December 22, 2021 at 06:00AM
Until maybe two years ago, no matter what I used to curl or wave my hair, I could not get the style to stick around for longer than a couple of hours. It was such an issue, and no matter if my hair was relaxed, natural and pressed, or in a weave, the wave would always drop. Before heading to my party or event, I would spray on a ridiculous amount of lacquer until my strands were crisp tendrils, and then at least the style would hold, but my hair would look and feel so dry. I know it’s a problem a lot of my friends, no matter their hair texture, face too. How do you actually make waves last?
It wasn’t until maybe my third year covering hair at fashion weeks and working with salons and stylists every single day that it clicked. It was the thing that I saw all the time but didn’t really pay attention to: Whenever a stylist would curl or wave a model’s hair, they would pin it immediately, and for the most part, they wouldn’t take down the pins until they had finished the whole head. Why? “Just remember this: Hot to mould, cold to hold,” says BaByliss ambassador Ky Wilson. “The trick to long-lasting curls is to allow the hair to cool down after using your heated tool. The heat forms the curl, but the cool period is what makes them stay. If you can, let them cool for around 10 to 15 minutes. Doing this often and pin-curling your hair after styling will give your hair stability and hold so you don’t have to worry about them dropping out when brushing.“
It’s so simple, but it’s honestly changed the lifespan of my hairstyles. If I’m doing my hair for an event, I will curl it as early as possible and use hair clips to hold the curls up, and then do things like my makeup, outfit, etc., before unpinning the curls or waves. After doing this, for the rest of the night, I have the bounciest style with the best longevity. When it comes to products now, I rarely use a traditional, crispy hair spray anymore, as I really don’t need it. “When styling with heat, the most important step is using a heat-protecting serum, not only to maintain healthy hair but also to help the look last longer,” says Subrina Kidd, textured hair expert for L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod. “A good serum creates a coating around the hair to keep the look held and includes heat protection. I also love to use a flexible hair spray that will provide a long-lasting finish whilst still giving the hair movement.”
Tool-wise, for my mid-length hair, I’ve seen the best hold from using curling wands. But for subtle waves and for longer hair, I love using a straightener and creating my own bends for a less polished finish.
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Author Keeks Reid | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC