• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Black Women in Hollywood
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • Black Women in Hollywood
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · News

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 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. Voila, instant ooh-la-la! Ned inspiration? Check out our gallery of wavy-haired Hollywood hotties.
By · July 6, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Wavy Baby

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 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. Voila, instant ooh-la-la! Ned inspiration? Check out our gallery of wavy-haired Hollywood hotties.

02
So Romantic

Kerry Washington parts her waves down the middle for a soft, romantic look.

03
Rockin’ Robinson

At the BET Awards, Holly Robinson Peete debuted this sexy style: Rumpled auburn waves with slightly teased bangs. So fresh for summer!

04
Clean Sweep

Nia Long put a glamorous spin on the body wave style by sweeping the top half back and securing with bobby pins.

05
Short Story

Rihanna proved how versatile her trendsetting crop was when she debuted these tousled, artfully disheveled waves.

06
Vintage Vamp

Taraji P. Henson added some oomph to her chin-length bob with these vintage-y, 1930s-style waves.

07
Glamour Girl

Jada Pinkett Smith’s tightly wound ringlets look super-glam with her bare shoulders and jeweled drop-earrings.

08
Copper Coif

A few copper-kissed highlights give Laila Ali’s shoulder-length waves a dose of dimension and drama.

09
Boho Chic

Joy Bryant gives a hippie chic edge to her long, loose waves by pinning back two front pieces.

Read More

News
LA County Seeks To Return Bruce’s Beach Property Which Was...
music
Fan Shares How DMX Inspired Her To Forgive Her Father Who Di...
Culture
'DMX Showed Me There's Power When We Open Wounds In Art'
music
There Will Never Be Another Rap Icon Like DMX
Celebrity
Rapper DMX Dead At Age 50
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now