Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Hair

Hot Hair: The Body Wave

First made popular by Janet Jackson and Jody Watley in the '80s, the big, bodacious, body wave is officially back! The great thing about this sexy style? Soft, rippling waves flatter all hair lengths from short, Rihanna-esque crops to long locks, a la Joy Bryant. And the look is super-easy to create at home: Simply separate hair into sections (small if you want tight waves, bigger if you want a looser texture), and then wrap around the barrel of a one inch curling iron, keeping the barrel closed. Check out our gallery of wavy-haired A-listers for inspiration.
Hot Hair: The Body Wave
Vanessa Williams Bod Wave260 Jpg
By Tia Williams · Updated October 29, 2020
vanessa-williams-bod-wave425.jpg

First made popular by Janet Jackson and Jody Watley in the ’80s, the big, bodacious, body wave is officially back! The great thing about this sexy style? Soft, rippling waves flatter all hair lengths from short, Rihanna-esque crops to long locks, a la Joy Bryant. And the look is super-easy to create at home: Simply separate hair into sections (small if you want tight waves, bigger if you want a looser texture), and then wrap around the barrel of a one inch curling iron, keeping the barrel closed. Check out our gallery of wavy-haired A-listers for inspiration.

TOPICS:  African American Hair Black Hairstyles