How I “Air Dry” My Relaxed Hair

After several requests from posting the results, I finally recorded, edited and UPLOADED my process for how to air dry relaxed hair.  Let’s just say this was the third attempt – the first time something was on the lens of the camera so the resulting video was blurry.  The second time was in the midst of my extremely broken out face from the Hair, Nail & Skin vitamins I was taking and although I am not normally so self-conscious my bare face throughout the entire video made me feel super over-exposed.  Call me vain, but I needed at least a tinted moisturizer!  Finally – as they say – the third time was the charm!  I think the video pretty much explains it all but I’ll detail my steps for those who prefer reading over watching hair tutorials.  The reason air dry is in quotations is because I’ve been referring to this as air dried hair simply because it isn’t blow dried.  But technically it isn’t air dried because I use indirect heat to dry it and I do not manipulate it the way you would if you were to blow dry your hair, so it is still very healthy for the hair.  And with my fabulous dryer (info posted at the bottom of post) my hair dries in about 20 minutes or less!

Showing the difference between naked air dried hair versus using a serum

How to Air Dry Relaxed Hair – Using Indirect Heat

1. Begin with clean hair (shampooed or co-washed)
2. I like to apply at the very least a bit of leave in conditioner to the ends of my hair for slip, moisture and protection.
3. Using a seamless wide tooth comb, detangle your hair starting from the ends and working your way upwards.
4. If your hair is shoulder length or longer, clip your detangled length to the top of your head.
5. Tie a silk/satin strip (or a folded scarf) around the edges of your hair to help them to lie flat.  You completed step four so your length won’t be in the way of placing or tying the scarf.
6. Comb your hair straight down
7. Sit under your hooded dryer.  Mine is so powerful (I know you are probably thinking enough raving about this dang dryer already!) that it only takes me 20 minutes TOTAL to dry.  First I sit with my hair straight down, then I clip the ends of my hair up so the length dries, and finally I separate my hair with my fingers to allow the middle to dry.
8. Remove the satin strip to allow the edges of your hair to dry; Normally I am okay with them being slightly damp.
9. Add a bit more leave in conditioner.
10. You can stop at this step, but for extra smoothness, I like to use my blow dryer on the cool setting with my wide tooth seamless comb for about 2-3 minutes.  It flattens the hair, closes the cuticles and gives it that final smoothing touch.  If silky hair is a must, add a serum before this step.

 Hopefully you found this helpful, my apologies for taking so long to get it to you!