Final answer:
Finger waving is the technique of shaping and directing the hair into an 'S' formation using a comb, lotion, and the fingers, and it is different from weaving, braiding, and curling which involve distinct methods for styling hair.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shaping and directing the hair into an S formation using a comb, lotion, and the fingers is called finger waving. This technique was particularly popular in the 1920s and 1930s and creates waves that stay in place by forming 'S' shaped curves on the hair. The hair is sculpted into waves with the fingers and a comb, and a lotion is applied to set the shape. This approach is distinct from weaving, braiding, or curling, where the hair is styled in different ways for various looks or textures.
Specifically, braiding involves interlacing three or more strands of hair, and curling uses heat to change the hair's shape. Meanwhile, weaving can refer to methods used for adding hair extensions or creating intricate styles. Finger waving is a method used to style the hair in waves without braiding, curling, or weaving.