Waterfall Waves: The Trending Hairstyle of 2026

Move over Hollywood waves, there’s a new soft glam hairstyle that’s taking over socials. This trending hairstyle ticks every box, creating an effortless finish that looks styled without trying too hard. Introducing Waterfall Waves, the wave that sits perfectly between a glamorous curl and natural texture, and in 2026, it’s becoming one of the most requested hairstyles. Waterfall Waves are romantic, soft, voluminous, and luxurious, but somehow they still feel wearable enough for everyday hair.

In collaboration with our Shed Artist, Amelia Wilmott, we’re breaking down exactly what Waterfall Waves are, why clients are obsessed with them, and how you can also recreate this trend in your salon with the right techniques and styling products.

 

Waterfall Waves are a type of wave that are soft and fluid, seamlessly blending into one another, hence the name ‘waterfall’. Unlike a traditional Hollywood wave that has a rigid, polished ‘S’ shape, Waterfall Waves are looser and more relaxed. The bends softly intertwine throughout the hair rather than sitting in one uniform pattern, which is what gives the style that flowy finish.

The overall look is glossy and bouncy, with plenty of movement, which catches the light in all the right places! It’s glamorous, without being too glamorous, giving that relaxed look that’s still put together. Amelia loves creating Waterfall Waves in the salon, telling us, “Clients are loving that effortless, softer wave, with a hint of texture, and Waterfall Waves give exactly that.”

The key to nailing the brief for a Waterfall Wave is less about creating a tight curl and more about focusing on the shape and movement the wave creates. The waves should feel soft and fluid, with some volume, but never stiff or overly set.

Amelia tells us that the biggest mistake when creating a Waterfall Wave is making the curls too tight. Focus on taking medium-sized sections and wrapping the hair more spread out around a large-sized barrel. Amelia recommends the Alfa Italia Multi-Curl Tropea in the size 32mm, curling the hair from the mid-lengths, in the same direction away from the face and leaving some hair out at the bottom. This will help achieve that seamless ‘waterfall’ effect where the waves blend naturally into each other.

 

One of the key features of the Waterfall Waves is the gorgeous shine. The soft S-shaped bends catch the light stunningly throughout the hair, giving that expensive-looking finish which all clients want. The key is making sure the hair still feels touchable and lightweight, while keeping the hold and definition through the wave. And that’s where the styling products you use to prep and set the hair make all the difference!

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To create the perfect set of long-lasting Waterfall Waves, these are Amelia’s go-tos:

Amelia takes this lightweight heat protectant mist on every section of the hair she curls to ensure it’s protected from heat damage throughout.

To set the style, Amelia applies Shed’s Medium Hold Hairspray to lock the curls into place, whilst ensuring the product doesn’t weigh the hair down to still achieve flexible movement.

To bring texture and body to the look, Amelia sparingly applies Shed’s Peace Out all over the curls, and then takes a paddle brush through the curls to create that gorgeous, effortless Waterfall Wave pattern.

As the final finishing touch, Amelia gives a generous spritz of Shed’s Mirror Mirror to add a stunning mirror-like shine to the hair, so the hair can catch the light from every angle.

Waterfall Waves are proving that glam doesn’t have to be overdone or overstyled, and that you can add softness and movement to a red-carpet-worthy look. And we love that Waterfall Waves are still wearable enough for everyday clients, whilst still giving that touch of luxury. Have your clients try this look in the salon, as Waterfall Waves are definitely the hairstyle that’s going to be sticking around in 2026.