Get Super Soft Waves
Ever wanted to change your dull, lifeless, straight hair into those sexy, soft waves? Hair with a little bit of sass and character lights up your whole face with effortless grace. Out with the old and in with the new.
Contents
Steps
Tiny Buns Method
- Start with damp, clean hair before bed. After you get out of the shower, let your hair air dry about halfway before starting this process.
- Apply product. For softer waves, use hair cream or serum. Only apply it two-thirds of the way up your hair; leave the top of your head alone. Use enough to cover the ends, but not so much that your hair is greasy. Using gel or mousse will result in stiffer waves.
- Separate hair. If you want very structured, neat curls, use a comb to part your hair into sections. If you want a messy and more natural look, skip the comb parting and just grab differently-sized tresses. You'll pin between separating each section.
- Twist into a small bun. Twirl your hair around your finger until it starts to twist into coils. Hold a finger down at the root to steady it, and twist hair into a small bun around that point. Secure with non-rubber elastics or curved bobby pins.
- Continue making buns. Start with the hair over your forehead, moving to the sides, and then going back. For a more comfortable night's sleep, don't pin up the hair at the back and bottom of your head; if you're planning on wearing your hair loose, the upper parts will cover this lower section anyway.
- Sleep on it. Let your hair stay pinned up overnight.
- Pull out the pins or elastics. In the morning, start unwinding the buns at the back of your head and move forward. You'll have twisty, bouncy tendrils of wavy hair. You can keep the waves a bit tight, or continue to the next step.
- Finger comb hair for looser waves (optional). Run your fingers through your hair gently, pulling down on the waves. They'll start to unwind and hang a little more loosely. Don't loosen too much, though; remember that your hair will continue to fall a bit as the day goes on.
Braids Method
- Start with wet hair before bed. Let your hair air dry a little, but not much.
- Apply product. For tighter hold, use gel or mousse. For a looser, softer look, use a cream or serum.
- Part your hair into four or five sections. Use a comb to ensure your parts are clean and even, from your forehead to your neck. Secure each section with a non-rubber hair band.
- Braid each section. If you want waves from your hairline all the way down your hair, do French braids. If you want your hair to remain a bit straight on top, then just do regular braids. Secure at the bottom with elastics.
- Sleep on the braids. Your hair will dry into crimped waves overnight.
- Pull out the braids in the morning. Don't comb the waves-run your fingers through them to loosen them up. Use a hand mirror mirror to see the back.
- Do not comb through. Using your fingers, carefully relax the curls into waves. Toss your hair and spray it lightly with a flexible hold finishing/shining hair spray if needed.
Diffusion Method
- Start with damp hair. This method works best if your hair already has a bit of natural curl. Let it air dry a little bit; when it's about 50% dry, it's ready to be diffused.
- Attach the diffuser to your blow dryer. Most blow dryers come with a diffusion attachment that you can apply to the barrel to disperse the air flow.
- Apply product. Use mousse or gel for optimal hold. For a more textured look, use a sea-salt spray.
- Dry your hair. Set the blow dryer on cool. With your free hand, gently bring a section of your hair up to your scalp in a claw-like grip with curved fingers. Aim the blow dryer through the gaps between your fingers. Maintain this position until the section is dry; repeat on other sections.
- For the sections on top of your head, bend over at the waist and flip your hair upside down for easier access.
- Set the style with hairspray. Your hair won't need much tousling if you diffuse it - the waves will already be loose and natural-looking.
Tips
- To revive limp waves during the day, twirl a section of hair around your finger. Set with a light-hold hairspray if desired.
- Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner pair to achieve a softer look overall.
- For an occasional soft hair treatment, cover your hair in Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, then put a shower cap on top. Let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse.
Warnings
- Don't brush out waves. If you're unhappy with how curly your waves are, use your fingers to tousle and loosen them. Taking a brush to your hair will result in a frizzy, over-teased look.
Things You'll Need
- Hair pins or non-rubber hair elastics
- Blow dryer with diffuser attachment
- Hair product (cream, serum, mousse or gel)
- Comb for clean parting (optional)
