“Here’s How I Got Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights Curls In 5 Easy Steps”
Soft romantic waves are having a serious moment and not just in period dramas. After spotting Margot Robbie’s dreamy, windswept Wuthering Heights-inspired hair, I knew I had to try the look myself. Looking back to the Grammy Awards red carpet confirmed it: long, brushed-out curls are officially back, and they’re cooler and more wearable than ever.
As a beauty editor (and someone with dead straight hair that never holds any sort of texture), I put the look to the test. The verdict? Surprisingly easy if you use the right technique and don’t overthink it (more “imperfect perfect” rather than “salon-worthy”). Here’s exactly how I did it…
Step 1: Start with the right base
This style works best on hair that isn’t freshly squeaky-clean. Day-two hair holds curl far better, so I prepped with:
- A light volumising spray at the roots
- A heat protectant through the mid-lengths and ends
The key is grip without stiffness, you want movement, not helmet hair!
Anna Cofone, celebrity hair stylist
Pro tip: Rough-dry your hair upside down for lift. Don’t worry about making it smooth; a bit of natural texture helps the curls feel airy and romantic rather than overly polished.
Step 2: Create soft, elongated waves
Margot’s curls aren’t tight ringlets; they’re loose, elongated bends. I used a deep-wave styler and worked in medium sections to achieve that soft, luxurious movement.
Here’s the trick that makes it look expensive rather than bridesmaid-y:
- Clip the hair starting a little below the root and follow the natural fall of the hair
- Shift the styler down the section, lining up the last bend to keep the wave flowing
- Leave the very ends out for that modern, undone finish
- Hold each clamp for about 5–8 seconds, then release gently
- Let the wave cool completely before touching it
Step 3: Alternate directions (but keep it subtle)
To avoid that overly “done” look, I alternated curl directions through the back sections, but kept everything away from the face at the front. This stops the style from clumping into one giant wave and gives that soft, windswept movement.
At the crown, I took slightly smaller sections and lifted the styler higher up the strand to create volume, which gave the style that subtle Brontë-heroine drama rather than flat Boho Sienna Miller-esque festival waves.
Step 4: The brush-out is everything
This is the moment it transforms. Once all the curls have cooled completely, take a wide paddle brush and gently brush everything through.
The curls merge into those signature rolling waves that look plush and effortlessly romantic. If it feels too big or ‘done’, believe me, it will drop slightly within the hour. I finished by lightly backcombing just at the crown for a whisper of lift.
Step 5: Lock it in without crunch
Romantic curls should move when you turn your head. I misted a flexible-hold hairspray from a distance, then used my fingers to break up any pieces that looked too uniform. For extra polish, I smoothed a tiny drop of hair oil over the very ends to give that soft, candlelit sheen.
Shop the essentials
Here’s what you need to recreate Margot’s Wuthering Heights curls:
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