The No-Frizz, No-Fuss Way to Air-Dry Your Hair

The confidence that comes from embracing your natural hair texture can be powerful. The bonus, of course, is that it keeps your hair healthy; blow-drying and heat styling are damaging, no matter how careful you are. Adir Abergel, a top LA hairstylist (he often does Gwyneth’s hair for events) and the creative director of Virtue Labs, loves a good air-dry—and he’s got incredible tips for making air-dried hair look its best.

When you blow-dry, you’ve got many steps (and styling products) that can potentially alter your hair’s appearance. When you air-dry, the fundamentals become more important, because you don’t have all the styling backup. “Pick a shampoo that’s specific to your hair’s needs,” says Abergel. “If you lack volume, use a volumizing shampoo. If it’s dry and brittle, use something really moisturizing. Shampoo really makes the biggest impact.”

“Conditioner can be just as important as shampoo,” says Abergel, so pick one that works for your hair type and texture. And, he says, a quick cold rinse before you hop out of the shower helps seal the cuticle for less frizz and more shine.

“While your hair is wet and the conditioner is still soaking in, you have a little more slip, so you’re less likely to get breakage when you brush your hair,” says Abergel. He loves a wide-tooth comb or the popular Manta brush: “It’s so great and gentle on the scalp.”

“Treat your hair with a mask or serum once a week and your hair becomes more shiny and elastic,” says Abergel. His tip: Smooth hair treatments from about where your brows are down to your ends. “The first few inches of your hair are typically the most healthy—you don’t need to put treatments there,” he says.

For a really special occasion (like the red carpet), Abergel sidesteps frizz by drying sopping-wet hair between paper towels or with an old cotton T-shirt. “Place the ends of your hair between sheets of paper towel and scrunch it up so the paper towel soaks up most of the moisture,” he says. “It creates less friction, so your hair dries smoother.” In life beyond the red carpet, microfiber towels perform a similar function, helping hair dry more quickly with significantly less frizz.

Abergel suggests that those with curlier hair apply leave-in conditioner or frizz cream while the hair is still really wet. For straight or wavy hair types, use a cream or oil once your hair is somewhat dry. “I smooth the product all over my hands like a hand cream, then run it through the hair,” he says. “That way, the product distributes evenly.”

HAIR TYPE: WAVY AND DRY

“If I really want my hair to look good, I smooth in the goop hair serum 20 minutes before I shampoo. It genuinely transforms your hair: less frizz, more shine, better texture. I agree with Adir: Shampoo makes a major difference. I alternate between Ranavat and Corpus—I just can’t choose. I think conditioner makes slightly less of a difference, but I use either the ultrahydrating one from goop or the super moisturizing jasmine-scented mask from Ranavat. (This is weird, but if I really want amazing hair, I layer the two together.) I get out, smooth in leave-in conditioner from Sangre de Fruta, and brush my hair (once, ideally, lest I encourage frizz) with the incredible No. 002 brush from Crown Affair (it feels like heaven) and I’m done.”

HAIR TYPE: CURLY AND DRY

“My hair vibe is gently mussed and casual, whether I’m going into the office or sipping a Negroni at a fancy wedding. To give my curls soft definition that’s not too polished, after washing I wrap them in this special microfiber towel that speeds drying time; then, after a few minutes, I spritz in this super moisturizing, frizz-smoothing leave-in cream that smells faintly of mango and vacation (a leave-in moisture bomb like this one is the secret to making curly hair shiny and manageable). I gather my damp lengths into four braids around my head and twist each one into a little bun secured with these skinny silk scrunchies that don’t snag (and look so, so cool). In the morning, I unravel the braids and the resulting crinkly, beachy, silky texture is exactly what I want.”

HAIR TYPE: STRAIGHT, FINE, AND HIGHLIGHTED

“If I leave my hair to its own devices, it air-dries lifeless and flat, with no wave, volume, or texture. Here’s what works: Once I’m out of the shower, I lightly towel-dry and then generously apply this new texturizing foam from my midlengths to ends. I double up by smoothing ROZ’s oil on my ends—I know it sounds like I’m going overboard, but I swear the combination not only tames frizz, hydrates, and silkifies my hair but also gives me the glossiest shine. I gently brush my hair once with this incredibly chic French detangling brush to smooth snarls (and distribute the mousse and oil). Then I split my hair into six sections while it’s still damp, twist each section, twist three already-twisted sections together, and secure them at the ends with these incredible clips. They easily hold my hair and don’t leave kinks or indentations. The result? Sexy, tousled hair with a not-too-perfect vibe.”