Soft Waves Hairstyle: Easy Steps for Natural-Looking Waves

Soft waves are popular because they look natural, not over-styled. The goal is gentle movement, not tight curls. Larger sections, a light hold, and brushing the waves out a little at the end all help the finish look soft.

Step 1 — Part and section.

Choose a centre or side part, then work in medium sections. Very small sections give tighter curls, which is not the soft-wave look.

Step 2 — Wave, do not curl tightly.

Wave each section loosely, leaving the very ends a little straighter for a more natural finish. Keep the direction consistent on each side so the waves fall in the same pattern.

Step 3 — Break the waves up gently.

Once the hair cools, run your fingers through it lightly or brush it out with a wide-tooth comb. This turns separate curls into soft, blended waves.

Step 4 — Set lightly.

Finish with a light hold spray. A heavy spray makes waves stiff and can weigh them down by midday.

Variations to try

• Half-up soft waves: Gather only the top section back and leave the waves down for a softer, balanced look.
• Side-swept waves: Sweep the part to one side for a more dressed-up finish, similar in feel to a wedding guest style.
• Waves with a low ponytail: Pull soft waves into a low ponytail for a neat everyday version.

Fixes for common problems

• Waves fall flat: The sections may have been too large, or the hair was brushed out too much. Try slightly smaller sections next time.
• Waves look frizzy: Use a light smoothing product on the outer layer only, and avoid touching the waves too often.
• One side looks different: Check that both sides were waved in the same direction and with similar section sizes.
• Ends look too straight: Wave the ends lightly too, but leave just the last centimetre or two softer for a natural finish.

Next step

If you like soft, wearable styles, also try the simple wedding guest hairstyles on this site, or the easy everyday ponytail for days when you want hair up.