances: Bolivian Pink Salt, tsubaki seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil | Scent: Bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass | Measurement: 5.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
For unparalleled texture, definition, and maintain, mousse is a good possibility. This weightless foam from Crown Affair comprises Bolivian pink salt so as to add easy quantity and beachy texture to all hair varieties whereas holding frizz at bay. Our tester, who has kind 1A locks, adopted the product directions for straight hair, making use of the mousse earlier than twisting sections of hair and clipping them in place till dry. The outcome was crunch-free, frizz-resistant, smooth texture that remained outlined all day. Regardless of containing a Tsubaki seed oil and meadowfoam seed oil mix, she didn’t discover the method notably hydrating, however what it lacked in moisture, it compensated for in styling prowess.

Candice, tester: “It provides an unbelievable quantity of texture to my straight, flat hair. The impact lasted for round two days after utility, holding my hair outlined and smooth all through that point.“
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Prevents shade fade
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Accentuates waves
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Smooths and hydrates
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Banana extract, sunflower oil, avocado oil | Scent: Banana | Measurement: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
Coloration-treated hair could be extra fragile and finicky than hair that’s by no means been dyed, so air-drying it’s a good approach to protect its situation. Add a protecting product to your routine and your frazzled locks will thanks. This cream from Solar Bum is formulated to protect towards UV injury and stop color-fade whereas boosting hydration and enhancing shine. Our tester, whose hair is oily on the root however dry on the ends, liked how effectively it labored on her mixture hair kind, including moisture with out even a touch of greasiness. She seen the cream felt just a little sticky on damp hair, particularly if she used an excessive amount of of it, however with only a small dollop her waves have been accentuated and completely shiny.

Nishka, tester: “I seen that my hair is shinier after utilizing this product. My waves really feel brisker too, and so long as I run a brush by my dried hair, it does appear like I blow-dried it.”
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Boosts quantity
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Tames frizz
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Provides texture
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Leaves a sticky residue
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Could possibly be extra hydrating
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Yuzu extract, plum oil, B nutritional vitamins | Scent: Glowing citrus and contemporary greens | Measurement: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
In case your hair tends to put flat, it’s tempting to depend on warmth styling to inject some much-needed quantity and physique. With this air-dry cream from Briogeo, you won’t should. Our tester says it noticeably enhanced the fullness and texture of her straight hair, giving her a frizz-free tousled look that mimicked the results of scorching rollers. The method comprises plum oil, a light-weight moisturizer with antioxidant properties to guard towards environmental stressors, however it wasn’t hydrating sufficient for our tester’s hair. Her mane felt pretty matte after making use of this cream however that possible enhanced its magical texturizing talents, so we’re not too fussed about it. The primary strike towards this product is that it didn’t take up effectively, leaving a sticky residue behind.

Brittany, tester: “My hair is much less frizzy and extra voluminous when utilizing this cream versus after I dry my hair with a blow-dryer. I discovered it to handle frizz successfully all through the day whereas additionally offering some quantity, which I favored.”
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Algae-based polymer, bentonite clay | Scent: Gentle citrus | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
For many who have hair that’s vulnerable to fluffiness and frizz, discovering a product that smooths the hair shaft with out the necessity for warmth is the dream. The Residing Proof Type Lab Air-Dry Styler delivers on that entrance. In keeping with our tester, it absorbed simply and left her hair clean and frizz-free for days. When she utilized it earlier than permitting her hair to dry in braids, the cream helped outline her unfastened waves—in all probability due to the inclusion of algae-based polymers and bentonite clay, which work in unison so as to add texture and retain maintain. The product is vulnerable to separation, so give the container a superb shake earlier than allotting it into your palm.

Joline, tester: “It undoubtedly smooths my hair in comparison with after I air-dry with none product. It boosted how hydrated my hair felt and regarded all through the day, too.”
Method: Cream | Key Substances: Apricot and watermelon extracts, soybean oil, mango butter | Scent: Cardamom, pineapple, and bamboo | Measurement: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Sure
This R+Co Cool Wind pH Good Air Dry Cream, labored wonders on our fine-haired tester. The mix of moisturizing elements, together with soybean oil and mango butter helped hydrate, soften, and clean her hair with out including weight. Her waves have been extra pronounced and shiny, too, though it may have been higher at eliminating frizz.

Joline, tester: “I seen that my hair was shinier, and it undoubtedly felt softer than regular.”
What to Search for in an Air-Dry Hair Product
- Moisture: If there’s one class of elements it is best to prioritize, it’s moisturizers—our consultants have been unanimous on this. “Search for merchandise with pure oils, like jojoba, argan, and cocoa butter,” says movie star hairstylist Cody Renegar, as these will assist fight frizz as your hair dries, producing a clean end. Moreover, Ellsworth says she loves merchandise that comprise hyaluronic acid to hydrate the scalp and enhance elasticity.
- Method Sort: Lotions are the most typical air-dry method as a result of they work on all hair varieties. Nevertheless, when you’ve got wavy or curly hair, you would possibly wish to contemplate a gel or mousse, Renegar says, as these will add loads of definition and maintain. A clay-based method can also be an awesome alternative, in accordance with Ellsworth, as it’s going to deliver out the pure form and texture of your curls.
- Layering: For the perfect outcome potential, experiment with layering merchandise. “I like to begin with a nourishing leave-in conditioner after which layer on a product for maintain like a mousse,” says Megan Schnell, a star hairstylist primarily based in Chicago.
How We Examined Air-Dry Hair Merchandise
Byrdie
At Byrdie, we like to check each product we suggest. For this story, we chosen 18 top-rated air-dry merchandise, together with lotions, mousses, foams, and balms, and examined them on numerous hair varieties and textures. After a radical analysis, we landed on this record of the perfect choices accessible.
- Variety of Merchandise Examined: 18
- Testing Interval: Eight weeks
- Methodology: Ten testers with numerous hair varieties and textures utilized merchandise on moist or damp hair, assessing them on ease of utility, outcomes, and the way lengthy they held their fashion.
- Elements Thought of: Ease of use, effectiveness, hydration, efficiency
Meet Our Specialists
To create this record of the perfect air-dry hair merchandise, we consulted the next hair care professionals:
- Katelyn Ellsworth is a pure shade and extension specialist and founding father of The Roslyn salon in San Diego.
- Megan Schnell is a star hairstylist primarily based in Chicago.
- Cody Renegar is a star hairstylist primarily based in Los Angeles.
Why Belief Byrdie
Esme Benjamin is a author, editor, and podcaster primarily based in Brooklyn, New York. She has wonderful, curly hair—a tricky-to-style combo that has required extreme product experimentation over time. Air-dry hair merchandise are a important a part of her hair care routine.