Get Serena Vander Woodsen's Hair

On the show “Gossip Girl”, Blake Lively plays the character Serena Vander Woodsen. Her long and wavy blonde locks always look effortlessly beautiful. This style works best on hair that is naturally straight or wavy and easily styled.

Steps

Creating a Base Texture and Length

  1. Consider your hair length. A hallmark of Serena’s style is that her hair is long and flowing. You want your hair to fall at least to your mid-back.
    • If you have short hair, you can use extensions to achieve that added length.
    • Go to a salon to have your extensions put in, or put in clip-on extensions yourself.[1] You can find these at most beauty supply stores, or order them online.
    • If you plan on going to a salon, feel free to buy glue-on or sew-in extensions. You can also ask your stylish to cut and color your hair while you have your extensions in to make them look more seamless.
    • You should buy extensions made from human hair because you can't use hot tools on synthetic extensions.[2]
    • You can style extensions like you should style your own hair, but brush delicately when you have clip-on extensions in, as these can come out.
  2. Create a base texture for your hairstyle. You want your hair to be either slightly wavy or straight before you begin to style it.
    • If your hair is naturally straight or wavy, you won’t need to create a base style.
    • If your hair naturally forms tight ringlets, however, you’ll want to either straighten your hair with a flat iron or blow dry it straight.
    • If you straighten your hair either way, make sure you first apply a heat protectant serum, spray, or mousse.
  3. Think about color. If you are really committed to maintaining Serena’s style, you might want to consider getting your blonde touched up.
    • If you have bright blonde hair, you could get some blonde low lights to add depth to your waves.
    • If your hair is a darker blonde, chunky and bright highlights would give you that sunny, textured glow.
    • If you decide to color your hair, go to a local salon, especially if you’re planning on highlights, rather than trying to add color yourself.

Adding Waves with Styling Tools

  1. Prepare your hair. Before you start curling, you want to make sure your hair is prepped and ready.[3]
    • Always use a heat protectant before using styling tools to keep your hair healthy and easy to work with.
    • If you recently washed your hair, make sure it is completely dry before you start to curl.
  2. Preheat your curling iron. While you’re prepping your hair, you want to let your curling iron heat up.
    • A one-inch curling iron is a good, universal size for creating a wavy look.
    • Use the low or medium setting for thin and fine hair.
    • Only use a high setting on your curling iron if you have thick, coarse hair.
    • Anything over 340 degrees Fahrenheit runs the risk of damaging your hair.[4]
  3. Part your hair. For Serena’s natural look, you’ll want to give your hair a slight side part before you begin curling.
    • This will help you curl your hair in a way that looks natural.
  4. Section your hair. Before you begin curling, clip up the top layer of your hair. This will make curling more manageable.
    • If you have really thin hair, you might not need to curl the top and bottom layers of your hair separately.
  5. Begin to curl your hair. You want to start in the back of your head and work forwards.
    • Since Serena has soft waves, you can curl relatively large sections of hair at a time.
    • Curl your hair in a clockwise direction away from your face for the most natural look.
    • Hold the curling iron with the end pointed down at the floor, and curl your hair around it. Instead of clipping the end of your hair in first, wind it around the barrel of the curling iron, and clip the end last.
    • Don’t hold your hair on the curling iron for too long. Two to three seconds for each curl should be plenty of time.
    • Once you release a curl, don’t touch it. This will give it time to set.
    • After you finish the bottom section of your hair, unclip the top of your hair, and begin curling it.
  6. Use a finishing hair spray. Once you’ve curled all the sections of your hair, spritz them with a texturizing hairspray.
    • After you spray your hair, spray your hands with the same spray.
    • Run your fingers through your curls to break them up, and create a looser, more natural look.
  7. Use a hair diffuser instead. If you already have naturally wavy hair, you might only need a diffuser to create Serena’s effortless-but-chic waves.
    • A diffuser is simply an attachment for the end of your hair dryer.
    • Dampen your hair, or wash it, and let it partially air dry.
    • Apply a hair gel or mousse to enhance your natural hair texture. Don’t forget to also work in some heat protectant.
    • Turn your head over, and begin scrunching up the ends of your hair until it is completely dry.
    • Then, flip your head back over, and run your fingers through your waves.
    • Finish with a texturizing hair spray.
  8. Consider face shape. Wavy hair is universally flattering, but if you have a long face, you should try to add a slightly more defined curl to the top layer of your hair for volume and roundness.

Achieving Waves without Heat

  1. Wash and comb your hair. Before you begin styling your hair, use shampoo and conditioner to wash it thoroughly.
    • Use a wide-toothed comb to get out any tangles while it’s still wet.
    • Be careful not to tear your hair as you comb it.
  2. Let your hair air-dry. You want it to be about 90% dry when you put it up. It should be damp, not wet.
    • If you already prepped your curly hair by straightening it, you can simply dampen your hair slightly rather than washing it again.
  3. Work a styling cream through your hair. Use your fingers to work a gel or mousse into your hair while it’s damp.
    • This will give your air-dry style more hold and definition. It will also combat frizz.
  4. Put your damp hair in a tight, high ponytail. It’s all right if you have some bumps in your hair, as Serena’s finished style is casual.
  5. Twist your hair into a chignon bun. To do this, grab the end of your pony, and twist it tightly. Once you have created a hair rope, twist this around the base of your ponytail.
    • Tuck the end of ponytail into the elastic.
    • Use bobby pins to secure the sides of the bun
    • If you don't want to use elastic, as this can cause breakage in fine hair, use spiral bobby pins or large plastic clips to secure your bun. It doesn't need to be extremely tight.
  6. Arrange your bangs or fringe. If you have shorter hair framing your face, pin it back behind your ears with bobby pins. This will help it to dry to look natural and swept back.
  7. Sleep on your bun. Your hair will set and dry as you sleep.
  8. Take your bun down. In the morning, when your hair is dry, take out your bobby pins, and let your hair loose.
    • Run your fingers through your hair to break up your waves.
    • If you want, set your finished Serena style with hairspray.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/g2127/how-to-wear-hair-extensions/
  2. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/advice/a6812/things-your-stylist-should-be-telling-you-about-extensions/
  3. ↑ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/how-to-use-a-curling-iron
  4. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/curling-hair-how-to/
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