Blake Lively’s curls are the poster child for big, bouncy, touchable volume—never crispy, always glamorous. If your waves fall flat by lunchtime or your curls look frizzy instead of full, this guide gives you the stylist-backed blueprint to get Blake-level volume at home. We’ll break down the prep that makes the difference, the tools that protect hair while building lift, and the simple setting tricks that lock in movement on fine, flat, or heavy hair.
What Makes Blake’s Curls So Voluminous?
There’s a method behind the magic—and it starts long before the curling iron touches your hair. Blake’s signature look typically involves:
- Root elevation and a smooth blowout: Volume starts in the first 1–2 inches at the scalp. Lifting the roots while smoothing the mid-lengths keeps hair full but polished.
- The right barrel size: For long, Blake-inspired waves, choose a 1.25–1.5 inch barrel. Too small = tight curls; too big = curls that drop.
- Alternating directions: Curl some sections away from the face and some toward it to prevent “curl clumping” and create airy separation.
- Cool-down and set: Heat shapes the hair; cooling sets it. Skipping the set is why curls fall flat.
- Texture without crunch: A modern, luxe texture spray gives grip and lift while keeping hair touchable and shiny.
Prep: From Shampoo to Heat Protectant
Great curls are 60% prep, 40% hot tools. Here’s the luxury routine that actually pays off:
- Wash smart: Use a volumizing shampoo and a lightweight conditioner only from mid-lengths down. Try a weekly scalp-focused cleanse (think a gentle clay or sea salt paste) to remove residue that weighs roots down.
- Detangle with care: Use a wide-tooth comb and a pea-sized leave-in for slip if you’re prone to knots. Avoid heavy creams on fine hair.
- Volumizing foundation: Apply a golf-ball-sized volumizing mousse or foam at the roots and through mid-lengths. Comb through for even distribution.
- Heat protection: Always apply a heat protectant that guards up to at least 410°F/210°C. If you struggle with frizz, layer an anti-humidity mist on top.
- Rough-dry for lift: Flip your head upside down and rough-dry to 70–80% before you bring in a round brush or styler. This starts the lift at the scalp.
Tools & Techniques: From Blowout to Set
You don’t need a red carpet glam squad—just the right sequence and a few smart tools.
- Blowout for smooth body: Use a medium round brush to lift at the crown and smooth ends. Direct the airflow up the hair shaft (roots to ends) to close the cuticle for shine.
- Root rollers are your secret: After blow-drying, set the top 3–4 sections (crown and front) in large Velcro rollers, rolling away from the face. Hit with a cool shot. Let them sit while you curl the rest.
- Curl with intention: Take 1–1.5 inch sections. Hold your iron or wand vertically for waves, horizontally for more bounce. Wrap mid-lengths first, leave the ends out for a modern finish, and then tap the ends for one second to smooth.
- Clip to cool: Immediately cup each curl and clip it flat to your head to cool for 5–10 minutes. This is the single most effective way to make curls last.
- Break and build: Once fully cool, remove clips and rollers. Gently rake with fingers or a soft boar bristle brush. Mist a dry texturizing spray at the roots and mid-lengths to expand and lift.
Prefer lower heat? A multi-styler that uses air and controlled heat can replicate a blowout and hot-roller set in one session while being kinder to the hair cuticle.
Products Worth the Splurge
When you’re chasing long-lasting, luxe-looking volume, the formula matters. These editor-approved picks deliver performance without stiffness.
- Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long: Ideal for smoothing blowouts and creating bouncy, Blake-inspired curls with less extreme heat. The longer barrels suit mid-length to long hair, and the cool shot helps set instantly.
- Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: A cult favorite for a reason—adds airy grit and root lift without chalky residue. Spray at the crown and through mid-lengths to expand waves and keep them up.
- Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil: Ultra-lightweight shine and frizz control that won’t deflate volume when used sparingly on ends. A single drop post-styling adds polish and red-carpet gleam.
Other luxe favorites to consider: a humidity shield spray (think premium anti-frizz technology) if you live in a damp climate, and a boar bristle finishing brush for high-shine blending.
Step-by-Step: The Blake-Inspired Volume Routine
- 1. Cleanse & prep: Volumizing shampoo, lightweight conditioner mid-lengths down, then a golf-ball of mousse and heat protectant.
- 2. Rough-dry: Flip hair and blast-dry to 70–80% for instant root lift.
- 3. Smooth blowout: Use a round brush to polish, focusing on lifting the roots at the crown.
- 4. Crown rollers: Set 3–4 large Velcro rollers at the top/front. Cool shot to lock in lift.
- 5. Curl in sections: 1–1.5 inch sections, alternating directions. Keep ends out for a modern, elongated wave; tap ends to smooth.
- 6. Clip each curl: Pin curls to cool for 5–10 minutes. Don’t skip this.
- 7. Release & refine: Remove clips/rollers. Rake with fingers, then lightly brush for blend.
- 8. Build texture: Mist Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray at roots and mid-lengths, lifting sections as you spray.
- 9. Shine the ends: Emulsify one drop of Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil between palms and skim the ends and face-framing pieces.
- 10. Lock & lift: If needed, a flexible-hold hairspray just at the outer shell and under the crown. Avoid saturating.
Pro Tips, Fixes & Longevity
- Fine or flat hair: Keep conditioners and oils below the ears. Opt for a lighter mousse or root foam. Clip every curl to cool for the longest hold.
- Thick or heavy hair: Use slightly smaller sections and a higher heat setting (within safe limits). Hold each curl on the barrel a few seconds longer before clipping to cool.
- Humidity defense: Layer an anti-humidity spray after heat protectant and again as a finishing mist. Focus on the halo where frizz starts.
- Second-day refresh: Flip your head, mist a dry texturizing spray at the roots, and recurl a few face-framing pieces. A light pass of air on a cool setting reactivates lift.
- Overnight preservation: Try a loose, high “cloud bun” secured with a silk scrunchie or very soft clips. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and frizz.
With smart prep, intentional heat, and a cool-down set, you can turn flat, slippery hair into glossy, full-bodied waves that last past dinner. Invest in a few performance heroes—like the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, and Augustinus Bader The Hair Oil—and your Blake-inspired curls will go from occasional win to reliable signature.
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