Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
Beachy waves are one of the most coveted looks, especially when you have straight hair. It just looks so stylish yet freeing to have those luscious locks. While you may not wake up every day with that hairstyle, there are various methods to achieve it. Here’s how to make straight hair wavy.
Waves indeed work on straight hair. They aren’t reserved for people with curly or textured hair. Granted, learning how to get wavy hair can take work, both in terms of product and technique. If you want to keep the waves, it will also require time and maintenance.
There’s also the matter of making it look a little more natural. Since you and other people know how you look when your locks are styled and unstyled, the difference may seem much more stark. However, there are a few items you can use to make sure the hair isn’t too frizzy or faux-looking.
There are numerous methods to experiment with your hair waviness. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to get waves with straight hair for beginners.
Notice how you sometimes go to bed with a ponytail and get the most natural-looking waves ever? Keeping your hair in an updo when you sleep is a heatless way to get your straight hair to produce waves. Braids allow you to section off your strands to create waves. The regular three-strand style works well, but you can also test the French and fishtail braids.
It’s best to braid damp hair the night before. The number of sections and how tightly you braid them affects how loose the waves are. Remember to keep your hair’s thickness in mind, as you may have to create more sections for more prominent waves.
Another way to naturally make straight hair wavy is by recreating the TikTok T-shirt hack. You could use a sock or any other type of long fabric. Just take the sheet and roll it into a tube, folding it into a U-shape before typing a rubber band on top.
Section out your hair and wrap it around the fabric above. Like braiding, smaller sections will mean tighter curls while bigger ones will make things more loose. Leave it overnight for the best results, brushing out the tighter curls to make it more natural. Remember to avoid brushes with rounded scalp-massaging bristles, as the balls can tangle straight hair rather than help it.
A flat iron is a surprising styling tool for making straight hair wavy. Essentially, you just take a section of your hair and press down on the top part. Now, you need to rotate the straightener around to create a loop with the strands. Linger for a while before going down a section and recreating the same steps.
Each rotation and loop will create a soft wave that makes your hair look flawless. Get your hair fully conditioned to protect it from the heat. Finger comb the strands to make it look more natural and effortless.
A curling iron is also pretty effective in getting wavier hair. Just take a section and bring it around the rod, waiting a few seconds before letting go. Some people’s straight hair holds those spirals well, so you can usually remove it much sooner to avoid the full-on curl. Use a larger barrel if you want looser waves.
Most people adore wavy hair because it looks voluminous. You could look for a volumizing iron that adds adorable crimps to your locks to mimic the waviness. Pair it with a blowout or a little finger combing to make the style more natural while maintaining the lift.
Rollers are a lifesaver to achieve wavy hair. Section out your straight locks and take one, rolling the strands under to bring them toward the scalp. Clip and tuck them before moving on to the next section. You could leave this in throughout the day, but a good blow-dry would help speed the process.
You can make straight hair wavy through treatments like a perm. The body wave perm is iconic if you want the tighter waves. That said, a digital perm is recommended since it uses rods and infrared heat through a salon machine. You get the softer curls without sitting through the harshness of a regular perm.
Now that you know how to make straight hair wavy, what exactly do you need to make it work? Here’s a quick reference list for your shopping and styling endeavors.
A moisturizing shampoo is important, as most styling techniques strain the hair. Extra hydration gives your locks the push to create more natural oils and protect them. The extra healthiness also adds a beautiful sheen after styling.
Product Recommendation: Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo
A leave-in conditioner is even better for increasing your hair’s moisture levels. It can help detangle your hair and hold the waves more effectively. Just remember to rinse this off carefully for the best results.
Product Recommendation: Mielle Organics Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner
If you’ve ever wondered how to get beach waves with straight hair, the secret is sea salt spray. This product opens up the hair’s cuticles and plumps them. You can use it after you’ve finished all of your hair-styling endeavors.
Product Recommendation: Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray
Wave-enhancing mousse assists with creating and holding those softer curls. However, straight hair is prone to more damage when brushing the hair wet. While this product should be applied after shampoo and conditioner, you should be more gentle with combing it in.
Product Recommendation: OUAI Air Dry Foam
With texture powder, a little goes a long way. Place it in your palm and massage it through your hair to achieve the thick and voluminous texture you need. Style as you see fit. Just remember to wash out the buildup after a long day.
Product Recommendation: BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder
Straight hair can still get frizz from time to time. Use a hair cream or gel to smooth out and condition your strands shortly before styling. You can also use it to prevent frizziness when creating waves, whether you’re using a heatless method or not.
Product Recommendation: Odele Air Dry Styler
Figuring out how to make your straight hair wavy can be quite the journey, but it can be so fulfilling once you get the style you’ve been yearning for. Try out smaller and bigger waves to get a feel for what truly sticks with your style.
Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter, and at any time you may unsubscribe. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.