Having long, wavy hair always sounds like a simple look, but it can get straight up messy or look like a last minute appointment based on how the layers are cut, how you style each wave individually, how you style each wave, and how it all complements your hair. Cuts that are designed with straight hair in mind make curls look unkempt and laid. Just rethinking the layers can be refreshing. When it is cut, hair seems like it was waiting to be liberated.
It’s well known that wavy hair can be unpredictable in an extreme way. It can look effortlessly stylish but also give it up to chance to do whatever it wants. A good hairstyle should take these possibilities into account. Based on colors, face shapes, and vibes, there should be a wide range of possibilities with the styles. Some of the styles I put together are good for a long time (20 mins) and others are just yes/done, but I think that’s the honest way to do it.
#1: Soft Layered Brunette Waves That Basically Style Themselves
I appreciate clients who say they want to look like they’ve made an effort, but aren’t going to go grab a curling wand on a Tuesday morning. I totally get that, and I’m not confused about the look you want to achieve. With those sorts of instructions, it’s the layers that will do the work. They will be soft enough to avoid the chunky, separated look but strong enough to give the movement needed so the waves will form as opposed to just weighing everything down. It’s going to feel like I made it just for you if you have medium to thick hair. With a little bit of texturizing spray on damp hair, you’re basically good to go.
#2 Long Brunette Waves with Just a Whisper of Face Framing
I love how much skill this hairstyle takes. I like the appearance that oblique effort was used. The light layering gives a sense of freedom. The hair moves away from the face without bringing in that classic layered look. The biggest change comes from removing the length bulk which adds a lot of volume. It’s good this hairstyle suits oval and rounded faces. The framing pieces are face structuring without being an overpowering. There isn’t much maintenance with this style. Some hair products and possibly a little squeezing (not a lot!) is all you’ll need.
#3: Rich Chestnut Waves with Lowlights That Actually Look Real
Chestnuts with lowlights is one of my favorite services (I may be a bit biased). When done well, people are often envious and think you were born with naturally stunning hair. The lowlights create that three-dimensional look and combined with some waves, look super silky. The cut is placed to support the waves, so they stay lifted until noon. If you are naturally a brunette, then you’re even more lucky because you will be enhancing what you have which usually looks better and is much less maintenance to upkeep. Just a reminder, darker colors will tend to fade if you aren’t using a color-safe conditioner.
#4: Caramel Ribbon Highlights Through Long Layers
This is the hair version of the golden hour filter! It adds color without looking too fake. The highlights are woven throughout the hair to make it look more realistic. We always try to avoid the “I just got highlights” look. It may seem like there are more highlights and lowlights than there actually are. The layers will add movement, which is nice if you like to wear it wavy, or if you want to smooth it (no judgment here). This is perfect for people who don’t want to be locked into just one styling option every day. Because of the nature of warm colors, you will have to come back regularly to prevent the warm caramel color from turning muddy. The cut will grow out nicely, and it will be worth it.
#5: Big Cascading Chestnut Waves for Thicker Hair
If you have a lot of hair, you’ve probably heard “let’s thin it out” quite a few times. This is the alternative I wish more people would consider. The waves begin about mid-length so the roots and crown aren’t fighting to create movement that isn’t there, and all the hair’s thickness becomes the feature instead of the problem. It’s really nice to see a cut that works with density instead of against it. This cut will require regular upkeep. That much hair and that much length is going to lead to split ends and loss of shape quicker than you’d expect. When it’s freshly cut, it’s one of those styles that makes you admire your reflection.
#6: Warm Brunette Waves with Highlights That Frame Everything Right
The highlighter placement is doing approximately 70% of the work, and whoever placed them, I compliment. They are directed exactly where they are going to catch light and draw focus to the cheekbones and the eyes. This is the entire purpose of face framing, even if a lot of people think of it as just “lighter pieces in the front.” The waves have just the right amount of body to feel lush without crossing over into the realm of needing an arsenal of products every single morning. I’ll be honest though, this combination of highlight placement and layered wave shape means you’re most likely going to be sitting in the salon every eight to ten weeks to maintain that intentional look as opposed to grown out. If you love the effect, it is worth it, just know what you’re signing up for.
#7: Soft Ombre Waves That Don’t Look Like 2014
I understand that ombre has a reputation, and some of it is deserved, but this is the best version because the transition is so gradual you can hardly point to where it starts. It does not really make a color statement and is more of a “the sun is shining and I’ve been existing” vibe, which is what ombre should have been. The volume and texture here suggest medium to thick hair that has been layered with enough intention to keep the movement going all the way through the ends. A sulfate-free shampoo will help the color stay gradual and not develop a hard line over time.
#8: Glossy Black Waves with Serious Body
I really love the way the natural black hair glimmers and has movement. The hue alone is really nice! No color manipulation is needed for the dimension, that is the cut and condition doing the work. The hair is wavy in that really nice way, almost like it just dried like that, and that is a great look to have. It will take a lot of deep conditioning to keep the hair healthy, especially with this length and density it will become dry quicker than you would think. The hair will be beautiful when it is healthy and the maintenance will be worth it!
#9: Multi-Tonal Brunette Waves with Invisible Layers
My favourite part about this cut is how the layers just meld into the shape of the cut. They almost seem undetectable, resulting in soft waves that have great body and movement without any of that stepped-shelf effect that can happen from overlayering. The colour has such a lovely multidimensional thing going on that offers a lot of depth without requiring a full colour service. When the waves are misbehaving, a simple midshaft curl with the iron really resets the whole thing beautifully. It’s a great look for “I want to look put together, but not like I’ve tried too hard”.
#10: Burgundy Waves That Actually Make Sense
I have often been disappointed with how burgundy has been used in the past. However, this is not one of those cases. The tone works wonderfully here. The waves create movement that prevent the color from reading flat. The layers also help to reduce bulk in the denser parts, allowing the hair to swing more and catch the light. This works especially well for oval and round faces, as the shape and volume from the layers can be very flattering. Burgundy has the reputation for fading quickly, and this is true. The ‘in between’ phase can be tough to get used to. It is a lovely option for hair colour for those who can commit to regular upkeep. Just know that for a fashion tone, “upkeep” requires a lot of commitment.
#11: Lived-In Golden Blonde with Root Depth
I appreciate the contrast of golden blonde and darker roots. It makes the hair color seem intentional and earned instead of flat and applied. The layers in this cut are long enough to create movement but I know not to sacrifice length for those of you who have grown your hair out for years and are protective about keeping every inch! The color also has a lot of dimension so you will have to come in often to keep your roots from getting too dark and avoid blonde brass. It really is worth it to have a purple shampoo to keep your hair from being brassy in between appointments. The way these layers fall is lovely if you have an oval or rectangle face!
#12: Golden S-Waves with Balayage That Knows When to Stop
This balayage demonstrates a type of restraint. Yes, it is making some sort of a statement, but it is not attempting to carry the entire weight of the personality of the hair. The S-wave is one of my favorites because it is relaxed and natural looking, yet it still has shape and definition, and these layers really support that. I love looks that transition from a morning meeting to dinner without needing to do anything different, that is such an underrated quality in a style. With these gilded tones, you’ll want to keep sulfate free shampoo on deck to avoid creeping brassiness. Heart shapes and ovals are going to love what this does to the area around the cheekbones.
#13: Deep Brunette Waves with That Mirror-Shine Thing
Brunette hair is beautiful. It is not a natural reflection of light. Loose natural waves look effortless. Face framing layers encourage softness while maintaining length and weight. This look is low commitment because your natural shade is being used. The waves and shine will require up-keeping. You’ll want to ensure that you’re taken good care of your hair to maintain this look. You will need to do a little more work to maintain it otherwise it will deteriorate. A hydrating mask once a week will do the trick and your hair will feel a lot better, to touch which is a reward. In the end you will maintain the gloss and look.
#14: Ash Blonde Waves with a Balayage That Feels Soft
This option is great if you want to go lighter while still keeping it looking super natural. The blended base and ash tones are nice against the skin. The balayage offers even deeper colors at the ends to ground the look. This way you won’t go into the ‘too blonde everywhere’ territory. Without any thinning, this color option does the work for you. There will definitely be some upkeep because the ash will warm. Overall the grow out with this option is more forgiving than it would be with an all over blonde.
#15: Espresso Waves with That Salon-Day Shine
Deep espresso is a color that tends to be underappreciated because it is often thought of as dull, but then someone walks in in this exact look and the entire waiting room stops what they are doing. The color’s richness, paired with the volume and wave pattern, is such a strong combination and creates a stunning, almost cinematic effect with no real drama required in the styling. On medium to dark skin tones, this is beautiful because the contrast is gorgeous. Just a few internal layers will help the waves form and spread more movement throughout the ends so all that thickness doesn’t create a triangular shape. With this color, using a shine serum on dry hair will create really great results.
#16: Midnight Blue Waves for When You Want to Say Something
Although I wouldn’t recommend using fashion colors because I don’t want them to wear them and feel like they’re in a costume, there are some people who sit and look like they should have a fun, bright color, and it would be one of the most interesting things. I think the versatility of dark midnight blue is amazing. People look really good with hair that reads as black, and when their hair is an interesting black color, it makes it look like they have an amazing hair color. The waves mean that the color won’t fall flat. The most honest thing is that if you are starting with blonde or a lighter base, it’s often a long process to start with. In this case, the maintenance to keep the depth from fading is real. It’s a type of process where you spend a lot of money on touch-up’s, but if you’re into it, you’ll fall head over heels for it.
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