It’s true: We’ve been holding out on you. These best-kept hair secrets are quick and simple ways for you to turn your hair into an envy-worthy style. Click through to get in on the secret for waves and curls. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if you decide to keep these to yourself.
Take a peek at some of the best beauty products.
1. To create volume…
Mist your roots at the crown of your head with a volumizing spray when your hair is dry. Then blow-dry the section of the hair in the opposite direction that it normally falls while using your fingers or a brush to lift the roots up and over. Once dry, flip the hair over and very gently, smooth over it with a brush. You can do this on small sections around your entire head for even more major results.
Works best with: Type 2A, 2B wavy
MORE: Volumizing Hair Products & Tips
2. To keep waves bouncy…
Most hairstylists recommend sleeping on a satin pillowcase to help keep your hair from getting matted, tangled, and frizzy. Cotton cases tend to have coarser texture, which can rough up your hair, especially if you’re tossing and turning all night.
Can’t get a good night’s sleep? These habits might be the cause.
3. Pay more attention to your scalp…
It’s your ticket to healthier, stronger hair. Switch to a shampoo and conditioner, like John Frieda’s Root Awakening line, which contains eucalyptus, menthol and peppermint oil to stimulate your scalp. It also helps if you massage the suds into your head with your fingertips to stimulate blood flow to your roots.
MORE: Pros and Cons of Oiling Your Scalp
4. Hairspray is your friend…
Unlike the old-school formulas that practically glued your strands together, modern sprays add hold without stiffness in addition to doing a bunch of other great things, including increasing shine, fighting frizz, protecting against heat damage and shielding color-treated hair from UV rays.
Lightly spray sections of hair with a flexible-hold hairspray before wrapping them around a curling iron or running twisted sections of hair through a flatiron for shapely curls. This will add more uniform curls and waves to your look and is great for shaping curls around your face.
Shopping for a new hue? Start here.
5. Ouidad’s rake-and-shake styling
(Part 1)
Spray a leave-in conditioner while hair’s still wet. Separate your hair into four to six sections, put a nickel-sized amount of gel in your hand, and starting with the bottom section, rake the gel through your strands.
To do this, place your hand underneath the hair near the roots and pull hair out and away from the head as you go, squeezing your locks between fingers to rid of excess water. (Hint: The bigger the sections of hair between each finger, the bigger the curls will be). When you get to the tips, let the hair fall back against your head. Repeat with each section.
MORE: Carve and Slice; Rake & Shake
5. Ouidad’s rake-and-shake styling
(Part 2)
Once your hair’s fully dry, put a dab of pomade in your palm, rub your hands together, and pull your hair back using the same motion you’d use if you were going to put it in a ponytail. This smooths the outer layer and creates hold.
Flip your head over, and use your fingers to shake out your hair at the roots. This will create the perfect amount of volume. Don’t actually run your fingers through your locks, though (that would create major frizz)! Flip your head back over for perfect ringlets. Now, you’re ready for date night.
MORE: Can I Rake & Shake a Short Hairstyle?
6. When growing out long bangs…
Split your fringe down the middle, loosely twist each half back and pin behind your ears.
7. or short bangs…
Gather them up and twist them back into a tight coil on one side. Mist with a lightweight hairspray to prevent those pesky little flyaways from popping up.
Get more expert bang advice here.
8. Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner…
…for your curly, color-treated hair. This way it won’t strip your color or the moisture from your curls, leaving them dehydrated and dull. If you’ve recently gotten a keratin treatment, you should abide by this rule too.
MORE: Sulfate-Free Shampoos
9. Ouidad tip: Cup, don’t scrunch…
Cup the bottom of your curl in your palm, push it all the way up to your head, then squeeze when your fingers touch your scalp.
Get some more curly-hair cues.
10. If you have too much crunch in your curls…
Rub a little paste or pomade between your palms, then move your hands over your hair as if you’re pulling it back into a ponytail.
MORE: Pomades for Textured Hair
