If you’re wondering how to create loose, beach-inspired waves in your hair, here is the process for creating this popular look. Though people refer to this as “soft curls” it is sometimes called “beach waves” because it is reminiscent of your hair after a long day at the beach.
Before we go through the steps, a reminder:
This works best for straight or wavy hair types. Long to medium hair is easiest to apply the curls to with this process.
What You’ll Need
- Flat Iron - 1” works well
- Thermal Hair Protectant
- Hairspray
- Brush
- Clips for keeping hair up
The Soft Curl Process
Step 1
Brush out any tangles, brush hair straight, and section hair out to prepare for curling, section by section. Use a heat protectant on your hair to minimize damage from the heat styling.
Step 2
Use hair clips to put up sections of hair you will not be currently working on. You can work from the front sections to the back if you are doing your own hair. If you are styling someone else’s hair, you may choose to work from the underside layers to the topside layers when curling.
Step 3
Grab subsections of hair 1-2 inches wide and clamp down with the flat iron a couple inches from the roots. Using a twisting motion, turn the flat iron a half to full turn so the hair curls around it.
With a smooth, gradual motion, move the flat iron down the length of the hair. Keep your hand in a curled position as you move down the length of the hair. As you near the ends of the hair, gently release the clamp on the flat iron, so the ends are not heat styled.
Move to the next section and continue curling until you’ve done your hair all the way around.
If curls are too big, separate the smaller sections of hair to make more curls, creating a more layered look.
Step 4 (optional)
Scunch up your hair with your hands to add a slight amount of volume, and add hair spray to hold the hairstyle in place.
More Tips for Creating the Soft Wave Hairstyle
There are a couple ways you can organize the workflow of curling. One method is to pin up the hair and move from the underlayers to the top layers on the back of the head and move towards the front. The other method is to move from the front top layers of the hair to the back of the head.
Avoid going back over curls with the flat iron again. If you have to go over the curl with the flat iron again, be careful to turn the curl in the same direction as you previously did. This will help the hair keep moving with the curl pattern.
This is a basic hairstyling technique, but there are many more advanced techniques you can learn at Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento.
Become a Professional Cosmetologist at Campus Sacramento
If you’re ready to start your cosmetology career and create beautiful hairstyles for a living, Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has the perfect Cosmetology training program for you. Students will learn all about hairstyling, along with skin care and nail care, and practice practical skills in our renowned beauty school. Students receive a student kit, receive training from industry experts, and practice their skills in the student salon. On graduation, they are ready to take the State Board exam and become a fully licensed cosmetologist. For more information, contact our Admissions team or call 888-675-2460 today.