As the longer bob creeps its way into our 2011 hair trends guide, the question starts to arise: if you go down the path of a shoulder-length bob, how do you keep it interesting and varied? Most of the examples we’ve seen have leaned to straight, or with a modern take on the 70s-glam blow wave. But here’s another trend that’s arising as a result of 2011′s shoulder-scraping cut: the waved bob.

caitlin stasey afi

With the bob in 2011 being generally longer and softer, it’s much easier to pull off a waved style with it. While 40s-inspired pin curls are one option, here’s one that’s more suited to everyday. A casual, textured, beachy wave.

How to create the waved bob

We caught up with ghd at the 2011 AFI Awards as they created a beachy wave on actress Caitlin Stasey. Here are the steps from Heading Out Hair’s Caterina DiBiase, working exclusively with ghd, for how you can recreate the style.

Work in ghd Maximise Mousse all through the hair, then dry in.
Section off the hair then use your ghd Salon Styler to create some loose, semi-curls (they need to have bend, but not be fully curly). Start curling a few inches down from the roots.
Spray the hair with ghd Sea Spray to create a relaxed, beachy texture.
Finally, blast the hair with a hair dryer to break it up.

Caitlin Stasey hair

The key to the look in 2011 is not to overdo the curls – the more relaxed and understated, the better.

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Archived Comments

yve wrote on 19th December 2010 at 11.15:

I like this look I am looking to cut my waist length hair and would definately go for something like this.

Spicie wrote on 26th December 2010 at 13.00:

I love this look. It is virsutile and I can see this on young and mature women.

Zoe Choleva wrote on 27th December 2010 at 03.41:

Νοw you got me thinking... I'have always had at this lenght (for hair) and at the first time on my life I wanna change and I want to leave it long.(long hair) But now I saw this foto oh...and I don't know...I'm very confused !

journey wrote on 3rd January 2011 at 09.07:

I have this length hair, and i tried doing this style this morning. It was easy to get. I use to have long hair but last year i got tired of it and went very short. Now thats it has grown to my shoulders i am having more fun with it. I would recommend this length hair for anyone

mie wrote on 5th January 2011 at 04.01:

i have medium length wavy hair so this hairstyle is effortless for me. :)

Sara wrote on 5th January 2011 at 22.57:

Like mie, my hair is naturally wavy, it's about waist length, but I want to cut it to about that length, so this hairstyle looks effortless for me as well. I like it!

January wrote on 8th January 2011 at 07.03:

I had very long hair and I cut it to about the same lenghth as that photo. I was very disappointed at first but I think I will manage. I will curl just like this hairstyle, it looks pretty:)

Kat wrote on 8th January 2011 at 11.43:

I have less than wavy hair, and when i try to curl it like that, the curls fall out by the end of the day. To keep them curled, I have to use an EXTENSIVE amount of hair spray! Does anyone know a solution!

Daniel wrote on 8th January 2011 at 12.34:

@ Kat: what tool did you use to put the waves in?

Elizabeth wrote on 10th January 2011 at 20.15:

Use a narrow ceramic flatiron to create the curls! I have stick-straight hair and it works wonders. It stays all day with NO hairspray (unlike curling irons)!

Chelsea wrote on 29th January 2011 at 22.15:

I used to have this haircut about a year ago, and everyone love it, including me. I kept it straightened instead of wavy like this though. After my hair began growing out again and got about below my jaw line length, people began saying my hair looked like dog ears.

Mich wrote on 10th February 2011 at 09.29:

I am cutting and donating my long hair this weekend, and this is the kind of cut I plan on going for.

Meredith wrote on 26th February 2011 at 16.40:

A secret that makes this style last the even thru is this........ When styling hair with a flat iron you want clean dry hair. Spray each section with a thermal protector/ thermal memory product. After curling the section wind curl up and secure with small hair clip. Let COMPLETELY COOL this ensures that the hydrogen bonds are completely changed in shape to a long lasting curl. Do not be afraid to comb out these curls with a large tooth comb. And you can always curl tighter sections after to give different texture to the style created. Run the flat iron down the hair slower to achieve a tighter curl!!! Good luck it is a fun style!

Hala wrote on 26th April 2011 at 00.14:

soo cute!! would this go for ppl who have wavy/curly hair??

bri wrote on 3rd July 2011 at 14.41:

love it want to cut my hair now lol

Shannon M. wrote on 16th July 2011 at 08.38:

This hairstyle is adorable. I'm getting it done nxt wknd.