Best Hair Drying Products for Natural Air Drying | [Year]

Edward Berthelot

You know when it's so steamy outside that a cold shower is the only solution? Yeah, me too. And there's nothing worse than having to blast your head with a blow dryer's hot, dehydrating air. That's usually about the time we decide to let our hair dry all on its own in its natural glory. But this works out for some better than others: some curly girls love the look of their natural spirals, while others might need a diffuser to get their coils just how they like them. And for those with fine hair, air drying can cause their strands to loose all volume and lay flat on their heads.. But don't fret—there are always new developments in the hair landscape. Whether you have a vendetta against air drying or you just haven't tried it, we're here to persuade you to ditch the dryer with the help of some new products.

It all comes down to finding the right formula to enhance your natural texture, whether you've got stick-straight strands or 4C curls. That might mean an airy lightweight foam that adds volume and a touch of hold, or a heavy-duty cream to keep those curls in place while they dry. That's why we've rounded up the best mousses, gels, foams, and creams for an absolutely effortless style, heat be damned. Here, the absolute best air dry products for every texture, no matter what kind of weather gets thrown at you.

The Fine Hair Fix Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse Bumble and Bumble bumbleandbumble.com $32.00

If you've had some hair loss recently, you might be craving a voluminous boost to make your scalp look lush. Enter this air-light mousse, which will pump up strands and soften them for a natural but bouncy look on the go. 

The Wave Awakener Kenra Professional Volume Mousse Extra 17 Kenra Professional ulta.com $18.00

 This remains a hairstylist favorite—it's in nearly every kit backstage and on set. If you've got natural waves, this mousse will define them with a touch of hold but won't make them crunchy. 

The Budget Beautifyer Air Dry Styler Odele target.com $11.99

This drugstore fave performs as well as any of its luxe counterparts. Formulated specifically for air drying, this cream provides the separation and soft finish that makes air drying alluring.

Phomollient Styling Foam Aveda nordstrom.com $23.00

For fine to medium hair that wilts under the weight of most leave-in products, meet your airy new BFF. The foam formula is so light you won't notice any crunch left behind—just soft strands.

The Double-Duty Curl Reviver Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler Living Proof sephora.com $13.00

Consider this in-shower styler the ultimate hair multitasker. Designed for women with textured hair, it enhances the definition of curls, while also adding body and shine for a seriously voluminous effect. 

The Smoother Bb. Don’t Blow It Fine (H)air Styler Bumble and bumble sephora.com $31.00

If your hair is prone to frizz, this styling cream is great for achieving a no-fuss look. When applied after the shower, it smoothes down flyaways in seconds and has a sleek finish.

For Frizz Fructis Style Smooth Air Dry Anti-Frizz Cream Garnier amazon.com $3.49

If the summer heat creates a frizz halo around your part, this creamy, dreamy formula will help hydrate the hair and help your curls stay coiled.

To Get Out the Door Fast No More Blow High Speed Air Dry Spray IGK amazon.com $29.00

Late for dinner with your friends? Will they disown you if show up last one more time? The Advanced Flash Cooling Technology and  invisible starches in this spray absorb moisture so your strands dry more quickly. 

For Natural Waves Air Dry Spray Rahua dermstore.com $32.00

The slippery elm and sugar in this rainforest-born formula help enhance your natural waves, while ale hydrates and antioxidant hibiscus protexts against UV damage.  

The Hardworking Hair Water The One Signature Hair Water Kristin Ess target.com $10.00

This isn't just a tall glass of water. Kristin Ess' hair water comes out in a super-fine, consistent mist for even application. It also has a proprietary strengthening complex with castor oil to smooth the appearance of damaged hair cuticles and protect your locks from environmental stressors.

The Cult Favorite Hair Oil Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil Oribe bloomingdales.com $56.00

Dubbed liquid gold (and rightfully so), this hair oil is infused with extracts like sandalwood, jasmine, and edelweiss flower, which work to deeply condition and repair damaged and brittle strands.

The Weightless Foam Air Dry Foam OUAI ulta.com $28.00

Looking for the perfect beach-day hair? Best for wavy and curly-haired girls, the Ouai Air Dry Foam helps achieve that natural, tousled, and textured vibe. It refines the curl pattern and tones down frizz. Don't worry, you won't feel any crunchiness.

The Quick-Dry Cream NBD Just Right Cream Redken eskinstore.com $20.00

This cream is made of quick dry polymers and flex polymers, which cut your hair's drying time in half, while enhancing your natural texture to leave you with movement without the crunch. 

The Shine-Booster High Dive Moisture Shine Creme R+Co dermstore.com $29.00

R+Co's hair styling cream doubles as a leave-in conditioner for long-lasting nourishment if your hair is feeling dry. It smooths and shines flyaways to leave your hair looking softer and healthier.

For Fine Hair Brilliant Gloss Multi-Tasker Perfecting Creme FEKKAI ulta.com $20.00

Dry, frizz-prone hair can use an extra boost of hydration to stay sleek, especially in the heat. This formula delivers some much needed moisture with olive and coconut-derived silicone alternatives, and boosts shine in a major way. 

The Refresher Hydrating Styling Cream Moroccanoil sephora.com $14.00

This is a styling cream infused with ingredients that fight frizz and static. This leave-in version is ideal for dry and brittle hair because it restores elasticity and bounce while hydrating and conditioning natural locks. 

The Volume-Booster Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Creme Joico ulta.com $20.50

Joico's line is perfect for locking in lasting shine and volume. It offers two lines—one for thin/normal hair and another for thick/full hair—but both have no sticky residue and minimize drying time when applied to damp hair.

The Antioxidant-Infused Cream Green Tea Fitness Air Dry Cream OGX amazon.com $7.99

Running from the gym to the office? No sweat. This green tea-infused cream leaves strands feeling healthy, looking naturally tousled and refreshed, all while keeping your hair hydrated and frizz-free.

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