How To Take Care of Wavy Hair?

woman hand brushing her wavy hair

We often mistake wavy hair for curly hair, however, that is not the case. There is a significant difference between curly and wavy hair. Charismatic wavy hair has always been an ideal look when spending the day at the beach.

Some people are born with these wavy hair types while others must make them by using various methods. Wavy hair hairstyles can be worn at any event and can be easily achieved by following easy-to-do tutorials. First, let's look at what wavy hair is and its specific characteristics.   

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Wavy Hair and Its Characteristics

Wavy hair is a hair type that has ripple-like patterns and textures. The waves are closer to the scalp and flatter with waves moving towards the bottom of the hair strands. This wavy hair type is having hair that has bounce and body to it. It doesn’t fall flat like straight hair, and it doesn’t shrink up and coil like curly hair. Wavy hair is voluminous. 

This hair type has more form in terms of having loose s-shaped curls. They can also possess some characteristics of both straight hair and curly hair. Your hair type can be classified as in-between. Sometimes hair types can change with time and wavy hair can become curly hair with time.

If your hair is more on the straight side, you may not have as much volume in your hair whereas if your hair is more on the curly side, you are prone to experience frizz and dryness. You might have to use volumizing sprays or shampoos/ conditioners to give straight hair an added bounce and for the curly side of your hair, you can use a smoothing silicone product instead to gain more control of these curls.

Types of Wavy Hair

There are different types of wavy hair strands that you can have, these wavy hair types can be divided into 3 subcategories.

Here are the types of waving hair that you can have: 

  • Type 2A – Mostly straight and subtle waves
  • Type 2B – Slightly wavy towards the end of the hair strands. This type is also prone to frizz, has a slightly more defined wave, and is straighter at the roots.
  • Type 2C – Most wavy and thicker than other types – this type is curlier than it is wavy.
woman with black wavy hair having a selfie

How To Get Wavy Hair with Heat?

Wavy hairstyles can be achieved by applying heat to your hair.

1. Use a large-barrel curling iron

First, wash and blow-dry your hair. Then divide your hair into sections and prepare each strand by using a holding product on it to enhance your curls.

Once you have done that, section your hair into two halves, taking it from one ear to the other. Take the top half of your hair and tie it up to put it out of the way. Then take subsections of the hair and using a good curling iron, curl your hair towards your face. Be careful not to press the curling iron against your scalp or cheeks.

The straighter your hair, the harder it is to curl it but don’t let this put you off, keep using the curling iron, this time pin the hair towards your scalp, and which will force the hair to set into a curl.

Follow these steps throughout curling the rest of your head. To ensure the curls stay in, allow the curls to set for a few minutes.

2. Using a Flat – Ironed to make twists

For this hairstyle, you can either use a curling iron or a flat iron. Twist pieces of your hair from root to tip then wrap them around the iron.

If you are using a flat iron, clamp down on the twisted pieces. This will result in the looser wavy beach -curls.  

How To Get Wavy Hair Without Heat?

Here are some methods to use when wanting to create a wavy hairstyle without using any heat. Heat has been known to damage hair cuticles and the less heat you use the better it is to take good care of your hair.

These methods are easy to do and easily doable by yourself and do not require you to go to a professional to achieve these looks. You can also do these hairstyles on the road or at work to prepare for an evening out or a last-minute event.

1. Sea Salt Spray

This product has been designed to be used on the ends of hair strands and helps give off a natural beachy look. Once you spray sea salt spray on your hair, the hair cuticles begin to swell.

2. Sock Curls

Cut the toe off a clean sock and roll the sock into a donut, then tuck your hair into the hole of the donut and sleep with it on.

This method is easy and simple to create messy beachy waves.

3. Twisted Bun Method

Take your hair and twist your hair into an up style during the day and then loosen it at night, use your fingers to get through the waves.

4. Sleep With Braids

Brush out your hair to avoid any tangles or knots, then spray it with some holding spray. Plait your hair using three pieces each of the two plaits from the nape of the neck, or you can do a French-style braid. The looser you plait the hair the tighter the curl will be.

Ensure that you tie the end of the braids to make sure that they stay in place during the night. In the morning you can untie your hair, run your fingers through your hair to achieve the beachy – waves you want.

5. Bobby Pin Curls

By using bobby pins you can also achieve beachy- waves by dividing your hair into sections and rolling them into small knots and pinning them into place.

You can sleep like this and unpin in the morning.

Interesting Facts of Having Wavy Hair

Here are a few facts about having wavy hair and how you can fix them.

1. Having Wavy Hair Means It Can Be Oily Hair

Try not to use any oily products on your hair, stay especially away from heavy oils such as olive oil, castor oil, and avocado oil. You also do not wash your wavy hair every day, it is best to skip 2-3 days before the next wash.

If you’re suffering from oily hair and need a help, then read our guide to cure oily hair.

2. Wavy Hair Is Often Fragile, Brittle, And Frizzy

To combat this issue, you can use a lightweight oil just a small amount to help restore the wave strands.

3. Waves Can Get Out of Control

Keep your waves moisturized as wavy hair can be naturally oily and because of this be difficult to manage.

Be sure to check the ingredients of each hair product.

4. Wavy Hair Needs Moisturizers to Both Keep the Frizz Under Control & To Keep the Waves from Falling Flat

Buy products that are specially designed for wavy hair to ensure that the waves look natural and as opposed to a hot mess!

woman relaxing while watching the sun rise

21 Best Wavy Hairstyles That Will Make You Beautiful

Here are a few hairstyles that you can do with your wavy hair type:

1 Boho Vibes – free and flowy braids, or twists

Separate your hair into four equal parts and curl your hair with a curling iron. Don’t forget to use some holding spray to keep your waves in place. If your waves are too tight, run your fingers through them and loosen them. Make sure to use a soft–holding hair spray. This will help your curls flow freely and won’t harden.  Add a scarf to your waves, or a headband to finish off this boho hairstyle.

2. Side-Swept Waves – waves hanging on the side of your choice

Make a deep side part first and then brush all your hair to one side of your head. Use a curling iron to curl your hair, divide hair into sections and do each section at a time.

Curl them all in the same direction, once you have done that brush out your curls in a uniformed wave.

3. Layered Long Bob – hair cut in layers of different lengths

You can have your haircut into different style bobs to achieve a shorter wavy beach-like look.

4. A Wavy Lob

A hairstyle where your hair is cut at shoulder-length and then styled in waves. A lob is a long bob, normally a bob is a short haircut reaching just below the ears.

5. Soft Pixie Cut

A hairstyle that is cut on the back and sides of the head and long at the top. Cutting your hair into a pixie haircut means having it short on the scalp.

6. Wet wavy hair

You need to achieve a wet-looking texture by styling your hair once it gets halfway dry. If your hair is soaking wet, the products won’t hold as wet hair won’t absorb the products. Use a t-shirt to blot out moisture and prevent frizz.

7. Unicorn Braid

Braiding the hair into cornrows by adding in extra hair of different colors to give it the unicorn effect. The braid can be the classic three-strand plait or the crochet method.

8. Textured Curls

Use texturizers to help keep the curl in place, this loosens the natural curl pattern and gives the strands of hair a wavy texture.

9. The Wavy Braid

By braiding the hair, you create waves in the strands. This can be loosened once held in position for some time to achieve this look. Run fingers through once loosened to braids to show off your wavy hair.

10. Hollywood Waves

This is a classic Hollywood hairstyle that you can do without the help of a stylist. All you need to do is first prep your hair with a curl holding spray. Then, section your hair from your crown to your ear. At the bottom, take a diagonal section and place the curling iron below the hair pointing towards the face. You need to twist and wrap the hair. Repeat this step by parting.

This technique needs to be repeated on the back section of your head from the bottom of the hair to the crown. On the opposite side, create symmetry by facing the barrel towards your face. Spray the brush with shine spray and then lightly brush through the waves.

11. Wavy Half Updo – the twisted hairband

Firstly, take your curling iron and curl all the ends of your hair. Once you have done that, run your fingers through these curls to create the wavy effect. Then divide your hair between a top and bottom section by making a path from ear to ear. Take the top section and tease it with a comb, not too much. Just enough to have it make a little hump on the crown of your head. Then place a thin elastic headband over the crown of your head over your hair just above your ears.

Take the hair from underneath the headband and slowly start wrapping it around the elastic band, looping it all the way through. Make sure you use a piece from each side of the head from the front backward. Once all the hair is tucked in neatly you are all done.

12. Flirty and Bouncy Waves

Use a double or triple barrel curling iron to achieve this back from the beach look. To make sure these waves look authentic, wash your hair the day before so that it's at least a day old and won’t be limp or flat. Also, apply a light holding spray before you curl your hair.

13. Defined Curls

Use a holding gel or mousse before you make waves with your hair. After you have made your waves and applied your products, cup your hair in your hands and scrunch them to get those defined curls.

14. Short Shag Cut

These hairstyles are made using razor cutting techniques. This style is used to create more texture on the hair. Leaving a shaggy and wavy finish.

15. Teased And Untamed Hairstyle

Use a fine-toothed comb to make a middle part from your hairline to your crown. Then section off a 2-inch section of hair at your crown. Hold this section taut and comb downward towards your scalp three times. Let the first section hang forward while you take another 2-inch section to repeat the same technique as on the first piece.

Continue doing this until all the hair has been teased at the crown of your head. Do both the right and left sides of your head. Once you are done with this process you can use your fingers to fluff the teased sections to add more volume. Use a holding spray to keep this style in place.

16. Sleek and CHIC

This is a textured bob and is layered.

17. Romantic Retro Waves

Section the hair into three pieces. Make a middle part and then a part across the crown stopping behind each ear. Working from the bottom, take a piece of hair and clip the rest up. Wrap the hair around the curling iron, repeat throughout the entire head. Curl the whole head in the same direction.

For a high-volume look, take each curl one at a time, take it from the bottom and gently pull the edges to separate them. Use a boar bristle brush to create a softer romantic look. To avoid the brush brushing out the curls, try clipping down the wave in sections and spraying holding spray to keep the wave in place.

18. Dramatic Part

Create a part in the section of your head that is most daring and unusual in your everyday current hairstyles. Allow your waves to flow freely from them.

19. Flat - Iron Waves

As mentioned above, use a flat iron or a curling iron to create these loose wavy locks.

20. Wavy Side - parted bob

Cutting your hair in a wavy side-parted bob while keeping your hair wavy and chic is a modern style that allows for short waves to be made.

21. Wavy Ponytail

The wavy ponytail is another common hairstyle you can do! First prep the hair with a root lift spray, then dry the product into the hair. After you have done that, pull the hair into a ponytail and tie the hair with an elastic band at the back of the head.

Tease the crown of your hair. Take the tong and place it on a section of the hair. Wrap hair around and curl. Use this technique throughout the whole ponytail.

woman getting her hair done by a hairstylist

Common Wavy Hair Struggles That People Can Relate To

  1. Extreme seasons affect your hair - Your hair can become curly in summer and flat during the winters.
  1. Hair is between curly and straight - Your waves might be either straight or curly, always in-between hair types.
  1. You don’t just use one shampoo - Constantly try out new shampoos and different ones to control your hair.
  1. You need different types of combs to get through your waves - You might need to use a wide-tooth or a fine tooth.
  1. You would rather prefer having straight hair - It is so much easier than having to deal with hair that doesn’t have a mind of its own.
  1. Cutting your hair is a no-go - The shorter your hair, the pointer your ends are going to be, also do not try getting a fringe
  1. Always have a piece of hair hanging over your face - Constantly having to push a wavy strand out of your face.
  1. Hair doesn’t stay straightened for long - Even if you straighten your hair with a flat iron, it’s bound to turn into waves.
hair care products for wavy hair

Best Hair Care Products for Wavy Hair

Here is a list of hair care products you can try to take care of your wavy hair. These products are specially designed for wavy hair and type 2 curls. Shampoo and conditioner to wash and keep hair clean, oil to keep frizz under control, and hairspray to keep waves on the beach.

1. Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydrating Styling Gel

This hydrates waves and curls without leaving any residue or hardened pieces of hair.

2. Redken No Blow-dry (NBD) Just Right Cream

This is perfect for those wash- n- go days. It also leaves hair with just the right amount of hold.

3. Flow Hair Care Touchable Texture Design Cream

A medium holds for curls and waves and adds definition and texture.

4. Unite 7 Seconds Detangler

Detangles hair in 7 seconds, great to use before washing hair or getting in the shower. Has hair feeling hydrated and nourished for the rest of the day. It is also used as a UV and thermal protector.

5. Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

This has argan oil infused. It has a curl memory factor, which helps with defining your curls.

6. Matrix Total Results Curl Please Contouring Lotion

This gives extra body and adds bounce to your waves. You should only apply this when your hair is damp. Spread it evenly.

7. Herbal Essences Bio: Renew Mango & Aloe Vera Curl Cream

This is a leave-in treatment that is made to define curls and boost shine.

Are You Ready to Take Care of Your Wavy Hair?

Wrapping up, it can be frustrating to maintain wavy hair as it isn’t completely straight or even curly. Yet having a hair type that’s in-between can be fun if you know how to handle it and which products to use.

Having this hairstyle makes it easier to switch between styles as you can hold a lot of styles using wavy hair. You also do not need to wash your hair constantly, when the natural oils moisturize the strands, it gives the waves a more defined and sleeker look.

Wavy hair means that hair products work on your hair type, it absorbs into the hair without struggling to find products that work and because of this, you do not use many products on your hair. Your beachy- waves will be effortless as you do not need to do much to achieve this look.

Simply apply some hair care products such as holding spray, twisting your hair and you’re good to go. Be sure to take great care of your wavy hair to ensure that it is healthy, strong, and stylish. Don’t forget to check out the JuvaBun catalog for amazing hair products and wavy wigs!

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