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If you have thick hair, then you know, drying and styling it is no small feat. Its possible, though, to give yourself a little break and still achieve smooth, frizz-free hair. So, step away from your hot tools and let our team of experts show you how its done.Below, we called on some of our favorite expert stylists to find everything you need to know about how to air-dry thick hair perfectly every single time.
Meet the Expert
Kylee Heath is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with clients like Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Reese Witherspoon.
Marco Santini is a celebrity and editorial hairstylist the owner of Davines Ion Studio in New York City.
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Skip the Shampoo
Shampoo tends to exacerbate frizz because it can strip hair of its natural oils, which is why it might be a good idea to go without it altogether. (At the very least, cut your usage to once or twice a week, tops). "The number one product to avoid is shampoo," says Moore. "Its far too harsh on hair, and not necessary."
"I sometimes will just rinse my hair and apply conditioner to the ends," adds Heath. If switching just to conditioner seems too intimidating, try a cleansing conditioner for the time being or cream like Hairstorys New Wash ($42), which gently removes oil and grime while still leaving locks extremely hydrated.
After cleansing and massaging the scalp, add more cleansing cream or conditioner to the bottom half of your hair, making sure to evenly coat it all (be generous with the product). Wash it out as you normally would.
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Wash Your Hair With Cool Water
While a hot shower feels great, the extra heat will open up hair cuticles and can strip hair of its natural oils. This doesnt mean you have to take ice cold showers, though. By rinsing your hair with lukewarm water, youll keep your cuticles sealed and avoid the look of dry, poufy strands.
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Comb Your Hair in the Shower—and Don’t Brush It After
"If you brush your hair when its starting to dry, almost dry, or all the way dry, youll experience unwanted frizz," says Heath. Curly-haired folk who need to detangle should do so with a wide-tooth comb while theyre in the shower, she says. (Just be sure to do it while your conditioner is setting to try to avoid breakage).
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Rethink Your Towel Technique
Toweling is often the downfall of great hair and one sure-fire way to frizz and tangle strands. "My best advice is to not towel-dry the hair too much because that generates frizz and poufiness," says Santini.
Instead of rushing to sop up excess moisture, take a gentler approach. "Its not about roughing your hair up to get the moisture out quickly," says Moore. "In fact, its the opposite. Make sure you get as much of the moisture out with your towel as possible, but not too aggressively."
Swapping in a microfiber towel for your old terry one is a start since the tiny fabric particles are meant to be far gentler on the hair cuticle than cotton is. (And skip the T-shirt—thats a myth). Use it to dab and gently squeeze your locks until youre no longer dripping.
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Use a Leave-In Product
Even if its simply coconut oil (which some people love), nourishing your hair with added moisture is key for avoiding frizz and getting definition. Work a leave-in conditioner or styling cream into damp hair as you scrunch. And dont be stingy—you want to make sure all your hair is evenly coated.
"People with thicker hair tend to focus on applying product to just the top of the head or the areas they can see," says Moore. "The only thing to keep in mind is even and ample distribution of product throughout the entirety of their hair."
That being said, touching your hair too much can also lead to frizz, so after working that product in, hands off. "You dont want to play with your hair too much," advises Heath. "But for some textures, a great trick is to twist multiple sections after applying the product when the hair is damp and letting them dry; then lightly running your hands through your hair and adding a thicker styling cream."
Emily Roberts / buuk.top
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Twist Your Damp Curls
Proponents of the Curly Girl Method will know exactly what were talking about. To get defined-looking waves, you need to give your wet locks a little push in the right direction.
"Your hair will dry in the shape that you leave it in," says Moore. "The more attention you pay to twisting your curls and placing shape in your hair, the better your outcome will be." This means scrunching excess water out of your locks (rather than overdoing it with a towel), and then twisting your locks into spirals after working product into your hair.
Moore also suggests using clips at the roots to make sure they stay lifted. And if youre planning on sleeping on damp hair, consider gathering your hair into a pineapple ponytail. For this technique, pile your curls on top of your head and use a large clip or scrunchie to secure them loosely. Not only will this pineapple trick preserve your curls while you sleep, but itll also give a great lift at the roots.
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Focus Product On Your Ends
The oldest part of your hair is at the ends, which is why the tips are the most prone to dryness and breakage. And when your hair strands split, that gives way to a lack of definition and frizz, not to mention the further breakage youll experience if its left untreated. Focus your serums or hair oils here to temporarily conceal split ends.
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Schedule Regular Trims
Maintaining a consistent schedule of trimming your hair will help with maintaining healthy, closed ends. For curly hair, its recommended to get a trim every 12 weeks, while damaged hair would benefit from a trip to the salon every eight weeks. Talk to your stylist about the best schedule for your specific hair type.
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Create Defined Waves With Surf Spray
Sea salt sprays, while great for giving hair beachy waves, have a reputation for leaving hair parched and straw-like. However, Heath says when used in conjunction with leave-in conditioner, you get the perfect balance of hydration and texture. And when used on dry hair, it works to tame and define any flyaways or unruly sections.
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Deep-Condition Weekly
If your hair has a curl to it, it likely needs a little extra help in the moisture department. Because the oils from the scalp may have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft on curls than on straighter hair, moisturize it with a deep-conditioning mask once a week. Whether youre spending a lot of time outdoors in the summer or rotating between bitter, wintry air and dry indoor heating, your hair will want all the extra hydration it can get.
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Test-Drive Different Products
You probably know by now that hair isnt just thick or thin—everybodys strands are different, and a product that does wonders for someone else might be a total dud for you. This can be based on hair density, shaft size, or even just how greasy your scalp gets. Take this excuse to stock up on samples and have fun experimenting. (And try all the items listed here, since theyre some of the most loved formulas out there).
That being said, you also need to factor in technique. "Dont try one thing and give up if you dont like it," says Heath. "If your hair feels too heavy, then next time, use less. Try applying a light amount starting at roots and then using more on ends. If your roots feel greasy, then next time just apply from midshaft through ends."
How can you tell you have thick hair?
The best way to determine if your hair is thick is to look at and feel it. Typically, thick hair will feel coarse and rough to the touch, whereas fine hair will feel barely noticeable.
How can I dry thick hair overnight?
If youve washed your hair and need to dry it overnight, gently remove excess water with a microfiber towel. Then, apply an anti-frizz leave-in of your choice and either put your hair into a bun or a few braids/twists and sleep on a silk pillowcase.
How long does it usually take to air dry thick hair?
Thick hair typically takes anywhere from two to three hours to air dry.
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