I’ve been conditioned to expect “ingenue waves” when I request a wavy finish for my hair from salon stylists. Well, except for that one time I left a salon looking like I drive a 1970s Vista Cruiser station wagon with faux-wood panelling, and shampoo with Breck. But yesterday I had what immediately became one of my favourite salon-styled ’dos and realized beachy is a key word for me.
In casual, uncontrived beachy waves, I feel most like myself.
Most stylists, in response to “wavy, please,” will either blowdry hair straight then put curls back in with a hot iron, or blowdry while using a round brush to shape large, loose curls. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a popular, pretty style, and it elicits compliments — all good. (Except for that Breck-girl pouff, when the stylist went nuts with a bunch of round brushes. Not. Good.)
But this time, Redken artist and colorist Sean Godard of Salon Tocci in Liberty Village went with my natural texture rather than blow it out. He simply twirled my wet hair into tight ringlets, diffused it gently until it was about 85 per cent dry, then sent me on my merry way. And at my next appointment, I got compliments on the finished look.
Really, it’s a better version of my usual wash/condition/rake-stuff-through-my-hair-and-get-out approach.
Given that I can twirl my own hair and happen to own a diffuser, this is an easy thing I can do at home if I feel like it. And I wouldn’t have to wait the usual five hours for my hair to look decent. I should make the effort, yes? (We’ll see. *grin*)
All Sean used in my hair before styling was Redken Nature’s Rescue, a new collection of paraben-, sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo, conditioner and refresher sea spray. Designed for the healthy-haired consumer who wants more natural in her haircare formulas, the colour-safe trio contains soy protein, sea algae, and aloe vera, which provides extra conditioning. Look for it in Redken-stocked salons next month.
You can also get the look from Sally Hershberger’s Mineral Spray. If you have hair less willing to do the beachy wave, throw in a helping of curl-enhancing mousse or gel, such as LaCoupe Perfect Curls, Herbal Essences Totally Twisted, or Redken Fresh Curls, all great texture helpers.
Image via Samsung GalaxyS Captivate.
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Love it! it looks naturally wavy. It’s like a citified beachy wave – all the casual looseness but with a teensy bit more control and none of the damage.
But on a more serious note, I don’t know if I can sit idly by while you slag Breck. Or those old station wagons. Them’s happy memories.
But no, there’s no stiff, faux Breck girlishness at all to that style.
And is that a Joe Fresh Fuchsia lip? Veddy nice.
Plus it’s dead easy! I’m a big fan of dead easy.
But question: what was the deal with faux woodgrain panelling?? Did anyone ever think, “Woo! Look, real wood on a car! I must have it!”?
Sheesh. Now is not the time for me to remember the gorgeous wood grain in car Colin Firth’s character drives in A Single Man. That was a thing of beauty (as was the film). Did you see it?
J, I love it!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, lovely! xo
This method sounds a lot more hair friendly too! I hate sitting while my hair is being blown dry as a bone while imagining the damage being done. I hate puffy too. It only makes sense to go with the natural texture, and the results look great!
Definitely hair friendly — the diffused air isn’t as mean to hair as standard hot blasts, plus you need much less energy to get things done. And, if you’re me, you twirl and leave the house, because let’s get real: I’m unlikely to diffuse regularly. *grin*
Very pretty and soft…I like that look. I get so annoyed at the blow it straight then re curl it. That is extra heat abuse my hair doesn’t need.
I am rocking a similar do today! As much as I love Living Proof for straight hair, my daughter and I have found while we used it, over time our curls were disappearing! It has taken several shampoos to rid my hair of the limpifying LP and I’m back to my sulfate free silicone free routine. I adore Tigi Foxxy Curls curl cream for soft bouncy curls. No build up, washes out and refreshes easily. Works on my heavy thick hair too.
Limpifying is an awesome word.
Agreed! Digging “limpifying.” Am thinking LP is for folks who are addicted to wearing their frizzy or wavy hair straight. Clearly it works.
Am not familiar with Tigi Foxxy Curls, although I’ve heard of the line. Must investigate one of these days!
I can think of several occasions where limpifying can work…lol. Sorry about my typo, it’s Foxy Curls(one X) and I use the Contour Cream for my thick hair, my older daughter has silky fine hair and she loves the Foxy Curls Hi-Def Spray. Great line….and I’m pretty sure their shampoos are sulfate free as well…the Christmas gift sets will be out soon (if not already) and there are always great package deals.
I LOVE beach hair and I’m going to try this technique because I can never “get the look at home”. I’ll let you know how it goes! Thanks for the inspiration.
Oooh! The look would be so pretty on you! If you find you’re not getting quite enough curl, wind random sections around the closed barrel of a 2-inch hot iron (hold onto the ends of each section so they don’t get any curl; that way you avoid the too-contrived look) for a few seconds. When you slide the barrel out, tug gently on the curl to elongate it, ‘k?
Love love love this hair on you. I wonder if the twirling/diffusing technique would work on straight hair???
Thanks, lady! I think it might with some good styling product — depends on how stubborn the hair is, right? Lemme know how it goes if you try it!
Beautiful hair on a beautiful girl!
How about the wood grain slow cooker?
Thanks, M :-) I have got to post a photo of that thing! It’s awesome. xo
Love it! I’m tempted to go out and get me a diffuser! ;)
Thanks, Diana! But how do you not already have a diffuser, lady?
Well, let’s face it, diffused hair has not been ‘in’ for some time so I’ve not had one since the ’90′s plus, they’re too darn bulky to carry around in a kit.
Come to think of it, I did need one when working with Sandra Oh so had an assistant run to Shopper’s to get one for me. I’ve no idea what happened to it after that.
Off to check the bowels of the basement.
I am obsessed with this look. I am always searching for a good texturizing spray. I recently tried Paul Mitchell awapuhi wild ginger texturizing sea spray which was really great – made my hair perfectly wavy and still soft. I will be sure to check out some of your recommendations too!
That Paul Mitchell sounds kind of delicious! How’s the scent?
The Redken Nature’s Rescue line is amazing! I own all the products and it has completely changed my hair. It is now softer yet not weighed down like some shampoos and conditioners leave your hair. And my hair feels so much cleaner and healthier. Tomorrow I am going to try out the diffused beach waves look! I would definitely recommend these products.
I love a success story, Emma! Thanks for your comment!