How to Achieve Glamorous Hollywood Waves, According to Hairstylists

Hollywood waves—those bouncy, barrel-curled blowouts—have taken red carpets by storm for decades. The voluminous style has been worn by everyone from Marilyn Monroe in the 1960s to Jennifer Lopez in 2024. "Hollywood waves typically describe big, voluminous, S-curl waves that are even and consistent throughout the hair," hairstylist Jerome Lordet explains. "The Hollywood drama comes from all the volume."

These types of waves differ from beachy or loose wavy styles in that they're meant to look uniform, ultra-shiny, and perfectly in place. "Other wavy hairstyles have definition and texture that comes from the waves going in different directions, and there is a lot of movement," hairstylist MariLynne Cosmillo adds.

While most Hollywood celebs turn to their glam squads to help them achieve the look, this wavy hairdo is fairly easy to create on your own. Ahead, Lordet and Cosmillo break down how to bring Hollywood waves to life at home.

How to Achieve Hollywood Waves

There are several different techniques for creating Hollywood waves. According to our experts, the best one for you depends on your hair type, texture, and personal preferences. 

Hot Rollers

Cosmillo says the heated roller technique works best on hair that's already smooth and blown out. Once your hair is properly prepped, Lordet recommends carving out a deep side part (which tends to be a signature for Hollywood waves) and creating two to three-inch sections of hair. "Put the rollers in with the hair going away from the part, and make sure you're lifting as you put the rollers in to create that volume," he says. "Keep them going in the same direction, working down and away from your part, then repeat on the other side, going away from the part. Section the back of your head and repeat the motion, keeping pieces the same size for a consistent wave." 

Let the rollers cool for 20 to 30 minutes before removing them. Then, take each roller out and gently brush through the curls (spritzing some hairspray on your brush will tame flyaways), finishing things off with a shine spray. 

Styling Tools

You can, of course, turn to classic hot tools for this style. "A curling iron works best on hair that needs the most help with creating a curl, such as straight or heavier hair types," Cosmillo says. "The curling iron will give the most direct heat from root to ends."

The size of the iron's barrel will directly impact the style of your waves. A 1.25-inch or 1.5-inch barrel is best for loose curls, while a 1-inch barrel will give you tighter, more defined waves. "Work horizontally to create bouncy waves with volume or vertically for relaxed, soft, and subtle waves," Cosmillo suggests. 

And if you don't have a curling iron on hand? "You can also use a blow-dryer with a ceramic brush, which will result in a much less defined yet elegant look," Cosmillo says. 

Pin Curls

The pin curl method involves freehand wrapping sections of hair into curls and pinning them to the top of your head with clips. "Pin curls help set the shape of your curls, which is critical for achieving Hollywood waves," Casmillo says. "The curls are all created uniformly and then brushed and sculpted together."

However, instead of turning to pin curls as your one-and-done method for creating Hollywood waves, Cosmillo recommends implementing this technique as the second step in a two-part process. "Pin curls help add memory after styling with a blow-dryer or curling iron," she says. "As you curl your hair in horizontal sections [with a curling iron or round brush and blow-dryer], secure each section at your scalp in the same shape you curled it in. Spray your hair with a flexible hairspray, and let your curls cool before brushing them out and finishing your style."

How to Adapt Hollywood Waves on Different Lengths and Textures

Short Hair

"If you have short hair, create the curls right at the root," Lordet says. He recommends using pin curls, small rollers, or a curling wand to give you more control as you style. "Larger rollers won't create as much of a curl on short hair," he adds.

Long Hair

If you have long hair, Hollywood waves should be fairly simple to achieve using any method, but Peridot recommends using rollers for best results. "For really long hair, pin curls are going to be inconvenient and may not stay in place as well," she notes.

Fine Hair

Finer textures may struggle to hold onto waves, so you must thoroughly prep your hair before styling. "Volumizing and texturizing products can help the style last, so be sure to add volume with hairspray before blow-drying and curling your hair for extra lift at the root," Lordet says. 

Thick Hair 

For those with thick hair, mastering Hollywood waves requires a multi-step process. Lordet recommends blow-drying your hair until it's smooth, then using large heated rollers or a styling tool to add shape. 

Curly Hair

Those with naturally curly hair will also want to start with a smooth blowout before using any styling tools. Cosmillo recommends using a boar bristle brush and a smoothing treatment, like hOURS Full-Time Plumping Mousse, to eliminate frizz and create shine. Then, you can use the pin curl method to create your perfect Hollywood waves. 

Straight Hair

Prepping straight hair is key. First, create as much volume as possible with a blowout and a volumizing styler, such as Kérastase Densifique Leave-In Thickening Mousse. Then, Comsillo recommends using a one-and-a-quarter-inch curling iron, setting the curls vertically for the most definition, and letting the hair cool down in pin curls.

How to Maintain Hollywood Waves 

Once you've figured out how to get your hair to fall into Hollywood waves, you'll want to make the style last as long as possible—and this process starts as soon as you get out of the shower. As you may have gleaned, most hair types can benefit from blow-drying before attempting to create waves. Adding a frizz-reducing heat protectant—like Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray —will give you a nice, smooth canvas to work with.

After you style your waves, let them cool, then lightly spray them with a high-hold hairspray, like Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong. To avoid overdoing it with the hairspray, hold the can 10 inches from your head. If you're left with any flyaways, spritz the same hairspray onto a brush (or better yet, a toothbrush) and use it to comb them down. 

If your Hollywood waves need a boost on day two (and three and four), refresh them with a curling iron—but don't forget to apply a heat protectant.

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with Hollywood Waves

Uneven Curls

Hollywood waves are meant to be uniform in size, unlike beachy, tousled waves. To keep them even, it's important to ensure the sections of hair you're curling are all the same size. "If you're struggling to achieve even waves with hot tools, try using rollers," Lordet Says. "Using the same-sized roller throughout the hair will help you control the curls and avoid any unevenness." 

Limp Waves

It's normal for your waves to fall over time, but if they look limp immediately after you style them, a texturizing product like Living Proof Full Dry Volume Texture Spray can help. "Add a volumizing product right at the root while lifting [the hair ] with a brush," Lordet says. "Or, you can apply it while your hair is flipped over to create a quick lift. Be sure to use a quality brush (boar bristle is best) to avoid further flattening the hair. Work from underneath your hair in upward motions to create more body and fullness. 

Excess Frizz 

Stylists all use the same trick for taming frizz: "Spray your hairspray on a flat, boar bristle brush and gently brush through the top layer of your hair," Cosmillo says. "Then, spray your hands with hairspray and gently tap down any flyaways at the root."

The Final Takeaway

Hollywood waves will forever be a glamorous, timeless hairstyle. And with the right tools (think: heated rollers or curling iron) and techniques, you can easily achieve the look at home. Once you figure out what styling method works for you, your routine, and your hair type, you'll be set with a star-worthy style guaranteed to have you raking in the compliments.