Use shampoo to make sure your hair is clean. When using conditioner, do not apply it to your scalp but instead focus on the ends of your hair. This makes your hair lighter so that it is not weighted down.
If you have very thick hair, use a blow dryer to remove some of the water. Your hair should be damp, but not sopping wet. Removing tangles from your hair will allow you to create smooth waves rather than knots which may catch or look unappealing.
Apply conditioner to sections of your hair to ensure it is evenly distributed. Avoid applying it to your roots. Apply leave-in conditioner to your ends and about halfway up to your roots. Don’t use leave-in conditioner and regular conditioner if your hair is fine. You can add more conditioner as needed.
The top layer of your hair will need the product the most. As long as you choose the best product for your hair type, your hair should not look greasy.
Begin with 12 strips, 6 for the top layer of your hair, 6 for the bottom. Cutting up an old pillowcase or old shirt can be an economical way to get fabric.
Pull a small handful of hair away from your face. If you divide the side of your head into quarters, it will be 1 quarter of that hair.
Watching what you’re doing in the mirror will help as you’re first learning.
Run your fingers through your hair to turn ringlets into waves. Do not use a comb or brush as this creates frizz. Apply hairspray to set the waves if you have hair that easily loses body.
Some people find sleeping on curlers to be uncomfortable or difficult. Remember that the size of the curler will determine how loose or tight the waves are. Big curlers make loose waves.
If you want a tight crimp from the braids, divide your hair into many small sections to braid. If you want loose waves, divide your hair into four or five sections.
First bring the right strand over the middle strand. What was the right strand is now the middle strand. Now bring the left strand over the middle. What was the left strand is now the middle. Repeat this process until the whole section has formed a braid. Make sure that you braid your hair using strong, even tension to get the best results.
Begin as near the crown of your head as possible, to ensure that the waves don’t begin halfway down your head. Braid as far down the section as you can so that the tips of your hair are not straight when you undo the braid.
Use a blow-dryer to dry the braids, or sleep on your braids and undo them in the morning.
If you plan to have your hair parted after your waves are done, make sure to have that part in place before dividing your hair into sections. Start with 10 to 12 even sections and secure each of the sections using a clip. After you have experimented you may find you like more or fewer sections depending on hair length or texture.
Start with a section near the crown of your head. If you start with a lower section, hair from an upper section is likely to get in your way.
A tight twist will create a firmer wave.
Use bobby pins to hold smaller buns in place. Use 2 at perpendicular angles to ensure an even hold.
Use a hair spray or scrunch fixative gel into your hair to ensure that the waves will stay all day.
