How-To: Fingerwaves

I get an insane amount of hits from searches about fingerwaves and how to do them. I'll try to explain as best as I can. It won't be easy without visual aids, but here goes.

Fingerwaves work best with curly or wavy hair. Straight hair will be an überbiotch to wave. Believe me. There will be much tears and frustration. Stick to wavy or curly hair. It has the "S" pattern that you need. You want to work with the hair, not against it.

To hold the comb: Yes, there is a specific way to hold the comb. You want to hold it lightly with your fingers balanced on the top spine of the comb and the thumb under. It will be harder to control the hair if you clench the comb tightly, so if you find yourself becoming tense-- it will happen-- take a step back and relax before going on. You wouldn't believe how frustrating it can be to learn how to mold the hair into a fingerwave. I've thrown my mannequin head across the room. At school. And no one even blinked. I've seen people punch their mannequins and kick them across the room all because of fingerwaves.

You want the hair damp. Not dripping wet, not almost dry. You'll get no control with either. If you have a fingerwave lotion, use that. If not, gel works fine. I suggest applying the lotion or gel to the side of the head you're working on. Part the hair where it naturally parts-- you're working with not against the natural growth-- and arrange the hair to conform to the planned style. This is like making a rough sketch of your planned drawing.

You want to start the fingerwave on the heavy side of the head. This means the side with more hair on it from the parting. Comb the hair into a basic circular (or "C" shape) using the index finger of your left hand-- or right if you're a lefty-- as a guide. Start at the hairline and work your way back to the crown using 1 1/2" to 2" sections. Keep the sections small and easier to work with.

Forming the first ridge: Place the index or middle-- whichever is more comfortable for you-- finger of the left hand directly above the position for the first ridge. With the teeth of the comb pointing slightly upward, insert the comb directly under the index finger. Draw the comb forward about an inch or so along the fingertip. With the teeth still inserted in the ridge, flatten the comb against the head to lock in the ridge. Place the middle finger above the ridge (if you had the index finger there previously) and the index finger on the teeth of the comb. Emphasize the ridge by clamping fingers together and applying pressure to the head. Don't try to increase the height or depth of the ridge by pinching because it will screw it up for you later on.

Now for the tricky part. Without removing the comb, turn the teeth downward and comb the hair in a semicircular direction to form a dip in the hollow part of the way. You want your "C" shape to face the opposite direction of your previous one. Repeat the steps until you reach the crown, where the ridge phases out. The ridge and wave of each section should match evenly, without showing separations in the ridge or the hollow part of the wave.

Forming the second ridge: This time, you'll begin in the crown area. The movements are the reverse of those you followed in the forming of the first ridge.

I hope that helps those of you who were looking for directions on forming fingerwaves. Good luck! You'll need it.