14 Air Dry Hair Products That Have Me Retiring Hot Tools All Summer
Because I'd rather be at the beach than with my blow dryer.
When it's hot out, I'm tired (always), and I'm late (also, always), so pulling out my favorite blow dryer is not in the cards. But I'm happy to report that living a low-maintenance life and having a good hair day isn't such a far-off dream. Enter: the best air-dry hair products that enhance my natural texture, seal my split ends, control frizz, and double as heat protectant.
Available in oils, creams, mousses, and gels, air dry products come in a range of textures that work with all hair types and densities. Using one of these products is simple—and should take all of two minutes before you head out the door. "If you air dry your hair, I suggest using a microfiber towel to remove as much water from the hair as possible after showering," says Dimitris Giannetos, a celebrity hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles. "Then, use a detangling brush or comb before running an air dry product through your hair." Within roughly an hour, you'll notice that your curl pattern is defined and added shine.
Not sure where to start when shopping for the best air dry products for hair? Ahead, the 10 best products to air dry your hair with that beauty editors and experts use and love. From drugstore options that feel more like serums to stronger-hold creams that stand up to intense humidity, there's an option for every concern.
The Best Air Dry Hair Products
- Best Overall Air Dry Hair Product: JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream
- Best Value Air Dry Hair Product: Herbal Essences All-in-1 Nourishing Spray
- Best Air Dry Product for Thick Hair: Emi Jay Heavenly Hair Milk
- Best Air Dry Product for Dry Hair: Rōz Milk Hair Serum
- Best Air Dry Product for Detangling: Briogeo Superfoods Avocado + Kiwi Mega-Moisture 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray
Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness is the brains behind JVN—so it’s no wonder his air dry cream leaves hair with a frizz-free look and touchable hold. The key ingredient? Hemisqualane, which acts as a more hydrating replacement to the typical silicones. Adding moringa seed gives you shine, while chia seed gives your hair bounce. Better yet, the formula is incredibly buildable, leaving you with glossy but not greasy hair.
Key Ingredients: Chia seed extract (texture enhancer); Hemisqualane (hydrating); Moringa seed oil (hydrating)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Keeps frizz away for most of the day; Great for adding volume
What I Don't: Can weigh down thinner hair types; Some reviewers say it feels sticky
Review for MC: "I have thick, frizzy hair, and this keeps my hair totally tamed. It makes my hair soft and noticeably reduces frizz. My favorite part? The sweet, fruity scent. I'm obsessed!" — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Catharine Malzahn testing JVN's Complete Air Dry Cream.
Simple and affordable, Herbal Essences spray offers instant nourishment and soft, touchable strands, even for the most damaged hair. It sinks in quickly for a super lightweight feel; you can't even tell it's there. On top of anti-frizz properties, it also delivers heat protection up to 450 degrees, so if you want to pull out the blow dryer or hair straightener, you can feel confident doing so.
Key Ingredients: Camellia flower oil (nourishing); Aloe (hydrating)
Hair Type: All, especially damaged
What I Love: Fresh fragrance; Spray bottle is easy to use
What I Don't: Doesn't deeply moisturize hair
Review for MC: "I love spritzing this on my hair after a shower and in the morning before I head out for the day. It delivers impressive frizz control and makes my strands feel much smoother and softer, but most of all, the fruity floral scent is amazing. It's like a hair perfume, but with benefits." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Catharine Malzahn testing Herbal Essences' All-in-1 Nourishing Spray.
A cross between a leave-in conditioner and a serum, Emi Jay's hair milk proves that it's no longer just a hair clip brand (though the claw clips are adorable, too). The scrumptious vanilla scent is gourmand yet not overly sweet, and the formula delivers. You'll get heat protection, hydration, and anti-frizz properties all in one sleek bottle.
Key Ingredients: Marshmallow root extract (smoothing); Hyaluronic acid (hydrating); Linseed extract (boosts elasticity)
Hair Type: All, especially damaged
What I Love: Vanilla scent; Nourishes hair; Works well on thick hair
What I Don't: Bottle pump doesn't always work smoothly; Can feel heavy or greasy on thinner hair types
Review for MC: "I'm not normally a vanilla fragrance person, but this leave-in conditioner has me sold. It's sweet yet not headache-inducing, and it's not just a nicely-scented product: It works, too. My thick hair can be tough to manage on more humid days, but this tamed my texture easily." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Catharine Malzahn testing Emi Jay's Heavenly Hair Milk.
A product with the word "milk" in it automatically sounds nourishing and moisturizing, and this leave-in conditioner from celebrity stylist Mara Roszak is exactly that. The lightweight leave-in has seriously hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid and red algae extract, to name a couple) to detangle, hydrate, and define. Use on damp or dry hair, depending on whether you want to air dry, blow dry, or even refresh day two (or day three!) hair.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrates); Red algae extract (smooths and strengthens)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Multitasking formula; defines waves
What I Don't: May make hair look greasy
Review for MC: "One thing I really do dislike about myself: how basic I am when it comes to my hair. I have the resources and think, with a little effort, I could have the skills to create any cute styles. And yet… air dry it is, day after day. I wear it down and middle parted or, if I’m feeling really funky, the ponytail holder comes out. All that is to say, I’m so, so thrilled that products like Roz’s Milk Hair Serum exist. After showering and towel drying, I work a couple of pumps of this perfect-smelling three-in-one leave-in through my damp hair, scrunching and twisting as it dries. Forty-ish minutes later, I’m left with soft, shiny hair that shows off my natural wave better than I ever could even if I actually tried." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Sophia Vilensky testing Rōz's Milk Hair Serum.
Tangled hair? Scoop up this miracle-working primer from Briogeo to get rid of them. A few sprays directly into damp hair will make brushing through knots about a thousand times more manageable. This leave-in spritz from the brand is formulated with tons of good-for-your-hair nutrients (read: chia seeds, avocado, kiwi, spinach, and sunflower seeds) that will keep your hair both hydrated and protected from the sun’s UV rays, which can mess with hair color and dry hair out over time.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil (conditions); Kiwi extract (antioxidant)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Works well across hair types; Contains antioxidants to help protect hair from UV exposure
What I Don't: Formula sometimes comes out thick in the spray bottle
Review for MC: "I love a spray for my hair, because it literally could not be easier to use. This spray is no different, and I love spritzing it from my roots to ends for some detangling and hydrating power. I use it on my wavy hair and my boyfriend uses it on his curly hair, and it instantly adds shine, definition, and frizz control on both our hair types." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Catharine Malzahn testing Briogeo's Superfoods Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture 3-in-1 Leave-In Spray.
Drugstore formulas should never be ignored. Case in point: L'Oréal Paris' leave-in serum that's a go-to for Giannetos. He loves that it "helps control frizz and static" thanks to ingredients like castor oil and keratin. "If you plan on styling with a curler or hair straightener after letting the hair air dry, you’ll be covered with a heat protectant," Giannetos adds.
Key Ingredients: Castor oil (moisturizes); Vegetal keratin (strengthens)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Treats static; Can be used on damp or dry hair
What I Don't: Can leave hair feeling sticky
Customer Review: "I’ve had two people unprompted tell me my hair is very soft. I get it highlighted, and blow dry it every shower. Definitely adding it to the list of things I buy as soon as I run out." — Amazon
This under-$30 styling mousse from Kenra remains a celebrity hairstylist favorite—it's featured in nearly every kit, both backstage and on set. If you have natural waves, this mousse will define them but won't make them crunchy, thanks to its firm hold but lightweight feel in your hair. It’s great for adding fullness to the hair and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees. The formula is also designed not to flake off or leave build-up behind.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein (strengthens)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Pleasant smell; Pro-approved; Gives hold to hair
What I Don't: Adds minimal volume
Customer Review: "Always use after shampooing and drying my hair until it's damp. Works great adding the volume I need for my fine hair. Will keep purchasing it." — Ulta
Odele's bargain buy performs just as well as many of its luxe counterparts, and is approved by Beauty Director Hannah Baxter. Formulated specifically for air drying your hair, this lightweight gel provides the separation and soft finish. The formula is both sulfate-free and paraben-free, has a 100 percent natural scent, and is cruelty-free to boot.
Key Ingredients: Amaranthus caudatus seed extract (moisturizes); Hydrolyzed rice protein (strengthens)
Hair Type: Straight, wavy, and curly hair that's fine to medium
What I Love: Affordable; A little goes a long way
What I Don't: Not ideal for short hair
Customer Review: "This product is what have always been looking for. I never use heat to style my hair but have found leave in products really weigh my hair down. I have shoulder length thick wavy hair and this really gives me the volume and body I am looking for!" — Odele
Moroccanoil's styling cream is infused with ingredients that fight both frizz and static. This leave-in version is ideal for dry and brittle hair because it restores natural elasticity and bounce, while hydrating and conditioning. Argan oil adds shine without weighing down your hair and reviewers say it doesn’t leave behind a film and easily detangles strands.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil (smooths)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Pleasant smell; Great for maintaining curls
What I Don't: Adds minimal shine; Bottle is cumbersome to use
Customer Review: "Great for curls. I've recently been trying heatless curls and this does the trick for the frizz!! amazing and light weight. Not greasy." — Sephora
A thick custard from Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair brand Pattern, this bestselling cream provides medium hold and moisture to your coily strands. The oil-rich formula includes shea butter, sweet almond oil, and cacao oil to prevent breakage. While the formula might initially feel heavy, my hair soaks it up for a lightweight dry down.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter (moisturizing); Cacay oil (nourishing); Sweet almond oil (hydrating)
Hair Type: Curly; Coily
What I Love: Fights breakage; Designed for curly and coily hair; Provides definition
What I Don't: Some reviewers found the smell to be too strong.
Customer Review: "I am very impressed with this styling cream! It gave me great definition and eliminated frizz without making my hair hard, or dry. It also has the ability to slick my hair back, which can be a difficult thing to do on very coily and springy type 4 hair. I fully expected that my hair would be weighed down but somehow it remained light and fluffy." — Ulta
Brittle, dry hair that needs a little extra love will hugely benefit from this fortifying hair serum. Because it absorbs so quickly, it won't leave your hair feeling or looking greasy. Focus on applying it to the middle to ends for best results.
Key Ingredients: Curative blend of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, and plant-based protein (strengthens); Hyaluronic acid (hydrates); Cotton seed extract (prevents breakage)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Doesn't leave any greasiness; Strengthens hair; Lightweight
What I Don't: Pricey
Review for MC: "I have color-treated hair that gets brittle and dry but oily at the roots, so I need something that’s going to make it look healthy while not weighing it down. This does just that. I have hair that sits right below my chin, so I apply a dime-sized amount and spread it through the lower half of my hair first before applying the very last bits to my roots and bangs. It’s designed to prevent breakage and damage, and my hair has never looked better." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Add some texture to your waves with this spray from Ouai, celebrity stylist Jen Atkin's haircare brand. It'll leave your strands looking beachy, textured, and just like you got back from a summer day at the ocean (a dream!). You can also expect more defined waves thanks to its light hold.
Key Ingredients: Panthenol (moisturizes); hydrolyzed rice protein (strengthens)
Hair Type: All, especially wavy
What I Love: Volumizing; Texturizing; Revives curls
What I Don't: Can add stickiness to hair
Review for MC: “I don't air-dry my hair often, but on days when I'm sprinting out the door, I use Ouai's Wave Spray. My hair dries naturally pretty straight with only slight waves, but after a few spritz of this, my hair actually has those sexy beachy waves we all know and love. I will say this spray does leave a little bit of stickiness, but I don't mind because my thin, limp hair needs all of the hold it can get.” —Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Use this priming spray when you get out of the shower to take your hair from good to great. It detangles, protects against frizz, provides heat protection, and gives you a fresh boost of shine. Reviewers also love it because the airy formula disappears into the air without leaving residue or tackiness behind. “I’ve had this used in my hair whenever I go to the IGK salon and I swear it’s the secret behind that fresh-from-the-salon look,” confirms E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla.
Key Ingredients: Spirulina protein (strengthening); Coconut oil (shine-enhancing)
Hair Type: All
What I Love: Detangles; Adds shine; provides heat protection; Fights frizz
What I Don't: Some reviewers feel it weighs down fine hair
Customer Review: “Love this spray! I tend to spray it in my hands and then rake it through damp hair. It's done wonders on making my hair so much more soft. Also works great for detangling and heat protection. I love the scent, and it leaves no residue in my hair, you really don't feel like there's any product in at all. Definitely will be repurchasing.” — Sephora
Dry, curly hair will drink up this lotion that does double duty as both a leave-in and a styler. It leaves curls looking defined, less frizzy, never crunchy, and nicely hydrated courtesy of ingredients like safflower oil and olive fruit oil. The best part? The well-priced formula makes it accessible to everyone.
Key Ingredients: Safflower oil (moisturizes); Olive fruit oil (strengthens)
Hair Type: Curly
What I Love: Editor-approved; Improves curls' manageability; Affordable
What I Don't: Some reviewers said it weighs down fine hair
Review for MC: "I swear by this stuff, and have for years. Although it’s marketed as a leave-in, this hair lotion also works for me as a styler, defining my curls and diminishing frizz immediately with each use. It also strikes a few delicate balances that few hair products manage to successfully do: It’s creamy but not so heavy that it weighs down my curls, and has impressive hold but doesn’t make my curls feel crunchy or inflexible. I’ve tried dozens of other, higher-end products before, but this affordable option will always have a special place in my heart. Plus, Miss Jessie’s is a cruelty-free, Black-owned brand to boot!" — Gabrielle Ulubay, Former E-Commerce Writer
How Do I Air Dry My Hair?
Air drying has pros and cons. The major pros are that "letting your hair air dry could potentially help avoid damage from heat and help preserve hair color," says Giannetos. However, there is a wrong way to do it, which can result in some damage and extra frizz. "If you are planning to let your hair air dry, please just avoid going to sleep with wet hair," he adds.
For best results and to keep your hair healthy, use a microfiber towel to remove as much water from the hair as possible after showering, says Giannetos. Then, use a styling cream and/or detangling spray if needed.
If you're worried about heat damage but still want to speed up the air drying process, Giannetos recommends "blow drying your hair on a low heat setting and using a diffuser."
How Do I Keep MyHair From Getting Frizzy When Air Drying?
Frizz happens. Specifically, it happens when your hair is dry and the climate is humid, so your strands start pulling moisture from the air around it. The most obvious solution is to keep your hair hydrated. "To prevent the hair from becoming frizzy when air drying, shampoo and condition with a hydrating formula," advises Giannetos. "Then, when it’s time to let your hair dry, make sure you use the right products on your damp hair to help it dry nicely."
How Do I Use Air Dry Products for My Hair Type?
Slapping any old product on your ends isn’t going to get the job done—there’s a technique. “You need to take as much of the excess moisture out of the hair with a towel,” advises Reed. “Comb through the hair with product and leave the comb tracks in place—don’t disrupt them until the hair is almost dry. Then gently manipulate and open up the hair. The longer you can leave the hair without touching it, the less frizz you’ll have. If you touch it, it gets fluffy and doesn’t maintain that nice, air-dry finish.”
Yu'll have to experiment to find out what kind of air dry product works best on your hair type. “Generally, thicker hair with more curls will require heavier moisture to stay hydrated," says celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed. "Something like a cream could be a good place to start. Finer hair will need much more lightweight hydration.”
He also suggests using less product at the start so your hair doesn’t weigh down. If frizz starts to creep up, consider adding a drop of oil for added hydration.
How Much Product Should I Apply?
While the exact answer to the “how much product” question has more to do with your specific hair type and texture than anything else, celebrity stylist Glenn Ellis suggests "starting with a dime-size amount if you have fine hair and a quarter-sized amount for thicker hair. You want it to be enough to work through all of the hair, but not too much that it weighs down your strands. You can always add a bit more if neede,d but start off with less and add where needed, he explains.
What Do Air Dry Products Do?
Air drying your hair is the perfect no-fuss way to look good straight out of the shower. "Air dry products coat the hair and help keep the frizz to a minimum,” says Ellis. “They also add shine and nourishment to the hair without leaving a crunchiness or heaviness feeling to the hair."
Does How I Wash My Hair Affect How it Air Dries?
The short answer is yes. Before you think about air-drying your hair, you’ll want to find the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair type to really set yourself up for success. Shampoos and conditioners that weigh your hair down or make it too greasy cannot be remedied by adding in more products, no matter how good they are.
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Meet the Experts
Adam started working in 1995 and has since gained international recognition in the hair industry. He has launched four salons, styled stars and collaborated on a range of fashion week events and runway shows. In his journey, Adam has always been open about his own mental health. In demand for both editorial and session work, he heads up shows and campaigns for the likes of Mathew Williamson, Julien McDonald and House of Holland and has work featured in British & American Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Grazia, Tank W, Esquire and Nylon magazines. He is also a Global Ambassador for both L’Oréal Professionnel, GHD and the Green Salon Collective.
Originally from Southern California, hairstylist Glenn Ellis is praised for his ability to adapt to different hair types and textures. Glenn is just as skilled at taming the most rebellious curls as he is at creating voluminous manes out of lifeless hair. Glenn’s talent and versatility has garnered the attention of the film, fashion, television, and music industries. He has earned accolades within the hairstyling community for his work featured in CR Fashion Book, Vogue, and Nylon Magazine, and he has had the privilege of working with renowned personalities, including Olivia Wilde, Tinx, Sara Paulson, Meg Ryan, Jane Fonda, Sienna Miller, and Sia.
Franck Izquierdo’s blend of masterful cutting skills, avant-garde vision and savior-faire has made him the go-to stylist for celebrities across the globe. His grandfather, who owned a salon in Paris, mentored Franck in finding his own style at a very young age. He later developed his techniques in Paris and London at the most prestigious salons, including Toni & Guy on Faubourg St Honore where he served as part owner and international creative director. Today he co-runs the Miami-based IGK Salon in Miami’s Design District with his brother Leo. His expertise lies in working with geometry of the hair, the symmetry of the layers that complement the client's face shape and the natural fall of the style
Dimitris Giannetos is one of today’s most influential and sought after hair experts, known for his unmatched talent as both a hair stylist and colorist. His natural ability to create flawless, trendsetting looks has earned him a reputation as a trusted consultant to some of the world’s most notable figures. Growing up in a small town in Thessaloniki, Greece, Dimitris knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career as a hairstylist. He has also worked backstage at fashion shows in New York, Milan and Paris and his work has been featured on the covers of top publications such as Vogue, ELLE, InStyle and more. Today, his clients include: Amal & George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan, Megan Fox, Candice Swanepoel, Camila Cabello, Gigi Hadid, Joey King, Demi Moore and more. With his passion, technical expertise, and charisma, Dimitris Giannetos continues to set industry trends, making him a true force in the world of beauty.
