How To Create Effortless Lived-in Textured Styles

Hey, I'm Shanon! I'm a cutting & lived-in color specialist at DeCola Salon. I love complimenting hair of all lengths and texture with undone wavy finishes that can instantly modernize your look.

I wanted to include a short breakdown of my signature lived-in waves step by step, as well as recommend products along the way for all your hair needs. This look was created with a flat-iron but could easily be translated with most hot-tools.

Tip #1: Check Your Heat

For ANY hot tool check your heat, particularly with wavy looks I recommend between 320-350° for most hair types. If you experience "skipping" or don't feel like the hair is gliding easily through your flat-iron, turn the temperature down.

Tip #2: Sectioning

Vertical sectioning helps create ribboning bends, which create effortless waves. Larger sections create softer volume and less curl. Smaller sectioning creates tighter waves & can be used sporadically to enhance texture. Everything in front of your ears should be waved away from your face. You’ll then want to stagger directions throughout the rest of your hair, which will keep separation and avoid anything clumping together and creating one singular curl.

Start close to the root turn the iron 3/4 around, then pull down in a gliding motion. Be sure to stop 1-2 inches from your ends to encourage your finish and keep the curl from being too tight. You’ll want to elevate your sections as you go up the head, keeping the underlayers low and the crown area high. By doing this, you will enhance your volume as well as the shape for your haircut. Lastly, detail your look! Strengthen some of your top layer, straighten some of your ends, brush it all out forward with your hands or a brush to loosen the texture. By adding these finishing touches you will further enhance the styles undoneness and texture.

KEY PRODUCTS

To start, damp hair is the right place to apply a heat protectant, to ensure your blow-dry & hot tool usage is as safe and less damaging to the hair as possible.

1. Leave-In Products:

FINE: R+CO waterfall

MEDIUM: R+CO centerpiece

COARSE: R+CO high dive

Once dry, mist each section with a flexible hairspray for hold & memory as you style.

2. Hairsprays For All Hair Types

R+CO Outer Space

Living Proof Flex

Design.Me Hold.Me

Next, soften your curls by brushing them out, and add shine.

3. Shine Products:

FINE: R+CO two-way mirror (You will only need to use a very small amount of this super-concentrated formula!)

MEDIUM: Lakme TEKNIA full defense serum

COARSE: R+CO neon lights

Lastly, add some texture, volume and finish the style.

Texture and Finishing Products

LIGHT - R+CO balloon Dry volume spray mist through your roots for mild texture

MEDIUM - R+CO sandcastle is softer with less grip, but still creates lovely root volume

HEAVY - for maximum results- use R+CO Badlands, work into fingertips and apply directly at your root. (My personal favorite and an absolute must for my clients)

To purchase any of these products online CLICK HERE, and type in the product name in the search box, or stop in at DeCola Salon today!