Finger waves are a classic. Before we get into the how-to of the sleek, S-shaped style, it's time for a quick history lesson: Finger waves are synonymous with the s. One of my most prominent memories of when my mom taught me about the 20s is the black and white photograph of Josephine Baker , who was a celebrated singer and dancer and the first Black entertainer to star in a motion picture. Not only was she a beauty and style icon, but she was also a civil rights activist who was known for refusing to perform at segregated clubs in the United States. The style remained popular until the '30s and later re-emerged in the '90s, with stars like Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Halle Berry , and Nia Long wearing the sleek 'do on red carpets, in music videos, and on film. Now that you have some historical context, let's get into how we can create this look at home.

Products and Tools for Finger Waves


Finger Wave Hairstyles for Work and Play
The only time that I've ever rocked finger waves was for my graduation, when I went and got my hair done professionally. The vintage style has always been one I adored but seemed impossible to manage at home — at least, without buying a million new products to make it work. But as I've been playing around more and more with different hairstyles and products, I felt it was time to take the plunge and find out a way to get finger waves at home. Finally, I would be red carpet ready for sitting in bars and being my usual extra self. I was adamant that I wasn't going to buy anything new for my experiment, so I researched and decided to try out three different ways of getting finger waves. I tried using bobby pins , as well as a dramatic gelled finger waves look and finally, using a flat iron to achieve the perfect vintage waves.
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Sought-after fashion designers such as Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs integrated finger waves into their recent fashion shows, which then inspired many celebs to try them out on the red carpet. The modern take on finger waves means that just the sides are wavy, not all the hair. Read on for how to get finger waves and step back in time to the roaring twenties. The alternative to classic finger waves also originated in the twenties.
Saturate with water AND product, then comb through. As you work, re-wet the hair often. Center parts are not for the faint of heart or newbies , as mastering the exactness of perfectly-mirrored sides may elicit anxiety that teeters on madness. Face-Framing Mary begins her finger waves around the face because this sets the tone for the rest of the style. Factor dry time into your appointment. Holding the Wave Another skill you have to master when creating finger waves? Here are two tool options for holding the wave in place. Email or username.