Big, beautiful blowout hair is back, baby
Start teasing those locks — from bouffants to blowouts, big hair is most definitely having a moment right now. Here’s how to get on board.
For years, sleek, wet-looking, flat hair was the style du jour, but finally a big hair renaissance is upon us and voluminous locks are making a glorious return.
UVA Salon technical colourist and style director Caroline Daoud is happy to see big hair making a comeback.
“I’m really excited to see this old-school trend coming back in fashion and gaining prominence once more,” Caroline says.
“It’s structured yet soft and women are putting effort into their hair, which I love.
“At the moment we are getting an influx of young girls requesting this look for their birthday and we are finally utilising rollers and setting blow dries again.”
Here are some of the best bombshell big hair looks to try:
1990s blowout
This classic, voluminous hairstyle can be achieved in various ways, which means you don’t necessarily have to invest in new hot tools to recreate the style at home.
“In the salon, we achieve this look with a blow dryer,” Caroline says.
“We also use rollers and some clients even use rollers at home when their hair is wet, allowing the hair to dry overnight in order to achieve a longer-lasting voluminous look.”
Caroline says an important thing to note is this hairstyle is only achievable with a layered haircut, so if you’re wondering why you can’t achieve good results, a blunt haircut could be the culprit.
- Throw back: How to rock ‘90s bombshell hair
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Heatless curls
Put down the hair dryer and let your hair dry naturally.
While it is true that most voluminous hairstyles are achieved with heat tools, some can be achieved with heatless techniques.
Heatless curls, in particular, have experienced a surge in demand thanks to TikTok how-to content, and you don’t even need to invest in a product to achieve the hairstyle.
Wash your hair and allow it to air dry so it’s not completely damp.
Then take a small clean towel and roll it into a thin semi-circle shape, creating a headband-like shape.
Part your hair and smooth out any tangles, before securing the towel and braiding the hair into the headband, alternating pieces from the front with pieces at the back as you go.
Secure the style and allow it to completely dry.
If your hair is prone to losing shape or is naturally poker straight, try wearing this overnight and secure the style further with some hairspray.
It might require some trial and error, but the final results can look just as impressive and voluminous as a hairstyle achieved with curling tongs or rollers.
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Prom hair
Who can forget the slicked-back ’90s up-dos that were proudly worn at every high school formal?
Much like the teased up-do, to achieve this look you will want to tie your hair into a ponytail, with the option of slicking back front layers or leaving them out.
For a true ’90s throwback, add pin curls.
Take 4cm sections of your ponytail, curl them with a curling tong and then roll them up into circular curls, pinning each piece into place before securing and setting the style with hairspray.
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Teased up-do
Popularised by Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson in the 1990s, this loosely styled hairstyle actually requires a considerable amount of effort and prep work.
“The best part about this look is that it is supposed to look messy and undone,” Perth-based stylist and colourist Alicia Fryearson says.
“Keep your fringe or tendrils down for more texture.
“Slick back the rest of your hair in a pony or bun and start to take out pieces.
“Twist them either loose or tight, depending on how much hair you have.
“Pin them about an inch away from your ends and straighten them for texture.”
Alicia says having layers in your hair will help you achieve this hairstyle.
“Texture and movement is essential to have lift in your locks,” she says.
“Blunt cuts make your hair heavier and prevent your hair holding blowouts for longer than a few minutes.
“If the word ‘layers’ scares you, ask for soft face framing and internal layering to start.”
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Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
