Start with dry hair and apply a heat protectant with built-in curl hold, ghd Curly Ever After, evenly throughout. This protects the hair while supporting a smoother, more controlled finish. Skipping this step can affect both texture and hold.
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Wavy Bob Haircut: How To Style A Short Wavy Bob
Achieve the perfect wavy bob at home with this easy technique for short, straight hair. This wavy bob hairstyle adds soft, controlled movement. Simple to recreate, it’s made for everyday wear – volume and drama can take the day off.
Follow our step-by-step wavy bob guide to create waves that work with your hair texture while allowing natural movement. The result? A finish, that’s low effort, high-impact and unapologetically chic.
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NEW GHD CHRONOS CURVE CLASSIC TONG (26MM BARREL) FOR DEFINED WAVES
GHD CURLY EVER AFTER - CURL HOLD SPRAY
GHD THE COMB OUT - DETANGLING COMB
NEW GHD CURLS GONE WILD - CURL TEXTURISING SPRAY
STEP-BY-STEPS
PREP & HEAT PROTECTION
STEP 2.
SECTION THE HAIR
Divide the hair into four clean sections. This makes styling a chin-length bob easier and ensures the waves remain consistent from front to back.
STEP 3.
CREATE THE WAVES
Take a small section at the front and wrap it around ghd Chronos Curve Conical Wand, which has a narrower top and wider base, creates softer, more natural-looking waves on a short bob. Hold each curl for 3 to 5 seconds, then release.
STEP 4.
ALTERNATE CURL DIRECTION
Work through the head, alternating curl direction to avoid uniformity.
Top Tip: At the front, curl away from the face. It’s more flattering and keeps the shape open. Nothing should fall forward here.
STEP 5.
SOFTEN INTO WAVES
Once the hair has cooled, gently comb through with a detangling comb ghd The Comb Out. This softens the curls into waves.
STEP 6.
FINISH WITH TEXTURE
Lightly work ghd Perfect Ending final fix hairspray through the hair to add definition and a soft hold. Movement comes first; stiffness has no place here.
STEP 7.
FINAL LOOK
TOP TIPS TO REFINE THE FINISH
- Curl away from the face, particularly at the front, for a more balanced and flattering shape.
- Keep hold times short – a few seconds is enough to maintain softness and avoid a set wave.
- Go lightly with product. A wavy bob hairstyle looks best when it still moves – control, not crunch.
WHO THIS STYLE WORKS BEST FOR
This technique works best on straight or slightly wavy hair and suits chin-length and shorter bobbed haircuts. It’s designed for those who want a natural wavy bob with polish – adding texture without compromising the structure of the cut.
The focus is on control rather than volume. This makes it particularly effective on bobs with a clean outline, where softness needs direction. Texture is used to elevate the shape, not blur it. The result feels confident and effortless, never over-styled.
COMMON STYLING QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT GRANT WILLIAMS
Can this technique work on naturally wavy hair?
Yes – if the hair is smoothed first. The technique is about refining the shape of a wavy bob, not amplifying natural movement. Prepping the hair straight allows the waves to sit with the cut rather than competing with it.
How can I avoid the waves looking too set on short hair?
Keep hold times short and work in small sections. On a short wavy bob, too much heat can quickly set the wave and strip away softness. A few seconds is enough – control matters more than intensity.
Should I use a curling tong or wand for a wavy bob?
A tapered wand is the better choice. It creates variation through the wave, avoiding uniform curls that can look too set on shorter lengths. The result feels more natural and sits better within the shape of the haircut.
Can this technique work on a wavy bob with bangs?
Yes. A wavy bob with bangs works best when the fringe is kept soft and lightly directed, not over-styled. The same principles apply – control first, texture second – so the bangs sit naturally within the shape of the cut.