Which technique is used to shape hair in wavy patterns?

The technique used to shape hair into wavy patterns is finger waving. This method involves creating S-shaped waves by arranging the hair in alternating patterns of finger placement and curling. It was especially popular in the early to mid-20th century and involves using both the fingers and a comb to manipulate the hair into the desired wave shape. The process requires skill in controlling the hair's movement and ensuring consistent wave formation, distinguishing it from other techniques that may not achieve the same specific texture or style.

Other techniques, while related to hair styling, serve different purposes. Pin curling involves rolling sections of hair and securing them with pins to create curls, which can lead to waves, but lacks the structured, defined patterns that finger waving provides. Permanents, or perming, chemically alter the hair's structure to create lasting curls or waves, but this technique is distinct from the manual method of waving the hair. Thinning involves reducing the bulk of the hair rather than shaping it, focusing on texture rather than a design or pattern like waving does.