I Recently Returned from Paris—These 12 Products Help Me Attain Effortless French-Girl Hair in NYC.

      There is much to appreciate about the French. From their beautifully tailored clothing to their seemingly effortless beauty and delicious pastries, Paris and its inhabitants left me enchanted. Amid museum visits and shopping trips, I spent hours at cafes by the Seine, watching the stylish locals stroll by at a leisurely pace—a marked contrast to my daily commutes in NYC. I envied the effortless elegance in their walking and overall presentation; there was something so stylish about their relaxed take on beauty and fashion. (The oversized coat-and-relaxed jeans look was clearly a skill perfected by everyone in the neighborhoods.) One attainable aspect I decided to embrace back home was what I’m referring to as “laissez-faire hair”—my natural texture enhanced and refined using air-dry stylers. “An air-dry styler is intended to enhance your hair's natural texture without requiring hot tools,” says Flower Avila, a professional hairstylist and Oli G educator. “What someone seeks depends on their hair type and the look they want. For instance, a person with very curly hair may opt for a strong-hold hydrating product, whereas someone with fine, straight hair might prefer something that adds texture and volume,” she adds. I promptly set aside my heat tools and let my hair embrace its natural waves and curls for the remainder of my trip, returning from my French adventure with a goal—finding the best products to maintain my air-dried texture. Below, discover the 12 top picks for instantly achieving French-girl hair, no matter where you are in the world.

      Who What Wear associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia with air-dried hair in Paris.

      **The Best Air-Dry Stylers at a Glance**

      - **Best Cream:** JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream

      - **Best Mousse:** Crown Affair Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

      - **Best Drugstore:** Odele Air Dry Styler

      - **Best Budget:** Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème

      - **Best for Frizz:** Briogeo Style + Treat Air Dry Hair Styling Cream

      **Best Cream:** JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream

      **JVN**

      Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream

      **Pros:** Controls frizz, shapes texture, moisturizes strands

      **Cons:** None notable

      **Formula:** Cream | **Key ingredients:** Squalane, chia seed extract, moringa seed oil | **Hair type:** All

      If your strands are dry and in need of moisture or you prefer cream products over foams, JVN Hair's Complete Air Dry Cream is your best bet. This multitasking formula caters to all hair textures, defining each's shape and movement. Squalane and hemisqualane fortify hair, while chia seed extract offers natural, flexible hold. Your texture will not only appear smoother after air-drying but also shine brighter thanks to moringa seed oil, which adds gloss.

      **Customer review:** “I've spent probably two years looking for a good air-dry/curl cream for my hair. Mine is between 2A-2B, thick but with relatively thin strands, so it was difficult to find something that wouldn’t weigh it down. I can confidently say this is a winner! It’s light enough to apply liberally, yet strong enough to showcase my hair's texture and curl pattern! I recommend it to anyone seeking something lightweight but with strong hold throughout the day!”

      **Brascia with air-dried, smoothed hair in Paris.**

      **Best Mousse:** Crown Affair Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

      **Crown Affair**

      Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse

      **Pros:** Lightweight, adds touchable texture, volumizes hair

      **Cons:** On the pricier side

      **Formula:** Mousse | **Key ingredients:** Pink Bolivian salt, Tsubaki Meadows blend, plant protein blend | **Hair type:** All

      This Crown Affair mousse is one of my go-to products for shaping my natural texture into something polished. It's ultra-lightweight and nurturing, working well on all hair types to define curls and waves, boost body, and hydrate dry strands. You can apply this foam in various ways: scrunch a few pumps into your hair for enhanced curls, apply it directly at the roots for more volume, or run your fingers through your hair for loose, French-girl waves.

      **Customer review:** “Perfect air-dry mousse for wavy hair. It defines the waves and combats Florida humidity. My hair has never looked better air-dried.”

      **Best Serum:** Rōz Milk Hair Serum

      **Pros:** Versatile formula, lightweight, minimizes frizz

      **Cons:** Quite expensive

      **Formula:** Serum | **Key ingredients:** BotaniComplex, red algae, hyaluronic acid | **Hair type:** All

      This product combines heat protection, hydration, and air-drying expertise in one. In my opinion