Waves and curls have been around for ages and today there are numerous ways you can achieve the look. Some of these methods include heat but you can also add waves easily without heat through methods like braiding or tying up hair in a pony tail or even back-combing. You can use these ways to add waves, curls, spirals, crimps and other permanent waves. However, as your hair grows, your waves also straighten out so you need to restyle your hair using the chosen method of curling. Today’s article will focus on some easy ways to add waves to long and short hairstyles.
1. Use rollers
Rollers are the easiest way to add waves and curls to straight hair and you can use them for long and short hair as well. You can buy regular rollers or go for the permanent ones or long sticks.
2. Go for a root perm
A root perm is an easy way to add waves and curls to hair. It is also known as a body or root lift and adds tons of volume to hair. This method may not be suitable for women having flat or limp hair that is weighed down by its length. A body perm or root lift can also be done as subtly as a soft wave pattern or a simple bend in the hair.
3. Use spot perm
Spot perm treatment helps you touch up only certain areas of the hair such as the front of the hairline. This is a great way for adding waves to hair when you wish to create height or texture for a particular style. You can also use this method for adding waves near other textures like straight, curly or frizzy hair.
4. Curling iron
A curling iron as well as a flat iron can be very handy in adding waves, spirals and beachy curls to hair. All you need to do is treat the hair with a heat styling serum (this protects your hair from permanent damage) and then use the iron. Just divide the hair into sections and wrap each section around the heated iron. Leave the iron for a few minutes then pull it out.
5. Overnight wet hair and old t-shirt
This is an overnight method of curling hair and you need to wash your hair first and make sure you use tons of conditioner to keep the hair from getting dry and unkempt. Once your hair is clean and conditioned, bring all of your hair in front and wrap it up tightly in an old T-shirt. Leave this on overnight. In the morning your hair will have sexy waves and curls.
6. Use setting sprays and volumizing mousses
Do not underestimate the power of sprays and mousses. Spray your favorite product down the hair and use a flat iron or a curling iron to add beachy waves. Loosen with fingers.
7. Triple heating irons
Triple heating irons are a wonderful and easy way of adding waves to straight hair. They work on any texture of hair and are ideal for long and short hair.
8. Combination irons
Many irons work as both straightener and curling iron. They might cost more but you only need to spend once.
9. Using a Ponytail
Tying wet hair up in a ponytail can also give you wonderful curls and waves in an easy manner. Once in a ponytail, make ringlets in the tail using an iron.
10. Using a braid to get waves
Braiding wet hair can add tons of volume and waves to the hair.
9 Easy Wavy Hair Tutorials
Here are some easy wavy hairstyles and their brief tutorials
1. Side-swept hair
Pull hair to one side. Section the hair and select two sections, curling them by wrapping around iron in opposite directions. Curl all the way to the top of the head and hold for a few seconds. Release. Brush out with a wide toothed comb or a brush.
2. Spiral wavy perm
Twist sections of hair as thick or thin as you’d want them to be then run the sections through an iron. Release after ironing from top to bottom.
3. Boho messy waves
Simply braid the hair and run an iron over it. You can raid a smaller section in the front of the head too.
4. Short wavy hairstyles
These are the easiest to achieve. Add some styling spray or mousse and run an iron or tie up hair after washing (in a towel or a ponytail). Brush outwards.
5. Unkempt waves in ponytail
This is one of the most popular wedding hair styles for a summer or beach wedding. Tie up the hair and brush out for a frizzy and messy look.
6. Waterfall cascades
This is a neat and elegant style. Section the front part of the hair and start braiding from side to side just beneath the crown area in a downward slant. For the remaining hair that falls down, brush them out from the crown and wrap thick sections around the iron. Curl as usual.
7. Braided half up half down with waves
Another popular one for the brides, this one has a neat braid on the crown with messy beachy waves beneath. Part the hair up front with more hair on one side. Make three sections just above the crown and start braiding from end to another so the braid rests on the crown. Wrap the remaining hair around an iron and make loose waves.
8. French braid with waves
This is a slightly tricky one to achieve. Section the hair into 5-6 thick sections on top of crown and corresponding sections from the hairline and make a French braid in the middle of the head underneath the crown. Pull remaining hair in waves on one shoulder. Set with a styling spray.
9. Chignon with ringlets
Ooh la la! This stylish and elegant style is perfect for a formal event. You will need lots of setting spray and pins to achieve it. It basically consists of a low bun loose over the nape. You then make the wavy ringlets on the chignon symmetrically from side to side.
All images via Pinterest