Yep, no one does the messy beachy waves better than Kate Hudson, but it's honestly not that hard to do and the messier, the better, so have at it and give the flat iron a rest now and then. Once you've got the hang of it, it's really a hassle free, wind and summer friendly hair-do :)
Fact is, messy waves is a "do" that you can stretch for a few days with minor touch up's if you have the right hair and do the right thing overnight. If you don't, then it's more of a one day style, but you might be surprised at how your baby fine, straight, thin hair will hold a messy curl and take a touch up the next day if you use the right products and understand the fundamentals of how this style works.
Step 1. It helps if you have highlights both for the messy blonde overall look and because it will be dryer and hold product better.
If you are North Metro Denver Local, go see anyone at Escape Uptown (http://www.facebook.com/escapeuptown). They ROCK and have a current special on for June and July 2011 for $10 off highlights !
If you don't have light highlights or colored hair and your hair is healthy and silky it all still works, just maybe you'll need more product and it won't last as long OR you opt for silky waves, rather than messy beachy waves, but the key is TEXTURIZING your hair to hold that messy wave. At the beach, it's the salt in the water and fast sun drying that does it, but we're going for something a little silkier and less fried looking.
Step 2. In the evening or a few hours before going out, wash and condition as normal, towel dry (DO NOT BRUSH OR COMB IT), scrunch in your moisture protecting repairing serum (I use ICON Serum or AG Liquid Varnish Smoothing Polish
which moisturizes and gives high shine without weight), or argan oil etc if you use it (and you should be using something), but scrunch it in SPARINGLY.
Then LIGHTLY spritz some volumizing or texturizing spray that is kind to your hair. I LOVE these and have used them all
Icon CURE available at Escape Uptown - technically a moisturizer but sprays out a creamy odd sort of liquid and actually works really well to give texture to naturally frizzy or wavy hair like mine, adding moisture.
otherwise use Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift for Normal to Thin Hair
or AG Spray Body Soft Hold Volumizer
Let your hair air dry for a while until it's still a little damp, then gather it all up on the top of your head (crown) and twist it tightly into a spiral, right to the ends, probably wrapping the spiral around itself into a bun thing if you have med, to long hair (it will take a few shots first time), then use a claw clip and secure it so it's comfy on top of your head to sleep in and won't unravel. What this does, is keep the top of your hair pretty evenly straight and where it's twisted, it will dry and form waves from, about ear tops down and will stop where you stop the twist on the ends. But make sure it's ON TOP OF YOUR CROWN, right at that place where you would pull a high, tight ponytail, NOT where someone would smack you in the back of the head.
Step 3. In the morning, or after it's completely dry, spritz your twist again, just a bit (uncurl it from around itself if you made a bun, but don't un-twist it yet) with a texturizing spray and let that dry (or add a little blow dry heat), BEFORE you let it un-twist.
Step 4. Un-twist it and gently shake out with your fingers, NOT pulling on the waves. Then use Beach Blow Texturzing Mist
without or with a blow dryer on low, with a diffuser from as far away as you can stretch... and gently blow dry (or not) using your fingers to create tousled texture. Blow tip: Apply in sections after blow drying and "scrunch" to form natural waves.
Step 5. For a perfect finish, flat iron the crown sections of hair a bit (and your bangs if you have them), stopping where the waves start - see above how Kate Hudson's is kind of straight and has some lift and volume on the top, then falls in straggly waves. This gives you a glossy crown and good shape and you can tidy up any renegade cow licks.
If you have medium to long hair, feel free to use a large barrel curling iron too, just depends on how your hair looks and what needs tidying or finishing for your look. A large barrel curling iron will also help if you want to change it up with some more defined, tousled waves thrown in, (which Kate has in hers above) and fully like Giselle below. Use the iron pointing straight up vertical and wrapping the hair in a spiral (in or outwards, either/or), but not curling from a horizontal position.
Step 6. Finish with a medium or light hold hairspray like Bamboo Organic Smooth Anti-Humidity Hairspray
which is moisturizing but anti-humidity and no parabens, mineral oil or nasties in it. You want beachy waves, not frizz, hence the Anti-Humidity Hairspray .
Just a light spray, a dusting really AND lift the top layers and spray some upward towards your scalp at the roots. That's the trick they never tell you that keeps the style going. This will give volume, movement and that nice not-stuck-to-your-head shape (see pic below, some volume and texture makes a lovely difference, although Giselle is a little more polished here than "beachy waves"). You can also opt to rub on a paste or molding goop under there at your scalp for hold and volume and don't forget the back layer.
Side notes:
If you want any of these products from Ulta, they have Free shipping on $25+ with code 51532
I have personally used all of the products and techniques and they work, but it does of course depend on your hair length, condition and type. Adjust products and methods accordingly and it may take a couple of tries to get it right for you, but it's then a hassle free, wind and summer friendly hair-do :)
This is also my Go-TO for the day after I've flat-ironed straight and humidity has gotten to it overnight. I spritz Biomega Moisture Mist by Aquage without washing, twist and do the rest of the steps and it looks FABBO !
No one gave me any of the products mentioned to plug, they're all in my arsenal (or were), that I purchased. I am partial to Ulta for free shipping, discounts, samples, rewards, range and pricing (honestly that have more and are as good as Sephora online) AND partial to my own stylists at Escape Uptown, because I know them and can recommend any one there confidently.
My hair is long, thin, fine, highlighted, a bit damaged and has some natural unattractive frizz... this is what works on it.
If you have questions or just want recommendations, drop me an email, comment or facebook note
Ciao!
from Chez
a Bona Fide Glam Junkie
