When it comes to hair, think big

The days of super-straight hair are numbered. Natural-looking, less-structured hair is emerging as the key look this summer, says Jaimee Smith, owner of Zaibatsu Hair Art in Dunedin.

Jaimee, who is also part of the New Zealand Sebastian Creative Team, is currently in Bangalore, India, designing a collection of hair for the launch of a new salon there.

Back home, she's predicting loose waves and beachy hair will be big.

Here's how to get the look . . .

STEP 1: In the wash
Big hair is more easily achieved with unwashed hair but if you have to wash your hair, use a volumising shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type. Your stylist can tell you which is right for you.

Towel dry hair then add a volumising spray. Jaimee recommends Sebastian Volupt Spray. "It also includes a heat protectant, which is essential when you are blow waving everyday," she says.

STEP 2: High and dry
Hair needs to be 100% dry before curling or the moisture retained in the hair will cause any added volume to drop out, says Jaimee. While blow drying, use a radial (round) brush and stretch hair from the roots up or flip head upside down to gain ultimate volume at the root area.

STEP 3: The perfect wave
The next step is to create loose curls, which can be done, oddly enough, with your straightener.

"Think of the hair like scissoring a ribbon on a present. It sounds crazy but it really does work.Place the iron onto hair, close the iron and rotate to lock wrist around then proceed with ribbon effect," says Jaimee.

Curl inch-wide sections of hair at a time (less if hair is thick) and don't apply too much tension.

STEP 4: Ready to roll
Once your hair is lightly curled, bring on the heated rollers. Rollers have come a long way since Hilda Ogden's day and the latest thing out is TheO, which is available from Zaibatsu Hair Art.

"TheO is great because it is super quick. The rollers heat up very fast but will not burn your fingers and the rollers are also Velcro so no pins are required," says Jaimee.

Working from front to back, take an inch section of hair for each roller and zig-zag them through the top section for ultimate root lift. For fine hair, apply rollers throughout the hair. Don't be scared to do this yourself - it's supposed to look beachy and messy, not perfectly set.

STEP 5: Big finish
Remove the rollers and ruffle out the hair into loose, tousled waves.

Finish with either a gloss serum - for a more classic, soft feel - or work in a product such as Sebastian Craft Clay to get a gritty beachy feel.

Make sure to work the clay thoroughly between your hands to warm it then distribute it evenly throughout the hair.