Ask Taylor Swift, this is the true season of love. And as the weather cools down and we get cozy, there’s nothing better than a seasonally refreshed hairstyle that perfectly fits your modern romantic aesthetic. Enter Pre-Raphaelite waves, an homage to an art period awash with Renaissance inspiration, delicate details and soft, romantic expression. If you’re looking for a hairstyle that delivers a fairytale-level ethereal drama, Pre-Raphaelite waves are for you.
Featured Experts
- Nick Stenson is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Nick Stenson Beauty
- Nylza Yepez is a professional hairstylist at Jenna Perry Hair
- Natalie Rotger is a professional colorist at Jenna Perry Hair
- Emma McJury is a professional hairstylist
Pre-Raphaelite Waves, Explained
Wait, What Does Pre-Raphaelite Even Mean?
Let’s get the history lesson out of the way. The Pre-Raphaelite era was an artistic movement that gained steam in the mid-1800s which sought to return to a more vibrant, Renaissance aesthetic. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists, critics and poets leading the movement, rejected the artistic norm of the era as too rigid, polished and academic. Instead, they favored naturalistic settings and poses, vivid colors and took inspiration from early Italian and Flemish artists from the 13th century, before Raphael (hence Pre-Raphaelite).
So, What Are Pre-Raphaelite Waves?
The artists of the era were inspired by women with thick, wavy hair that gave off an untamed, effervescent aesthetic. But those waves weren’t just beachy texture, they were crafted to emphasize texture and volume while looking intentionally structured.
“Pre-Raphaelite waves are softer, more romantic, and uniform compared to beachy waves,” explains celebrity stylist and founder of Nick Stenson Beauty, Nick Stenson. “With a beach wave, the texture tends to look a bit undone and piecey, while Pre-Raphaelite waves are glossy, structured and lay in a way that feels timeless.”
They also have a tighter wave, often brushed through to create an intentionally wild, almost frizzy texture.
“Pre-Raphaelite waves are tight and uniform and are designed to feel romantic and ethereal,” explains stylist at Jenna Perry Hair, Nylza Yepez. “It’s a look that we can recreate a variety of ways with overnight braids, small curling wands or medium-to-large crimpers.”
When styled, the effect is “effortless,” but still retains a “romantic and polished” look, says Natalie Rotger, colorist at Jenna Perry Hair.
How Do You Style Pre-Raphaelite Waves?
“I like to start with smooth, frizz-free hair,” explains professional hairstylist Emma McJury. “After applying heat protectant, I use a curling wand with a smaller barrel, like Wavytalk’s Curlmaker Pro 1″ barrel ($99), to create tighter curls, working in even sections. Once the curls cool, I gently brush them through to melt them into that signature wave pattern. The brushing is key as it softens the curl into something fluid and polished, but it’s also important to let the curls cool completely before brushing them out.”
For Stenson, the key to this look is consistency. “To achieve this style, start with a deep side part and prep the hair with a lightweight smoothing cream for shine and control,” he advises. “Use a larger-barrel curling iron or iron waves in the hair with consistent, uniform bends from root to end. The key is to brush out the curls gently with a boar bristle brush so the waves flow seamlessly together.”
Products to Nail the Look
