How to Achieve a Tousled Wave Look with Hair Styling Products

If you’ve ever admired those effortless, beachy waves or the tousled, textured hair seen on fashion runways and celebrities, you’re not alone. The tousled wave look has become a staple in the world of hairstyling due to its casual, yet chic appearance. Whether you're heading to a beach day or a night out, achieving the perfect tousled waves can be a game-changer for your hairstyle.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to create the tousled wave look using the right hair styling products, along with some tips and tricks to help you get that "I woke up like this" vibe, no matter your hair type.
The Secret to Perfect Tousled Waves
Tousled waves are characterized by their natural, imperfect texture that adds volume and movement to your hair. It’s the perfect blend of relaxed and stylish, with a bit of a messy yet polished finish. While it may look effortless, the key to achieving this hairstyle lies in using the right products and techniques to add texture, volume, and definition to your hair.
The Best Hair Styling Products for Tousled Waves
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Texturizing Spray Texturizing sprays are a must-have when trying to achieve tousled waves. These sprays add instant volume and texture by enhancing the natural texture of your hair, making it look fuller and more voluminous. A good texturizing spray also gives your hair the “beachy” effect, with a soft and touchable finish.
Tip: Spray it onto damp hair before styling, focusing on the roots and mid-lengths, to add volume and create the perfect base for waves.
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Sea Salt Spray Sea salt sprays are perfect for recreating that post-beach, windblown look. They help to add body and texture to your hair while providing a matte finish. Sea salt sprays mimic the natural texture your hair gets from saltwater, making them ideal for those who want to achieve an authentic tousled, beachy wave.
Tip: Apply sea salt spray to damp hair and scrunch with your fingers to enhance waves, or use it on dry hair to refresh and add texture.
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Mousse For volume and fullness, mousse is a fantastic product to use. It lifts the roots, adds thickness, and creates long-lasting waves that don’t fall flat. Mousse also works wonders for people with fine hair, giving them that extra body needed to achieve the perfect tousled look.
Tip: Apply a golf-ball-sized amount of mousse to damp hair and comb through. Then, scrunch or twist sections of hair to encourage waves.
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Curl Cream For those with natural waves or curls, curl cream helps define and enhance your texture. It moisturizes the hair while adding definition and minimizing frizz, so you get soft, defined waves without the crunch.
Tip: For defined, bouncy waves, apply curl cream to damp hair, then twist small sections of hair around your fingers. Allow hair to air-dry or diffuse for natural waves.
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Texturizing Paste or Clay If you want to add a bit more structure and definition to your waves, texturizing pastes or clays are a great option. These products give hair a slightly matte finish, allowing you to create waves that are both textured and defined. They’re perfect for shorter hair or creating that tousled, bedhead effect with volume.
Tip: Warm a small amount of paste between your hands and run it through your hair for a messy, piece-y texture.
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Hair Gel While gel is often associated with slicked-back hairstyles, a lightweight gel can be used for softer, flexible hold that keeps waves in place all day. A gel with a flexible hold will allow you to create soft waves without the crunchiness that typically comes with more traditional gels.
Tip: Apply a small amount to damp hair, then twist sections of hair to form waves. Allow it to dry naturally or diffuse for extra volume.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Tousled Waves
Now that you know which products to use, let’s go through the steps to achieve those perfect tousled waves.
1. Start with Clean, Damp Hair
The key to achieving tousled waves is to start with damp hair. Whether you’ve just washed your hair or are refreshing your style, it’s essential to apply your styling products to damp hair to ensure that the waves hold their shape.
2. Apply Your Chosen Styling Products
- For Volume: If you want a more voluminous wave, start by applying mousse to the roots and mid-lengths.
- For Texture: Spritz texturizing spray or sea salt spray throughout your hair to add body and create that tousled, textured look.
- For Definition: If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, apply curl cream to enhance your waves and reduce frizz.
3. Create Waves with Heat Styling Tools
- Flat Iron Method: Take small sections of your hair and clamp a flat iron at the roots. Twist the iron away from your face, then slowly pull it down the hair shaft. This will create soft waves with a little bend. The key is to not overdo it, leaving some sections straight for a more natural, undone look.
- Curling Iron Method: For defined waves, use a curling iron with a barrel size that suits your desired wave (smaller barrels for tighter waves, larger barrels for looser waves). Wrap sections of hair around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, and release. For a more tousled look, alternate the direction of the curls.
- Finger Twisting Method: For a more natural wave, take small sections of damp hair and twist them into small coils. Let your hair air-dry or use a blow-dryer with a diffuser attachment to set the waves. Once your hair is dry, unravel the twists and gently separate the curls with your fingers for a soft, tousled look.
4. Scrunch and Tousle
Once you’ve created your waves, it’s time to enhance the texture. Flip your hair upside down and lightly scrunch it with your hands to loosen up the waves. You can also scrunch your hair as it dries to increase texture.
5. Finish with a Light-Hold Hairspray
To make sure your waves last all day, finish with a light-hold hairspray. This will keep the texture intact without making your hair stiff or crunchy. If you want extra volume, you can also use a volumizing spray at the roots for lift.
Tips for Different Hair Types
- Fine Hair: Use mousse or texturizing spray to add volume and texture. Avoid heavy creams or oils, as they can weigh down your hair.
- Curly Hair: Use curl cream or sea salt spray to define your natural texture. Avoid flat irons and opt for diffusers to enhance your curls.
- Thick Hair: Use a texturizing paste or clay to break up the texture and reduce bulk, ensuring your waves have shape without looking too heavy.
- Straight Hair: Use a curling iron or flat iron to create waves and enhance texture with texturizing spray or sea salt spray.
Final Thoughts
Achieving that perfect tousled wave look isn’t as difficult as it may seem. With the right products and techniques, you can create a natural, beachy style that adds texture, volume, and movement to your hair. Tousled waves are versatile and can be worn for any occasion, from a laid-back day at the beach to a night out on the town.
With the right styling tools and products, you’ll be able to master the tousled wave look and make it your signature style!
FAQ
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How do I make my waves last longer? Use a light-hold hairspray to set your waves and avoid touching them too much throughout the day. You can also try a dry shampoo to refresh waves the next day.
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Can I achieve tousled waves without heat? Yes! You can achieve heatless waves by braiding damp hair overnight or twisting sections of your hair and letting it air-dry.
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How can I add volume to my waves? Use mousse or a volumizing spray at the roots to lift the hair, and scrunch your hair while it’s drying to enhance volume.
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Can I create loose waves with a straightener? Yes, a flat iron can create soft, beachy waves by twisting the hair around the barrel while you pull it through.
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What should I do if my waves fall flat during the day? Use a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to revive the volume and texture of your waves throughout the day.