The look is loose, tousled waves that just kind of happened, giving you an unfussy, bombshell effect. In truth, it takes a few (totally worthwhile) steps.
The look is loose, tousled waves that just kind of happened, giving you an unfussy, bombshell effect. In truth, it takes a few (totally worthwhile) steps.
1 WORK IT WET
To build in some tousle, set your hair post-shower. First, work a large dollop of mousse into damp roots to give a subtle lift. Then, fully saturate your tresses with a sea salt spray. “The salt temporarily dries out hair, giving it that messy, undone effect,” says Ryan Trygstad, a hairstylist for Sally Hershberger Salon in the US. Next, divide your hair into 2.5cm sections and loosely twist them. If you have natural waves, use your fingers to scrunch in another drop of mousse, then head outdoors to let your hair air-dry. “The sun and heat will bake the wave pattern into place,” he explains. “If your hair is pin straight, pop a diffuser onto your blow-dryer to bring out texture.”
2 DITCH THE BRUSH AND USE YOUR FINGERS
Once your hair is dry, flip your head forward and gently rake your fingers through tresses to separate the twirled pieces. You can stop here, or take it a step further with a hot tool. To add just a little movement, quickly curl the ends with a curling iron. Or grab a few random sections (including any that look too straight) and, using a straightener, set them into S-shaped waves. Starting near your roots, clamp the iron down and quickly flick your wrist upwards towards the ceiling. Then unclamp the iron, move it to the next section of hair and twist the tool downwards. Continue this swift up-and-down movement until you reach your ends. Then, squirt a 20-cent amount of hydrating or styling cream in your palms and work it into your hair. “This roughs up the texture,” Ryan says. “Tug on the waves to loosen the curl, and rub the hair between your fingers to make it look even more imperfect.”
3 FINISH WITH A SPRITZ
No matter how undone the style is, you still want it to look healthy and shiny. “I always use a lightweight oil or spray because it reflects light off the hair and gives it that extra bounce and liveliness,” Ryan says. Plus, it helps tame flyaways, so hair will look mussed up but never frizzy.
One tool to avoid at any stage: a hairbrush. “You don’t want to break up the texture so much that it gets fluffy,” Ryan says.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT YOUR CUT
You can pull off this effortless, undone style with any hair length, as long as it has a little movement. But if you really want to create a shaggier effect, layers help. Ask your stylist for razor-cut sections, mostly at the crown. “That will trim excess weight that may be weighing down your hair,” Ryan says, “and allow it to swing and look carefree.”
