This Is the One Hair Trick That’ll Hold Your Waves All Night

Until maybe two years ago, no matter what I used to curl or wave my hair, I could not get the style to stick around for longer than a couple of hours. It was such an issue, and no matter if my hair was relaxed, natural and pressed, or in a weave, the wave would always drop. Before heading to my party or event, I would spray on a ridiculous amount of lacquer until my strands were crisp tendrils, and then at least the style would hold, but my hair would look and feel so dry. I know it’s a problem a lot of my friends, no matter their hair texture, face too. How do you actually make waves last?

It’s so simple, but it’s honestly changed the lifespan of my hairstyles. If I’m doing my hair for an event, I will curl it as early as possible and use hair clips to hold the curls up, and then do things like my makeup, outfit, etc., before unpinning the curls or waves. After doing this, for the rest of the night, I have the bounciest style with the best longevity. When it comes to products now, I rarely use a traditional, crispy hair spray anymore, as I really don’t need it. “When styling with heat, the most important step is using a heat-protecting serum, not only to maintain healthy hair but also to help the look last longer,” says Subrina Kidd, textured hair expert for L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod. “A good serum creates a coating around the hair to keep the look held and includes heat protection. I also love to use a flexible hair spray that will provide a long-lasting finish whilst still giving the hair movement.”

Tool-wise, for my mid-length hair, I’ve seen the best hold from using curling wands. But for subtle waves and for longer hair, I love using a straightener and creating my own bends for a less polished finish.