Skip to Content

The How To Mom is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

Waves In Your Hair That Last For Days! (Step-by-Step Guide)

Kylie

A little over a year ago, I decided to go from washing my hair every day, to washing it every 5 days. It is glorious to not have to wash, comb out, blow dry and style my hair everyday.

Well, lets be honest, I washed it every day, and usually blew it dry and sometimes styled it. And I dreaded getting ready every morning, knowing that it was going to take at the minimum 45 minutes.

Not anymore! Now I wash it once every 5 days. Its wonderful. The only way I can handle going 5 days between washing my hair is by curling it all nice and pretty on the first day.

I’ve tried lots of ways to do curls, and I like the look of this technique the best.

When I curl it the traditional way, it looks kinda ringlet-y or it just curls the bottom. Not the look I’m going for. I like the look of flat iron curls, but I just couldn’t get the hang of it, and I was worried I was going to completely melt my hair. The no-heat techniques just make my hair look kinky. I like more of a real curl. A beachy tousled curl.

Here’s how I do it.
(Thanks to my husband for taking my pics. He’s a saint. And how’s my “don’t look at the camera” blogger face? I think I nailed it. haha)

My hair is quite thick and its getting long, but this technique looks great on all types of hair. I think its really cute on shorter hair, when it looks piece-y and fun.

I start by blow drying my hair and then putting it in a bun for awhile to get the waves going and to tame the frizzies a bit. An hour or two is good, but I’ll do it for even 20 mins if I can.

It is best to do it right after you finish blow drying it while the hair is still warm.

Then I put it half up, so that the curls on top are curled closer to the root. I use a small clip to hold it in place.

I just use a regular 1 1/4 in curling iron (you know, the Conair one we’ve all had since high school!). I bend the little resting bar back so its out of the way. I’ve considered curling wands, but I really like the look I get from my regular curling iron.

So I hold the curling iron in the hand opposite of the side I’m working on, and then wrap my hair around the barrel from the top to the bottom. (Hello grumpy face!

Oh man. I’ll agree, it takes some coordination/practice.) The less hair you curl at a time, the curlier it is. If you want really loose, beachy waves, use larger sections. I like doing smaller sections around my face and on the top sections.

I wrap it to the end and hold it for a few seconds, being careful to not burn my fingers. It’s ok if the hair twists a bit and doesn’t lay perfectly flat on the curling iron. It just adds more texture.

Then I position my hand underneath the curling iron to catch the curl. I let it rest (and kinda bounce it) in my hand to let it cool. This helps the curl not stretch out. It makes a big difference, trust me!

Then I go around my whole head, switching hands when I get to the other side of my head. Then I let the top section down and curl it the same way.

I spray it a bit to help the curls hold.

To keep it wavy for 5+ days
I always always always put it in a bun on the top of my head while I sleep. Then in the morning, I put a shower cap on (I like this one) when I shower, and when I’m getting dressed, I just take it out of the bun and usually run my fingers through it a bit and maybe brush it a little, and I’m good to go!

On the third or fourth day, I use a bit of dry shampoo (my recipe here) around my face to help with kinks/greasies. The curls fall out quite a bit by the fourth/fifth day, but the waves are still pretty.

Make Your Own Beautiful Living Succulent Wreath Centerpiece! Complete video course by Jeannine Romero now available through Skillshare.

Traci M.

Wednesday 12th of February 2014

So I've been curling my hair like this the past few times rather than using my flat iron to do curls and I love this method, the waves are much more beachy and loose! Woo thanks for the tips!!

Liz Mrozowski

Wednesday 5th of February 2014

Pretty, I love waves! But my cousin is a hair stylist and tried to teach me how to do them on my long hair and I am convinced that I will always and forever be curling iron illiterate! I am just plain horrible at it. But it's ok...I have come to accept my lot in life..... Hehe ;)

Audra Day

Friday 31st of January 2014

Your post makes me miss my long hair a little bit :). Love the waves <3. Off to check out your dry shampoo recipe!

[email protected]

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Thanks Audra :) I like it most days, but I am starting to think about how fun it would be to chop it off again!

Aimee @ Like Mother Like Daughter

Friday 31st of January 2014

I love this! I curl my hair the same way, but I haven't tried holding it in my hand while it cools before letting it down - definitely need to try that. Also, I've tried not washing my hair but after 2 days its so GREASY! Did it take a transition phase for you having greasy hair for a couple days while your hair got used to not washing as much? My hair takes it feels like hours to dry so if I didnt have to wash and dry and style it every day that would be a life saver for me. Also homemade dry shampoo recipe!? Hallelujah I can never find it in the store, can't wait to try!

[email protected]

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

My hair was really greasy when I first started going longer between washes. I had to use dry shampoo like every day! Now its settled down a lot, and I only use dry shampoo on like day 3, and sometimes day 5. Just start slow, and gradually add more days. Do you air dry it? My hair feels so limp and weird when I air dry. But even blow drying it takes a good 8-10 mins for me. We should talk hair this weekend! ;)

Jesseca

Friday 31st of January 2014

oh pretty! I wish my hair was that long! Feels like I've been growing it for ages and it's just a little too short still :0)

[email protected]

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Thank you Jesseca! :) I'll pray for your hair bones to grow FASTER! hehe

Comments are closed.