The most iconic Serena Van Der Woodsen hairstyle is her messy beach waves, a style that Blake Lively is also famous for. “Gossip Girl” hairstylist Jennifer Johnson outlined how to achieve this coveted look in a video for Birchbox’s YouTube channel. To start, Johnson recommends wetting your roots and prepping with some volumizing spray. Then, lift the roots with a hairdryer to create even more volume. This will give you the key base you need.
With your curling iron, take random sections of your hair and wrap them around the iron for a few seconds. To achieve an even messier and less stylized look, you can curl in different directions. Depending on your hair type, you’ll need to adjust the type of curling device you use (via Cosmopolitan). When you’re finished, brush through the curls with your fingers and add some hairspray. Johnson states that the hairspray should be firm, but not so firm that you have trouble brushing it out.
Finally, take a dry shampoo or texture spray and really work it into your hair until no white residue remains. Backcomb gently to achieve a final burst of volume — or, if you prefer a smoother look, you can skip this step. Either way, finish by placing some bobby pins in your hair where your fingers naturally hold the sections. Voila! You’ll be the envy of everyone with your Serena van der Woodsen waves.
