This style works on both freshly washed and second-day hair. But when you start with damp hair and blow it dry (as we're about to do), you have more control over the final look.
Mousse has a reputation for being an old-lady product, but modern formulas help add volume and hold -- without the crunchiness and stickiness of mousses of yore. Roszak says to apply it in small sections of your hair from root to tip. She used L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Air Dry It Ruffled Body Mousse, $4.99.
Use a blow-dryer with a nozzle to dry your hair. Roszak says to use your fingers instead of a brush, which results in a wavy hairstyle more natural-looking than a blowout.
When your hair is mostly dry, divide it into two sections and create two loose braids. Roszak says this adds even more texture -- in case you hadn't noticed, texture is key to pulling off this hairstyle.
Then, spritz your braids with a wave spray and let your hair set for a few minutes. Roszak used L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Air Dry It Wave Swept Spray, $4.99. We also like Ouai Wave Spray, $26, and IGK Beach Club Texture Spray, $29.
Undo the braids and finish finger-drying your hair.
Then, spritz your braids with a wave spray and let your hair set for a few minutes. Roszak used L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Air Dry It Wave Swept Spray, $4.99. We also like Ouai Wave Spray, $26, and IGK Beach Club Texture Spray, $29.
Undo the braids and finish finger-drying your hair.
Split your hair down the back of your head to create a left section and a right section. Then, divide these into top and bottom sections. Clip the top section out of the way.
Starting on the bottom section, curl your hair with a one-inch wand or curling iron. Alternate between curling your hair away from your face and toward your face. Roszak says this keeps the waves from looking too polished and done. Pro tip: She says to leave the ends of your hair out of the curling iron to give your tousled hair a piece-y finish.
Starting on the bottom section, curl your hair with a one-inch wand or curling iron. Alternate between curling your hair away from your face and toward your face. Roszak says this keeps the waves from looking too polished and done. Pro tip: She says to leave the ends of your hair out of the curling iron to give your tousled hair a piece-y finish.