I'll start this by being honest: I often find the viral 'easy' hair trends that pop up on my TikTok FYP or Instagram feeds to be anything but. To me, even the most low-maintenance, so-called "effortless" hairstyles take me a while to get the hang of. However, I recently spotted one particularly low-lift hairstyle on the Instagram pages of some of Hollywood's favourite hairstylists (namely, Bryce Scarlett's and Nina Park), and it has already won me over—enter something I'm calling face-framing waves.
What Are Face-Framing Waves?
Face-framing waves are loose kinks or curls at the front of the hair that help to add shape and structure around your face. The ease in this hairstyle lies in the fact that you only need to wave the front pieces of your hair to give the illusion of a thought-out and fully styled look.
And the best part? Face-framing waves are adaptable to different hair types, textures and lengths (from short hairstyles, like bobs, to longer looks), meaning anyone can try out this (genuinely) low-effort style for a put-together look. It's also an easy style for those days when you just want to pull your hair up but are still seeking the structure that wearing your hair down often gives the face.
How Do I Achieve Face-Framing Waves?
To get face-framing waves, there are four easy steps that you can follow:
- Create a middle parting in your hair.
- Separate two sections at the very front of your hair.
- Use a heated tool (a curling wand, hair straightener or hair waver) to shape the front sections, typically so that you have an outward-facing kink or curl inline with the tops of your cheekbones or ears.
- You can now style the rest of your hair in any way you'd like or simply leave it as it is for ease. Those with curly styles may choose to wear their hair up or straighten the rest of their hair so that the face-framing waves have their moment
Top tip: If your hair is naturally straight, you can also air-dry your hair with your hair tucked behind your ears to create a natural-looking, face-framing wave. Just apply an air-dry product for some extra definition.
Face-Framing Waves Inspiration
Margot shows just how effortless face-framing waves can be.
Don't feel like wearing your hair down? Face-framing waves help to add structure to buns and ponytails as well.
Face-framing waves + a loose French braid = the perfect everyday hairstyle.
Layers like Kaia Gerber's will only add to the natural contouring that face-framing waves give.
Add a hair gloss to your wash routine for a super-shiny finish.
How to Style Face-Framing Waves
Use a heat protectant before any heated hair tools.
Ghd has some of the best styling tools on the market.
This air-dry cream will keep away fly strands.
The Dyson Airwrap is a great tool for adding in those waves.
Finish off with a hair spray for maximum hold.
A straightener will help to create looser, beachy waves and can also prep curly styles for a straight finish.
