Hairstyles constantly evolve, and spring is the perfect time to start planning your next look! While curtain bangs and Italian bobs had their moment, 2025’s hottest hair trend that’s set to take over is ghost waves.
Hair health expert and stylist Tom Smith is one of the first to endorse this trend, sharing in an Instagram post, “I’ve got a feeling this is going to be really popular! Ghost waves are just the impression of movement in the hair, characterized by their S shape and very unstructured. Texture sprays, wax sprays, and serums are all really good choices to help give extra definition and shine.”
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What Are Ghost Waves?
Ghost waves are a subtle, soft, and effortless-looking wave hairstyle that gives hair a natural, barely-there movement. Unlike traditional curls or beach waves, ghost waves create a more fluid and organic texture, almost as if the hair naturally falls into place with a slight bend.
The great thing about “ghost waves” is that it’s a low-maintenance, cost-effective style that can be done at home!
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How To Achieve Ghost Waves:
What You’ll Need: A heat protectant spray. A flat iron or a large-barrel curling iron (1.25”–1.5”). A lightweight styling cream or texturizing spray. A paddle brush or wide-tooth comb.
Prep Your Hair: Start with dry hair and apply a heat protectant spray to prevent damage. If your hair is naturally straight, you may want to add a bit of volume with a lightweight mousse or texturizing spray.
Create Soft Waves: Take a small to medium section of hair. Using a flat iron: Lightly clamp the section near the mid-lengths, bend the iron slightly outward, then move it downward and bend in the opposite direction. This creates a subtle wave without harsh curls. Using a curling iron: Wrap sections of hair loosely around the barrel, but leave the ends out for a relaxed, undone look. Hold for just a few seconds before releasing.
Loosen and Soften: Once you’ve added waves throughout your hair, let them cool completely. Gently brush through with a paddle brush or use your fingers to separate the waves for a soft, barely-there finish.
Set the Look: Finish with a lightweight texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add movement without weighing down the waves. Avoid using heavy hairsprays—ghost waves should look effortless and natural!
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And that’s it! You’ll have those dreamy, low-maintenance waves that give your hair movement and dimension without looking overly styled.
