Flat iron waves are quick, forgiving, and gorgeous on any length of hair. And they are absolutely perfect for short hair styles! It’s a game changer in the loose and lived-in waves game.

When I was in college, one of my childhood friends came to visit me. I remember sitting on the edge of my tub, completely entranced, watching her curl her hair with her straightener. It looked so tousled and cute and effortless! But when I attempted the waves on my own, I found them to be creased, kinky, and entirely too much effort. I decided I did not have the dexterity required to curl my hair with a flat iron.

Fast forward several years, and I attended cosmetology school. I was so self conscious at the start- I didn’t know how to french braid, curl hair, or even do a messy bun. The benefit of going to cosmetology school as a married, college educated 23 year old is that is makes you feel real competitive with the 18 year olds in school with you, and I was determined to show I could keep up with the hip youths.

All of that to say, I can braid like nobody’s business, my messy bun game is strong, and I know my way around each and every curling method under the sun.

When I had short hair, I curled my hair with a flat iron almost every day. It’s FAST and perfect for getting just a little bend in shorter strands. And you don’t even have to worry about trying to wrap those short little back pieces around the barrel of a curling iron.

With longer hair, I still love the tousled bend of flat iron curls, versus the soft round curls of a curling iron. It’s a technique that belongs in your wheelhouse!

I feel very self indulgent taking all of these pictures. I’ve taken more selfies in the last few months of starting my blog than my entire life combined up to that point. Sorry bout my face all over your screen all da time.

Tools used:

Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth Flat Iron

BaByliss Straightening Iron (Another favorite)

And here’s a super affordable one with great reviews on Amazon

Redken Working Spray

I forgot to mention this in the video- but I love using texture spray on flat iron waves. It helps separate strands and make the look more piecey and undone. My favorite is this Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, and this Garnier Fructis Texture Tease Spray is really inexpensive. Don’t hunt me down, professional hair product police. If I spend all of my money on hair products, it would eat into my Chick-Fil-A fund. Priorities.

Here’s the video! I hope it helps you handle the heat.. of your flat iron. That was cheesy.