Every head of hair is different, and the best styles are the ones that work with your natural texture, not against it. In this blog, we're taking you behind the chair with five real models from our new AIR Campaign - each with a different hair type, density, and colour - to show you exactly how our styling tools and techniques can be adapted to bring out the best in every kind of hair.
From defined natural coils to a glamorous faux blow-dry, here's how each look was created, step by step.
Getting the Best From Your Tools
Different hair types need different heat, airflow, and attachments to look their best. Across these five looks, you'll see a few tools show up again and again, each suited to a different job.
The Airshot, Airshot Pro, and Airshot Pro Mini all offer Personalised Temperature Control, making them adaptable across fine, thick, curly, and coily hair. The Airshot Pro Adapt™ and Hot Air Brush are ideal for smoothing while building volume at the root. Diffuser attachments are essential for curly and coily textures, helping air circulate gently around each curl without disrupting its shape. And for setting curls and waves, the Contouring Original Iron, Contouring Wide Iron, and Volumizers each create a different scale of movement, from soft waves to full-bodied bounce.
A heat protectant - like our Magical Potion - should always be the first step before any heat tool touches the hair.
How to Style Fine, Type 1 Hair
Fine, high-density, and postpartum hair all need a slightly different balance of gentleness and hold. Here's how we styled two very different Type 1 looks.
Soft, lived-in waves
For naturally fine Type 1 hair, especially hair going through postpartum changes, protection comes first. Begin on freshly washed hair and apply Magical Potion heat protection evenly throughout. Using the Airshot Pro Mini, blow dry with controlled airflow and lower temperatures to encourage natural root lift without stressing delicate strands. Once dry, divide the hair into neat sections and use the Contouring Original Iron, wrapping each section consistently around the barrel for soft, flowing waves. Let each section cool fully before touching it - this is what makes the style last. Finish by brushing through gently with a Cloud Nine Luxury Dressing Brush for effortless movement.
Faux bouncy blow-dry
For naturally straight,high-density Type 1A hair, the goal is long-lasting body and a salon-freshmfinish. Start on clean, dry hair and use the Airshot Pro to blow dry smooth, directing airflow at the roots for maximum lift. Section the hair evenly, then style each section with the Volumizers, letting the hair wrap fully around the barrel. Mist lightly with hairspray as each section comes off the Volumizer, then pin the curl securely and let it cool completely before removing - cooling in shape is what locks in the volume. Once cooled and unpinned, brush through with a Cloud Nine Wet Hairbrush until the curls soften into luxurious bounce. A pea-sized amount of Magical Remedy also works brilliantly as a flyaway polisher to finish.
How to Style Wavy or Colour-Treated Type 2 Hair
Colour-treated hair needs styling that protects vibrancy and shine as much as it creates shape.
Smooth blow-dry with soft movement
For vibrant Type 2B red hair, begin on freshly washed hair and apply Magical Potion heat protection throughout. Use the NEW Airshot Pro Adapt™ to blow dry smooth, building volume through the roots while polishing the mid-lengths and ends. Once dry, section the hair cleanly and use the Contouring Wide Iron to wrap each section into large, flowing waves, finishing each with a light mist of hairspray. As with longer-lasting styles, pin the curls and let them cool completely before brushing through. Dress the finished style with a Cloud Nine Luxury Paddle Brush for smooth, seamless movement that lets the colour take centre stage.
How to Style Curly, Type 3 Hair
Curly hair with dimensional colour - like a grey blend with highlights and lowlights - looks best with a polished finish that doesn't flatten its natural texture.
Faux blow-dry with a Hot Air Brush
Begin on freshly washed hair and apply Magical Potion heat protection evenly throughout. Using the NEW Hot Air Brush, blow dry one section at a time, smoothing the hair while preserving volume at the roots. As each section finishes, place it straight into a roller to hold its shape and build lasting lift, continuing around the whole head until every section has cooled. Mist lightly with a flexible working hairspray, then remove the rollers and dress the hair with a Cloud Nine Luxury Dressing Brush, blending the volume and movement in naturally.
How to Style Coily, Type 4 Hair
Type 4 coily hair is naturally more delicate, so the priority is always moisture and definition over reshaping.
Defined, voluminous natural coils
Start on freshly cleansed and conditioned hair, misted evenly with water until damp. Working section by section, hand-apply Magical Remedy from mid-lengths to ends, coating every curl evenly to smooth the cuticle, boost moisture retention, and prepare the hair for gentle heat styling. Let the curls air dry naturally to around 80–90% before introducing any heat, so the natural curl pattern has time to form. Attach the diffuser to the Airshot, select the heat and airflow settings suited to Type 4 hair, then gently diffuse the curls, lifting each section into the diffuser without disturbing the coil pattern, until completely dry. Once dry, use a wide-tooth pick comb at the roots only, gently lifting for natural volume while leaving the curl definition untouched.
FAQs
What's the most important step before using heat on any hair type?
Always start with a heat protectant, such as Magical Potion. It's the one step every look in this guide has in common, regardless of hair type or texture.
Do curly and coily hair types need to be styled differently to straight hair?
Yes. Curly and coily hair generally require different styling and drying techniques compared to straight or fine hair, particularly when it comes to sectioning, tension, airflow, moisture levels, and heat selection. That said, factors like density, strength, thickness, condition, and chemical history should always guide the approach - regardless of hair type.
The NEW Cloud Nine Airshot Pro Adapt™ delivers total temperature control adjustable from 45°C to 125°C – see our guide on the correct styling temperature for your hair type here.
Why do so many of these looks involve cooling the hair before brushing it out?
Cooling a curl or wave while it's still wrapped or pinned helps the hair “set” in that shape, which is what gives the finished style its longevity. Skipping this step is one of the most common reasons a style drops quickly.
What tool is best for adding volume without changing the natural texture?
A wide-tooth pick comb, used gently at the roots only, is ideal for lifting natural texture (as with Type 4 coils) without disrupting curl definition. For straighter or wavy hair,
root-focused airflow from tools like the Airshot Pro or Hot Air Brush achieves a similar effect.
Can these techniques be adapted for colour-treated hair?
Absolutely. Colour-treated hair, as shown with both the red and grey-blend looks in this guide, benefits from the same heat-protection and smoothing techniques as natural hair, with an added focus on polishing and shine to keep colour looking vibrant and healthy.
Head to our socials to discover more about our NEW Air Collection and to share your tips and tricks for styling your hair type: TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.