DIY Vertical Succulent Planter

I'm a little (or a lot) confused. I love succulents and air plants. I want to start growing both but different people have told me that I need dirt in the succulents and not in the air plants, and some people have told me that I would need dirt in both of them. I was also told that air plants live exactly on that--air. To buy a small glass container and put the air plant in that and it will survive on its own. Please someone HELP. Please get all of this straightened out for me so I can go buy me a couple of each and enjoy them.

I am in the process of making a faux living wall on our balcony. We get strong winds at times and living plants create a huge mess. I am using a variety of faux succulents from Michael's and the resin planter is from Wayfair. I chose the arched top because we have a Mexican theme on the balcony. Will post the finished product.