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It’s looking like ghost waves are going to be one of the biggest hair trends this summer. Not familiar with the mysterious ghost wave? We’ll explain. Hairstylist Tom Smith took to Instagram and seemingly coined the term describing “soft barely there ‘S’ shaped waves” that give off an effortlessly cool look.
A couple of weeks after his original video his prediction seemed to be confirmed by The White Lotus. In a second post, he pinpointed ghost waves on a handful of the show’s main characters, noting that nothing cements a hair trend like a pop culture moment that reinforces what’s already there. If there’s a perfect location to inspire “the beachy, nothingy hairstyle that’s meant to look like you’ve done nothing at all, yet somehow look perfectly imperfect,” it’s the White Lotus Thailand. Smith says he was struck by the loose waves and warm tones of the hair designed to look effortlessly humid while still beautiful and refined, he wrote on his post.
Smith noted that ghost waves are super easy for natural textures but can also be done with some quick styling with a mermaid waver and a wide-tooth comb since less is more with this look. Below, we asked a couple of experts to give us more insight into the trend.
Featured experts
How to get ghost waves
“Ghost waves refer to a hair trend featuring a subtle, barely-there textured wave,” says celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa. “This style is designed to look effortless, undone, and even natural, regardless of your hair’s true texture.” Smith refers to ghost waves as “the easiest waves you’ll ever style.”
There are a couple of approaches to achieve this look, depending on your hair type. “The goal is to create the illusion of effortless, barely-touched hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Hayley Heckmann. Potempa agrees, “You don’t need to spend much time styling or perfecting your hair for this look—the more effortless, the better. A relaxed, natural finish is the goal, and imperfection is key to nailing this trend.”
“Ghost Waves are just the impression of movement in the hair, characterized by their ‘S’ shape and very unstructured,” wrote Smith on Instagram. He notes that texture sprays, wax sprays and serums are all great options to help give hair extra definition for this look.
If your hair is naturally wavy, Potempa notes this style is incredibly low-maintenance. Simply adding a texturizing spray, like Team Texture Dry Finishing Spray ($28), “can enhance your waves by adding texture and dimension while also reducing shine for a more undone finish,” she says.
Heckmann says you can also achieve this look using a flat iron or curling iron to add texture, especially if your hair is fine and tends to be on the straighter side. She notes that whether you air dry or heat style hair you should add a texturizing spray—she likes TRESemmé A-List Dry Texturizing Spray ($12).
Another option, as Smith mentioned, is using a waver like Beachwaver Co. 3B Waver ($100), which “can create a soft ‘S’ curve rather than a defined curl.” To achieve the ghost waves look with a waver, Potempa suggests holding each curl for just a second or two, alternating the curl direction and finishing by styling with a wide-tooth comb.
Looking for a heatless option? Potempa recommends using Braid Balm Pre-Braid Prep ($24) overnight. “Apply Braid Balm evenly throughout your hair, then create one or two French braids. In the morning, take out the braids and gently finger comb through your hair to break up the waves and add texture.”
Why are ghost waves trending right now?
In addition to The White Lotus influencing interest in ghost waves, there are other aspects at play. Heckmmann credits part of the look’s allure to nostalgia. “I think we’re seeing a lot of early 2000s Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen looks making a comeback. They were the queens of this style, always rocking stunning waves that struck the perfect balance of undone, messy, textured and effortless.”
Additionally, Potempa notes that there’s been a shift towards embracing low-maintenance looks. “Unlike last year’s polished looks—like slick backs, glam waves and disco curls—the ghost wave trend is all about being quick, low-effort, and easily attainable,” says Potempa. “In recent years, there has been a growing movement toward embracing natural hair texture, particularly for those with curly hair. However, people with wavy hair often struggle with their hair being neither fully straight nor as defined as curly hair. Ghost waves help those with naturally wavy hair enhance and embrace their natural texture in a stylish way.”
