We have, at long last, evolved from the days of wanting whatever it is we cannot have.
Where those with straight hair once devoted hours to creating the perfect coil and those with natural curls worked to relax them through chemical straighteners and heated styling tools, today we embrace our hair as it is. Call it the next step in the undone beauty movement, call it the effects of the year that was, or call it something as simple as being short on time, women (and men) the world over are embracing their hair’s natural texture.
“Women aren’t using their hot tools as much,” hair stylist and owner of Sydney’s RAW Salon, Anthony Nader, explains. “COVID-19 has played a huge part in the hair industry. It’s like hair went on an extended vacation and only now, almost 12 months later, are women wanting to play with their hair shape more. Natural texture plays a huge part if you want to air dry your strands so the shape sits beautifully. This is the big difference between a good haircut and… not so good haircut.”
Embracing one’s natural texture, however, isn’t quite as simple as rolling out of bed- the difference between dishevelled and defined is all in the details. In the very same way we might use skincare products to minimise the amount of makeup we feel we need to apply, this particular take on natural hair requires a few products to really bring out the best in our hair’s texture, without hiding that texture through the use of straightening irons and curling wands.
While this look doesn’t require any heated styling tools, a tiny bit of preparation is required in the way of dampening the hair. “Personally, I prefer to start on damp hair,” Anthony tells me, explaining that hair products will absorb faster and more effectively into damp strands than dry. “In most cases [of applying product to dry hair], it sits on top of the hair scales and doesn’t absorb as well so the performance of your hair shape won’t last as long.”
To define your hair’s natural texture and recreate this look without heated styling tools, begin with freshly washed, towel dried hair. To maximise volume and thicken each strand to provide long-lasting texture, body and movement, apply a volumising product like Moroccanoil’s Root Boost through the root area (Anthony recommends applying the product approximately three inches deep). To take your look from textured to a more defined curl, spray the Moroccanoil Curl Re-Energising Spray on your mid lengths and ends (Anthony explains that this will help to control static for a more polished look while maintaining that natural-looking texture). Comb this spray through from roots to ends evenly.
If time permits, allow your hair to air dry for a truly heat-free curled style. To speed up the process, Anthony suggests attaching a diffuser to the end of your hairdryer, then moving the dryer in circular motions around your head until the hair is roughly 90% dry. “You can scrunch up your strands in your palms while drying to maximise your new found texture,” Anthony tells me.
In this instance, our model’s hair is naturally curly so, of course, the curls themselves won’t drop out, but Anthony assures me that we can expect the definition he’s added to last quite some time too. “It depends on how tight the wave or curl is but, realistically, your strands will look red carpet worthy for at least 24 to 48 hours. The best part is that even unruly, course textures will still appear supple and shiny [after using this technique], which is always hard to achieve with this hair type.”
For those without said curly hair type, there are still ways to enhance and add dimension to one’s natural texture without heat styling. “Get your hands on the Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo,” is Anthony’s advice to those who wish to add texture to straight tresses. “This will add instant oomph and give straight strands more volume and texture when needed, without any gluggy or chalky residue building up on your scalp and hair- just fine particles of spray that and brush out like a dream when the time comes to wash your hair again.”
Photography: Lucy Alcorn
Hair: Anthony Nader
Makeup: Verity Gershenson
Model: Tal Hymans
Creative Direction: Gemma Watts
