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“The Classic Lexie Waves” - As seen here —>
“It Took Way Too Long For This Look” - Straight
“Due For A Wash” - Ballerina Bun
“Not Today, Satan” - The High Pony
“Yesterday’s Curls” - Speaks for itself
“Carded At The Bar” - Low Pigtails

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My hair is my strength, just like the story of Samson. I firmly believe a good hair day is truly good for the soul. Being that my hair is important, I put a lot of time and effort into it. My classic look involves layered waves. It’s been my go-to since I first learned how to master the look when I was in high school. I’ve gotten so many questions on how exactly I do it, so I decided to dedicate a blog to my favorite hairstyles.

The classic Lexie waves

As I mentioned, this is my typical look. It has earned its spot as the favorite, though. I love it because it can make any outfit looked polished, whether I’m in athleisure or business casual. So let’s get to what you came here for: how to do it. I use my flat iron to make these waves, not a curling iron or wand. It does take practice, but here are my tips on how to nail the perfect wave.

Separate your hair into layers (I usually put the hair I’m not working with on the top of my head with a large clip and work my way down), you’ll want to start at the bottom
Grab a small to medium sized strand of hair to begin your wave
Always twist away from your face (on both sides)
Pull the iron all the way through each strand without stopping (pausing causes awkward kinks)
Pull the iron fairly quickly to prevent heat damage
You’ll want to hold the iron tight against your hair for it to effectively curl your hair
If your curl isn’t as tight as you’d prefer, wait for the hair to cool before trying again
The longer your hair is, the more twists you should incorporate. I usually do 1-2 for my current hair length
The tighter your twists, the tighter the curl
Layer the tightness of the curls throughout your hair for a more textured look
Always comb through your curls with your fingers after you finish

It took way too long for this look

I rarely wear my hair natural or without some sort of heat treatment. It just doesn’t fall right and it’s half waves and half who-knows. Occasionally when I don’t ~ make waves ~ I straighten my hair. I typically try to add a little texture by adding a slight curl at the bottom. This little addition to a straightened look also adds a little bit of volume.

Due for a wash - Ballerina bun

When my hair just isn’t working right, or needs to be washed, I throw it up in a ballerina-style bun. I’ve never been able to get the “right” messy bun look, so I tend to do a more polished style like this one. There’s probably an easier way to do it, like with one of those donut things, but I use a different approach. I secure my hair into a high ponytail with one hair tie. Then I wrap the pony around and secure it with a plastic tie (the ones that coil like these). This not only keeps my bun from drooping throughout the day, but it also keeps it from coming undone with weather, or what have you. Once you have your bun in place, pull the top of your hair out a smidge for more natural look.

Not today, Satan - High pony

I can’t remember why I named the high pony, “not today, Satan,” but it feels right. When I have decent curls but they’re not laying right or I’m fed up with having my hair all over the place, I throw it in a high pony. This look is also a great way to turn a regular pony tail into something that looks a little more sophisticated. Whenever I have detailed earrings or high neck clothing, I usually pair it with a high pony. Again, I use two hair ties to secure the ponytail because thick hair tends to fall over the course of the day. If you have a few flyaways, you can secure those with bobby pins or a quick spritz of hairspray. Forewarning, this look is known to cause headaches if worn too long.

Yesterday’s Curls

Honestly, this one needs no explanation. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Sometime those things last 48 hours. No shame.

Carded at the bar - Low pigtails

When I had shorter hair, I loved wearing low pigtails. I think they’re cute. They do create a conundrum for bartenders, though. If you have shorter hair and can’t quite get a decent ponytail, or just looking for something new, try this super simple look. I use the small rubber elastics for these. It looks more natural and easier than using the oversized ones. If you’re hair is long enough, braid them under a structured felt hat for fall or a winter beanie!

Here are some of my looks as they exist in the real world: