When it comes to rocking beautiful, Pinterest-worthy waves, I want to have my cake and eat it too. On one hand, I want my hair to look good. On the other hand, I'd rather sleep in than wake up an extra 30 minutes early to actually put any time and effort into making it look good. Maybe I'm one of those crazy people who just thinks easy, breezy beach waves should be both easy and breezy to achieve. Or, maybe I'm just lazy. Whatever the case, I know I don't usually have the time, patience, or even equipment necessary to create a perfect cascade of mermaid-inspired waves.
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Over the years, I've come up with quite a few ways to cut down on the amount of time and energy I spend on my hair, and let me tell you—I look better for it. Not only am I getting better at styling my hair in a jiffy, but I'm sleeping more as a result. Sounds like a win-win to me!
So what exactly is my secret? Well, you'd be surprised to learn that my secret to scoring effortless waves is…expending as little effort as possible. Here's how:
- Sleep on it. Take a soft cotton headband and pull over your damp hair like a crown; do not pull your hair through just yet. Starting at the front, take a 1 to 2 inch section of hair and wrap it over the headband and pull it through. Repeat on one side until half of your hair is tucked neatly around the headband. Then repeat on the opposite side, and then go to sleep! Wake up, gently wiggle the headband out of your hair. Voila! Effortless waves!
- Go braid crazy. It really doesn't get much simpler than this. Braid dry hair into large sections for large braids, or into small sections for smaller, crimpier waves. Next, slowly run a flat iron over each braid. Repeat 2-4 times, depending on the thickness of each braid. Loosen braids, and you should a head full of beautiful, mermaid-esque waves.
- Get your twirl on. Twirl small 1/2 inch sections of dry hair around your fingers, up towards your scalp. Pinch the twisted section with a flat iron and hold in place for a few seconds. Release the curl. Repeat all over your head. Spray for desired hold, and rock out with your curls out!
- Twist it out. Divide damp hair into 8-10 sections, depending how large and defined you want your waves to be; generally, the larger the section, the less defined the wave. Next, twist each section into a tight corkscrew and wrap it up into a tiny bun atop your head. Secure with an ouchless rubber band or hair tie. Repeat all over your head. If you're going to sleep, you're done at this point. However, if you'd like to head out within the next few hours, use a blowdryer to accelerate the drying process, taking care to blast your hair at the root on a medium setting. Take 15-20 minute breaks every five minutes, so to avoid irritating your scalp or damaging your hair. Release each bun and scrunch using your favorite product. Now go out and enjoy your big, beautiful curls.
- Go for the big buns. Seriously, you've probably done this by accident. Put your semi damp hair into a ponytail. Next, pull your ponytail through a sock bun donut, and wrap the loose ends around it as you would to create a sock bun, taking care to tuck the ends under. Secure with bobby pins. Now go about your day and totally forget about your hair until nightfall, at which time you can carefully unwrap your hair from around the donut to reveal big, bouncy, bodacious waves.
Image via Thinkstock
