How to Make Curly Hair Look Tousled

Achieving the tousled look is not complicated.

Tousled curly or wavy hair, sometimes termed "bedroom" or "beach" hair, is a major trend of the early 21st century. Celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Eva Mendes and Jessica Simpson have been known to sport the look. In fact, tousled hair has become so popular that beach-hair products now exist to help those with straight hair achieve the look. A strong natural curl pattern helps the tousled look to last.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Towel
• Rollers, 1 inch or larger
• Styling wax (optional)
• Moisturizing styling cream (optional)
• Straightening balm (optional)
• Shine serum (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash and condition your hair. Mark Garrison of Ladies' Home Journal suggests using a smoothing shampoo on curly hair, but avoiding a heavy conditioning product.

2. Towel-dry your hair, then let it air dry until it is just damp. This may take an hour or more, depending on the thickness and length of your hair.

3. Roll your hair in sections onto large rollers to elongate your natural curl. Make sure the hair is completely dry before you remove the rollers.

4. Take out the rollers and smooth out the hair with your fingers. For a more dramatically tousled look, turn your head upside-down and shake out your curls. Return your head to an upright position and tousle your hair with your fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Garrison suggests using styling wax on hair ends to help finish the look.

• Use a moisturizing styling cream throughout hair, advises Garrison, to help your hair hold onto its natural curl.

• A different approach is to comb straightening balm through sectioned, towel-dried hair and leave it overnight. In the morning, twist your hair in sections around a medium-barrel curling iron and allow the hair to cool. Finger-tousle your hair with shine serum to finish.

References

• Ladies Home Journal: How to Get Tousled Tresses; Mark Garrison
• Oprah: Year-Round Beach Hair