What is the common term for a hairstyle that features waves or curls starting from the scalp?

The common term for a hairstyle that features waves or curls starting from the scalp is finger waves. This iconic style, primarily associated with the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by its S-shaped patterns that are created by alternating the direction of the hair waves. Finger waves are typically crafted using a comb and styling gel or mousse, which helps to hold the shape without the need for heat styling, making it a classic technique in hairstyling.

Pin curls, while also involving curling of the hair, do not start right at the scalp in the same way that finger waves do. An updo refers to a style where the hair is styled up and away from the neck, which may or may not involve waves or curls at the scalp. Beach waves typically describe a more relaxed, tousled wave look that is created with heat styling tools and often starts further down the hair rather than from the scalp. Thus, the definition and technique associated with finger waves make it the correct answer for this question.