I review the ghd Wave – for lived-in styles that are way too chic for the beach

As the Northern Hemisphere summer continues to heat up, famous faces are embracing wavy, lived-in hair both on and off the red carpet. From the loose, boho mermaid vibe as sported by Sienna Miller, to Hailey Bieber’s barely-there bend, it feels like waves are the way to go, and most definitely a favourite with those who like to DIY. But how to start? 

The perfect wave starts with the right prep
The key is to start with freshly washed, clean hair; as when it comes to a sassy bend, no further styling products (besides a heat-protector, if you’re using tools) are strictly necessary. Focus on products that provide moisture, definition, and hold without weighing down your shape, like a lightweight shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for wavy or curly hair. You can also throw in a sea salt spray to finish if you feel like you want to add texture, a favourite of mine even when I’m going nowhere near a beach.

Then add the right tool
A triple barrel waving iron that works for all hair types and textures is the dream, which is where the newly released ghd wave comes into play. Featuring ghd’s advanced technology across three barrels, the ghd wave creates loose beach waves that last all day while still maintaining shine and eliminating frizz. Designed for long-lasting and crease-free results, it uses ghd PTC heater technology to ensure the optimum styling temperature of 185°C is maintained across all three barrels, meaning no extreme heat enters the chat to compromise the health of your hair.

The process
To create soft, whimsical waves, professionals suggest that you start right at the roots to give a lift and take the iron down to the ends of the hair, clamping each section without overlapping. Do it in the mirror for ease and don’t hold the iron longer than five seconds on each section, as any longer can create an unnatural mark that will ruin all your good work. There are some great tutorials on YouTube if you struggle a bit with new styling tools like me, and of course TikTok has all the answers!

The takeaway
When I was first gifted the new ghd wave I was definitely falling victim to the aforementioned styling fail, and found that without taking time to properly section my hair beforehand I just wasn’t nailing the result I wanted to achieve. A little extra play time and patience and I’m finally starting to nail it, and loving the results!
At $310 the new ghd wave is definitely a little pricier than many of the wavers clogging my feed, but I think the extra spend is justifiable if you like to create a carefree, effortlessly wavy look and don’t want to fry your locks in the process. And being ghd, you know this baby is going to last and last, serving looks well into the future.

A moment for the flawless Bieber bend

Highly recommended, the ghd wave is available now in the finest salons and department stores, and at ghdhair.com.