If you’re starting with wavy hair
Many products designed to smooth fly-aways and seal strands against humidity, can also weigh hair down due to their strand-coating abilities. If this is the case, reach for products that offer hydration and lightweight styling. The texture of the product on your fingers alone will give a good indication as to how heavily it’s going to sit in the hair and you can dial the amount you use up or down accordingly.
If you want to encourage more texture Ingrosso suggests avoiding strong gels and heavy styling products, “especially if you prefer more movement in your hair,” she says. “Instead, opt for a light curl cream to achieve more movement, a wave spray for a natural look, or even just a good moisture booster such as the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Absolue Universal Balm.”
If you want to create waves in straight hair
If you’re not a wavy girl but you love the look, go for it. Hair tools and styling techniques mean you can tap into the texture and make it your own. Ditto wavy girls looking to make their own strands look a little more polished, or a little more amped-up.
Sleeping in buns and plaits can enhance a more laid-back, irregular and messy texture, as can waving your hair in different directions with different wave-styles (S-bends, beach waves, mermaid waves) using a straightener. A more symmetrical, uniform styling technique will give glam Hollywood waves.
Either way, there’s plenty of opportunities to make the most out of waves no matter your hair length or cut. From short wavy hairstyles to shoulder-length waves, wavy pixie cuts, derriere-grazing lengths or midi waves, we have all the inspo you need.
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What are the best wavy hairstyles and cuts?
Top trend forecaster and hair stylist, Tom Smith, recommends “Neptune Waves” for celebrating wavy texture. “Countless celebrities have been seen sporting flat ‘S’ shape waves, most often with a middle parting and lots of volume,” he explained. “Neptune waves are fluid and stretched out, with thinned out ends and a fluffy silhouette,” he says. They’re a little mussy and lived in.