How I Get My Waves. My Hair Waves.

WARNING: You are about to experience an onslaught of nostril photos. Proceed with caution.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

This is the thing. I’m supercalifraglsdflksjfld awful at selfie photos. Like, bad. But sooooo many of you have asked how I style my waves, so I decided, what the heck! Post a tutorial on it! And by tutorial I mean, a non-hair blogger’s attempt at showing you my hair by way of awkward photos of dry knuckles, neck moles and rogue toilet paper roles on the bathroom counter. Y. . . yay?

So here we go. How I style my hair! In three . . . two . . .oh gawd.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

This is what it looks like right after I blow dry it. Frizzy, giant, a circus act. I WILL say, I recently upgraded my blow dryer to this babe, and it’s definitely helped cut down on the frizz, and how long it takes to dry my hair. I’m making life progress, you guys!

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

So first I straighten it. Which seems counterproductive, I know. But you have to add the chic first! Then the waves. I straighten out as much bulk as I can all over. Especially the ends. You want those slick blunt ends at the bottom of your waves. But we’ll get to that.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

And yep yep, I use a Chi straightener. I’ve tried multiple other brands, and this’n here just does the trick. CHIC TRICK. Ahahahaha!

Oh.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Post straighten! I need a trim.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Theeeeen my second step is to add a little bit of junk back to it. Because my hair, if it’s too clean and smooth, won’t hold the curl. So what I do is smile really big at my shower curtain because this is a special hair moment like no other, and spritz spritz spritz through my under hairs. AND YES, there are two bottles of Kenra 25 on the counter. I can ‘splain. One was almost empty, so I was using that one up before I started on the next. SO BACK OFF.

Just kidding I love you don’t leave me.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Divide your hair up the back into two pigtails. Loosely tie one with a hair tie while you work one side of your head. Then start with your under back hairs. Curl away from your face, but LEAVE THE ENDS ALONE. Sorry to yell at you. Don’t touch those ends, man! They want to be free to do what they want at any old time.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Keep working small chunks of hair on that side (I switched sides because this photo was better, hahahaha! oh.) until you’ve finished the whole side.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

This is what it looks like when you’re halfway through one side. You’re about . . .  87 minutes in at this point.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

NOW, as you’re making your way closer to your face, take some smaller chunks along the top of your head, and curl those TOWARD your face. This will add a little  bit of dimension to the waves. My hair salon gal taught me this long ago! She’s 31 and tiny and has zero jowls.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Listen, I warned you about the nostrils.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

Once I’ve made my way all over my head, I like to go back on top and re-curl a few chunks that are falling faster than others. Spritz it a few more times while you let the curls cool. Key step!! LET THOSE CURLS COOL, MAN.

Then once the curls have cooled (curls cooled cooled curls curled cools cools curled), you can either violently shake your head to loosen them all, or just run your fingers through the curls to relax them.

I had a photo of me shaking my head, but I looked completely psycho, so. No.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

And we’re done!

This photo makes me giggle. It reminds me of those scammy mall creepsters in the ’80s that made you pay 5 billion dollars for a crappy GLAMOUR SHOT. I loved those. I never had one. My mom was like, GUESS AGAIN. But my friend Heather got one and I was fiercely jealous. She had one of those metallic cone hair tie thingies with a crimped volcano of crispy hair glory exploding out the top like lava. It was pure magic. Her bangs alone could have had their own Facebook page.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

The side! See how those straight ends make such a difference?

Also, make sure you give a high-level cheese chuckle at your shower tile, too. This helps the hair stay in place.

Don’t quote me on that.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

The back! I even went back and took some of the outer crown chunks and gave them another go after I saw this photo. Oh! Let’s start a band called Outer Crown Chunks.

We suck.

Hair Beach Waves Tutorial / Bev Cooks

The waves will relax over time, so make sure you put on an excessively-loaded lint-flecked sweater and flip your bangs over for a fun, slick, updated ’90s vibe.

Oh it’s not updated?

. . .Oh.

THE END.

More tips, if you’re not completely sick of this just yet.

  • I always add a little bit of coconut oil to the ends and roots of my hair, where I want extra shine.
  • That thing on the wall that you’re all curious about – it’s a driftwood towel holder made by Aaron. YES it’s weird and I’m obsessed with it.
  • The white tank is Madewell! And it’s my new life.
  • The necklace is Etsy.
  • The rings are Madewell, Nisolo and Fine Life Co!
  • The curling iron in a 1-inch Conair.
  • I only wash my hair once a week. (no, seriously) And I’d say this style is BEST (for me) days 2-4. Then after that it’s the beloved topknot.
  • No nostrils were harmed during the making of this blog post.

 

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37 Responses to How I Get My Waves. My Hair Waves.

  1. Kristy January 18, 2018 at 9:10 am #
    This was SO helpful... Thank you for including the products that you used and also the size of the curling iron that was very helpful....
  2. Heather McCoy from Vermont January 18, 2018 at 10:14 am #
    Life changing, for realz.
  3. Julie January 18, 2018 at 10:33 am #
    Love this!!! This is an inspiration for me to actually do my hair, did you use a round brush to blow dry your hair?
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 11:35 am #
      Just a regular brush! No round. Anytime I try round I end up winding my hair into it. ;)
    • Jess Nostrils July 29, 2021 at 12:03 pm #
      Nostrils! I have them too! The curls definitely add more movement away from the center of your face and frame your face so nice! My nose is so similar! Although I would have never noticed your nostrils if you hadn't blurted that one out lol! It made me smile because I always flare mine really fast when I feel like they have the whole rooms attention! I enjoyed the self acceptance you express and think your so pretty! I want in the nostrils club!
  4. Nicole January 18, 2018 at 10:35 am #
    Do you remember the length of the necklace? I have a really short bob that has been there for life. I think you have made me decide to grow it out.. for real this time!!! Thanks for the push:)
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 11:34 am #
      The necklace is 16 inches, I believe!
  5. Laura January 18, 2018 at 10:39 am #
    This is THE BEST!!!! Thank you for including all the products and your awesome jewelry!!! Of course I would love to know where your gold bangle is from as well!
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 11:33 am #
      So glad you like! The bangle is Hellbent: http://www.bethnaumann.com/
      • Lisa November 24, 2019 at 8:06 am #
        I need to know what lipstick that is... If you can even remember at this point:) Your hair looks beautiful, but I just don't have time in my life for this level of styling, even 1x week. Kudos to you!
  6. leslie January 18, 2018 at 10:52 am #
    love it! thanks for sharing! i like the curling towards AND away from face + the leaving the ends alone parts -- those are the 2 things i'm gonna try switching up in my process ??‍♀️
  7. Turner January 18, 2018 at 11:09 am #
    Looks great! I get lazy and “forget” to do this... but it’s so worth it. Have you ever tried doing the curling part using the flat iron? That works pretty well for me and it’s one less gizmo, so maybe good for travel if you don’t want to bring the curling iron?
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 11:34 am #
      I HAVE tried using the Chi to curl, and I can't get it to work right! I need help. :)
  8. Lucinda January 18, 2018 at 12:36 pm #
    So I dont know about you but I don’t wash my hair everyday! Do you know if this style can carryover for day two maybe three hair? And if so how do you keep it nice? Or do you have to do it everyday!
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 12:45 pm #
      GREAT point, and I'll totally update my post to add this in! I only wash once a week, and I'll say this style is BEST (for me) on days 2-4! Then after that it's the topknot. :)
      • Terri January 19, 2018 at 11:25 am #
        So glad you added this extra tidbit of information. I was wondering if you styled every day. My fine fragile hair would fall out by week two if I did this every day. Maybe a tutorial on the topnot? For the inept such as moi. :-)
  9. Kristy January 18, 2018 at 1:35 pm #
    Hi again, I should have asked this ?? question in my previous comment...... I know you mentioned that you wear an xxsmall in Madewell. Is that the size of your tank top?? Thank you!
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2018 at 1:42 pm #
      The tank is xxsmall, yep!
      • Kristy January 18, 2018 at 2:11 pm #
        Thank you for your quick response...I'm going to order it right now!!!! Because not all white tank tops are created equal and this one is perfect!!!!
  10. Sasa January 18, 2018 at 4:31 pm #
    I clicked on this as I thought it was a tutorial for your top knot. My eyes were as big as saucers, getting larger with each step, as I thought all of this work was part of the “effortless” topknot process?!? I was going to have to take a hard pass if this was all done to throw it up.;) That being said.... would love a quick tutorial of the topknot. I mean, I wear mine that way daily and would laugh if someone asked me how I did it- BUT.... yours looks significantly better than mine! Any tips on that??:)
  11. Theresa January 18, 2018 at 5:02 pm #
    Ok I’m real impressed/jealous of your once a week hair washing schedule - do you use dry shampoo between? And what shampoo/conditioner is your fave? Ps sorry for saying fave ?
  12. Nan January 19, 2018 at 11:56 am #
    Agreed, this is a great tutorial! Days 2-4: is your hair loose at night, or a ponytail or bun? I do a really high bun, but it introduces something new (unpredictable) to my hair every morning....
  13. Terri January 19, 2018 at 10:35 pm #
    Oh gosh, I'm such a needy soul. Me again. Sooo, day 2 and 4 are best with this regime. Check check! Howevers, with a wash once a week, do you wet and dry to begin the process? Do I feel like an extra preschooler in your life? Thanks Bev!!
    • Bev Weidner January 20, 2018 at 7:43 am #
      Giiiirl you can ask 3 trillion questions if you want! I don't re-wet. I just start with the straightening as your hair will crimp up over night. Good luck!
  14. Melissa January 20, 2018 at 11:24 am #
    Just wondering if you have thick hair and if it's layered and thinned out? Thanks so much for the tutorial and for the information on all the products!
  15. Laura January 20, 2018 at 8:03 pm #
    Do you curl in two layers (aka clip up the top half of hair and do the underneath first)? I feel like when I do that it ends up looking disheveled, but my hair is pretty thick to do it all in one shot!
  16. Kate January 21, 2018 at 12:21 pm #
    Dude. I love this. One question: where oh where on your hair are you clamping down with the curling iron initially? When I do this, I usually clamp about 2 inches from the ends and then twist the iron to get as much hair around it as possible (getting as close to the roots as possible). Am I doing this wrong? Sometimes I end up with waves only at the bottom and it looks weird with like one wave exactly in the middle of my hair while the tops and ends are straight. Should I be clamping more towards the middle? Why does the word clamping sound so weird?
    • Bev Weidner January 22, 2018 at 1:22 pm #
      I'm all in for the word clamping. I'd say like, 3/4th up! Because they relax during the day, I like to start with more BOING, than noing. I have no idea what that meant.
  17. Emily January 22, 2018 at 1:19 pm #
    Although I was in search of a tutorial on how to "get beach curls", I found myself actually enjoying your written content-very witty and down to earth. Please write a book :)
  18. Anonymous January 25, 2018 at 2:18 pm #
    Do your happen to know what your stylist uses to get your hair such a pretty blonfe? It’s exactly the color I’m trying to achieve .
    • Kelly January 25, 2018 at 2:19 pm #
      Blonde
  19. Sam February 7, 2018 at 9:10 am #
    Pillaging through all the comments to see any trace of dry shampoo mentions. If I washed only once a week I’d be a greaseball. What am I doing wrong here? Is there a certain spray or powder or magical pillowcase keeping your hair so fresh all week? Tell us your secrets! oh and totally on board with a topknot tutorial! :)
  20. Ines February 23, 2018 at 9:28 pm #
    This is awesome, thanks so much for sharing and making it hysterically funny as usual! I have very similar hair and am curious: how does your hair stylist cut your ends to make them look so spontaneously uneven and not bulky? You might tell me know that it's because it needs a trim :)
  21. Alice December 22, 2020 at 6:08 am #
    Experiments with hair color are in fashion. Coloring - even tone to tone - in most cases decorates the hair: fills them with strength, gives Shine, read more about hair coloring services. However, many people are afraid to wear makeup for various reasons.
  22. Hair Spies February 3, 2021 at 3:19 pm #
    Awesome tutorial! I enjoyed reading even though I'm curly by nature!
  23. The Wanderlust Project June 16, 2021 at 5:48 am #
    You have beautiful hair. Thanks for including the products as well. I also use Chi straigtener – it's simply amazing.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How I Get My Tighter Curls. AKA: My Attempt to Look Like Meg Ryan. | Bev Cooks - May 14, 2019 […] done first, then we’ll hurricane it in a bit. And go all the way to the ends! With the beach waves we don’t, but with these tighter curls I like to get all the hair curled so it’s not a […]

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