Kristen Bell’s Glassy Waves Bring Back ‘70s Glam

Kristen Bell has stepped out with a glossy, undulating wave pattern that feels straight out of the 1970s—paired with oversized sunglasses for a full dose of retro-glam. The look channels the smooth, mirror-like shine of the “liquid hair” era but keeps a soft, S-shaped bend and airy movement. It’s a timely reminder that the ‘70s are still steering modern hair, from centre parts and feathered edges to disco-ready polish. Here, we decode why glassy waves resonate right now, what defines the finish, and how stylists are translating the trend from set to street without losing softness.

The ‘70s Glam Revival: Why Glassy Waves Are Back

The 1970s continue to influence contemporary hair because the decade balanced ease with drama: hair looked touchable yet camera-ready, sculpted yet effortless. Glassy waves capture that duality. They are not beachy or tousled; they’re sculpted with intent, then refined for a reflective sheen. Kristen Bell’s take leans into this equilibrium—neither poker-straight nor heavily curled, but a controlled flow that holds shape in photographs and in natural light. The oversized sunglasses are a smart styling cue: when hair is smoothed to a high shine, accessories with strong lines or scale make the whole look feel editorial.

We’ve seen versions of this on fashion week runways and red carpets for several seasons: centre-parted bends, curtain fringes curled away from the face, and a silky, anti-frizz finish that reads expensive rather than overworked. Glassy waves bridge two aesthetics that often compete—disco glamour and minimal polish—so they play well with tailored blazers, slip dresses, and modern suiting just as easily as with denim and a tee.

Decoding the Look: Shape, Shine, and Movement

What makes glassy waves distinct is the combination of structure and luminosity. The shape is typically built with a large barrel (curling iron or heated brush) to create extended S-waves, then compressed gently with a flat iron to relax any bounce. Instead of a matte, piecey finish, hair is sealed with light-reflecting products and minimal flyaway—yet the ends aren’t stick-straight. The result is a slick surface that still has dimension, like satin rather than vinyl.

• Parting: Often centre or soft off-centre to exaggerate symmetry and that ‘70s line.
• Wave pattern: Long, elongated bends—fewer, larger waves rather than many small curls.
• Shine: A humidly glossy top layer without greasiness; roots are smooth but not plastered.
• Edge work: Ends are turned under slightly or relaxed straight to maintain a clean outline.
• Finish: Touchable, with movement; frizz and fuzz are tamed without stiffness.

On blonde hair like Bell’s, the reflective finish brightens the tone and accentuates dimension. On brunettes and black hair, the glass effect intensifies depth and mirror-shine. For redheads, it enhances vibrancy without adding bulk.

From Red Carpet to Real Life: How Stylists Execute the Finish

While this is a trend piece rather than a step-by-step tutorial, it’s helpful to understand the professional logic behind glassy waves. The goal is to stack preparation, heat technique, and finishing in layers so the hair stays glossy under movement and light changes.

Preparation is crucial. Stylists usually begin with a smooth base—either a quality blow-dry using a large round brush or a gentle air-dry followed by a pass with a blow-dry brush to flatten the cuticle. A heat protectant is a non-negotiable; it shields while encouraging slip. If the hair is porous or prone to frizz, a lightweight smoothing cream helps pre-polish the shaft.

For the wave, the tool size is deliberately larger than you might expect—think big-barrel iron or hot brush to avoid ringlets. The hair is wrapped in wide sections, then the curl is cooled in place to set the bend. Some stylists will clip the front few sections to sculpt a consistent, face-framing ‘S’ that echoes curtain bangs without requiring a fringe. A gentle, quick press with a flat iron across the crest of each wave can “linen-press” the shape, relaxing bounce while amplifying sheen.

Finishing focuses on anti-frizz and reflection, not stiffness. A touch of serum or lightweight oil is emulsified in the hands and skimmed over the surface, followed by a soft, flexible-hold mist. The roots are lifted subtly to avoid a helmet effect, and the ends are checked for cleanliness—no split, fuzzy edges. If humidity threatens, a fine anti-humidity veil helps lock the glass without a crunchy coat.

Will It Suit Your Hair? Texture Compatibility and Maintenance

Glassy waves are adaptable. Straight and wavy hair types often find the look easiest to achieve with minimal shaping. Coily and curly textures can absolutely wear the trend—success hinges on thorough smoothing before setting the elongated bends, or creating bends on stretched hair to preserve length and reduce volume overload. The point isn’t to erase texture; it’s to define a long, flowing wave with a reflective finish.

Hair length matters less than you’d think. A lob can carry glassy bends beautifully so long as the wave size matches the cut length; for very long hair, focusing the bend from cheek to collarbone helps prevent weight from pulling the shape flat. Those with fine hair should keep heavy oils away from the roots, using just a whisper of serum on mid-lengths and ends. Thicker hair can cope with richer smoothing creams, but it’s still worth applying them sparingly to avoid dulling the shine.

Maintenance is realistic for most routines. A silk or satin pillowcase helps preserve the polished surface. You can also wrap hair loosely, pinning the S-shape at the front to keep the face-framing bend intact. In the morning, a cool shot of the dryer and a smooth-over with a paddle brush revives the glass without starting from scratch.

How to Read the Look Beyond the Trend

Even if the 1970s aesthetic isn’t your usual vibe, there’s a wider styling lesson here: balance. The reason Bell’s look feels current is because it doesn’t overcommit to any single era cue. The waves are controlled but not rigid; shine is high but not lacquered; the silhouette is sleek yet soft. With that in mind, you can adapt the idea to your own wardrobe and face shape:

• Pair a centre part and elongated bends with clean, minimal makeup for modern polish.
• Add a softly feathered front for a nod to ‘70s glam without a full-on retro set.
• Choose one bold accessory—like oversized frames—to anchor the look.
• Keep the finish light: one pass of shine serum on the surface often does more than layers of product.
• Let the wave start where it flatters: cheekbone-level is universally friendly and photographs well.

Key Takeaways

• Glassy waves combine ‘70s-inspired S-bends with a modern, reflective finish—sleek but touchable.
• The trend sits between disco glamour and minimalist polish, making it versatile for day or evening.
• Preparation, large-barrel shaping, and light-reflecting finishing are the core pillars of the look.
• Suitable for most hair types and lengths; adjust product weight and tool size to your texture.
• Maintenance is manageable: protect the finish overnight and revive with minimal heat and a light brush-through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are “glassy waves”?
They’re elongated, S-shaped bends finished with a mirror-like sheen. Unlike beach waves, the texture is smoother and more uniform, with minimal frizz and a reflective surface.

How do glassy waves differ from “glass hair”?
Glass hair is typically ultra-straight with a razor-sharp outline and intense shine. Glassy waves retain that high-gloss polish but add movement through long, soft bends.

Do I need a centre part to make it work?
No, but a centre or soft off-centre part amplifies the ‘70s vibe and symmetry. Side parts can work too; keep the wave large and consistent to avoid a dated feel.

Can curly or coily hair wear glassy waves?
Yes. Stretch or smooth the hair first, then set large bends with a big-barrel tool. Focus on anti-humidity prep and light, layered shine products to maintain reflection without weight.

What tools are best?
A large curling iron or heated brush for creating the bend, a blow-dry brush for smoothing, and optionally a flat iron to lightly press the wave’s crest. Always use heat protection.

How do I keep the look from going flat?
Set the wave and allow sections to cool completely. Use flexible hold rather than strong lacquer, lift roots lightly, and avoid overloading oil near the scalp.

Is there a heatless approach?
For a softer take, try wrapping hair around large, smooth rollers or a thick heatless curler on dry, pre-smoothed hair. Finish with a small amount of serum for shine.