How to Get a Weave Wavy

Wavy hair is flattering on most women.
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Maybe you like to change your hairstyles as often as you change your outfits but you've just invested in a straight-hair weave. Fear not -- your straight hair can easily be transformed into waves. If your weave is made from human hair, creating waves is simple with a curling iron. If your weave is made from synthetic hair, avoid using a curling iron, as heated styling tools can damage or even melt your weave.

  • Brush or comb
  • Heat-protectant hair product
  • Curling iron with 1-inch, 1.25-inch or 1.5-inch barrel
  • Hair clips
  • Hair-setting product
  • Shine serum (optional)
  • Hairspray (optional)
  • Leave-in-conditioner or mousse
  • Covered, elastic hair ties
  • Satin pillowcase (optional)
  • Heat-resistant thermal styling glove (optional)

1 Natural Hair Weave -- Curling Iron

2 Brush

Brush your hair gently to smooth it out and remove tangles. Use your hands to evenly apply a nickel-sized amount of heat-protectant hair product from your roots to the tips to help protect your hair from heat damage.

3 Plug in your curling iron

Plug in your curling iron, turn it on and wait for it to heat up.

4 Spritz each section of hair

Brush or comb your hair into 1-inch-wide sections, and lightly spritz each section of hair with hair-setting product. Twist each section into a small bun and secure it with a hair clip at the top of your head.

5 Unclip a section

Unclip a section of hair and brush it out. Starting at the top of the section, twist the hair section down to its ends. Use one hand to hold the bottom of the twisted hair section. Use your other hand to hold your hot curling iron at a 45-degree angle.

6 Wrap the twisted hair section

Wrap the twisted hair section from tip to root around the curling iron's heated barrel, and then hold it there for three seconds before releasing it. If the section of hair still doesn't have a wave, repeat the process, this time holding the hair around the barrel for five seconds. If your curling iron has a clamp, do not use it to clamp down on the twisted hair section. Repeat for each 1-inch-wide hair section until you have curled all of your hair.

7 To gently style them

Finger comb your waves to gently style them.

8 Distribute shine serum

Evenly distribute shine serum to your waves to boost shine, and then evenly spritz your waves with hairspray to keep your waves in place, if desired.

9 Synthetic Weave Wave Without Heat Styling

10 Comb

Comb through your damp hair to remove any tangles.

11 Rub your hands

Squeeze a dollop of leave-in-conditioner or mousse into the palm of one hand, rub your hands together, and evenly distribute the product throughout your hair to combat frizz and increase shine.

12 Brush or comb

Brush or comb your hair into four to eight sections, twisting each section into a small bun at the top of your hair and securing it with a hair clip. Using a larger number of sections will create a tighter wave pattern in your hair.

13 Unclip a section of hair

Unclip a section of hair, brush through it, and separate the section into three even sections. Cross the right section of hair over the middle section of hair so that it becomes the new middle section of hair. Cross the left section of hair over the middle section of hair so that it becomes the new middle section of hair. Repeat this process until the entire section of hair is braided. Secure the end of each braid with a covered, elastic hair tie. Repeat this step for each section of hair.

14 Leave the braids in your hair

Leave the braids in your hair until your hair is completely dry. This may take up to 12 hours, depending on the thickness and length of your hair. You may find it convenient to leave the braids in overnight while you sleep.

15 Remove the hair elastics

Remove the hair elastics and gently undo each braid when the hair is completely dry.

Finger comb your hair to gently style your waves. Spritz your hair with hairspray to keep your waves in place, if desired.

  • Work slowly and pay careful attention when using a heated curling iron, as it is very easy to burn your face, neck, ears and hands with heated styling tools. If you are worried about burning your hands, wear a heat-resistant, thermal styling glove on the hand that is wrapping your hair around the heated curling-iron barrel. These special gloves can be purchased at most beauty supply stores.
  • Keep your curling iron out of reach of young children, and do not operate it around water. Make sure to unplug your curling iron when it is not in use.
  • If you let your braids dry while you sleep, place with your head on a satin pillowcase to prevent damaging your hair and minimize frizzing.
  • Do not brush your waves, as this will deconstruct the wave pattern and cause the hair to poof and frizz.

Lisa S. Kramer is a licensed attorney practicing civil litigation and estates and trusts law in southern Florida. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude. Kramer earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

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