Hairstyle Tips to Get Wavy Hair Overnight

Soft waves can add volume and style to hair while updating your look.

Wake-up to a fabulous, wavy new hairstyle tomorrow morning without visiting a salon. Soft, silky waves add alluring texture to straight hair or help tame curly hair, and with so many ways to create them, you can enjoy a different style daily with minimal cost or effort.

Preparation

Start with freshly shampooed and conditioned hair.

It's best to wash your hair and use a conditioner that will reduce frizz before you start. Towel drying your hair produces the best results, so allow enough time for your hair to air dry until it is almost dry. Applying small amounts of mouse, leave-in conditioner, frizz-serum, or styling cream to slightly damp hair will create more lasting and defined waves. Unruly hair types may require products formulated specifically for a stronger hold.

Large Circular Waves

Securing your hair in a bun will produce soft, large waves.

A sleek crown with large, circular waves can be fashioned by pulling hair back into a bun overnight. Start by combing your hair back into a high ponytail and securing it with a hairband at the base of the crown. Create a bun by twisting the ponytail into one or more spirals, wrap them around the band, and secure the ends with hairpins or fasteners to give your hair fabulous waves without the use of heat.

Rippled Waves

Braids create a beautiful rippled effect.

Rippled waves can begin at the scalp or further down the hair shaft. For large waves, choose an origination point at the level you want the waves to begin, and create one or several braids extending to the ends of the hair. Use corn-row style or French braids to create lift and volume from the scalp to the ends of the hair shaft. Increase the number and tightness of the braids to intensify volume and curl.

Spiral Waves

Spiral waves add bounce and volume, especially to layered hair.

Get long, spiral waves without using heat by wrapping sections of hair in a spiral fashion around cloth or foam strips; pipe cleaners; or special long, thin, bendable foam rollers designed for this look. Heated curling sticks and spiral curling irons will give you the look without the wait and are great to have on hand for touch-up. Long, layered hair is ideal for spiral waves.

Roller Waves

Large rollers can either soften natural curl or add waves to straight hair.

Rollers that are 1 to 3 inches in diameter produce beautiful waves, but sleeping on these can be uncomfortable at best. If this is the look you're after, include on your supply list a thick neck pillow to support your head and shoulders and take pressure off the rollers while you sleep; you'll be glad you did.

Know Your Hair

Whatever method you choose, it's important to tailor it to your hair type. Thick, coarse, straight hair requires smaller, tighter curling processes than does fine or naturally curly hair. You may need to try several products or methods to find the combination that produces the result you want.

References

• HairBoutique.com: How To Create Stunning Spiral Curls

Resources

• Bellasugar: How to Get Curly Hair Without Heated Tools