• Before appliances like curling irons and blow dryers, women found other ways to style their hair and keep it in place. One very popular hairstyle was the finger wave, which used hair lotion, a comb and the fingers to push hair into deep, face-framing curls. Today, finger waves can be added to many different hairstyles to give them softness and originality. Women with straight or wavy hair have better luck with finger waves than women with curls.
  
  

1920s Finger Waves

• This vintage look is great for short-haired women. Wash your hair and towel it gently dry. Apply waving lotion to your hair; this lightweight lotion makes your hair flexible and helps hold it in place. It is available at most salons. Comb the waving lotion through your hair with a wide-toothed comb and part it. Lay your middle finger horizontally right above one temple near your hairline. Drag a comb through your hair to an inch below your finger. Lay the comb against your head without lifting it and push the comb up, forming a ridge of hair. Pull the comb forward slightly to form an indented wave below the ridge. Use your index finger to grip the ridge, pinch the curl firmly, then press your middle finger into the indent below the first ridge and create a wave as above. Do your whole head this way.
  
  

Wedding-Day Finger Waves

• Create a classic, fuss-free hairstyle for long hair that looks great in wedding photos. Wash and partially dry your hair, parting it so all the shorter pieces of hair from your ears forward hang loose. Pull the rest of your hair back in a loose ponytail. Part the loose hair in front in a side part and apply waving lotion. Pinch your hair into finger waves as described in the first section, gently teasing and combing them when they dry. This gives them softness and allows for a little breeze pushing them around. Pull your loose ponytail into a tight ponytail about 4 inches above the nape of your neck. Twist the ponytail clockwise and bring it up and around its base to form a soft, loose bun pinned securely to your head.
  
  

Trendy Finger Waves

• Create volume and texture in long, straight hair with finger waves all the way down. Wash your hair and towel it slightly dry. Apply waving lotion and comb it evenly through your hair. Part your hair dramatically to one side, lining the part up with the center of one eyebrow. Finger wave your hair as in the first section, from the roots to the ends of your hair. This gives your hair even, structured texture that will last all day and complement most face shapes. Add more drama by pushing decorative bobby pins into the lower side of your hair near the temple, letting the heavy waves on the other side drift where they want.