web counter

2.2.10

How To Get Sexy Wavy Hair

What You Need:

  • Volumizing spray
  • Straightening balm (if you have thick, course hair)
  • Hair dryer
  • A 1-inch barrel curling iron
  • Ponytail holder and bobby pins
  • Shine serum
  • Hairspray
  • Saltwater spray

Here's How:

  1. Turn upside down and spray freshly washed roots with volumizing or texturizing spray. Massage it in (stylist Garren insists the rubbing motion creates body and texture). I like Bumble and Bumble or you can try Aveda volumizing tonic .
  2. If hair is naturally coarse or curly, work a straightening balm through hair. Here's a great list of balms.
  3. Brush hair (this works the product evenly through hair). Blowdry hair straight, starting at the roots to get extra volume. Hair must be completely dry for this look to work. Blow cold air at the roots to add volume (cold air locks in a style).
  4. Separate hair into three sections, securing with a ponytail holder. (It's easier this way to curl your way through each section).
  5. To curl hair, use a wide-barrel curling iron. Starting with one section, take a 1-inch portion of hair, spritz it with styling spray (again, I love Bumble and Bumble Styling Spray) or hairspray. Wrap hair around the barrel of the curling iron. (Wrapping hair is different from the traditional curling method. You don't want to 'clip' hair into the barrel. Wrapping allows you to curl all the way to the root). When you're curling, make sure to leave ends loose to avoid a crimp mark.

    Release the curl after about 5-10 seconds (hold longer if you want a tighter curl). You should have a corkscrew curl.
  6. Roll curl and bobby pin it close to the scalp. (I'm lazy, so I skip this step to save time).
  7. Alternate the direction of the curl as you work your way through each section. (It's all in the direction you wind hair around the barrel of the curling iron. Start by placing hair on top of the barrel and wrapping around, then switch by putting the barrel on top of the hair before winding it around). Alternating directions makes curls look more natural. Some curls can remain tight, some loose.
  8. Once pinned curls have cooled, release them.
  9. Remove nozzle from dryer and gently loosen waves with cool air. You can also separate curls with your fingers, just make sure not to brush them out.
  10. To add shine, spritz a hair serum . Stylist David Babaii finger-combs Biosilk Silk Therapy serum into actress Kate Hudson's hair (May 2007, InStyle). You can forego hair serum and spritz with saltwater spray. I like John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea spray.
  11. Set with hairspray. Just don't overdo it, you don't want new waves to feel "crunchy."