Korean waves and curtain bangs have stolen our hearts in recent years – and they’ve both done well in helping us flaunt a feminine, girl-next-door look.
But if you’re looking for a way to switch things up, add extra volume to your tresses without a perm, and embrace a messier Y2K style, then you’ll be glad to know that another type of Korean hairstyle has been trending hard.
It’s what some are calling the “hush cut” and what we’re dubbing the “airy cut”, because of its whimsical layers and light, feathery style.
What is the airy cut?
Photo source: Pinterest
The “airy cut” involves either a wispy fringe that curls in a loose S-shape along the sides of the face coupled with layers that extend from the bangs all the way to the ends of the hair.
The multiple layers frame the face and create a feathery effect – whether you’re running your fingers through your hair, standing against a light breeze, or just sitting completely still, the “airy cut” looks light and – yes, airy too.
@arinekim
Since TikTok was most inspired by the wolf cut, characterised by shaggy layers, in 2022, the “airy cut” can be pictured as a metamorphosised wolf cut: a wolf cut with more delicate and prettier wings.
Photo source: Pinterest
Unlike the wolf cut’s choppy layers, the “airy cut” is all about creating flow and movement; the fringe blends seamlessly with the hair’s layers, forming lines that frame the face easily.
Why get an airy cut?
Photo source: Pinterest
What’s really great about the “airy cut” is that it’s a versatile style that does everything from adding volume for those with thin and flat tresses to reducing weight for those with thick and heavy hair.
Depending on how it’s cut, the layers can bump up the volume on a usually flat mane. On the other hand, the feathery visual of an “airy cut” can also lighten the look of your dense locks.
@jujujucloe Hopping on the #airbangs trend ✨❤️ #Fyp #tiktoksg #hairtransformation #koreanhairstyle #salonsg #hair
If you want to be extra sure when requesting an “airy cut” at the salon, those with thinner hair can opt for more frills for extra volume, whereas those with curlier hair should ask for fewer layers so that the hair doesn’t end up looking puffy.
An “airy cut” also looks good on both long and short hair, and it can be adjusted to match any face shape too. Your hairstylist might trim or leave the lengths of the fringe long or tweak the layers to best flatter your face.
As the “airy cut” is a hairstyle that’s just as easy to pull off as curtain bangs, really, anyone can get it and flaunt its ethereal style.
How to style the airy cut
Photo source: Pinterest
While anyone can pull off the “airy cut”, it’s not a hairstyle that you can wear without any effort in the mornings.
With its characteristic light curls, the “airy cut” requires some styling with a trusty hairdryer and a round brush, especially if you want to flaunt its full feather-like potential and see a beautiful bounce in your mane.
One way that you can style the Korean “airy cut” is by using a hairdryer brush to roll up your bangs and then setting them with a large or medium velcro roller. This will give you a tall, feathery S-shaped curl, like the one seen in TikTok creator @abigaillinnn’s video, below.
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Another way you can blow dry your hair with a round brush hairdryer is by rolling your fringe upwards, and then as you release it, twist it at the ends for a little, light upward curl at the tip.
The rest of your hair can be styled by rolling each section up towards your face using a round brush hairdryer, holding it there, and then switching to the cool setting before gently untwisting it from the brush.
When you’ve gone through your entire mane, brush out your hair using a wide-tooth wooden comb to keep the curls airy just as @abigaillinnn does in her TikTok video, below.
@abigaillinnn Replying to @ishanigotta14inch i told y’all I’d be back 🥰✨☁️ #hair #hairtok #hairstyle #hairstyles #haircut #hairtransformation #dyson #dysonairwrap #dysonhair #dysonhairtip #blowout #blowouthair #blowouthack #rollerbrush #dysonairwrapcurls
Hairstylists also suggest spritzing volumising hair products like the Oway Volumizing Root Spray onto your roots before blow-drying if you want to make sure that your “airy cut” keeps its volume throughout the day.
The Oway Volumizing Root Spray provides a soft and light hold that’s comfortable to the touch, keeping your fringe in its ideal S-shape for longer.
The Oway Volumising Root Spray retails at S$56 on Shopee.
Best brush hairdryers to style an airy cut
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
The Dyson Airwrap needs no introduction, but we’ll gush about it anyway because it’s just that great of an invention.
What’s special about a Dyson Airwrap is that it uses enhanced Coanda airflow to style hair quickly and effortlessly, minus the usual high heat that’s damaging to the locks.
For the newest generation Airwrap, the round volumising brush attachment grips the hair like magic – no runaway locks that slip and slide out of the hairdryer as you style.
Since we’re looking for the best tools to aid our rushed mornings, the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long ranks as an easy first on our list.
Check out our editor’s review of the Dyson Airwrap here.
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long retails for S$849 on Dyson’s official Shopee store. See this page for more available colours.
BaByliss Hydro Fusion Air Styler
BaByliss is a brand that’s loved by professionals for its range of high-quality hairstyling products, and the one that we’ve got our eyes on today is the Hydro Fusion Air Styler.
The hairdryer uses a moisture-balancing ionic system, which releases both positive and negative ions onto the hair to keep them smooth, shiny, and frizz-free. It’s also lightweight and easy to hold – all the better for styling your “airy cut” on tired mornings.
BaByliss Hydro Fusion Air Styler retails for S$83.50 instead of S$99 on Lookfantastic.
Revlon One-Step Volumiser
Cut the hassle of juggling a round brush with one hand and a hairdryer with another with the Revlon One-Step Volumiser.
The brand describes this product as having the “power of a hairdryer” and giving the “volume of a styler”, and the many stellar reviews by users on Amazon and beauty junkies on TikTok only support these points.
@hello_happy_mom The best hairdryer ever #fyp #revlon #hairdryer #musthave #timesaver #favorite #need #haircare #hair
It’s also ideal for use on short to medium hair, so it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a short bob or a shoulder-length “airy cut” – you’ll see your curls fall perfectly in place after a quick blow-dry!
Revlon One-Step Volumiser retails for S$130 on Amazon.
T3 AireBrush Duo
The T3 AireBrush Duo comes with two interchangeable brush heads so that you can wear a wispy “airy cut” blow-out on some days and a silky-straight ‘do on other days with absolute ease.
While the round brush lets you create the ultra-voluminous, feathery Korean ‘do, the paddle brush makes brushing out even naturally curly locks a breeze. This hairdryer also comes with 15 heat and speed combinations to suit your every need!
T3 AireBrush Duo retails for S$277.50 on Lookfantastic.
Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
Drybar’s The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush earns an eye-catching place on the bathroom shelf, not just because of its bright yellow design, but also because it’s lightweight and easy to handle for a quick blow-out whenever you’re in a rush.
The hairdryer uses ionic technology to seal down your hair cuticles as you blow-dry, so your “airy cut” looks even better with a smooth, shiny finish. There are also three temperature settings you can toggle between to achieve the “airy cut” of your dreams!
Drybar The Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush retails for S$328.60 on Amazon.
Featured image credit: Pinterest
Related read: 11 best Korean hair trends that will be huge in 2023, as spotted on K-pop idols like TaeYeon
