The trending air-dried look has translated from the runways to the everyday, with seven out of 10 salon clients putting down the blow dryer in favor of an air-dried look most days. Whether your client is tight on time, on-the-go, taking a break from heat styling or just wants to achieve an effortless ‘it-girl’ look, the newest category of air dry stylers is key for ‘I woke up like this’ hair.
“It happens all the time,” says Matrix Artistic Director Robert Santana. “A client shows up 15 minutes late and for the rest of the day, you’re running behind. In this situation, I can apply an Air Dry BOHO cream after the haircut, twist and scrunch the hair, low dry and in no time, the client has a cool, textured finish she loves. And I’m back on schedule.”
Matrix Style Link Air Dry BOHO Creams are available in three different types to achieve defined curls, smooth strands or wild texture. Air Dry Twisted BOHO is perfect for defining and controlling curls of all types while Air Dry Chill BOHO smooths flyaways for a lightweight, controlled finish and Air Dry Wild BOHO creates modern texture for messy, undone looks.
“It might seem counterintuitive for a stylist to recommend a styling product that involves nothing more than an air-dry,”says Rodney Cutler, Redken Ambassador and owner of Cutler/Redken Salons. “As a stylist, it’s important for me to give a client a great cut and shape so that their hair can dry naturally, and this product is the perfect complement. It’s unrealistic to think that a customer will blow-dry her hair everyday for that fresh-out-of-the-salon look. Recommending an air-dry cream is a great alternative to suggest to clients so they can still achieve amazing style.”
Redken No Blow Dry gives a perfected air-dried finish thanks to Air-Tex Technology, which contains flexible polymers for control and movement as well as quick-dry polymers to speed up drying time. Airy Cream is ideal for fine hair, Just Right Cream for medium strands and Bossy Cream for coarse hair types.
Pro Tip
Instruct clients to apply their air-dry styling product to damp hair the night before for actual “I woke up like this” hair.
Bumble and bumble Don’t Blow It Thick (H)Air Styler reduces frizz, conditions and adds control to medium to thick hair types. It gives hard-to-manage hair a refined, air-dried look that lasts all day.
“Women are feeling more empowered to rock their natural texture. We’re seeing so many more curls, afros and natural waves in fashion and advertising,” says Andrew Fitzsimons, Alterna Haircare Brand Ambassador. “Air-dry stylers are ideal for anyone with a natural wave or some kind of bend to the hair, as they really help accentuate those features. People with pin-straight hair would likely only see an anti-frizz benefit, but for most hair types, air-dry stylers give you the contour, control and frizz control to help make the hair look fantastic.”
Alterna Bamboo Beach Breeze Dry Balm Air Dry Styler creates frizz-free, air-dried styles and works wonders on curly locks. The flexible hold formula helps define hair’s natural texture and curl pattern.
“Undone and carefree hair is really in style right now. What’s fueling this trend is the fact that people don’t want to spend a lot of time on their hair, but they still want to look interesting and like they at least tried,” says Michael Shaun Corby, Living Proof Global Creative Director. “We stylists style our clients less than one percent of the time. It’s our responsibility to make sure they get it right the rest of the time and that includes lazy hair, busy days and weekends.”
Living Proof PhD In-Shower Styler is a first-of-its-kind product with its innovative in-shower formula. Cationic resins bind to the hair and flex when dried, enhancing natural texture, while magnetic texturizers play up natural waves by building separation between strands.
Pureology Hydrate Air Dry Cream features Air Dry Technology, which combines soft and hard polymers to provide flexible, long-lasting hold without the heavy feel of typical cream stylers. Plus, Pureology’s exclusive AntiFadeComplex protects color-treated strands.