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You know the facts. Too much blow-drying can damage your hair, resulting in listless locks and sad split ends. But when time isn't a luxury you have, a blow-dryer is the difference between leaving the house looking like a drowned rat or looking polished and ready for anything. Learn some no blow-dry styles and save your hair from a lifetime of looking frazzled.
Tousled Waves
Sexy waves are perfect for a hot summer day, and skipping the blow-dryer helps prevent excess sweating. Massage a quarter-size portion of sculpting mousse into wet strands from root to tip. Part hair into at least five sections, then braid each section. Twist each braid into a bun and secure with a hair elastic. Mist roots with volumizing spray and wait at least 10 minutes to give your hair a chance to set. Let your braided buns loose and finish by finger-combing your hair with a pea-size amount of texturizer.
Side Braid
If you have the time, wash your hair a few hours before you have to leave the house to give it time to air dry. Run a straightening cream or balm through damp strands and let it air dry. Once it's almost completely dry, pull hair to one side and braid it loosely. If your hair is too wet, it can look tight and awkward; waiting until hair it mostly dry to braid means your 'do looks less severe. Try a regular braid, a French braid or a fishtail braid, depending on your braiding skill level.
Ballerina Bun
A ballerina bun looks chic and helps keep you cool on a hot day. Starting with wet hair means that your bun dries sleek and sexy, so you don't have to worry about fuzziness caused by your blow-dryer. Smooth anti-frizz cream through damp strands and comb through to help the product distribute evenly. Leave 30 minutes or so to allow your hair to begin the drying process, then brush your hair back into a sleek, high pony, securing with a hair elastic. Twist the lengths of your hair around the base of your pony and secure with bobby pins. Mist with hair spray and tease the bottom of the bun to keep it from looking too perfect.
Overnight Chic
Washing your hair at night saves hours in the morning, but blow-drying before bed can make you cranky and sweaty. Skip the blow-dry and sleep on wet hair for a sexy style when you wake up. Run styling product through your strands before styling. The next step is up to you -- braid your hair into four or five sections for small waves in the morning, or in one or two braids for larger waves. Pull your hair into one or two buns and secure for a messy bedhead look the next day. When you wake up, take your hair down and run pomade or texturizer through your strands, and you're ready to face the day.
