How to Get Loose, Natural Waves At Home

Dreaming of those effortless, loose waves that look like you just rolled out of bed – but in the best way possible? You’re in the right place. Achieving those “I woke up like this” waves doesn’t mean hours in a salon chair or wrestling with a curling iron all morning. Follow this low-maintenance guide to get that glam look at home!

Prep Your Hair for Perfect Waves

Let’s start with the basics: beautiful, long-lasting waves are all about laying the right foundation. With a few simple steps, you’ll set your hair up for those relaxed, celeb-inspired waves.

Cleanse and Condition: Start with freshly washed, well-conditioned hair. Pick a shampoo and conditioner that suit your hair type. For fine hair, go with something lightweight that won’t weigh it down; for thicker or dry hair, choose products with a bit more hydration. This creates a smooth, manageable base that’s primed for styling.

Protect and Style: After gently towel-drying, spray on a heat protectant. This is key for keeping your hair safe from the heat you’ll use to create waves. Next, work a bit of volumizing mousse or a texturizing spray through your hair. This step is all about creating body and grip, which helps waves hold their shape and look naturally full.

Blow-Dry with a Round Brush: Grab a round brush and blow-dry your hair completely. As you dry, focus on smoothing the cuticle and building volume at the roots. The round brush will help add that extra sleekness, ensuring your waves look polished rather than frizzy. Don’t skip this step – a smooth, voluminous blow-dry is the perfect setup for soft, lasting waves!

Curl Your Hair to Create Those Waves

Now for the main event – it’s time to bring on the waves! Here’s how to curl like a pro for those effortless, relaxed waves.

Divide Your Hair into Sections: Start by sectioning your hair into 2-inch sections. This step helps you focus on each piece, ensuring even heat distribution and creating loose, flowy waves rather than tight curls. Working with sections gives you that perfectly tousled look without the fuss.

Choose Your Tool: Pick a curling iron or wand with a barrel size that fits your style. For loose, beachy waves, go with a 1-1.5 inch barrel – it creates that relaxed wave without too much curl. For tighter, more defined curls, a 3/4 inch barrel will give you a bouncier effect.

Choose Your Curl Shape: Think about the wave style you’re aiming for. For a classic curl, wrap the hair snugly around the barrel and hold the ends for a few seconds to set a defined shape. For a looser wave, wrap the hair loosely and leave the ends out for that relaxed, undone finish. If you want beachy waves, twist each section of hair before wrapping it around the barrel – this adds texture and gives you that effortless, tousled look.

Master the Curling Technique: For a natural, flowing wave, hold the curling iron vertically as you wrap each section. Leave about an inch of hair out at the bottom for a softer, undone finish. This technique keeps the look laid-back and chic, without looking overly styled.

Experiment with Curl Direction: To add volume and prevent your waves from merging into one big curl, alternate the direction of each curl. Curl the front sections away from your face for a fresh, face-framing effect, then switch up the direction for the rest of your hair. This technique keeps the waves looking bouncy and textured, perfect for that soft, celebrity-inspired look.

Set, Finish, and Perfect the Look

After curling, just a few easy final steps will give your waves that chic, low-maintenance polish while helping them last all day.

Let the Curls Cool: Once you’ve finished curling, give each section a few minutes to cool completely. This cooling step is key to helping the waves hold their shape longer without needing constant touch-ups. For even more staying power, you can clip each curl up as it cools – a quick trick to make sure your waves are set for the day.

Loosen with a Comb: When your curls have cooled, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently break them up. This softens them into loose, touchable waves that look effortlessly styled. If you’re after more texture or volume, give the curls a light shake or scrunch with your fingers instead of fully combing through – this keeps the look easy and carefree.

Finish with Styling Products: Now, add the finishing touches! A light mist of finishing spray will help hold your waves without stiffness. For a hint of shine, run a small amount of shine serum through the ends. Or, if you’re after a more natural, beachy vibe, use a texturizing spray for a soft, matte finish that keeps things looking laid-back but styled.

Ready to Rock Your Waves?

With these simple, low-maintenance steps, you’re all set to enjoy effortless, touchable waves that look chic and naturally styled. Whether you’re heading out or just want to add a bit of glam to your day, these waves are the perfect go-to. Want to keep your waves looking flawless all day long? Shop our collection of styling tools and haircare products to achieve the look with the best products tailored for your hair.