What Are Waveformers?

Waveformers are a tool for curling your hair without using any heat.

Think of your damp hair as malleable material like clay, and waveformers as a mold.

Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore with waveformers in her hair and with resulting waves

Dee Mills for Byrdie

The idea is that when your hair dries, it will hold the exact shape of the waveformers.

Brands likeHairFlairhave a wide range of styles depending on what punch in of curl or wave you want.

Byrdie Tip

Measure your hair before buying your waveformers to ensure that you buy the right size.

Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore with slightly wet hair before using waveformers

Dee Mills for Byrdie

If your hair is layered, measure it at its longest.

If you’re considering trying them, the below are a few reasons why this option stands out.

It’s up to you whether the result is worth the caveats or if you prefer another method.

Close-up of waveformer with hook on hair of Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore

Dee Mills for Byrdie

This will help minimize any scalp tension and breakage.

Loop Your Hair into the Waveformer

Divide your hair into sections, leaving the bottom layer down.

Start by taking one-inch sections and twisting slightly at the root, placing the twist into the hook.

Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore pulling a section of her hair through a waveformer with a hook

Dee Mills for Byrdie

Once your hair is in the hook, turn it upwards to keep the hair from falling out.

it’s possible for you to also wear the waveformers overnight.

Continue until all of the waveformers are out, then style your hair as usual.

Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore gently removes an orange waveformer from her hair

Dee Mills for Byrdie

Experiment with placing the waveformers at different distances from the root for a more undone look.

The Results

The waveformers worked as promised, giving me bouncy, rippling waves with big volume.

Byrdie editor Bella Cacciatore with wavy hair as a result of using waveformers

Dee Mills for Byrdie