It's official. I have finally hit on my dream summer hair. Tousled, soft waves with bounce and shine, my hair has never looked so summer-ready and effortless. Getting to this point, though, has required considerable effort. For the past year I've been trialling air dry creams and salt sprays, all of which have promised to deliver a good-to-go hair look without the need of a hairdryer, curling tong or straightening iron. None quite made the cut until the Living Proof Style Lab Air-Dry Styler, £27, landed on my desk. Housed unassumingly in a plain black tube, it proved to be the best of the best for my long hair. Scroll on for my full review.
What does the Living Proof Style Lab Air-Dry Styler do?
The Living Proof Style Lab Air Dry Styler promises to work with the hair's natural texture to keep frizz and flyaways at bay. The formula is made with algae-based polymer and bentonite clay, both of which work together to smooth unruly strands and provide a touch of hold - it's a fine balance, but one this cream gets just right. All that without heat damage. Or the dreaded 'crunch.'
Shop: Living Proof Style Lab Air-Dry Styler
Living Proof say: 'An air-dry hair cream to give you smoother-looking locks without the need for heat activation.'
What we know: A brand new launch from Living Proof, this styling cream has been designed to enhance your hair’s natural texture while keeping frizz and flyaways at bay thanks to algae-based polymer and bentonite clay.
Rachael Martin, beauty editor says: 'As someone with dry, damaged hair that straddles the line between wavy and straight, finding an air dry cream has been nothing short of a total hassle. This one, however, is worth every single penny. Scrunch now, thank me later.'
Pros
- Huge tube
- A little goes a long way
- Non greasy
Cons
- Needs a good shake before applying or product doesn't mix adequately
Our review
Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says:
'I'll be honest. I didn't have high hopes here. When it comes to air drying creams my hair just doesn't play ball. Instead of the loose, tousled waves they so often promise, my hair is usually left looking lank and stringy. This, however? I am so impressed. I took a dinky sized lab sample bottle on my holiday last year, purchasing the full size bottle as soon as it launched. The process is a refreshingly simple one. After washing my hair as normal, I squeeze out the excess water before shaking the bottle (very important to ensure it's mixed together properly) and applying a 50p sized dollop into the palms of my hands. I then rub my hands together to ensure an even spread before gently scrunching the cream through my lengths and ends. With any excess, I'll flatten my hands across the top of my hair and pat down gently to settle down the halo of flyaways that so often form. So far, so easy. But how does it fare? As a gal well acquainted with a greasy scalp, I'm impressed. The texture is creamy, but featherlight - there's not a hint of tackiness.'
'My hair does take a while to air dry - a couple of hours, at least. And if I touch my hair before it's fully dry - even after applying Living Proof - it's game over. The natural oils present in my palms seem to wreak havoc where frizz and flyaways are concerned. When I resist twiddling and twirling, however? That's when the magic really happens. The finish is exactly the kind I've been hoping to achieve. There's no grease at the roots, and no dulled-down colour. My hair isn't smooth and polished. Instead, it's soft and full of bounce and movement. My natural waves are defined and, crucially, my flyaways and frizz are barely noticeable. My colour is brighter and fresher. It's all very undone - but artfully so.'
Final thoughts
'As someone with dry, damaged hair that straddles the line between wavy and straight, finding an air dry cream has been, quite honestly, a total hassle. This one, however, is worth every single penny. Scrunch now, thank me later.'
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s beauty editor where she covers all things beauty, health and wellness.
