Wavy hair is like the middle child of the haircare world. Often overlooked, but oh so beautiful and special. Anyone with wavy hair has likely experienced a small sense of neglect when so many products and routines are catered to straight or curly hair. You’ve likely ended up compromising and using products that don’t quite work for your unique hair type, creating lacklustre results that don’t support your hair’s natural texture.
Luckily, this guide is all for you and your mermaid-like locks. We’ll be sharing wavy hair routine ideas and care tips that bring out the best of your texture!
What To Know About Wavy Hair
Bendier than straight hair but not quite tight enough to be curly, wavy hair is the stunning texture that falls in the middle of the spectrum.
According to the hair typing system, wavy hair is considered Type 2 hair. It has three different subcategories depending on the type of wave:
- 2A – a soft, gentle wave that typically comes with finer hair
- 2B – a more moderate wave on hair that ranges from fine to thick; tends to be more prone to frizz
- 2C – a tight wave that almost resembles a curl; tends to be thicker, coarser, and more prone to frizz
Note that wavy hair can change depending on the cut, climate, hair care routine, or even the day. It’s totally normal if your waves don’t just fall into one subcategory.
In many ways, wavy hair is more similar to curly hair than it is to straight hair because of its curved texture. It’s more prone to dryness, breakage, and frizz, and therefore requires extra nourishment.
Wavy Hair Routine
So, how can you unleash your most gorgeous and healthy waves? By establishing a supportive hair care routine, of course! Here are our top tips:
- Choose a gentle, nourishing shampoo & conditioner. Look for moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, argan oil, aloe vera, and coconut oil. Avoid drying ingredients like sulfates, silicones, and parabens, which can lead to frizz.
- Add moisture with a deep conditioner. Treat your locks to an extra dose of hydration with a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week.
- Use lightweight, hydrating products. Look for lightweight products that add hydration, prevent frizz, and improve elasticity. If your hair is fine and wavy, you may find that creams are too heavy and weigh your hair down. Leave-in conditioners, serums, gel creams, and hair oils are a great choice.
- Dry your hair strategically. Since wavy hair is more prone to frizz, you may want to avoid air drying so your hair doesn’t stay wet for too long. Excessive moisture puts stress on hair, causing strands to swell up and get frizzy. Instead, try combination drying (partial air drying and partial blow drying), or use a hair diffuser to really bring out your hair’s natural wave pattern. Diffusers help to disperse a hair dryer’s airflow; instead of blasting air at one section of hair, they create a gentle airflow that wraps around individual strands, preserving their natural texture.
- If you do want to air dry your waves, consider the plopping method: ‘plop’ your hair into the center of a microfiber hair towel (the material is important because microfiber is gentler on hair than jersey, and prevents friction-induced frizz), secure your hair by wrapping up the towel, and allow your hair to dry in the towel for around 30 minutes.
- Opt for a texturizing spray rather than a regular hairspray. Once your hair is dry and your waves have set, boost their shape with a texturizing spray. Waves can loosen up over time, but these sprays are specially formulated to keep your hair bouncy.
- Get the right haircut. Layers are a great way to add volume and bounce to your waves. Most wavy hair is flatter at the roots, so getting strategic layers can help you avoid the dreaded triangle look. The amount and type of layers you’ll need will depend on the cut, but be sure to ask your stylist for layers that create texture and movement.
- Water down curly hair products. If you can’t find products that are specifically made for wavy hair, you can always opt for a curly hair formula – just water it down to make it lighter and more suitable for your waves.
Conclusion – Wavy Hair Routine
Those with wavy hair are blessed with a beautiful texture, but it can be hard to know exactly how to care for it when so many products are tailored for straight and curly hair. Keep your waves healthy, bouncy, and voluminous by focusing on lightweight hydration, frizz prevention, and texture enhancement. As long as you stay diligent and pay attention to your hair’s needs, you’ll be able to achieve the beachy mermaid waves of your dreams!