Proper way to air dry hair.

Kinky4Agirl · Dec 20, 2012

Good morning ladies, (BHF's)

How do you air dry your hair? I usually flatiron after washing and DC. Alot of you air dry. I did it once and I didn't like the way my hair looked on the ends afterwards. Is there a proper way to air dry? Do you put anything on your hair or do you just comb it down and let the air do its thing? Please share how you do this cuz I really want to start air drying.

Evolving78 · Dec 20, 2012

the ends! what has been working for me is using One and Only Argan Oil, or Chi Silk Infusion. also smoothing your hair down, including your ends throughout the drying process helps too.

i tee-shirt dry my hair. i apply my leave-ins (CON Argan Oil leave-in spray, Cantu leave-in, and my serum of choice) i finger detangle my hair first. sometimes i may go over it with a wide toothed comb. once my hair is detangled, i put my scarf on to lay down my crown and edges. i smooth the back down of my hair length. if i need to add a little more serum, i do it or just my leave-in spray.

Kinky4Agirl · Dec 20, 2012

@shortdub78, so you just leave your hair hanging that is out of the scarf? How long does it take to air dry?

bride91501 · Dec 20, 2012

I've recently started using the L-O-C method (liquid-oil-moisturizer), which I absolutely LOVE. But I used this same process when I was moisturizing and sealing traditionally.

I t-shirt dry my hair and apply a mix of castor oil and hair grease (my winter oil blend) while my hair is still damp. I've learned to wait until its about 60% dry before I apply a moisturizer on top of that (shea moisture restorative condish or taliah waajid mist bodifier). Then I put my hair in about 8-10 braids or twists to air dry. Sometomes, I'll go back and apply a wee bit of sealant to the ends of each braid/twist.

I've always air dried, since the beginning of my journey 2.5 years ago, and have never had any issues. I also airdry all 3 of my daughters hair too using this same method, with no issues. We're all type 4s.

ETA: If our hair is loose, that typically means we've already detangled our hair (after a shampoo and DC), since we're all mainly in PSs most of the time.

HTH

Kinky4Agirl · Dec 20, 2012

Thanks Bride.. You and Shortdub said the same thing about T-shirt drying. What does that mean? I would tell you what I think it means but I don't want to sound like an idiot.

lamaria211 · Dec 20, 2012

I wrap my hair in a receiving blanket for about 10min, add my leave ins (they vary) seal with oil (either EVOO, EVOCO, GSO, Gleau or Walnut oil) put my hair in a bun with my ends tucked into my hair. Then when my hair is almost dry I use my Elasta QP mango butter and seal with one of my oil mixes (macadamia natural healing oil, CON Argan oil, CON Argan oil polisher or Organix hydrating macadamia oil) then its back in a bun

I haven't dried my hair using heat in 3 years

bride91501 · Dec 20, 2012

Kinky4Agirl said:
Thanks Bride.. You and Shortdub said the same thing about T-shirt drying. What does that mean? I would tell you what I think it means but I don't want to sound like an idiot.

lol...girl, I can't count the # of silly questions I've asked since joining. No worries

It just means drying your hair with a t-shirt instead of a towel. It helps to cut down on frizz, and is a better way of drying your hair quickly, since the t-shirt soaks up the water faster.

Kinky4Agirl · Dec 20, 2012

lamaria211, how do you stop your ends from becoming curly. You tuck your ends in your hair. Don't your ends come out with a bend in them?

truequeen06 · Dec 20, 2012

I like to air dry before flat ironing. After I wash and condition, I detangle and put my hair into about 6 braids and let it air dry over night.

ETA: I dry my hair off with a tshirt as well before detangling.

Kinky4Agirl · Dec 20, 2012

bride91501 said:
lol...girl, I can't count the # of silly questions I've asked since joining. No worries

It just means drying your hair with a t-shirt instead of a towel. It helps to cut down on frizz, and is a better way of drying your hair quickly, since the t-shirt soaks up the water faster.

Oh Dang, I didn't know this.. Welp, hubby get ready, I have a few T-shirts to borrow... lol :lol:

Evolving78 · Dec 20, 2012

Kinky4Agirl said:
@shortdub78, so you just leave your hair hanging that is out of the scarf? How long does it take to air dry?

from the time it takes me to detangle to air dry about hour to 2 1/2 hours

Nix08 · Dec 20, 2012

I believe you almost train your hair to airdry so even if the first few times it doesn't come out right - keep at it :yep:

My hair takes about 2 hours to dry...and my airdry system has evolved from using the t-shirt method, to then using a satin head band on the hairline to keep my hair smooth to now where I don't use anything. I apply my leave in's (recently started using the LOCO method) and finger detangle as my hair is drying. Being sure to smooth my hair with my hands as it's drying. It's a mindless activity that I do as I do chores or anything really.

ETA: I do use a microfiber towel that I just wrap and squeeze my hair with (by way of drying).

Whimsy · Dec 20, 2012

I put moisturizer on and let my hair dry in a few braids or twists.

baddison · Dec 20, 2012

I detangle, moisturize, and then seal the hair in sections. Afterwards, it all goes into a nice bun, with ends securely tucked away. Tie down with a silk scarf 'til the next day. I am currenly PS'ing my way to BSL, so buns are 99% of the way I wear my hair daily. Airdrying in buns is simply a 'no-brainer' for me.

freckledface · Dec 20, 2012

I've found that keeping my hair in braids, twist, a few ponytails (if I'm stretching) whatever to strecth my hair works best. I'm still trying diffrent things out myself. I agree with Nix08 my hair used to be a fro now it comes out smooth hth good luck girly

spellinto · Dec 20, 2012

Kinky4Agirl said:
Good morning ladies, (BHF's)

How do you air dry your hair? I usually flatiron after washing and DC. Alot of you air dry. I did it once and I didn't like the way my hair looked on the ends afterwards. Is there a proper way to air dry? Do you put anything on your hair or do you just comb it down and let the air do its thing? Please share how you do this cuz I really want to start air drying.

Kinky4Agirl: To air dry, I detangle my hair and let it air dry hanging down. To prevent my ends from looking frizzy, I moisturize & seal them and LOOSELY pin them up under my scarf (like you're going to bed) making sure they lie flat, so when I take them down, they are nice and smooth...or you could LOOSELY tuck them into a bun (but I avoid this because my hair can retangle while damp in buns). If you chose to pin them on the top of your head and under a scarf, make sure you use a clip that won't leave a dent on your ends. HTH!

itismehmmkay · Dec 20, 2012

In rollers. Here's it's pre-sectioned if I decide to flatiron and I make sure the ends are smooth before rolling.

Nonie · Dec 20, 2012

I airdry in braids if I plan to wear my hair out. I usually do it w/o product.

This is my hair as it is after a wash (I do wash in braids):

To airdry, I will redo the braids a little more firmly and that gets me stretched out hair that is easier to twist (you can see the twists I've done to the right and a braid like that I used to stretch the middle part to the left) :

I find my hair stretches better if I do it w/o products. If you braided the ends of the single pliats together, you would be able to stretch the ends too.

SummerSolstice · Dec 20, 2012

I have never done it with braids or twists. I have only done this with rollers. I find it fascinating that some ladies in the 4s can air dry and get their hair straight afterwards. mine is never as straight as it is when i blow dry. I will have to try this... but later because i'm back on no heat for the next year again

itismehmmkay · Dec 21, 2012

^^^SummerSolstice Did you do no-heat all year? I might join yall

JeterCrazed · Dec 21, 2012

I think it's important I part the hair instead of one big pony tail. It's a breeding ground for fungus when the scalp doesn't dry quickly. Part at least in 4 and leave uncovered at least until the scalp dries.

Iluvsmuhgrass · Dec 21, 2012

What I've been doing the last few months is adding product while my hair is still damp is flat twisting my edges and sectioning the rest into six sections. I twist or plait those sections, put them in a bantu knot, and secure with ouchless bands. When I'm done, it looks like this.

It comes out very soft and shiny. I had to experiment to find what worked for me. :yep:

And if I want to wear a bun, I just slick back while wet and tie it down. It's not hard once you get the hang of it. :yep:

empressri · Dec 21, 2012

Well if I'm going to flatiron my hair, I apply my leave ins and then let my hair dry in big twists. I used to do braids but found that braids take longer to dry.

ronie · Dec 21, 2012

Now I know why I got such horrible ends from airdrying. I used to apply leave in on wet hair, not damp. Then just let my hair airdry either loose or in braids then apply oil. Maybe I will give it another chance with better techniques but blow drying on cool air is working well for me now; so as I was told don't fix it if it ain't broke. Thanks for the tips ladies.

getoffmylawn · Dec 21, 2012

I just run some conditioner through it, comb and let it dry out -unbanded

Proper way to air dry hair.

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Relaxed, 4B

Well-Known Member

natural for good

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Similar threads