By Jessica Tomes, TMD Social Media Director
Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean one of our favorite summer hairstyles has to disappear with it. We don’t know about you guys, but we’re always looking for new styles to try out – and we are huge fans of the beachy, sultry, summer wave look. We thought it would be fun to chat with a professional stylist to see if we could pick up a few tips and tricks…
Taylor Torgerson, a stylist with the Sanctuary Spa and Salon (in Billings, Montana) was such a doll to help us out. Taylor, a southern transplant from Baton Rouge, says she originally thought she wanted to become a marine biologist. However, she was always experimenting with friends’ and her own hair in high school, so her dad encouraged her to pursue cosmetology professionally. Taylor attended the Paul Mitchell School in Portland, Oregon and says she fell in love immediately.
Here’s what Taylor taught us about DIY Summer Waves.
You don’t have to start with clean hair. Beachy waves are a messier style, and Taylor advises washing your hair every other day regardless – it takes 48 hours to repair the oils at your ends she says. She recommends cleansing with a volumizing shampoo like Aveda’s Pure Abundance, followed by a volumizing conditioner. Pro tip: If you’re using Aveda’s Pure Abundance Clay Conditioner, make sure to condition from scalp to ends. The conditioner will help to lift your roots.
A proper prep makes all the difference. You’ll need to prep your hair with some kind of thermal protectant spray before applying heat – unless of course you want to damage your hair. You’ll also want to use some styling product to create texture and hold. Taylor used Aveda’s Pure Abundance Prep and Aveda’s Confixor, a liquid gel.
Rough dry your hair to encourage natural waves. Run your fingers through your hair as you dry (not a hairbrush), lifting the hair at the scalp to encourage body and subtle volume. Pro tip: Using an ion infused blow dryer is more efficient than using a cheap, throwaway dryer from the drugstore. The ion infused dryer heats the hair from the inside out and reduces drying time — totally worth the investment!
What’s a beach without the sea spray? Pin half your hair up, and mist in some sea spray. Taylor used Aveda’s Pure Abundance Hair Potion. Then apply the sea spray to the top portion of your hair and get ready to curl. You’re going to want to start from the back, and work your way around in 1.5 to 2 inch subsections.
You’re going to need a curling wand. Wrap each section around the wand vertically, alternating which way you wrap the curl for a more natural look. You’re going to want to leave the curls untouched at this step – don’t brush or finger brush them out just yet. Start at the mid-section of the hair, and roll up. Your ends should be wrapped last. Hold the curl for five to eight seconds before releasing. Pro tip: The ends don’t have to be perfect – especially in the back. This is what helps to create the beachy look. Start leaving the ends out just a bit towards the top of your head.
Curl away from your face. This will help to open, rather than close up your face. Remember the bigger the section, the bigger the wave – and the smaller the section, the tighter the curl. You can vary the sizes of the curls for a more natural look. Spray the curls with a firm-hold hair spray. (Taylor used Aveda’s Control Force.) Don’t disrupt the curls – allow them to cool completely.
Finger style with serum and you’re out the door! Rub some serum in your hands, and work it through your hair, gently pulling down to loosen the curls. Taylor used Aveda’s Dry Remedy Oil. She’s a big fan of this serum because it’s not oil based and adds a lot of shine. If you’d like, you can hit your locks with some more hair spray. This fun and flirty style should last all day and well into the night…
A giant TMD thank you to Taylor Torgerson, Mariah Carpenter, and our gorgeous model Cassie for helping us out with this blog post – we could not have done this without your awesome assistance! Sanctuary Spa and Salon is a full service Aveda salon and spa located at 1504 24th Street West (Billings, MT). Check out their website here.
Born and raised in Southeast Texas, Jessica currently lives in Billings, Montana with her husband Tyler, her two year old daughter Savannah, and the newest family member Emma Kate (six months). A writer, blogger, and fashion enthusiast, Jessica also owns her own business: Jessica Morgan Creative Services. She loves everything about weddings, and is so thrilled to be a member of the Tamara Menges Designs team!