Light wave curls. How to make beach waves (curls): photos and videos

Creating light waves on short hair is both easier and more difficult at the same time. The length of the hair is shorter, but it is harder to handle with a curling iron. Try the installation method described below, you may like it and use it.

Tools

comb
curling iron
Polish for hair
thermal protectant
hairpins

Laying process

1. Apply heat protectant and comb your hair.
2. Separate the top layer of hair and pin it with a bobby pin on top.

3. Take large strands and curl them with a curling iron; if your hair is too short to curl, curl only the ends.

4. Remove the clip and part your hair horizontally again, this time from temple to temple. Pin everything above this line with bobby pins.

5. Separate a strand, wind it on a curling iron as close to your head as possible. Continue until you have curled all the loose strands.

6. Remove the hairpin and let down the remaining hair - there won't be too much of it. Twist the strands again, but now you can start somewhere in the middle and not twist from the roots. This will make your curls more natural, romantic and soft.

7. Spray your hair with hairspray.

It will be easier and faster to use a curling iron with a large attachment.
To make the hairstyle more voluminous and playful at the very end, take a few thin strands and twist them into a curling iron, then comb them a little with your hands.

Hairstyles with waves were popular back in the 40s. They were used by Hollywood stars and film stars in their images. Nowadays, “Hollywood waves” have not lost their relevance among celebrities.

They look very gentle and feminine on hair of any length and are appropriate for everyday or evening styling. You can create this retro hairstyle using a curling iron, pins or straightener, and it’s very simple.

Features of retro wave

In the 19th century, barbers themselves innovated their craft. The inventor of “waves” in the 1880s was Marcel Grato. The hairstyle was called “Marseille”, and the styling tongs were called “Marseille”.

After publication in one of the specialized magazines, the curling tool invented by Grato became publicly available. The topsail style has gained popularity in Europe.

At first, hairstyles with waves could be seen on girls with a thin and slightly angular figure and short hair. Later, wave styling became more feminine and began to be used on medium and longer hair. Appeared such a concept as “undulation”.

Translated from French, the word “onde” means “wave”. A wave is understood as a part of the hair near the main parting, surrounded on both sides by special lines - “crowns”. “Crown” is considered the maximum point of the wave; how long the hairstyle will last depends on its height.

Thick, coarse hair does not respond well to undulation. A hairdresser can assess the condition of your hair and recommend the appropriate method of undulation. Ondulation is carried out within forty minutes or one and a half hours.

Ideally, undulation should mimic the exact shape of the wave, alternating between crest and trough. There are two ways to create a retro wave - hot and cold.

Look at the photo what waves look like on short hair:

And this is how waves look on long and medium-length hair:

"Hot" wave

In order to curl your hair into waves using the hot method, hot tongs and a comb were required. Waves were created by moving the tongs from hair roots to ends, and they had to be placed sequentially - first above the strand, and then below it.

Now waves are created even easier - using round tongs. You can even use it, although it will be a little more difficult.

See how you can create a retro hairstyle using a regular hair straightener:

Video: styling with waves using an iron

Nowadays there are special flat irons for curling hair in waves.

So, during hot undulation, one strand of hair is taken, combed and fixed at the roots with hot tongs. For a few minutes, tongs with the heating side should be kept under the strand.

The rest of the hair is combed in the direction of the next wave. Exactly the same procedure must be carried out with another strand, holding the tongs already above the strand. Everything is repeated with the remaining hair.

Here's a way to create waves using a curling iron:

Video: how to make waves with a curling iron

There are also special ones, for example Babyliss, which can be used to make waves. For example, with the help of a triple curling iron you can create such a romantic light hairstyle, with which you can attend not only any celebration, but also on the beach:

Video: triple curling curling waves

In fact, you can use almost any hairstyle, the main thing is to curl the strands the same way and then harmoniously arrange them into a single, common wave, with the same bends.

Cold wave

This is the most an easy way to create waves. Cold waves are created using a comb and fingers. Clamps are also used.

Previously, the hairstyle was fixed with a decoction of flax seeds. Nowadays a strong hold gel is used, which is applied after washing the hair.

Waves form on damp hair. Before styling, you can make a light one, especially if they are long. This will make your hair look more voluminous.

Retro hairstyles are very popular today: in addition to waves, they are also popular. They are especially good because they do not require a long time to create.

And now it’s very fashionable to dye ombre hair - it also creates a certain vintage image of sun-bleached hair, about it. By the way, waves with ombre will look very interesting.

The ombre effect on short hair looks no less interesting: . And, of course, curling such hair in waves will look very appropriate at any celebration.

So, let's see how a cold wave is done. The first wave begins at a distance of about one centimeter from the parting:

First, it is determined where the wave will bend. This is done with a comb positioned perpendicular to the head.
After a centimeter, the hair moves sharply to the side.
Then the comb is placed flat, and fingers move her hair away from her.
Other hair is laid in a different direction with a distance of two centimeters from the first crown.
The hair is moved with a comb in the opposite direction, and a crown of the second wave is obtained.

The hair is dried using a hair net and clips.

Watch a video on how to create cold waves on your hair:

Video: waves using cold undulation

You can also make waves on your hair using braids - all strands will turn out the same:

Braid 4-6 large braids (depending on hair thickness). There is no need to make thin braids only if your goal is... However. these will no longer be waves, but small, disorderly curls.
Leave your braids in overnight. They practically do not interfere with sleep.
Gently undo your braids in the morning and with a few strokes comb your hair carefully fingers. You can lightly lubricate your fingers with gel.

Retro waves in celebrity looks

Actress Kate Bosworth is a big fan of retro hairstyles. Her vintage look is emphasized by strict retro waves:

American theater and film actress Claire Danes also often resorts to this style. In the photo she has short hair styled using cold undulation:

Reese Witherspoon looks charming as always with any hairstyle, including waves. In this photo they are not as strictly expressed as in the previous one, however, this is a wave achieved using:

The beautiful Charlize Theron looks very gentle with her hair done in waves. This lady suits absolutely all hairstyles - from short haircuts with, to light curls on long hair.

As you can see, styling with waves is quite simple, and the resulting image will look very feminine and romantic.

It is probably difficult to imagine a more feminine and romantic hairstyle than waves in hair. Moreover, in the last few seasons, these light, soft curls literally do not leave the fashion catwalks of Milan, Paris and New York. We offer you 5 super ways to create different waves on your hair from real professionals.

Method number 1: waves on hair and diffuser

The diffuser attachment allows you to reduce the time needed to create curls by several times. That is why fashion stylists love to use it on both models and world celebrities. Follow our instructions to quickly and beautifully create waves on your hair.

You will need some mousse or styling foam. Apply the product to damp hair and massage the strands.
To consolidate the result, use a diffuser attachment for a hair dryer. Dry your hair thoroughly, paying attention not only to the ends, but also to the roots, so as not to lose volume. In just 15 minutes, your super stylish wave hairstyle is ready!

Method number 2: flagella and waves

This method will help create larger, but at the same time natural waves that will look great on girls with long hair. Divide your hair into several sections using bobby pins to secure it. In turn, twist each of the resulting parts into flagella and dry thoroughly with a hairdryer. You will get spectacular curls, and you will be able to control the volume of the waves using flagella of different diameters. Apply a moisturizing spray with a shine effect to your hair, which will prevent your hair from drying out and add shine to your curls. If you have thick, dense hair, fix the result with hairspray.

Method number 3: a hair straightener will help you

The hair styler is also ideal for creating beautiful, stylish curls. This method was actively used by the best stylists of New York, but the secret quickly became apparent, and ordinary girls easily and quickly mastered this method and now almost every third knows how to create curls and waves of different amplitudes using a curling iron. If you haven't tried it yet, then it's worth experimenting with:

Separate a medium-sized strand. Fix the strand with an iron so that it is as close as possible to the hair roots and at the same time compresses the strand perpendicular to hair growth.
Turn the iron 180 degrees and slowly pull it along the strand 2-3 cm. After that, turn 180 degrees again and go down the hair another 2 cm. Thus, go through the entire strand to the very ends.
Do this procedure with each strand. You will get original, slightly wrinkled waves in hair.
Once all the strands are ready, comb your hair carefully.

These waves look best on girls with short to medium length.

Method number 4: curlers for wavy hair

Classic curlers are a popular way to add curl to hair. Boomerang curlers are best suited for creating natural waves. Blow dry your hair until semi-dry. Wind strands of different volumes on curlers, but do not tighten them too much so as not to create an overly doll-like look. Wait until your hair is completely dry and remove the curlers. With your head down, comb your fingers through your curls to make them even more messy and stylish.

A stylish bohemian look with waves can be created with a few pins and a product to add volume at the roots. Apply mousse or foam to damp hair (we like OSiS+ Session Label from Schwarzkopf Professional) and, without combing, twist your hair into a fairly tight bun at the back of your head. Blow dry your hair on cool air until semi-dry, then leave to dry for another 1 hour. To avoid losing volume at the roots, wait until your hair is completely dry before letting it down.

What owner of straight hair doesn’t dream of playful and unruly curls? But not everyone has the free time and funds to create a hairstyle.

You can create spectacular curls much easier and faster using a straightening iron. Despite the fact that it is designed to straighten hair, the curls you get are a sight to behold. We'll tell you how to make waves with an iron in our article. We offer several styling options for hair of different lengths to choose from.

What are the advantages of using a hair straightener?

There are several products that can be used to make your hair wavy. These include curlers (thermo, metal, plastic, foam), curling iron or curling iron, and hair straightening iron. But when winding the strands, the latter performs a completely different function.

As practice has shown, a hair straightening iron has a number of advantages:

heats up faster to the high temperature required to create curls;
allows you to create waves in any direction and much faster than using curlers and curling irons;
suitable for creating curls of various types: from light waves to spectacular curls.

For those girls who are just planning to buy a straightening iron, it will be useful to know that only curling irons with a slightly rounded plate are suitable for curling hair. This form will avoid unsightly creases in the strands and ensure a smooth transition. It is also important to pay attention that the heating temperature is not lower than 200 °C, and that the coating protects the hair from overheating. Now all that remains is to figure out how to make waves with an iron so that they look as impressive as possible and hold their shape for a long time.

Products for styling and fixing waves on hair

When creating a hairstyle, it is not enough to just curl the strands; they also need to be fixed using special means. Suitable for installation:

Foam will not only fix the waves, but also give them additional volume. The product is applied to damp hair, which is immediately dried with a hairdryer. Only after this can you start creating waves using an iron.
Mousse - this product can be used both before drying your hair with a hairdryer and for final fixation of curls.
Gel aerosol - applied to dry hair and allows you to fix the style without creating a weighting effect. The curls can be easily combed without damaging the hairstyle.
Varnish - depending on its quantity, you can provide light or strong fixation of the strands.

How to make light waves with an iron?

Natural beauty is still in fashion today. This means that styling should be as natural as possible. If you want to make your hair curly, you should get a light natural wave. This hairstyle is often called a beach hairstyle, as it gives the wearer a playful and perky look.

If you want to learn how to make waves on your hair with an iron, pay attention to the following step-by-step instructions:

Separate a small strand of hair as if curled with curlers or a curling iron.
Grab the strand in the center with the curling iron. Wrap the end of your hair around the straightener with your hands.
Hold the strand on the iron for a few seconds so that it warms up well. Carefully remove it from the straightener.
Wait until the strand cools down. Spray it with hairspray.
Curl all the strands in the same way. Once they have cooled and are fixed with varnish, you can separate them with your fingers.

An easy way to make waves on your hair using plaits and a straightener

There are several options for creating a hairstyle using one of them - working with plaits. This method allows you to achieve a light wave much faster than the option presented above. This is explained by the fact that it is enough to divide the hair into only 2 strands and work directly with them. You can learn how to make waves using an iron and strands from the following step-by-step instructions:

Divide your hair into 2 parts along the central parting.
Twist each thick strand one by one into a rope.
Fix the hair with the curling iron, placing it closer to the roots.
Slowly move the straightener down, as if ironing the tourniquet with hot plates.
Remove the iron, wait for the strands to cool, and then loosen the braid.
Fix the hairstyle with special means, such as hairspray or gel.

Waves on hair using foil and iron

Different hair types produce different curls. And for some people this hairstyle lasts all day, while for others it lasts only a couple of hours. For those with thick and coarse hair, it will be more difficult to make waves with an iron or curling iron. As a rule, curls straighten faster even when using fixation products. Ordinary aluminum foil will come to the rescue. Using this product, you can increase the heating temperature, which will allow you to curl coarse hair better. The sequence of actions will be as follows:

Select a strand and twist it in the shape of a snail.
Secure your hair with foil by folding a small rectangular sheet in half, like an envelope, and tucking in the edges.
Clamp the foil with ironing tongs.
Hold for 2 minutes, then remove the hot straightener.
Wait a few seconds for the foil to cool, then remove it and dissolve the “snail”.

Iron waves using braids

This method allows you to make medium or long hair curly. Creating a hairstyle involves weaving tight braids, which are ironed with an iron for the greatest effect.

Creating a hairstyle begins with washing your hair. Then the hair is dried well with a towel, and styling mousse is applied to it. Next, proceed to blow drying. Dry hair is braided into tight braids. Their number depends on what wave shape you want to get as a result. Thin braids produce small curls, and thick braids produce large, light waves. How to iron curls is not difficult to understand. Just as with the harnesses, all that remains is to slowly run a hot straightener over them. After the hair has cooled, the braids can be unraveled - the result is a spectacular curl.

Spectacular curls with a straightening iron

The opinion of the majority of the fair sex that using a straightening iron can only create light waves is erroneous. If you want to get spectacular curls, a straightening iron will come to the rescue. But in pursuit of beauty, do not forget to apply thermal protection to your hair, which will prevent your curls from drying out during the styling process.

So, let’s summarize how to make medium-length waves with an iron. You can do it like this:

Separate a strand of hair.
Grab it with an iron, placing it as close to the roots as possible.
Additionally, fix the strand in the iron with the fingers of your other hand.
With quick movements, twist your hair onto the straightener, gradually turning it and moving downwards.
Similar actions should be performed as many times as the hair length is sufficient.
The result should be a curl - elastic and spiral.

How to make waves with an iron for short hair?

To create a hairstyle, you will need a heat protectant, fixing varnish, a clip or hairpin, and a wooden or ceramic comb.

To make vertical curls on short hair, you should follow these steps:

Separate one strand and press it with an iron at the roots.
Slowly rotate the tool 180° along its entire length.
If the separated strands are thin, you will get small curls, and vice versa.
Curl all your hair in the same way.
Fix the hairstyle with hairspray. If your hair is thin and brittle, spray your finished curls with hairspray right away.

To create a beach hairstyle, thin strands are separated from the total volume of hair, each of which is twisted with a tourniquet and heated along the entire length with an iron. The finished installation is sprayed with varnish.

Using the instructions above, you can make waves with an iron on medium and short hair. All actions in this case will be the same.

Waves without ironing using curlers

To create hairstyles for medium and long hair, large curlers are suitable. This method allows you to make waves, both light and large, and elastic and small, without ironing. The sequence of actions will be similar:

Wash your hair and dry it slightly with a hairdryer, but not completely. They should remain slightly damp.
Apply a styling product such as mousse or gel.
Separate a strand of hair from the top of your head and wrap curlers around it.
Perform similar steps on the back of the head and then on the sides.
After all the strands are wrapped in curlers, you need to dry your hair with a hairdryer and wait until it is completely dry. After this, the curlers can be removed, carefully separate the strands with your fingers and sprinkle with varnish.

For this hairstyle, you can use curlers of any type, shape and size.

How to make waves on your hair with a curling iron?

A ceramic-coated curling iron is ideal for creating this hairstyle. It is desirable that the heating temperature of the curling iron is at least 200°. But you only need to curl the strands for a short time, so as not to dry out your hair and spoil it.

Step by step actions will be as follows:

Separate a wide strand from the roots. Hair should be pre-washed and well dried.
Apply a little mousse to the strand and wrap it around the curling iron.
Hold the curling iron in a vertical position for just a minute and remove. Wait until it cools down.
Curl the entire lower part of your hair in the same way, and then the upper part.
When all the strands are curled and cooled, you can fluff your hair with your hands and sprinkle with light to medium hold hairspray.

The most beautiful waves are obtained when curled onto a large-diameter curling iron. In this case, the strands must be separated sufficiently wide. Before curling, the entire volume of hair should be divided into two parts - upper and lower, and curled starting from the bottom.

Ten recipes for a carefree mood: how to create light waves on your hair?

Relaxed curls suit absolutely everyone and are appropriate in any situation. There are many ways to create them on any hair: short, medium and long, thin and heavy, wavy and straight. We study popular methods and discuss with SalonSecret experts how to catch the wave without ruining your hair.

The most famous method: waves with a curling iron or tongs

A standard curling iron gives an elastic, hard curl, but if its diameter is at least 3 cm, then the effect of natural wavy hair is easier to achieve.

How to make waves like this at home?

First of all, apply a medium hold foam to your hair and comb your hair with a brush.
Separate the strands into zones using hair clips. It is better to start curling from the most difficult area - the back of the head.
Wind the strand onto the curling iron with a spiral and hold it suspended for 5-10 seconds (if the curling iron has a safe coating, then it can be a little longer).
Advice: heat the thermal device to 160 degrees if you have thin hair, and up to 230 if it is heavy and coarse.
Process all strands in this way. Depending on the desired effect, the curl can be formed closer or further from the roots.
For the most natural effect, tousle strands with your fingers, separating curls.

The easiest way: hair dryer and brushing

Being unaccustomed to using a heavy hair dryer and a large round comb at the same time is physically difficult. But the waves turn out to be as natural as possible.

How to achieve this result at home? SalonSecret experts suggested in step-by-step instructions:

Apply a suitable styling product over the entire length of your hair. Since the hair dryer will be located very close to the strands, you shouldn’t forget about thermal protection either - the air at the nozzle itself exceeds 100 degrees!
Comb each strand, grabbing and then twisting it with a brush and directing hot air from each side of the comb for 10-15 seconds.
After curling, the curls are already quite soft and loose, so just straighten them slightly with your hands.
Finish the finished waves with a high-hold varnish.

The fastest way: waves in 5 minutes with an iron

Fans of flat ironing claim that even a couple of minutes is enough for them!

We are sure that you will also cope perfectly well with our step-by-step instructions:

Apply your favorite styling product, which does not turn the strands into a rigid frame, but leaves them elastic, and comb your hair.
Tie the top part of your hair into a bun at the back of your head.
Divide the bottom layer of hair into medium-sized sections. At this point, decide which way you want your curls to curl - away from the face or towards the face - and therefore which way you want to turn the iron.
Grab each strand with an iron, then, using your other hand, rotate the heat device one revolution around its own axis and slightly pull it towards the ends. The tips themselves should not pass between the ironing plates.
Before releasing the strand, hold it suspended for a few seconds.
Use your fingers to comb the curls vigorously and spray with setting spray.

Important! The distance between thermal devices and the scalp should be at least 2 cm. At the root zone, handle irons and curling irons slowly and carefully so as not to get burned!

Immortal classic with curlers

Don't discount our mothers' #1 remedy. Fortunately, now you no longer need to sleep on hard cylinders.

What should you do?

Use hot rollers, they significantly speed up the process and heat up in 5 minutes;
For light waves, curlers of medium and large diameter are suitable;
The heating temperature of some hot roller models exceeds 200 degrees, so thermal protection is mandatory, and ideally, styling with a thermal protection function;
Before you start curling, your hair should be damp, but not wet;
You need to keep the curlers on your head until they cool down - that is, about 15 minutes.

Alternative methods

When you don’t want to bother with special devices, ancient but still effective methods for creating light curls come to the rescue.

Braids

“We can say that this is the most gentle styling possible. But braids will not harm the hair and hair follicles only if they are not tight! It is enough to apply a small amount of light cream to slightly damp hair to shape the hair, braid light braids without pulling too tightly in the root zone. After 5-7 hours we unravel and enjoy the natural waves. To achieve a faster result, it is permissible to braid your braids and work them with a straightening iron for 10-15 seconds.”

Nadezhda Yusufkhanova

Harnesses

“We dry the hair 80% with a hairdryer, then apply cream/mousse/sea salt to form curls, twist the strands into light strands and dry with a hairdryer with hot air. Let the strands cool, unravel, fix with varnish and get a natural styling. By the way, Victoria’s Secret “angel” Candice Swanepoel does exactly this in everyday life!”

Nadezhda Yusufkhanova

Papillots

Previously, this was the name for strips of fabric or paper on which strands were wound. Nowadays curlers are bendable foam curlers. Due to their small diameter, it is difficult to achieve the effect of natural wavy hair with them, but it is possible: just use styling products with a light degree of fixation, and the curls will straighten a little under their own weight.

Headband

A very simple way: put a solid braid of medium width on your head and pass the strands treated with styling agent through the bandage as many times as the length of your hair allows.

Saline spray

Suitable for those whose strands tend to curl, but always in some inappropriate way. It is enough to apply the spray to damp hair, “walk” through the curls with your hands using squeezing movements - and the waves in the “surfer girl” style are ready!

What method of creating light waves is both effective and safe for hair?

Nadezhda Yusufkhanova notes that with effective styling the goal will be achieved in any case, but each styling method is conditionally dangerous:

“Styling with thermal tools and small curlers causes some damage to the hair structure, and thermal devices also evaporate moisture, if you do not apply thermal protection in the form of a cream, spray or lotion, even styling with a hairdryer for the same reason can lead to dry hair.”

Nadezhda Yusufkhanova

It is not recommended to frequently style with accessories such as curlers, whoops and curlers if the hair has been subjected to chemical effects (bleaching, highlighting, chemistry, keratin, etc.) It is already, in fact, damaged and dehydrated, there is no excess moisture, and constant curling can lead to increased sensitivity, and subsequently to brittleness, as we force the hair to change its natural direction.

SalonSecret experts assure: no matter what method of creating light curls you resort to, you can do it without fear if you first enlist the help of a professional. He will not only show you how to make beautiful waves, but will also select the right care, thanks to which the quality of your hair will improve, despite daily styling.

Choosing a method for creating curls based on hair length

How to choose the ideal way to create beautiful and natural curls? Based on hair length - our experts assure!

Waves on short hair

For a short (above the shoulders) hairstyle, the easiest way is to create light curls using hot rollers or a curling iron. To ensure your hair remains beautiful and voluminous the next day, choose a volume spray or mousse for styling.

Waves at medium length

For such hair, all products are good, but the iron is ideal. It creates exactly the curl diameter that looks especially harmonious on strands just below the shoulders.