The 24 Best Cuts for Air Dry Styling, Based on Your Hair Type

Curly: Long Pixie With Bangs

Those with curly hair may be wary of going short (the "poof effect" is real, people)—but don't be. There are plenty of short hair options for curly-haired peeps, a long pixie being one of them.

Hair stylist, Gregga Prothero says that "working with the natural curls is the way to go as well as a longer fringe that can help frame the face."

If you want to incorporate a bang, you don't need a full fringe; instead, a few placed curls like Jessie Buckley will do.

Curly: Lob With Face-Framing Layers

"I am beyond obsessed with the haircut Ted Gibson gave Tessa Thompson here—it’s a brilliant long bob with face-framing layers. Curls do require a little more love to keep them looking bouncy, healthy, and touchable, so I tell my curly-haired clients to use a detangling conditioner and comb it through while in the shower," says celebrity hair stylist, Mark Townsend.

"The long bob is all about giving the hair that perfect balance," adds Prothero. "Make sure to have long layers sprinkled throughout the hair, which will keep you from getting a pyramid look when you air dry."

Curly: Lob With Long Layers

"If curly hair is cut completely blunt, you can get an A-line or “Christmas tree” effect, but if it’s too layered, the ends can look thin and scraggly. I like to keep the layers on the longer side and make sure to cut the layers bluntly with scissors, avoiding razors or thinning shears at all costs," says Townsend. Thandie Newton shows us how it's done.

Curly: Blunt Medium-Length

"After showering, it’s important to seal the hair cuticle, so I rake a small amount of Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream through the curls and then do not touch them. The less you touch the curls while drying, the more defined and beautiful they will be," explains Townsend. Solange Knowles is an example of serious curl goals.

Curly: Long and Accessorized

Nicole Richie goes au natural with her curly mane. Since she keeps some length, her coils are less tightly wound than they would be given a shorter style. Pair this look with a headband to accessorize and add contrast to a full head of curls.

Curly: Long, Blunt Layers

"Anyone who knows me knows I love a curl. When I’m lucky enough to work with a naturally curly-haired client like Lorde, I rarely go for a blowout—I like to play up the curls and texture as much as possible," says Townsend.

Curly: Long and Glossy

Jhené Aiko's curls look gorgeous worn long and with extra sheen. This length lends some weight and pull to curls, making for a versatile look that can transition from day to night. Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly will help you achieve Aiko's definition and shine.

"Longer layers like this are the secret weapon against the dreaded puffiness. It works by adding just the right amount of weight to those curls, keeping them on their best behavior while it air dries," adds Prothero.

Wavy: French Bob

"This cut is all about minimal effort, maximum style and it's practically made for air drying," says Prothero. "The way it's cut enhances the waves cascading down your neck." Kat Graham's French bob is slightly flipped, which creates even more movement to the style.

Wavy: Medium-Length

A medium-length cut is incredibly versatile. And while it's appropriate for all hair types and textures, this length is ideal for those with undulating tresses. It's long enough to highlight hair's movement, but short enough to require minimal upkeep. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is one of its greatest proponents it seems.

As for a product recommendation, Prothero favors Davines Love Hair Smoother, a leave-in cream to smooth unruly or wavy hair. "The formula moisturizes in an invisible way without weighing it down. The hair is soft, easy to comb, and shiny," she says.

Wavy: Shag

"I love that the shag is making a return, only this time it’s more modern and feminine with a wavy texture, as pictured here on Alexa Chung," says Townsend. "You want to bring out your hair’s natural wave or bend, so this is the cut that needs lots of layers starting around lip length and continuing around the whole head."

Wavy: Long Shag

"After showering, apply a big dollop of a mousse, like Dove Nourishing Curls Whipped Cream Mousse (this is my favorite product for air-drying hair) and rake it through the hair with your hands to distribute it evenly from roots to ends," explains Townsend. "This will eliminate frizz while also keeping the waves defined and shiny." The result? A long shag with loose curves similar to Suki Waterhouse.

Wavy: Voluminous and Undone

In case you've missed it: natural, untamed hair is trending. Natasha Lyonne's strawberry-blonde mane makes a powerful and stylish statement. Texture and fullness take center stage thanks to products like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.

Wavy: Long, Textured Layers

Shay Mitchell's cool-girl, effortless hair is courtesy of playing up her natural texture. Her hair secret? Air-drying, of course! And a little bit of coconut oil scrunched in.

Wavy: Long and Beachy

Some textures have it easier than others. Folks with wavy hair are already a step ahead of those with straight or curly hair when it comes to heat-free styling. Their natural texture lends itself to air-drying beautifully, and there will never be a day that beach waves go out of style.

And if you're looking for that "I just woke up like this look," Prothero says that the cut has minimal layering to give that effortlessly cool vibe. She adds that this look is super versatile and can easily go from day to night, from the beach to the club, and from casual to glam. Case in point: the eternally beautiful Gisele Bündchen.

Wavy: Long and Brushed-Out

A lot of hair trends lately are ’60s- and ’70s-inspired. Take Zendaya's long, brushed-out waves, for instance. The dark red shade takes her mermaid mane to the next level.

Straight: Pixie

It doesn't get much more low-maintenance than a pixie cut. Sonoya Mizuno amps up the texture of her pixie with lots of short, choppy layers. To style, work a small amount of Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax into hair.

"From tons of layers for a messy bedhead look to sleek and polished, almost every variation of the pixie is ideal on straight hair," adds Prothero.

Straight: Bob

There's more than one way to wear a bob. Dark roots and a simple hair tuck behind the ear are equal parts grunge and chic on Emma Roberts. The chin-length frames her face beautifully.

Straight: A-line Bob

Prothero recommends an a-line bob for those with shorter, straight hair. "The sleek bob is the epitome of class and sophistication, and works the best on for fine, straight hair as it air dries," she says. "By keeping some length around the face, this cut gives some styling versatility like half-ups, twists, and braids."

Straight: Blunt Lob

Straight hair can get a bad rap for looking thin without a voluminous blowout, but the problem is not the texture—instead, it’s usually the haircut. Too often, women equate body and volume with tons of layers, but over-layered ends are actually what’s causing the hair to look flat or fine, says Townsend. Straight hair needs a cut that will fall into place, so it’s best to stick with chic, structured haircuts—like a bob or a lob, as pictured here on Lana Condor.

Straight: Lob With Choppy Bangs

"Rashida Jones is the perfect example of a wash-and-go girl with straight hair, which is a little textured here. And I love that she has choppy bangs to give her long bob a bit of an edge," says Townsend.

Straight: Choppy Lob

"Rose Byrne has the coolest choppy lob. On damp, straight hair, I like to add a few pumps of Dove Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam and let it dry naturally," explains Townsend. "This moisturizes the hair and gives it a flexible hold as it dries (ladies with fine straight hair can skip conditioner in the shower and just use this as a leave-in). Once dry, spray dry shampoo throughout hair during the day for added volume and texture."

Straight: Long Layered Shag

Prothero notes that a layered shag gives the ultimate movement and texture to straight hair, which can appear flat. "By adding some texture spray this will give it that rock n roll vibe for air drying," she says. Bangs can make air drying a little more complicated, but setting them with a velcro roller and using the slightest bit of blowout cream can help keep them in check.

Straight: Long Layers With Side-Swept Bangs

Straight-haired ladies have it relatively easy when it comes to air-drying their hair. However, to keep hair from falling flat, add long layers, which will create subtle body and movement. Applying a small amount of a volumizing product like R+Co Rodeo Star Thickening Style Foam to hair while it's drying usually doesn't hurt either.

Straight: Long Layers

Sofía Vergara maintains her length and incorporates long layers to give her hair movement. A long bang is versatile and requires minimal upkeep, especially for those with straight strands. For a polished finish, work a small amount of Bb. Don’t Blow It Fine (H)air Styler throughout hair.