15 Short Wavy Hairstyles to Try Out, Stat

Short Shag

Between its layers and waves, Jenna Ortega’s shag haircut with bangs has got lots of movement. To achieve her look, Gabi Lopez recommends prepping damp hair with a detangler then spritzing with a volumizing spray at the roots, and finishing with a thickening cream, like Unite Boosta, from roots to ends.

After prepping your hair, she says to blow dry your hair upside down, in the opposite direction of where it will lay, so that you can build significant volume. Once your hair is dry, she says to use a 1” barrel curling iron, such as Ghd Classic Curl, to create a polished-yet-tousled shag style.

Tousled Pixie

Halsey’s textured pixie cut is a great low-maintenance short wavy hairstyle for people who want to spend as little time as possible on their hair. 

To land her style, Ponce instructs prepping hair with a heat protectant and blow it out. “Once dry, use a flat iron to smooth each section and apply Unite Second Day Finishing Cream ($31) to create a piecey definition and texture,” he adds. “A little goes a long way, so use sparingly.”

Wavy, Textured Pixie

Taylor Hill's pixie cut with textured waves is low-maintenance but high impact. The side-parted style looks bold and edgy but takes very little time to recreate. To do so, David Lopez advises that you start with freshly washed and microfiber towel-dried hair. Once mostly dry, he says to apply a curl-enhancing mousse, such as Rizos Curls Curl Defining Mousse.

“Use your fingers to scrunch and tousle your hair while blow-drying on a low heat and speed setting,” he instructs. “Finish by using a small curling wand to add definition to specific sections if desired.”

Curly Updo

Whether you have waves or curls, a pineapple-inspired updo is always a good idea. It can mimic the look of long hair with lobs and shoulder-length strands alike. 

“If this isn’t already your natural hair texture, you can still achieve this look with any curl pattern,” says Gabi. To get the wavy style, she says to start with damp hair, detangler, and curl cream—unless you have naturally curly hair, in which case just let it air dry.

After prepping and drying your hair, use a .5” curling wand to add more texture to your wavy hair or to define your pre-existing curls. “Wrap small sections of hair tightly around the wand and hold for three to five seconds,” instructs Gabi. “Release the curl, and let it cool.”

After curling your hair or touching up your natural texture, Gabi says to pull your hair into a loose mid-height pony (leaving a few face-framing tendrils out) and twist it upwards. “Use an elastic with two bobby pins, like a bungee, to secure the at the top of the head. From here, you can fluff your curls and pin to make sure they’re sitting how you like them.”

Bob With Beachy Waves

Rachel McAdams seems to always be having a good hair day but of the many styles she’s worn, her bob with beachy waves stands out. To recreate the low-maintenance short wavy hairstyle, David says to apply a texture spray, like Bumble and bumble's Surf Spray, to damp hair. “Create two or three braids and let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer,” he instructs. “Once dry, gently undo the braids and use your fingers to separate the waves. Finish with a light mist of hairspray for hold and a lightweight oil for shine.”

Curls With Bangs

Zendaya forever slays the hair game but one of her most effortlessly stunning looks has to be her wolf-like bouncy curls with bangs. To get the look, Ponce says to prep hair with a curl cream and diffuse on low heat. “Once dry, define the curls with a small curling iron,” he says. Then, to perfect the look, he says to separate the curls and finish with texture spray and dust. We love the Davines This is a Texturizing Dust to really pump up the volume and establish hold. 

Shaggy Lob

David recommends Ciara’s shaggy lob for anyone looking for a low-maintenance wavy hairstyle. To style, he says to start with air-dried or blow-dried hair. “Use a curling iron or wand to add loose waves directed toward the face,” he instructs. “Run your fingers through the waves to create a tousled, shaggy look, and apply a small amount of styling cream or texturizing wax for added definition and hold.”

Wet-Look Wavy Bob

Rihanna’s curly, wet-look bob is head-turning and easy to achieve. To nail her short wavy hair, David says to apply a curl-enhancing product to damp hair. “If your hair is prone to frizz, add product to hair that is more wet and gently glide your fingers through, clumping sections together,” he instructs. “Gently scrunch your hair upward using your hands to encourage natural curl formation.” After doing so, he says to let your hair air-dry or use a diffuser attachment on low heat and speed settings. (High heat and speed can encourage frizz.) “Once dry, gently separate and fluff the curls with your fingers by massaging your scalp,” he adds.

Flat Iron Waves

S-waves have been in style for years and once you nail the technique, you’ll realize just how easy they are to create day in and day out. “Notice this is more straight than curly—cool, effortless off-duty model hair,” Gabi says of Margot Robbie's waves.

To achieve the look, start with dry hair spritzed with heat protectant and texturizing salt spray. “Then you’ll need to master the flat iron wave,” Gabi says. “In sections the size of your flat iron, hold your hair out horizontally from the head, starting the wave around the eye line, and turn your wrist away as you pass through the section, then quickly bend your wrist back toward your hair for a soft bend, leaving the ends mostly straight or softly bending them out.” "Once you’re happy with the soft texture you’ve created, you can finish with Unite Texturiza Spray for some added volume, fullness, and definition. The end goal is a cool-girl tousled, matte finish.”

Wavy Blunt Bob

Even Beyoncé has worn a low-maintenance short wavy hairstyle. What makes her look stand out is the non-uniform, piecey definition, which you can achieve with a slim curling wand.

Wavy Lob

Lily Collins is the queen of the cool-girl wavy crop. For something similar, David says to start with air-dried or blow-dried hair. “Use a flat iron to create loose ‘S waves’ by rocking your flat iron over and under as you work down each section,” he instructs. “Once all sections are waved, run your fingers through the waves to loosen and soften the look.” Then, to lock your look in, he recommends finishing with a light mist of hairspray or texturizing spray.

Hollywood Waves

Emma Stone’s old Hollywood waves is one of Ponce’s favorite low-maintenance short wavy hairstyles. To recreate it, he says to prep hair with detangler and shine-enhancing styling cream before blow drying. “Once dry, curl the hair with a 1-inch iron then work [a pump of shine oil] into the palms and distribute throughout to control frizz." Finish by shaping and setting the curls using a volumizing powder and a flexible-hold hairspray, he adds.

Wavy Center-Part Bob

Alexa Chung's messy bob looks like an air-dried masterpiece. To cop her look, prep your towel-dried strands with IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Air-Dry Cream before going about your day.

Half-Up, Half-Down Bob

We love the look of Lana Condor's shiny pompadour half-updo. To mimic her curled-up ends, use a large barrel brush, like R+Co Vegan Boar Bristle Brush, while blow-drying.

Shiny Side Part Waves

Love Lily Collins’ hair but looking for a bit more length? Gabi recommends recreating her glamorous side-parted waves. To achieve Collin’s glamorous waves, Gabi says to begin with damp hair and prep with a cocktail of detangler, volumizing spray, and root-boosting mousse. “Focus the volume spray section by section at the roots for added volume,” she instructs. “The mousse should be layered from roots to ends.” 

After your hair is prepped, she says to blow dry strands upside down to enhance volume. Once dry, she says to lightly mist hair with hairspray before curling in large sections with a 1.5 to 2-inch curling iron. “You’ll want to hold the iron vertical to your face and start in the middle of each section,” she says. “Continue this around the head until all of your hair is curled.” For polished, shiny texture, Gabi says to smooth a pump or two of shine oil through your mids and ends. “Your ends can always handle a bit more product than the rest of your hair,” she exclaims. For even more smoothing action, she says to spray a paddle brush with flexible-hold hairspray and comb through each section to manage unruly flyaways while enhancing staying power.