Celebrity Hairstylist Jen Atkin Told Us the Secret to Her Signature Bendy Waves
Nailing that trendy half straight, half wavy hairstyle isn’t as easy as it looks. Creating coily curls can mess up the casual vibe while too-straight strands fall flat. It’s all about finding a balance between looking tousled and polished, which falls somewhere between “I tried” and “I didn’t try at all.”
Celebrity hairstylist and founder of OUAI Haircare Jen Atkin has styled her signature bendy-waved ‘do on everyone from Khloé Kardashian to Marianna Hewitt, and breaks down the step-by-step process so you can flawlessly recreate it. Oh, and FYI — there’s not a curling iron in sight, surprisingly.
Step 1: Prep and prime. Prepare your locks for this style with a sea-salt-based wave spray before you blow dry with your fingers. This will give your mane a touch of grit and hold. “I also love using OUAI Memory Mist before ironing because it ensures your hair holds the style and doubles as a heat protectant,” Atkin says.
Step 2: Flatiron the “S.” Instead of breaking out a curling wand or iron to add in waves, fire up your straightener. “Go in with a flatiron and create an s-pattern on large sections of hair, leaving the ends straight,” she says. Leaving out a two-to-three-inch piece of hair at the ends is key for that undone, messy look. Spritz on a texturizing spray for extra oomph and smooth out your ends with a bit of styling cream.
Step 3: Polish the front. Atkin recommends adding in a few more bends to the front pieces of your hair on either side of your part to complete the look. Throw in a hair accessory like a minimalist pin or embellished headband to add even more style. Done and done!
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(Photo via Kevin Mazur/Getty)
