I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on.

I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on.

      With over five years of experience in the beauty industry, I take pride in the knowledge I've gained about hair, nails, makeup, and skincare. If there's a beauty topic, I’ve likely explored it. I've dedicated countless hours to interviewing industry professionals and learning about new product launches. However, before my career, I had limited familiarity with certain subjects—one of which was heat tools. Throughout my preteen years and into college, I consistently straightened my curly hair. Still, apart from salon visits, I avoided using heat and always allowed my hair to air-dry. Thus, I was genuinely amazed to discover that a diffuser could dry my curls without disrupting my natural texture.

      In my early twenties, I chose to abandon straightening my hair entirely, though I still minimized my heat usage. To be honest, after years of causing damage, I now only use a diffuser during my curly haircuts. Outside of those occasions, I rely on air-drying, making it essential to use the right products for optimal results. While I have my personal favorites, I was also interested in hearing which products top hairstylists recommend. Want to find out their thoughts? Read on for their insights.

      **Best Mousse: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam Curl Enhancer**

      If you're looking for an affordable styling product that enhances hair, consider this option from The Doux. Celebrity hairstylist Kee Taylor says, "The Def Texture Foam is an excellent styling step for added definition and hold, particularly for waves, curls, and coils. It enhances natural texture, provides lightweight volume, and creates soft, touchable definition without leaving hair stiff or crunchy."

      **Pros:** Provides hold, lightweight, leaves hair soft

      **Cons:** May not hold well for very coarse or textured hair when used alone

      **Formula:** Styling foam

      **Key ingredients:** Silk protein, aloe vera, hydrolyzed wheat protein

      **Size:** 7 oz.

      **Customer review:** "I appreciate the pump design as it's more eco-friendly than compressed options. It smells great, offers gentle hold on wet hair, and medium hold on damp hair. I have thin, wavy-to-curly shoulder-length hair, and this lasts a couple of days and brushes out nicely."

      **Best Gel: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Curl Gel Crème**

      I've been using this gel for a month, and I'm fond of its scent and texture. It keeps my curls looking defined and shiny throughout the day, thanks to ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, and cacay oil. I typically break the cast with a mist or oil like OGX's Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco.

      **Pros:** Defines curls, long-lasting hold, reduces frizz

      **Cons:** Requires oil to break the cast

      **Formula:** Gel

      **Key ingredients:** Aloe vera, coconut oil, cacay oil

      **Size:** 9.8 oz.

      **Customer review:** "This curl gel is amazing! It's perfect for slicking back hair and preventing flyaways all day. I love using it on both wet and dry hair to achieve bouncy curls that stay together without feeling crunchy."

      **Best Spray: R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray**

      Though on the pricier side, this product is worth it. "R+Co's Rockaway leave-in salt spray is fantastic for activating curls and waves, and it adds texture and body to fine, straight, or limp hair—like the texture and body you'd get from the ocean," states hairstylist Jackson Simmonds. "Just tousle it into towel-dried hair and leave it be."

      **Pros:** Adds texture and volume

      **Cons:** Not suited for dry hair

      **Formula:** Salt spray

      **Key ingredients:** Vitamin C, geranium extract, sage leaf extract

      **Size:** 4.2 oz.

      **Customer review:** "This is my new favorite salt spray! It smells wonderful and doesn't leave my hair feeling crunchy or dry. It provides just the right amount of texture."

      **Best Anti-Frizz Cream: Ouai Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Cream**

      This recommendation comes from senior beauty editor Jamie Chevron, who incorporates this styling cream into her routine every washday. It's particularly effective for straight and wavy hair, thanks to key ingredients like upcycled jackfruit, beetroot extract, and plant-based polymer. The results? Smooth strands, protection against humidity, and enhanced shine.

      **Pros:** Smooths frizz, boosts shine, non-greasy

      **Cons:** Thicker hair may require more product

      **Formula:** Styling cream

      **Key ingredients:** Upcycled jackfruit, beetroot extract, plant-based polymer

      **Size:** 6 oz.

      **Customer review:** "I love this for taming my frizzy type 2A/B hair. My hair is fine, so a lot of creams weigh it down, but this one doesn't!"

I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on. I’ve been allowing my hair to air-dry for more than ten years—check out the expert-recommended products I rely on.

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