The Best Hairstyles You Can Air Dry, According to Your Hair Type

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
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When it comes to our daily beauty routine, it’s about efficiency and ease. From waking up to walking out of the door, we don’t have time to waste. Unfortunately, despite the time crunch, heat styling has been the norm for most Southern women for decades counting, with straight-haired ladies conjuring up curls and waves each morning and curly girls fiercely clamping the straightening iron. Lucky for us, skipping the styling tools that damage our strands and take up our coffee-drinking time has become quite on-trend as of late; and we are more than here for it. The first step begins from root to tip with the right haircut that’ll coax your hair in the desired direction as it dries naturally (with our most trusted products to assist). When finding the perfect cut, the most important thing to consider is your texture. Repeat after us: "I will NOT fight my texture." Cutting for your texture will keep those heat styling tools locked away tight in your drawer. Embracing this no-styling lifestyle can be easier than you think and look much better than you imagine—just check out these gorgeous hairstyles that air dry amazingly well before your next trip to the salon.
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For Wavy Hair: Stacked Bob

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For a short cut on wavy hair, a bob works great—but not just a one-length classic bob. In order to get the definition you want and avoid making your hair look weighed down, a stacked and layered bob will work the best. We suggest going a little more aggressive with product, using a mousse or gel foam. We recommend the John Frieda Frizz Ease Foam for the job. Once dry, you can use texturizing spray to top off the look.

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For Wavy Hair: Layers on Layers

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If you have wavy hair—or even that in-between straight and wavy texture—layers are the key to being able to air-dry without hassle or disaster. The trick is committing to lots of layers of varying lengths; and most importantly, the shortest layer needs to hit around your lips or chin for flattering definition and movement. Ouai Wave Spray isn’t a salt spray, and we love the soft definition it offers. You can pair it with a styling cream, such as Bumble and bumble Styling Creme, for even more hold.

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For Wavy Hair: Shaggy

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If you want to get a low maintenance lob-length style, but still love bangs, a shag-inspired haircut will work the best for wavy hair. It’s got the layers you need. You’re going to love a texturizing salt spray for this look, such as Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray; but when the hair is almost dry, apply some smoothing hair oil. You really can’t beat Moroccan Oil.

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For Straight Hair: Super Pixie

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Simple and timeless, a pixie is always an amazing pick for the low-maintenance woman. With straight hair, a short pixie can look stylish and sassy. You can use Sunday Funday Texture Foam to add a little hold and shine with its gel foam formula. It’ll let you style the pixie sans heat.

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For Straight Hair: Classic Bob

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Straight hair is the easiest texture for a classic bob. It’ll look thick, styled, and elegant even though you didn’t spend time on styling! You can use Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil to keep frizz at bay and give a little shine.

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For Straight Hair: Blunt Lob

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Blunt ends can make straight hair, which often looks a little thinner, appear thicker. That’s why we love a blunt-cut lob style. To make it look put-together, we suggest using a smoothing, frizz-fighting product like It's a 10 Leave-In Conditioner. 

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For Straight Hair: No-Fuss Long

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We have to say, we’re mighty jealous of straight-haired ladies and their ability to keep long hair without adding a complicated styling routine. Some simple long layers will help you out. It’s more about picking the right shower products to coax silky, straight strands if you’re already naturally inclined. Pick up the L'Oreal Paris Smooth Intense Straightening Shampoo and Conditioner, and it’ll do most of the work!

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For Curly Hair: The Curly Pixie

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We have such a soft spot for curly pixie cuts, and if you have thick curls, this boyish cut is a great pick for air drying. You can turn up the volume with a hydrating mousse, such as Madam C.J. Walker Curl Whip Styling Souffle, which moisturizes and defines thick curls while adding supple volume.

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For Curly Hair: Natural Mid-Length

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For Type C curls like these (Check out our guide to identifying your curl type here.), it’s all about getting the right cut and using the right products. Luckily, air drying works the best for curly hair because heat styling only dries out hair and brings on frizz! You need to find a stylist that knows how to cut for your curl pattern, but find the right products (this hair type loves leave-in conditioners and hydrating curl definers) for ultimate curls. Curly girls love the DevaCurl Touchable Curl Definer for frizz-free, soft hold.

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For Curly Hair: Layered Bob

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If you want a doable bob for curly hair, you need subtle layering to encourage definition and lightness. If you have coily curls, you’ll want more layers to achieve a nice shape. We love this simple side part, and you can use a cream like the Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream to get those curls defined and mega-hydrated.

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