How to Create Loose Waves That Last for Days

Loose waves that last multiple days come from starting your curl at the root instead of the ends, leaving the last two inches of hair straight, and tugging on each curl while it's still warm to create a relaxed, undone shape. This technique gives you that effortless, lived-in look that works as a standalone style or as a foundation for updos.

"My curls never last past lunchtime." I hear this frustration from clients at The Warehouse Salon in DeLand all the time. Usually the problem isn't their hair type. It's their technique. The traditional method of wrapping hair from the ends up creates curls that look polished for about two hours and then fall flat.

Hey, I'm Jennifer, one of the stylists at The Warehouse Salon in DeLand. The approach I'm about to share flips that method completely. It's designed to create soft waves that hold their shape for two or three days, which means less time styling and less heat on your hair overall. Let me walk you through exactly how it works.

A client from Deltona was ready to give up on curling her hair entirely. She'd been wrapping from the ends up, and her waves went flat by noon every single time in Florida humidity. I taught her the root-first method with a 1.25-inch iron, showed her the warm tug technique, and sent her home with Kenra Volume Spray for prep and Kenra Volume Spray 25 for finishing. She texted me on Day 3 with a photo: "I still have waves. Day THREE. I've never gotten past six hours before. You've changed how I do my hair forever." That's what happens when you fix the technique, not just add more product.

Why Starting at the Root Changes Everything

Most people learn to curl by clamping their ends and rolling the iron up toward their head. This puts the most heat on the ends (which are already the most fragile part of your hair) and the least heat near the roots (where you actually need staying power).

When you start at the root instead, you're putting heat where it matters most for hold. The curl gets set at the top of the section, which means it has the structural support to last longer. And because you're leaving the ends straight, the result looks more natural and modern rather than like you tried too hard.

Here's the actual technique: place your curling iron near the root of a section, then slowly twist and rotate while feeding the rest of the hair through. Let the bottom two inches slide right past without touching the barrel. This creates that soft, undone wave that looks like you woke up with perfect hair.

The Tug That Makes All the Difference

Right after you release each curl from the iron, give it a gentle tug while it's still warm. This immediately loosens the curl and prevents that too-perfect, prom-night look.

The curl is most pliable when it's hot. Pulling on it stretches the shape and creates a softer wave instead of a tight ringlet. Work quickly because you only have a few seconds before the curl sets.

One important exception: if your hair doesn't hold a curl well, skip this step. Let each curl cool completely in the shape it falls from the iron before touching it. Some hair types need all the hold they can get, and tugging will just make the wave fall out faster.

How to Prep Your Hair for Multi-Day Waves

The secret to waves that last isn't piling on product. It's actually the opposite. On day one, use as little product as possible so you have room to add more on days two and three.

Start with clean, dry hair. Apply a volumizing foam like Kenra Volume Spray or K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray at the roots before blow drying. A volumizing spray can go on the mid-lengths to ends. Blow dry straight with a paddle brush. Don't flat iron.

When it's time to curl, make sure each section is completely dry before the iron touches it. If you hear sizzling or popping, that means there's still moisture or product that hasn't dried. Never apply a hot tool to damp hair. It causes damage and makes your curls fall faster.

Sectioning Makes a Bigger Difference Than You Think

If you have thick hair or you're new to this technique, take the extra minute to section properly. Clip the top half of your hair out of the way and curl the bottom half first. Then release the top and work through that section.

Proper sectioning prevents the frustration of wondering which pieces you've already curled. It also stops you from re-curling sections by accident, which means double the heat exposure for no reason.

For the crown area, try creating a circular "halo" section. Clip it up, curl everything beneath it, then release and curl the halo. This ensures you get good coverage on the back of your head where it's hard to see what you're doing.

Comb through each section before curling to catch any tangles. You don't want to seal a knot in place with heat.

Face-Framing Pieces Should Be Different

The curls around your face should be looser and more undone than the rest of your hair. This creates a soft frame that looks natural instead of styled.

For these front pieces, put the iron in, give it one quick twist, and pull it out immediately. Then tug on the curl right away to loosen it significantly. You want barely-there waves here, not defined curls.

These face-framing sections set the tone for your whole look. When they're too tight or too uniform, the entire style looks overdone.

Creating Root Lift While You Curl

If you want volume at the crown (and in Florida humidity, a little lift helps keep hair from going flat), adjust your positioning while curling those top sections.

Hold the section vertically and position the iron almost on top of your head rather than to the side. This encourages the curl to form with built-in lift at the root. When you release it, the volume is already there.

I often show clients this positioning during styling appointments. It's one of those small adjustments that makes a noticeable difference but is hard to figure out on your own.

Finishing Without Overloading on Product

Once all your sections are curled, resist the urge to brush. Run your fingers through instead to break up the curls and blend them together.

For added volume, try targeted teasing at the roots. Lift the top layer of hair, tease a section just above your ear at the root, and spray that teased area with a flexible hold hairspray. Then drop the top layer to cover it. This creates width and prevents your curls from collapsing into each other.

Finish with a light veil of firm hairspray from about a foot away. In Florida humidity, this final layer is what keeps your waves from frizzing out or losing their separation by the end of the day. Kenra Volume Spray 25 has been a go-to for years because it provides hold without making hair crunchy.

Fixing the Shoulder-Length Flip

If your hair hits right at your shoulders, you've probably dealt with the annoying flip that happens right after curling. The ends just want to kick out in weird directions.

Two solutions work here. First, just wait. Give your style about 20 minutes to settle and the flip usually relaxes on its own as the curls cool and drop.

If waiting doesn't help, take your still-warm curling iron and gently run it over the flipped section to soften and redirect it. Don't use a flat iron for this because it will straighten the curl completely. The curling iron just smooths out the direction without removing the wave.

The Multi-Day Strategy

Here's how to stretch your waves across three days:

• Day one: Minimal product. Just your prep products (Kenra Volume Spray or K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray at roots) and finishing hairspray. The waves are fresh and don't need much help.
• Day two: Add texture spray like Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray at the roots for volume and grit. This refreshes the style and adds the product your hair can now absorb.
• Day three: Dry shampoo if needed (K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo or ECRU New York Dry Shampoo), plus more texture spray. Style into a half-up look or messy bun if the waves are losing definition.

By limiting products on day one, you're leaving room to add more throughout the week without buildup. This is how you get three solid days from one styling session.

Your Multi-Day Wave Questions Answered

What size curling iron is best for loose waves?

A 1.25-inch barrel creates the ideal loose wave for most hair lengths. Smaller barrels (1 inch) create tighter curls, while larger barrels (1.5 inches) may not create enough bend to hold. We typically recommend 1.25 inches for medium to long hair and 1 inch for shorter lengths. BaBylissPRO and Hot Tools both make reliable 1.25-inch barrels that heat evenly.

Why won't my curls hold all day?

Common reasons include curling hair that's still slightly damp from products, not using any hold product at all, or pulling on curls when your hair type needs them to cool in place. For hair that resists holding, spray a setting spray like Kenra Thermal Styling Spray 19 on each section before curling and let it dry completely before applying heat. Also check that you're starting at the root, not the ends.

Should I curl my hair the night before or the morning of?

Either works, but morning curls look fresher and hold their shape better for multi-day wear. If you curl at night, the waves will relax and settle overnight, giving you a more lived-in look by morning. Some people prefer this softer result. Experiment to see which timing works better for your style preference. If curling at night, sleep with hair in a very loose, low bun to preserve the wave pattern.

How do I get more volume at the crown?

Hold the sections at your crown vertically while curling, with the iron positioned almost on top of your head. After curling, tease the roots of the middle layer and spray with flexible hold hairspray before dropping the top layer over it. This creates hidden volume that lasts. Apply volumizing foam (Kenra Volume Spray or K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray) at the crown before blow drying for foundational lift.

What are the best products for multi-day waves?

Day 1: Volumizing foam at roots (Kenra Volume Spray or K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray), finishing spray. Day 2: Texture spray for refresh (Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray or Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray). Day 3: Dry shampoo if needed (Batiste or Living Proof) plus more texture spray. For hair that doesn't hold curl, add setting spray (Kenra Thermal Styling Spray 19) before curling. Keep Day 1 minimal so you can layer products on Days 2 and 3 without buildup.

Book Your Wave Technique Lesson

Getting waves to hold all day (or all week) comes down to technique more than products. If you've been struggling to make your curls last, a quick lesson during your next appointment can make all the difference. I'm happy to walk you through the method and adjust it for your specific hair type.

Book your next appointment at The Warehouse Salon, 1782 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Call (386) 873-6188 or schedule an appointment online. We'll get your waves working for you.