How to Get Large Soft Waves

Loose waves can be achieved easily with a curling iron.

Soft, loose waves are always in style, and are easy to achieve. One reason this style is so popular is its versatility -- leave the waves down for a laid-back, beachy look or pin them up for special occasions. Soft, loose waves work best on hair that is shoulder-length or longer.

Things You'll Need

• Two hair clips
• Heat protection spray
• Curling iron
• Hair spray

Instructions

1. Divide your hair into four sections -- two on each side of the crown and two at the nape of the neck. Pin the top sections up and out of the way. You will be curling the bottom sections first.

2. Begin with the sections at the nape of the neck. Portion out a section of hair, spritz it with a heat protecting spray and wrap it around the outside of a 1- or 2-inch curling iron. Do not clamp the iron around your hair. In order to get natural-looking waves, begin wrapping the hair a few inches down from the root, leaving the root straight.

   A 1-inch iron will create smaller, more defined waves, while a 2-inch barrel will provide larger waves. The size of the section of hair you are wrapping around the iron will also determine the size of the waves -- more hair for a larger wave and less hair for a tighter wave. Continue to wrap hair around the curling iron until both bottom sections of hair have been completed.

3. Take the clips out of the top portions and let your hair fall down over the waves you have just created. You will be curling these sections next.

4. Repeat the previous steps, wrapping sections of hair around the iron until each piece has been formed into a wave.

5. Flip your head upside down and shake the curls out a bit -- this will help make them look soft and loose.

6. Finish by spritzing your entire head lightly with hair spray.

Tips & Warnings

• Hair that is slightly dirty (a day or two after being washed) will hold this style better than hair that has just been shampooed.

• Using heated tools to style your hair can lead to damage and breaking. Be sure to use a heat protection spray before wrapping hair around the iron to keep hair shiny and healthy.

References

• Glamour Daily Beauty Blog: Laid-Back Weekend Hair Idea