Also in: Long hair
Loose waves
Relaxed bends and an easy, loose finish. Treat this as a styling direction as well as a haircut reference.
- Talk to your stylist about
- Ask whether this finish needs heat styling for your own texture.
- Living with the look
- The look in a preview may require styling rather than a cut alone.
- A helpful reality check
- A preview cannot predict how your hair will fall, feel or grow. Use it to discuss length and shape, alongside your texture and routine.
What defines Loose waves?
Loose waves give the lengths irregular bends with relatively relaxed ends. This is a finish that can be worn over different haircuts.
What to look for from the front, side and back
Check where the first bend lands beside the cheek. In profile and from the back, look at how the wave spacing changes rather than judging the cut by the bends.
What to confirm with your stylist
Show whether you want the ends left straighter and whether the roots should stay quiet. Ask how to get that finish with your current cut.
Compare Loose waves with nearby styles
- Hollywood waves
Loose waves vary in spacing and direction. Hollywood waves line up to form more continuous ridges.
- Butterfly cut
Loose waves describe how the lengths bend. A butterfly cut describes where the shorter layers sit, regardless of the finish.
Questions about Loose waves
Do I need new layers for loose waves?
Start by asking whether your current length can hold the amount of bend you want. A change in finish may be enough.


