And for more heat-less hairstyles for the dog days of summer, check out these posts here:
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve thoroughly embraced the triple “L”s (otherwise known as #lazyladylife), or if it’s because stepping outside right now feels like walking into the world’s largest oven, but I’m super into wash-and-wear hair right now. Beach babe meets laid-back French girl chic, if you please. Loose waves that willfully bend whichever way they want, with textured ends that signify that I tried enough to care about my hair this morning but didn’t obsess over every stray strand.
Lurves it!
And ya know, it’s also an instant pick-me-up, too, because I swear, I stand up straighter and smile wider 🙂 when my hair is even just a little bit done. It makes me feel like a functional human being.
For this easy hairstyle, I used Oribe products again because right now “Or” is my “bae.”
See what I did there? (OK, that was pretty lame. I should not be allowed to say “bae” in public.)
Here’s how you can work those dog-days-of-summer breezes to your air drying advantage:
1. Prep with a repairing shampoo and conditioner to heal any damaged ends
I like shampoos and conditioners that don’t strip my color, and Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner do that while simultaneously adding moisture and shine.
2. Towel dry, then apply a lightweight, moisturizing styling balm from the mid-shaft to the ends
Here’s the thing about air drying: unless you’re one of the lucky people who steps out of the shower with perfect hair that automatically falls into place (my friend Christine has hair like this, and yes, I’ve been jealous for over two decades), you gotta work a little something-something into it. Ideally, it’s a styling balm that does a bit of everything — moisture, hold, a touch of smoothness, and hydration, of course! The goal is to tame that mane a little (but not too much).
Oribe Featherbalm does everything aforementioned, so your air-dried ‘do looks done but not overly worked.
Massage the balm into your hair, then gently drag it through your strands with your fingers to kinda comb everything it into place.
Next, part your hair, and then let it do its air-dry thing.
Or, if you have an extra minute (or bangs that are just plain cray, and you want/need to wrangle them into place), section off a chunk of hair in the crown, then twist and secure it with bobby pins.
Oh, and by the way, this wash-and-wear style also sets you up for tomorrow’s look. 🙂 Don’t you love being prepared?
Stay cool, chica!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Leave-ins are so key for me! I tend to do something pretty lightweight because my hair is fine (right now it’s Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow spray, which detangles too!).
I literally never blow dry my hair though because I’m lazy and not very good at it. If I’m being ambitious I’ll use one of those heated straightening brushes for a few seconds to get things smooth, but that’s been untouched for months…
Hi Chelsea,
This particular product by Oribe was made for fine hair, so you might like it. You would probably want to smell it first, though, since their products always have a scent. (I like it, it’s floral, but not cloying, and not overly girly.) That spray sounds fabulous, by the way. I’m always on the hunt for things that detangle.
This has been such a fun and wonderful series! Keep it going! I’m in love!!!
Thanks, Alison! I’m happy to hear the good feedback. 🙂
Just have to say, a) I feel like you’re really good with your hair… That braid you did the other day? Perfection. And I could never do it. b) Seriously? Your hair air dries that perfectly? Ugh, perfection again!! I’m peanut butter and jealous, girl!!!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you… And I have to say, I think you can totally do braids. Want to know the secret? (Besides having a touch of product in the strands?) Not looking in the mirror. Seriously! Look away, just concentrate on the movement of your hands, and your braids will turn out perfectly. Also — just stick with that first braid and resist the temptation to redo it. The first one is always the best, go figure!
Hi Karen,
What are you wearing on your lips? I love that color and would love to know what product it is. Suggestion – I often find myself looking at your pretty pictures and wondering what products you’re using, if you can post these product descriptions along with your pretty pics, that would be awesome. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Ailene
Hi Ailene,
It’s Nudestix Gel COlor Lip + Cheek Balm in Ally!
I can’t be bothered to style my hair in the heat either. Or even to wear it down, it is just so hot I need it off my neck!
Thank goodness for ponytails and buns, right?
Another fab look! This is a great series with awesome ideas for the hot, humid weather! I always have to blow dry my bangs and crown. Too limp and cowlicky, otherwise. 🙁
Thanks, lady! 🙂
Bangs… I have a love/hate relationship with them. Do you put product in yours before blow drying? I find that really helps tone down the cowlicky-ness.
I think your hair looks great either way. Yes, I have to put in product AND hair spray afterward, or it’s Limp City. I usually just use a light gel like the Deva Curl one, otherwise the product can weigh it down. I try to control the cowlicks with a round brush (and the blow dryer).
I always feel like the lion king when I’m done and then see a picture of myself and think “how can it look so flat!?”. Upside is that it’s less sweaty and uncomfortable than thick hair, right? 🙂
Deva Curl is old school but it works! I remember when it was still an underground sorta thing 10 years ago in curly forums. I haven’t used it for a while… Does it still have that distinct smell?
P.S. Lion King hair is the best. 🙂
I keep waiting for that 80s hair to come back! 😉 Oh, definitely – it smells very very strong and sweet. It kind of has that Pink Sugar vibe. The gel isn’t as bad, but the curl spray was very highly scented. I find that it fades fast, though, so that’s a bonus.
Ummm… You look amazing. You are blessed with such thick, beautiful locks! And your makeup is perfection! I also love your manicure. 🙂
I love the Oribe Gold Lust line, especially the mask. My hair is super fine, but still needs moisture. I’ve never heard of the Featherbalm. I need to find this and try it. Hope it has the same amazing scent of the rest of the Oribe products.
Can I just say how jealous I am of your hair? As someone who has has baby fine hair all her life and is finding it getting thinner and sparser as I age, I really find your thick hair super gorgeous! I know it can be difficult to style at times, but it really is beautiful!
Thank you for the nice compliment, Tatiana. 🙂
I think you’ll love Featherbalm, then, because it was originally made for fine hair. And yes, it smells just like the rest of the Oribe products!
Happy Friday to you. What are you and the hubs up to this weekend? Tomorrow we’re going to the beach (or maybe the Russian River). Depends on how hot it is!
I havne’t been to Russian River in ages. Do you go to Stinson Beach? Run and chores Saturday a.m. Dear Daughter and I have tickets to see the McQueen movie at the Embarcadero theaters in the p.m. Dinner at a wine bar she found. Sunday trying to build up energy reserves for the rest of the week.
We go to Heart’s Desire. It’s inland on Tomales Bay so there’s less wind, and since there’s no big waves (just a gentle tide), it’s perfect for little ones. Hopefully it’ll be nice. Russian River might happen instead if it isn’t too hot up there!
Have fun with your girl on Saturday. I’ve been meaning to ask, how did her wilderness survival course go?
Haven’t been up to Tomales Bay in a while. Dear Husband’s uncle used to have a dairy ranch near Pt. Reyes. She hasn’t done survival training yet. It’s the last two weeks of September. I’m gonna be a nervous wreck then unless Dear Husband takes me away somewhere to distract me from “no texting” for two weeks. Lol.
I think she’ll do ok. I hope. She’s been working out like a beast lately. Today she did 45 thrusters, then 47 pull ups. One day last week she did 167 burpees. Oh to be in my 20’s again!
Seriously? 47 pull ups? Like on the hanging bar? I can’t even do one! (YET.)