3 Easy-to-Do Hairstyles That Create Heatless Waves

Wavy hair bounces, has life, and works for almost all hair lengths. Best of all, it’s easy to get beachy waves without heat. This is especially important if you’ve been lightening your hair for summer, or live in dry climates during winter when hair can become more dry, brittle, and break.

Unlike heatless curls that may need to set in overnight, you can create the "s" shape wave pattern instead of the "c" shape by wearing one of the popular hairstyles below for 5 to 8 hours during the day, and letting it out in the evening.

Any look that keeps your hair wrapped into a coiled bun will eventually reshape the strand into a temporary wave. That’s why top knot buns are popular for this.

Then it's a matter of running your fingers through your hair to remove knots or tangles, and loosen the wave to the desired look you want.

Pro-tip: Don’t use a brush or comb to loosen the waves as that can pull the waves out of shape more easily.  

To create these looks you will need:

• Styling mousse
• Hair ties
• A light hair spray or finishing spray
• A hair brush or comb

Each style begins with the same first two steps, so we’re going to share them here, then teach you how to do each hairstyle below.

1. Brush your hair to get rid of knots and tangles.
2. Run the styling mousse through your hair so it can hold the "s" shaped wave pattern once you release your locks.

If you’re ready to create heatless waves, here’s three popular hairstyles that look great during the day, and let your hair gain natural waves at night.

Top Knot Bun

Top knot buns are easy to do, look fantastic, and are perfect for all seasons. If you’re looking for a summer look, your hair will be off your shoulders, and the bun can sit comfortably under a sun hat.

The same goes for winter because it holds tight under your snow cap while you ski or head to class. Then you can let the waves come down when it's time to enjoy your evening in, by the fire with friends, or a date with your significant other.

1. Gather your hair and pull it back to a high ponytail and secure it with a hair tie.
2. Twist the ponytail so it begins to form a coil, and wrap it around the base of the ponytail so it holds firm.
3. Once you run out of hair, secure it with another hair tie and tuck the tip in.
4. Once this has sat for 5 to 8 hours, let your hair down and use your fingers to form the correct wave pattern.
5. Now add the light hairspray to give it some extra stability.

Space Buns

Probably the most iconic look for concerts and summer, space buns are a timeless and out-of-this world style that works for all occasions. They’re fun and youthful enough to wear to class, or a casual Friday at work.

Space buns are easy to do, and you can add adornments in to make them uniquely you. 

1. Separate your hair down the middle and secure each side into a high ponytail with a hair tie where you want the space bun to sit.
2. Starting on one side, twist your hair until it begins to coil and wrap it around the base of the ponytail.
3. Once you run out of hair, secure it with the other hair tie and tuck the tip into the hair bun.
4. Now repeat on the other side.
5. Let this look sit for at least 5 to 8 hours, and when you’re ready for waves release your hair.
6. Run your fingers through the waves to get the desired shape and secure them with the hairspray.

Twisty Top Knot Bun

Sometimes a plain hair bun gets boring. When you want texture and movement, the twisty bun comes into play. The twists add a bit of fun and pattern to the classic hair bun look for a fresh feel that is perfect for people with all styling skill levels.

1. Gather your hair and pull it back into a high ponytail, then secure it with a hair tie.
2. Split the ponytail into two sections and hold one section in each hand.
3. Using two fingers, twist the two ponytails into coils and wrap them around each other to creating the twisty rope pattern and secure the bottom with a tiny hair tie.
4. Now wrap the rope of hair around the base of the ponytail and secure it with another hair tie, then tuck the tip into the bun.
5. Release your hair after 5 to 8 hours and run your fingers through the waves to get the desired shape.
6. Strengthen the waves with the light hairspray.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to create a stunning hairstyle that looks great all day and releases into heatless waves for evening. If you found this style guide helpful, enter your email below and we’ll send you more just like it as we update the blog.