When Hilary Duff appeared on Call Her Daddy, it wasn’t just her candid conversation that had everyone talking – it was the hair. Effortless, undone and perfectly polished all at once, her “cool girl” waves struck that sweet spot between laid-back and luxe, proving once again why she remains a beauty muse for a new generation.
Soft movement, natural texture and a barely-there finish defined the look – the kind of style that feels as though it took minutes, yet delivers maximum impact. In this guide, we break down exactly how to recreate Hilary’s modern, off-duty waves, from prep and product layering to the styling techniques that give that perfectly imperfect bend.
Stylist Barb Thompson told us:
“For this look, I started with damp hair, misting Surface Hair’s All In Leave-In Conditioner to prep the hair since it is great for shine, heat protection, and detangling. Once the hair was 3/4 dry, I partnered that with the Surface Hair Blowout Primer, a lightweight pre-style spray designed to enhance bounce and lock in style memory. I followed with a 2.5 inch round brush to sculpt a smooth, airy base that still has movement. A blow dry like this is also an important way to create the perfect canvas for curling iron work.
Once dry, I sprayed the Surface Hair Blowout Finishing Spray to provide extra heat protection and shine to the hair before going in with a duo of larger barreled irons. First, I used a 1.25” curling iron through the back and worked up the head finishing with a 1.5” iron at the top sections. For the technique, I made sure to curl all pieces away from the face, never taking sections bigger than the iron I was using at the time. It is also important to let the section fully cool before disrupting it. This helps the look last longer!
The goal? I really wanted an effortless, “cool girl” relaxed wave with soft curves and a fluid, bouncy bend.
To finish, I had Hilary flip her hair over and I used my fingers to run through the iron work so the end result was smooth yet airy. To pump up the volume and break up the loose waves even more, I misted the Surface Hair Blowout Texture Spray from the roots to mid shafts, having her then flip back up. To help break up the ends, I used Surface Hair’s Blowout Dry Shampoo Foam to create effortless, chic texture. In addition to extending your style, a dry shampoo foam is also great for lightweight lift and body. Once we were happy with the whole look, I sealed it in with Surface Hair’s Awaken Finishing Spray to maintain the curvature of the waves and ensure a lasting hold, all while keeping the hair touchable. “