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Soft waves with a hair dryer are an easy option when you want a relaxed, tousled look without relying on a curling iron. This technique uses twisted sections of damp hair and airflow to shape the strands as they dry. The finished texture can look more casual than defined, polished curls, and you can adjust the wave by changing the size of each section.
The method below was demonstrated by Nashville hairstylist Marwa. Start with freshly washed hair and work patiently: hair should be mostly dry before twisting, and each section should cool before you separate it. This helps the shape settle while limiting the time your hair is exposed to heat.
How to Create Soft Waves With a Hair Dryer
- Dry the roots first. Wash and prepare your hair as usual. Use your hair dryer to dry the few inches closest to the scalp. Let the lengths remain slightly damp while you work.
- Wait until your hair is about 85% dry. Once the roots are dry and most of the remaining moisture has left your hair, divide it into manageable sections. If your hair is still very wet, continue drying gently before moving on.
- Twist each section away from your face. Direct the airflow along the twisted strand. Keep twisting, briefly loosening the section, and twisting again for about 1–2 minutes. Use a comfortable heat setting and keep the dryer moving rather than holding it close to one spot.
- Repeat across your head. Continue until all your hair is twisted. One approach is to make four twists on each side. Dry each twist for a few minutes at a time, checking that the hair within it feels dry before moving on.
- Let the twists cool. Allow them to cool completely, or use the cool setting on your dryer. Cooling before separating helps the hair retain its shape.
- Separate and finish gently. Use your fingers to loosen the twists rather than brushing them out. Apply wave spray if you want extra hold. To smooth frizzy-looking ends, spray a small amount of spray wax onto your fingertips and roll the ends between them.
Adjust the Wave to Suit Your Hair
The size of each twisted section affects the result: larger sections generally create looser waves, while smaller sections can produce more defined texture. Try a few section sizes to see which gives you the finish you prefer. For a natural-looking result, keep the sections reasonably even and avoid pulling the twists too tightly.
Hair texture and thickness can affect drying time, so use the feel of your hair as a guide rather than following the timing alone. If a section is still damp inside, dry it a little longer before letting it cool. A heat protectant used according to its label can also be helpful whenever you use a hair dryer.
This approach creates a more tousled, bedhead-inspired finish than tightly formed curls. Keep the twists larger for softer movement, or make them smaller if you want more definition. Work gently when separating the hair so the waves stay intact.
Final Tips for Soft Waves With a Hair Dryer
Soft waves with a hair dryer are easy to customize with section size, drying time, and a light finishing product. Make sure your hair is mostly dry before twisting, allow each section to cool, and use your fingers to separate the finished waves. These small steps can help create a relaxed style without overworking the hair.
— Laura
