Met Gala 2024 Hair Trend: Get Summer-Ready Ethereal Waves With These Editor-Tested Hair Styling Tools
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
“The Garden of Time” 2024 Met Gala red carpet was nothing short of a fairytale fantasy, and the romantic beauty looks were right on theme. From just-bitten lips to bold flushing cheeks, celebrity glam leaned into exaggerated natural beauty, with an abounding hair trend of flowing, ethereal hair waves framed by braid twists, flowery charms, and elfin crowns.
More from WWD
Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Weight Loss Medication Ozempic in Discussion With Whoopi Goldberg
The 10 Best Press-On Nail Kits For an Instant Summer Manicure, Tested by Editors
Bob Mackie, Naked Dress Originator, Premieres 'Naked Illusion' Documentary With Cher, Pink and More
Rather than bouncy blowouts or straight, sleek styles we typically see red carpets, the stars opted for a softer feel to compliment gauzy fabrics, textural adornments, and elegant draping. We saw Kendall Jenner, Karol G, and Lana Del Rey embraced veil-like, hip-skimming fairy waves in tight and textural crimps, while Sienna Miller, Jessica Biel, and Zoe Saldana leaned into piece-y, unkept mermaidcore waves that read effortlessly supernatural.
At the other end of the wave range, beauties from Madelyn Cline, Allison Williams, and Sarah Jessica Parker stunned in more polished and tousled styles, which pumped up the volume with alternating ringlets and softly styled face-framing pieces.
Rather than usual, ultra-glam red carpet hair looks, the wavy hair trend is incredibly easy to achieve with just a hair waver and a trusty dry texture spray. Whether you’re looking for tighter crimps, loose kinks, or a whole mane of mixed textures, there’s a gamut of editor-tested hair styling tools to add to your rotation for summer-ready beauty looks that take minimal effort. The best part? The style’s naturally imperfect, untidy vibe is foolproof for both hair styling novices and at-home pros alike, and can often last you several days of wear throughout the week — hello, tousled updo’s!
Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite, editor-tested hair styling tools and products to achieve the wavy hair trend, from triple-barrel wavers to frizz-fighting secret weapons.
BEST HAIR WAVER FOR FINE HAIR
Amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$120
$60 $120 50% off
The tripe barrel design of Amika’s High Tide Deep Waver creates smooth and soft crimps that achieve textured beach waves. Its custom molding prevents harsh crease marks while negative ion ion technology works to seal the cuticle for a shiny finish.
Editor testing and review notes: “Many hair wavers can feel clunky in the hand due to the large curling barrels, but Amika’s is manageable to use due to the balanced design — including a non-slip handle and a kickstand that prevents the hot barrels from singeing any surface you place it on. On top of a sleek build, this tool is a winner because it doesn’t leave crease marks, making it a great choice for beginners. As for results, expect beachy waves you can set in place or brush out for softer texture.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $60
BEST HAIR WAVER FOR SHORT HAIR
Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$76.99
$99
The Beachwaver isn’t your typical curling iron. It does all the work for you: Feed a section of hair into the short clamp and the tool automatically twists the hair around the rotating barrel. The end result is a loose and romantic S-curl you can brush out for more va-va-voom volume. Pro tip: Utilize the two different spin directions to alternate your curls for piece-y texture.
Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve researched and tested curling irons consistently in my six years as a beauty editor, and Beachwaver’s option remains my top recommendation when friends ask for a curling iron that’s simple to use. Any skill level can achieve gorgeous texture with the click of a button, literally. The tool comes in various barrel sizes, but the 1-inch option is a favorite for soft waves on any hair length and thickness.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $76.99
Bed Head Tourmaline Wave Artist Deep Waver
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
$22.49 $32.99 32% off
$44.99
$34.99
Rather than a waver with three barrels, this deep waver shapes the hair in larger, fuller waves with a loose crimped effect. It’s super beginner friendly, heats up quickly, and creates a long-lasting mane of ethereal waves.
Editor testing and review notes: “Bed Head’s hair waver has a unique design that’s easier to feed hair into than three-barreled tools. The tool lends a messy, wavy look with plenty of volume, and its six heat setting make it a surprisingly versatile tool for various hair thicknesses and textures. I love its locking function that makes the tool even more compact for stashing in my overnight bags. Note that the tool runs hot, so those with damaged or fine hair will want to ensure they spritz on heat protectant before use.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $22.49
Ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$209
If your hair already has natural texture, this wand from Ghd is best for enhancing waves by styling small sections of hair, like face-framing pieces or strands that are more straight. Its oval-shaped barrel also has the unique ability to create both beachy waves and Old Hollywood curls just by changing the direction of the curls.
Editor testing and review notes: “After testing Ghd’s tool, I’m convinced everyone’s hair styling routine needs an oval-shaped curling iron. The unique shape creates more stretched-out waves and curls that look naturally gorgeous rather than over-styled. Once you get used to the shape, you’ll be obsessed with the results — think soft, long curls with loads of shine. And Ghd hair tools, from hair straightening brushes to flat irons and hair dryers, are a great choice for those with damage-prone hair, as every tool is optimized to not exceed a hair-safe temperature of 365°F.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $205
Drybar The Beach Bender Triple Barrel Waver
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$139
$139
$139
Drybar’s The Beach Bender Triple Barrel Waver features smaller barrels that are ideal for creating a tighter ripple effect. Plus, it’s equipped with ionic technology that reduces frizz and adds luscious shine.
Editor testing and review notes: “The first thing I noticed about Drybar’s hair waver is how quickly it heats up — it can reach a high of 450°F in under two minutes. This, on top of its long, easy-to-grip handle makes it an easy-to-use option for beginners and pros. A smaller 0.75-inch barrel size creates body and lift at the roots, while creating nice flips and curls at the ends of my hair. Note that the tool doesn’t have a kickstand, so you’ll want to style with a heatproof surface nearby.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $139
BEST HAIR STYLING TOOL FOR TRAVEL
Bio Ionic 3-In-One Styling Flat Iron
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$149
$149
If you’ve ever curled your hair with a flat iron for kinky, tousled waves, this tool takes the technique one step further. It looks like a traditional curling iron with a clamp, but unhinges to reveal flat plates where you can slot in your strands and twist for a natural-looking kink. You can also lock the tool and use it as hair wand to create even more texture variation.
Editor testing and review notes: “The plates on this Bio-Ionic hair straightener are longer than others on this list, however that’s part of what makes the tool a standout. That extra surface area allows you to straighten larger chunks of hair than you could with a standard flat iron, cutting down on styling time. On top of its efficiency for straightening hair, the tool has a smart design that allows you to use it as a curling wand or curling iron for ultimate versatility in your hair styling.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $149
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$52
$52
Texturizing spray is your best friend if you’re looking to achieve red carpet-ready waves with volume and definition. Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray is among the best we’ve tested for locking in a light hold and absorbing excess oil, and is especially great for flat or thinning hair.
Editor testing and review notes: “My hair always goes limp one or two days after I’ve washed and styled it, and this is the first product I reach for to revive it. Yes, it adds major fullness and body wherever I point it, but it also has the effect of a great dry shampoo, making grease go away. I’ll focus the mist on my roots for a Texas hair look or spritz it on the end of my ponytail to fib fullness I’d only otherwise get with extensions.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $52
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
$28
$28
$28
Scared of frizz? Don’t be. The Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray creates a magical forcefield that protect your carefully shaped waves from humidity and even rain. Just spray it on damp hair before you style, and enjoy a gleaming mane of silky locks.
Editor testing and review notes: “I have naturally curly hair that I prefer to wear smoothed out most days, and this is the only product I can count on to keep my strands sleek when it’s humid outside. I’ve turned all my friends and family onto it, too.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28
Why Trust WWD
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly reports on beauty and fashion trends seen on the red carpet and celebrity street style.
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
