This popular hairstyle shouts "Chloé girl"—so naturally, I reached out to a hairstylist for some advice.

      Let's be honest: The idea of effortless beauty is somewhat misleading. Often, that "no makeup" makeup look or "perfectly imperfect" hair requires just as much effort—if not more—than going all out glam. When I noticed "ghost waves"—a term introduced by hairstylist Tom Smith—emerging everywhere on social media as a low-maintenance summer hair trend, I doubted their ease of creation. Subtle bends? Sounds great, but my curls tend to be more lively, indicating that I would probably need multiple hot tools to achieve that look, which hardly seems effortless at all. Given my doubts, I reached out to Smith himself to learn how every hair type—from straight to tightly coiled—can perfect the ghost waves trend at home. Surprisingly, this relaxed style is as simple as it appears. Continue reading for his detailed tutorial.

      What Are Ghost Waves, and Why Are They Popular Right Now? Smith characterizes the style as "soft, barely there, S-shaped waves." They are casual and undone, reminiscent of the relaxed, '70s-inspired vibe of a flowy boho dress. Indeed, celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldaña, and Daisy Edgar-Jones have complemented their ultra-bohemian Chloé dresses with soft ghost waves over the past year. It's clear: Boho chic is making a comeback, and a free-spirited chiffon look deserves an equally airy hairstyle to match. "The term comes from the fact that it's an undetectable technique," Smith explains. "Rather than saying, 'Oh, those are GHD curls,' or 'That's a curling-iron wave,' or 'That's a blowout,' it's a subtle technique that doesn't make its method obvious. It also features a whisper of texture rather than a shout… The ghost wave appeals to those who enjoy a subtle luxury aesthetic, rather than the flashy style we saw last year."

      That said, ghost waves are more versatile than you might think. While they are technically defined by slight, subtle bends in the hair, you can also embrace your natural texture to create your own version of effortless, boho-inspired strands. The only general guideline is to maintain a middle part, which typically appears breezier. "But it doesn't have to be a perfectly straight middle part," Smith notes. "It can be a bit irregular, enhancing that effortless appearance."

      Ghost Waves Inspiration (Image credit: Theo Wargo/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images) Sienna Miller is often seen as the queen of boho-inspired ghost waves. Here, a curlier rendition of ghost waves is showcased, with a natural middle part that embodies classic boho style. (Image credit: Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty Images) Zoe Saldaña matched flowing ghost waves with her Chloé outfit at the 2024 Met Gala. (Image credit: Getty Images) This look from Daisy Edgar-Jones is a quintessential boho example in every way. Pictured: Perfectly tousled waves from Laura Harrier. Ghost waves combined with mermaid braids create an ideal pairing. A wavy French bob like Halle Berry's is also a great choice. Adding some face-framing layers can provide a touch of natural dimension, similar to what Jodie Comer did here.

      How to Achieve Ghost Waves at Home "I would suggest two methods," Smith advises. "One method utilizes air-drying, while the other involves hot tools for every hair type." Below are his tips for both techniques.

      Air-Dried Ghost Waves for Straight Hair Types For those with straighter hair (types 1a to 2a), braiding will be your go-to technique. "Braiding the hair works very well for thicker straight hair types," Smith shares. "Finer, straight hair types may appear slightly crimped if braided." For finer hair, keep the braids loose to promote more relaxed bends. Before braiding, prep your strands with lightweight hydrators (such as leave-ins and sea salt sprays) to moisturize without weighing down the waves. Braid your hair—either into two pigtails or one larger braid—and leave them overnight. "Avoid sleeping with completely wet braids, as it won't dry properly," Smith notes. (That's where lightweight sprays help create some texture as it air-dries.) Upon waking, "a slight bend impression should emerge in your hair," he explains.

      Wavy-Curly Hair Types "Those with waves or loose curls can achieve ghost waves quite effortlessly," affirms Smith. "A natural ghost wave exists in the hair; it’s all about the prep." The specific preparation steps vary based on your exact curl type (from 2b to 3a). "If your natural waves tend to fall flat, prepping with a light-moisture, strong-hold product—like mousse or gel—is the ideal starting point," Smith recommends. "[That will] provide the right consistency to