What we will accomplish in this lesson:

This video lesson will teach you ways to include air drying into your exercise routine.

This technique is great for women who work out on a regular basis but are afraid of drying out their with frequent washing and heat styling.

Why it Works:

• Air drying helps you retain more moisture and elasticity in the hair
• It is often quicker, easier and cheaper than heat styling or weekly rollersets
• It is a great way to take a break from heat styling, especially during the summer
• It requires less tools - no need to lug around a blowdryer and flat iron
• It exposes your hair consistently to water and conditioner, which helps restore life and vitality to the hair.

During the summer, this is the only way I roll!

Tools:

• A Cheap Conditioner (Vo5, Tresemme, Pantene, etc.) or Non-Sulfate Shampoo or Cleansing Cream
• A conditioner
• A Wide Tooth comb or Denman Brush or boar bristle brush
  
• Leave-in Conditioner
• Oil

Steps:

1. Apply an oil or conditioner the hair as you work out.
2. Rinse hair thoroughly for 3-5 minutes and apply a non-sulfate shampoo, a cleansing cream or conditioner to the roots.
3. Massage into the scalp and rinse thoroughly.
4. Apply a second conditioner to the hair, concentrating on the length and ends. Allow to penetrate for 5 minutes.
5. For best results, hop out of shower and sit under a dryer for 20 minutes.
6. Rinse with cool water and immediately apply a leave-in conditioner. This will lock in moisture and prevent frizz.
7. Lightly pat dry with a microfiber towel or tee shirt. Do not towel dry.
8. Apply a second leave-in and detangle.
9. Apply a dime size amount of oil to the hair in large section, focusing on length and ends.
10. Proceed to braid, twist, bantu knot or bun the hair and allow to dry.

No Heat Styling Options

Basic Bun (aka Bantu Bun)

Instructions:

1. After applying leave-ins and oil, gently comb hair back and use a boar bristle brush to smooth.
2. Form a bun and then tie hair down with a silk or satin scarf.
3. Allow hair to dry and then continue to wear in a bun or use steam rollers to create a curly style

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course)


Double Bun (aka Beach Bunny)

Instructions:

1. After applying leave-ins and oil, make a center part and pin up one of the sections.
2. Take one of the sections and start twisting the hair to create a tight "coil"
3. Start twisting the coil in a circle to create a "donut" or bun
5. On the second lap around, start tucking the coil underneath the base of the bun
5. Keep doing so until the ends are completely tucked in
6. Use the same technique to create the second bun on the pinned up section.
7. Let dry and then unravel
8. To style, add steam rollers for more defined curls.

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course).


Bantu Knots (aka China Bumps)

1. After applying leave-ins, let the hair airdry for 1-2 hours or just until it is 80% dry. Make sure to expose the center and middle sections so the hair dries evenly.
2. Take a small section and start twisting to the left.
3. Twist until you reach the end and start wrapping the hair to the right, wrapping the newly formed coil underneath the base.
4. Keep wrapping the coils, stacking them on top of each other.
5. Keep doing so until the ends are completely tucked in.
6. Use the same technique for each section.
7. Let dry and then unravel. Make sure the hair is completely dry before unraveling.
8. To style, leave the curls as is or separate with your fingers for a full, softer look.

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course).


Pocahontas Braid Out Method

1. After applying leave-ins, let the hair airdry for 20-30 minutes
2. Create a center part.
3. Take one section and break it into three distinct parts.
4. Braid the hair tightly and secure the ends with satin roller.
5. Create an identical braid on the second section.
6. Smooth down any fly-aways and cover with a satin scarf or du rag.
7. Let dry and then unravel. Make sure the hair is completely dry before unraveling.
8. To style, wear down, up in a ponytail, bun or updo.

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course).


Single Braid Out Method

1. After applying leave-ins, let the hair airdry for 20-30 minutes
2. Create a center or side part.
3. Make a vertical section and then split that section into two horizontal sections.
4. Braid the horizontal section tightly and secure the ends with satin roller.
5. Braid the second horizontal section and secure with a roller. Section off an additional vertical section and follow the same steps.
6. Continue until the entire head is braided. Smooth down any fly-aways and cover with a satin scarf.
7. Let dry overnight and then unravel. Make sure the hair is completely dry before unraveling or the curls will drop and frizz.
8. To style, wear down, up in a ponytail, bun or updo.

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course).


French Braid Method (aka French Waves)

1. After applying leave-ins, let the hair airdry for 20-30 minutes.
2. Create a center part. Pin up one side of the hair with an elastic or butterfly clip.
3. Working from the front, break the hair into three distinct parts.
4. Begin braiding using the "over-hand" technique, demonstrated in the video.
5. Gather small diagonal sections of hair and work them into the braid.
6. Continue until the entire head is braided. Smooth ends around a roller or pin curl.
7. Let dry overnight and then unravel. Make sure the hair is completely dry before unraveling or the curls will drop and frizz.
8. To style, wear out or pin up into an up do.

For a video demonstration, check out this tutorial (a segment from our Air Drying Course).

Exercise Course Assignment 3 - Try one of these styles and see if they work for you!

comments powered by Disqus