How to Use a Hair Waver on Short Hair – 7 Steps to Beachy Waves

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If your hair is on the shorter side, you probably struggle with adding curls or waves to your short hair while styling it. There is a minimal amount of area to work with, because there is not much length between your ends and your roots. Luckily, there is an easy solution for this age old problem. If this pertains to your hair styling situation, then it is time for you to learn how to use a hair waver on short hair. 

When you think of curling your hair, the first tools that come to mind are probably a traditional curling iron or wand, or heated rollers. All of these are wonderful tools, but for short hair, they might be difficult to use to create curls with texture and volume. They may also create more of a tighter ringlet in short hair which some women might want, but if you’re going for a relaxed, wavy look, that will not do the trick. Hair wavers offer a new way to curl your strands, that will change the game by putting beautiful curls in your short hair.

 

7 Steps to Using a Hair Waver on Short Hair

 

What is a Hair Waver

A hair waver is basically a mix between a traditional flat iron and a traditional curling iron. It pretty much looks like three curling irons placed together, but you use it as if it were a flat iron. It is made up of three heated barrels and a handle, and is set up in a way where you don’t have to wrap your hair around the barrel to curl it.

By just pressing the tool down on your hair like you do with a flat iron, the hair waver creates ridges in your hair that change the shape of it, creating curls and texture. Hair wavers come in various sizes, that all include different sized barrels. Larger barrels are better for longer and thicker hair, while smaller barrels are recommended for shorter and finer hair. It is important to take note of the type of hair waver and the size of the hair waver before purchasing one, to ensure that it is best for your hair type. 

 

Benefits of Using a Hair Waver

While hair wavers are not as common as other styling tools such as curling irons or wands, flat irons, or heated rollers, they are an amazing choice for easily curling your short hair. When you look at a hair waver, you can see many physical differences that make them appear different than other styling tools, and the results you get from using them can vary greatly too.

The appearance of a hair waver usually consists of heated barrels placed together with a flat plate on the other side of them, which allows you to clamp down on your hair with the tool rather than wrapping your hair around the barrels. This physical design makes them simple to operate, and helps to create lots of curl and texture to your hair.

While styling, your hair is much less likely to tangle when using a hair waver than it would be while curling with a curling iron or wand, or heated rollers. Since you don’t have to wrap your hair around barrels or rollers, you don’t have to worry about your hair getting stuck to the tool or having knots created from it. 

The type of curls you get from a hair waver also vary from the kind of curls you will end up with if you were to use a curling iron or wand, or heated rollers. With curling irons or wands or heated rollers, you are more likely to have tight ringlets, unless you loosen them up after curling or curl your hair a different way to ensure that your curls are looser. Your hair will be more wavy instead of curly when using a hair waver, which produces very different results. 

 

 

How to Use a Hair Waver on Short Hair

Now that you know what a hair waver is and what the benefits are of using them over traditional heated styling tools, it is time to learn how to use a hair waver on short hair. Short hair can sometimes take longer to style, to ensure that it is done properly. With the right styling tools and products, your short locks will have the gorgeous waves you’ve always dreamed of. Let’s get to styling!

Step 1: Wash and condition your hair

Clean hair has more bounce and texture than dirty hair, so it is important to start styling with clean hair especially if your hair is short. Begin by washing your hair with a good-quality shampoo and conditioner, and towel-dry your hair when you are done. For additional volume to your short hair, use shampoo and conditioner that have specific volumizing features.

 

Step 2: Set up your hair waver

Plug in your hair waver and give it time to fully heat up before styling. If you begin styling before it is fully heated up, your hair will not hold its curl and will fall flat, causing you to redo it once it is completely heated up. If your hair waver has multiple heat settings, choose a lower heat setting for your short hair, such as between 300 to 350F. Short and fine hair requires less heat to style than long and thick hair does, so choosing a hair waver with multiple heat options is beneficial. 

 

Step 3: Prepare your hair for styling with your hair waver

It is important that your hair is fully dry and protected before you begin styling with your hair waver. Apply a heat protectant spray or heat protectant serum onto your hair, and brush or comb through it to get rid of any tangles or knots. Grab your hair dryer and blow-dry your hair until it is completely dry, with no wet or damp areas.

 

Step 4: Divide your hair into sections

Even with short hair, it is beneficial to split your hair into sections before you begin styling. Separate your hair into a top and bottom section. Grab the top section of your hair and clip or pin it to the top of your head, so that it will be out of the way when you are styling. It is best to begin styling at the bottom of your hair, and work your way up to the top for best results. 

 

Step 5: Begin curling your hair with your hair waver

Grab a portion of the bottom section of your hair that is about the same size as your hair waver, and clamp the hair waver at the top of the section as close to your roots as possible. Hold the hair waver in place for about five to ten seconds, and then slowly move the hair waver down the length of your section. 

 

 

Step 6: Repeat the curling process to all of your sections

Follow the directions listed in step 5 to all of the sections that you created in your hair. Complete your bottom section first, then remove the clip or pin from the top section of your hair and push the bottom section toward the back of your head. Then repeat the same process that you did to the bottom section of your hair to the top section. 

If you want sleek and evenly distributed curls, make sure that you position your hair waver in the same spot on all of your sections. If you want more relaxed waves, your positioning does not have to be as specific. Make sure that you are clamping on your sections as close to your roots as possible, holding it in place for five to ten seconds, then moving the hair waver down your section slowly until you reach your ends.

 

Step 7: Finish up your hairstyle

Once you have curled all of the sections in your hair with your hair waver, it is time to add some finishing touches to your curls. For relaxed waves, gently run your fingers through your curls to loosen them up a bit. Either way, lightly mist holding hairspray or texturizing spray onto your hair to keep your curls and waves intact for longer periods of time, and to reduce frizz that might occur.

 

Even though hair wavers look dynamic and complicated, they are actually extremely simple to use. Once you get the hang of using a hair waver, you can easily create gorgeous curls and waves to your hair. This is why it is important to learn how to use a hair waver on short hair. By following the steps above, you will have beautiful curls in a matter of minutes.