Gone are the days of painstakingly perfect, uniform curls. The reigning champion of hair trends, set to dominate 2025, is the art of the imperfect: Textured Waves. This look is the epitome of effortlessness—a lived-in, touchable, and dynamic style that whispers confidence rather than shouting for attention. It’s not just a hairstyle; it’s a philosophy that embraces natural movement, individuality, and a healthy dose of “I woke up like this” charm.
Forget stiff, crunchy curls. The modern textured wave is soft, separated, and full of personality. It’s about enhancing your hair’s natural inclination to move, whether that’s a gentle bend or a full-bodied cascade of ripples. This year, the focus is on health, customization, and styles that look incredible from the boardroom to a weekend brunch, all with minimal fuss.
Ready to unlock the secrets to this coveted look? Let’s dive into the techniques, trends, and products that will define textured waves in 2025.
Why Textured Waves Are More Than Just a Trend
The appeal of textured waves is universal and enduring. It’s a look that transcends age, hair length, and even formalities.
- Flatters Every Face Shape: The soft, irregular pattern of waves helps to frame the face beautifully, softening angles and adding width where needed.
- The Illusion of Volume: For those with fine or flat hair, texture is a miracle worker. The added dimension and body create the perfect illusion of thicker, more abundant hair.
- Unmatched Versatility: Textured waves are the ideal foundation for nearly every style. They look stunning worn down, effortlessly elevate a simple ponytail or bun, and provide grip and volume for half-up styles.
- Low-commitment Glamour: Unlike a drastic cut or colour, waves offer a high-impact look without permanent change. It’s the perfect way to refresh your style.
The 2025 Textured Wave Trend Forecast: 6 Ideas to Try
This year, texture is getting smarter, healthier, and more personalised. Here’s what’s on the horizon.
1. The “Glass Hair” Wave
The Look: Imagine the high-shine, ultra-sleek finish of “glass hair” but with a soft, internal wave pattern. The surface is smooth and reflective, but the body is full of movement. It’s the ultimate juxtaposition of polish and ease.
How to Achieve It: This requires impeccable hair health. Start with a deep conditioning treatment. Apply a heat protectant and a shine-enhancing serum to damp hair. Blow-dry straight with a round brush for smoothness. Then, use a straightener to create large, alternating bends (not curls) throughout the mid-lengths and ends. Lock in the style and shine with a light hairspray.
Best For: Medium to long hair; those with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair.
2. The Shaggy “Wolf Cut” Wave
The Look: The rebellious younger sibling of the shag, the wolf cut, is defined by its heavy, face-framing layers and disconnected texture. When paired with a lived-in wave, it becomes a masterpiece of artful chaos. The waves add a soft, romantic edge to the cut’s inherent edginess.
How to Achieve It: This style starts with the right cut—choppy layers are non-negotiable. Work a texturising mousse through damp roots for volume and a sea salt spray through the ends. Scrunch your hair and either air-dry or diffuse. Once dry, break up the waves with your fingers and pick out the roots for added volume. A texturising powder is your secret weapon for that perfectly messy finish.
Best For: All hair types, especially thick hair that needs to lose weight; those with an adventurous style.
3. The Tousled “Bridgerton” Wave
The Look: Romantic, soft, and decidedly decadent. Inspired by the modern Regency era, these waves are less defined than curls but more pronounced than beach waves. They feature a combination of large, loose waves with tighter, face-framing tendrils for a effortlessly romantic, period-drama feel.
How to Achieve It: Create a deep side part. Using a medium-barrel curling wand, wrap large sections of hair away from your face, leaving the ends out for a relaxed finish. Do not curl the front pieces. Instead, wrap them around the barrel towards your face to create those romantic, framing tendrils. Once cooled, run your fingers through everything to disrupt the uniform pattern. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray.
Best For: Long hair; romantic events, weddings, or when you want to feel exceptionally feminine.
4. The “Clean Girl” Wet Wave
The Look: This trend takes the “wet look” and makes it wearable. Instead of a full head of slicked-back gel, imagine perfectly defined, clumped-together waves that look as if they’re still damp, showcasing incredible definition and health. It’s minimalist, chic, and focuses on hair integrity.
How to Achieve It: This works best on naturally wavy or curly hair. Out of the shower, apply a generous amount of a defining curl cream or a light-hold gel to soaking wet hair. Scrunch thoroughly to encourage your natural wave pattern. You can then plop your hair in a microfibre towel for 20 minutes before air-drying or diffusing on a low heat/cool setting. Do not touch it until it is 100% dry to avoid frizz. Once dry, scrunch again to break the cast and reveal soft, defined, “wet-look” waves.
Best For: Wavy and curly hair types; a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
5. The Blunt Bob Wave
The Look: A sharp, heavy-ended blunt bob is a statement on its own. Adding a deep, textured wave throughout the ends transforms it from severe to sensual. The weight of the blunt cut combined with the internal movement of the wave creates a powerful, modern silhouette that swings beautifully.
How to Achieve It: On dry, styled hair, take vertical sections of your bob. Use a flat iron to create a deep “C” or “S” bend in each section, focusing the wave from the mid-lengths to the ends. Avoid waving the roots to maintain the clean line of the cut. Spritz a texturising spray on your hands and scrunch the ends to separate and define the waves.
Best For: Short to medium-length hair; those who want a structured yet soft look.
6. The “lived-in” Perm
The Look: The perm is back, but not as you remember it. The 2025 perm is a strategic, soft-wave perm designed to give you a foundation of texture that you can enhance, not fight against. It provides a low-maintenance base for truly effortless waves every day, without heat.
How to Achieve It: Consult a specialist stylist! This is not a DIY job. The modern perm uses larger rods and is often placed strategically (e.g., just through the mid-lengths and ends or around the crown) to create a natural-looking wave pattern that grows out beautifully. It’s about enhancement, not transformation.
Best For: Anyone with stubbornly straight hair who wants permanent texture; low-maintenance enthusiasts.
The Expert’s Guide to Achieving Perfect Textured Waves
The tools and techniques are just as important as the vision.
The Tool Kit:
- A Curling Wand (with a clip): A 1-1.5 inch barrel is the most versatile for creating a mix of wave sizes.
- A Flat Iron: The best tool for creating seamless, beachy waves without a distinct curl pattern.
- A Diffuser: Essential for enhancing natural wave patterns without causing frizz.
- High-Quality Heat Protectant: Non-negotiable for maintaining hair health.
The Product Arsenal for 2025:
| Product Type | Its Role | Top Picks for Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Texturising Spray | Adds grit, separation, and a lived-in feel; perfect for fine hair. | Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, Living Proof Dry Volume Blast |
| Sea Salt Spray | Imitates the effect of seawater, creating piece-y, matte-finish waves. | Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, Moroccanoil Beach Wave |
| Curl Cream | Defines waves, reduces frizz, and provides a soft, healthy hold. | Ouai Curl Crème, Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer |
| Mousse | Provides volume at the root and a flexible, long-lasting hold. | Redken Volume Injection Bodifying Mousse |
| Lightweight Oil | Tames flyaways, adds shine, and breaks up crunch without weighing waves down. | Olaplex No.7, GHD Final Shine Spray |
Step-by-Step: The Flat Iron Wave Technique (The Most Popular Method)
- Prep: Start with completely dry, detangled hair. Spritz a heat protectant throughout.
- Section: Clip your hair into manageable horizontal sections, starting from the nape.
- Technique: Take a 2-inch vertical section. Clamp the flat iron near the roots. Instead of pulling straight down, gently twist the iron away from your face as you glide it down the length of the hair, ending with a slight turn of the wrist.
- Repeat: Alternate the direction of the wave with each section for a more natural, less “salon-perfect” look.
- Break It Up: Once all your hair is waved, run your fingers through it. Then, apply a texturising spray or a drop of oil to your palms, rub them together, and scrunch the waves upwards to separate and soften them.
FAQ: Your Textured Waves Questions, Answered
What’s the difference between waves and curls?
Curls form a tight, spiral pattern (like a spring), while waves form a looser, “S” shape pattern. Waves have a wider diameter.
I have pin-straight hair. Can I get textured waves?
Absolutely. While it requires heat styling or a modern perm, straight hair can hold a beautiful wave, especially with today’s advanced prepping and holding products.
How do I make my waves last all day?
The secret is in the prep and finish. Using a mousse or a texturising spray on damp hair before styling provides a foundation. After styling, a light-hold, flexible hairspray locks the texture in without making it stiff.
Why do my waves fall out after an hour?
This is usually due to one of three things: product buildup weighing hair down, hair that is too smooth/healthy (lacking grip), or using the wrong-sized tool for your hair length and thickness. A texturising spray can add the necessary grit.
What is the best cut for textured waves?
Layers, layers, layers! Whether it’s long layers, a shag, or a wolf cut, layers remove weight and allow the hair to move freely, making it much easier to create and maintain waves.
How can I get waves without heat?
Embrace braiding! Damp hair plaited into several braids (the number and size determine the wave pattern) and allowed to dry will create beautiful, heat-free waves. Scrunching with a curl cream on damp hair and air-drying can also enhance natural texture.
Can I have textured waves with short hair?
Yes! Textured waves on a pixie cut or short bob are incredibly chic and add instant volume and personality.
The Final Touch: Embrace the Ease
The overarching theme for 2025 is healthy, effortless texture. It’s about working with your hair’s natural personality, not forcing it into submission. The goal is to create waves that look and feel as good as they look—soft, touchable, and full of life.
Your journey to perfect textured waves starts with a conversation with your stylist. Bring these ideas, discuss your hair’s unique needs, and invest in the right products. Remember, the most beautiful waves are the ones that look like they were created by a day well-lived, not a hour with a hot tool. Now go forth and make some waves