6 Steps To Loose, Effortless Waves That Last All Day Long - Byrdie

Wavy hair can be done on any hair type—even on straight or thinner strands. Versatile, chic and fitting to any occasion (hello, beach waves), the style is a classic for a reason. Although hair waves may look effortless, they often require a step-by-step process for them to last. You’ll need to prepare your hair prior to styling and use the right type of hot tool in order to achieve your desired results.

To help, we’ve reached out to celebrity hairstylist, Justine Marjan, and hair colorist, Robert Santana, for their advice on recreating waves at home. Keep reading for a tutorial on how to get wavy hair, as well as recommended tools and products for a long-lasting wavy style.

Meet the Experts

• Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist specialized in editorial, runway and red carpet events. She is a GHD ambassador and a global stylist for Tresemme and Fenty Hair.
• Robert Santana is a hair color specialist at Elements By Robert Santana in Brooklyn, New York, as well as the global bilingual artistic director at Matrix.

How to Get Wavy Hair

There are three major things to consider when creating waves—length, hair texture and styling goals. Once you get the swing of it, learning how to get waves is quite simple—it's just about nailing the method.

• For starters, you have to consider length. Creating loose waves on long hair may require a different type of hot tool than if you were to be working with a shoulder-length lob.
• Then, you need to consider your hair texture. Thinner hair may require more hairspray than thicker hair textures to lock in the same style.
• Finally, there's the question of style. Not all loose waves are created equal. It's why there's such a variety of curling wands and irons available.

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Click Play to Learn How to Get Loose Waves with Justine Marjan

Step One: Coat the Hair With Heat Protectant

Preventing damage is the best way to avoid the dreaded repair process later on– you don't have to fix what isn't broken! In the same way you wouldn't lay in the sun without wearing SPF, you should always protect your hair from the effects of hot tools. "It’s always important to add thermal protection to the hair," says Santana. He recommends using a blow dry primer that protects the hair up to 440 degrees. "As a stylist it's non-negotiable. Plus, it accelerates drying time so you use less heat," he adds. We like Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant.

Step Two: Prep the Hair With Hairspray

You may think of hairspray as the final step of a hair styling routine, but the key to getting waves that last all day is to start with the product. (Think of it like a gripping primer you'd use before applying foundation.) "The first thing that I always do when I get brushed-out waves is spray the hair with hairspray to prep it," says Marjan. "So my hair is already dry, and I'm going to use the Tresemmé Micro Mist Hairspray in Extend, and just spray it throughout my whole head." No need to overdo it here, just mist lightly and evenly from root to tip (starting as close to the roots as you plan to curl).

Step Three: Brush Through Hair With a Smoothing Brush

"Once I've sprayed my hair with hairspray, I'm just going to brush it through with a smoothing brush," says Marjan. Brushing through the hair helps to more evenly distribute the hairspray you've applied in step one. It also ensures that your hair is free of tangles and knots in order to achieve optimal curling results.

Step Four: Pick the Right Tool For Your Hair Length, Texture, and Desired Style

As mentioned above, different hot tools will create different styles and are recommended for varying hair types. For example, a 3/4" barrel will create much tighter waves than a 2" barrel. Take your hair type into account and factor in whether or not you have color-treated hair as it will determine what heat setting you should use.

• Pay attention to the temperature of your hot tools. "Temperature control settings should be adjusted depending on the hair type and be sure to consider if the hair is color-treated," says Santana. "If the hair is color-treated, it is not recommended to go over 350°F because the hair color will get compromised. On hair that is non-colored you can go up to 400°F."

Byrdie Tip

The size of the curling iron you use will play a major role in the way your waves look. For a tighter wave, use a smaller barrel. For a looser wave, go bigger.

Step Five: Curl Small Sections Away From Your Face

Marjan recommends curling small sections away from your face. Smaller sections allow for more curl definition, as well as more even distribution of heat. Start by sectioning your hair into two or three sections (depending on how dense your hair is), working from the bottom section to the top section. Twist your hair, then wrap the twisted hair around the curling wand or iron (this helps create more of a textured, beachy look). The key here is to keep your hair moving in order to avoid clamp marks from the iron.

Step Six: Hairspray Your Waves While They Cool

As tempting as it may be, we recommend not touching nor tugging at your curls right after using the iron—even if they look tighter than you'd like. Letting your curls cool completely is an important step to achieve waves that last all day. Try to be patient and let them cool to room temperature. While you're waiting for your curls to cool down, mist your hair with hairspray to lock in their shape—especially if you have straight hair that has difficulty holding a curl.

Step Seven: Brush Out Your Waves

Once your hair has cooled down completely and you've applied an even layer of hairspray, start brushing through your curls to create looser waves. This will help separate your waves and create a more fluid appearance, joining the separate sections you curled into a more cohesive style.

Step Eight: Finish With Shine Spray

After you've brushed out your curls, it's normal for hair to become fluffier in appearance or for more frizz to appear than what you may be used to. It's why Marjan recommends finishing the look with a touch of shine spray in order to smooth your ends and control potential frizz. Try Kevin Murphy Shimmer.Shine Repairing Mist.