Between keeping your hair clean, styling your waves, dealing with frizz and making sure they hold more than a couple of hours, wavy hair girls know the struggle.
There are so many ways to care for wavy hair especially when it comes to styling: creams, mousse, gel, oils, etc... If you're looking for a no-nonsense wavy hair routine to enhance your natural waves, we’ve got you covered with our favorite tips and product recs.
Wavy vs. curly hair: what’s the difference?
Although wavy and curly hair share some similarities, they each possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. Wavy hair has a more relaxed, flowing shape, resembling soft S-curves. It falls between straight and curly hair in terms of texture, offering a blend of smoothness with subtle bends. In contrast, curly hair features more pronounced spirals or ringlets, often forming tighter loops that spring up with energy.
An example of wavy hair (Source: Pinterest) |
An example of naturally curly hair (Source: Pinterest) |
The way these hair types behave also sets them apart:
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Wavy hair is prone to frizz, especially in humidity, but still retains some natural shine.
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Curly hair, with its tighter structure, can appear drier since natural oils from the scalp take longer to travel down the strands.
Both need love, but their routines might differ—wavy hair craves hydrating products, while curly hair benefits from richer, curl-defining hair products.
Understanding wavy hair types
Wavy hair is categorized into three subtypes: 2A, 2B and 2C. Each type has unique characteristics that influence how it looks, behaves and responds to products. That’s why knowing your wave pattern and hair porosity is so important in finding the right wavy hair routine. Here’s a breakdown to help you identify which type you have:
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2A: Loose, barely-there S-waves that are fine and smooth. Typically low porosity, making them prone to product buildup and needing lightweight styling.
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2B: Medium-defined S-waves starting closer to the roots. Moderate porosity allows for balanced moisture retention, but frizz can appear in humidity.
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2C: Deep S-waves that verge on loose curls. Coarser texture with higher porosity, leading to more frizz and a tendency to absorb moisture quickly.
3-step wavy hair routine for beginners
Creating a wavy hair routine doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few simple steps can bring out the best in your waves. Whether you’re new to embracing your natural texture or looking for a no-fuss method, this beginner-friendly guide covers everything you need. From washing and drying to styling with the right products, we’ve got your waves covered here.
1. Cleanse and prep
First things first, let's get your hair clean! Like all shampoo and conditioners, start by lathering up your hair with the shampoo and rinse. Follow with the conditioner and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Gently run a brush through your conditioned hair to get rid of tangles and then rinse.
2. Caring for your wavy hair post-shower
To keep waves intact, we suggest using a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt to dry your hair by scrunching your hair upwards. This way you can get rid of the excess water in your hair without pulling on your hair by drying it with a regular towel.
Once your hair is damp and not wet, you'll notice that your natural waves will already start to show. Here is an example from Beautycon:
Sea Spray:
For those that like to style their waves when their hair is wet, Sea Spray is the one for you!
Spray this all over the hair, then scrunch your hair upwards from your ends. Do what feels right: scrunch and hold or scrunch quickly.
Bring your waves to life with Volume Dry Texture Spray
Volume Dry Texture Spray is the perfect product to bring your flat waves back to life and add all the beachy volume.
To make sure your hair holds those beautiful waves, use our Volume Dry Texture Spray to add a little grit to your style, especially around any fallen waves or flatter parts of your hair. Apply it on the areas where you need extra volume and gently massage into hair.
More tips on how to style wavy hair
- Avoid overloading your hair with heavy products. Keep it simple and let your natural wave pattern shine.
- Use wide-tooth combs or your fingers to detangle your hair, especially when it’s wet, to prevent breakage.
- If your hair needs moisture and shine, try touching it up with a few sprays of our Ghost™ Dry Oil.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and keep your waves looking fresh.
- On days 2 and 3 (maybe 4 and 5, we don't judge!) you can retouch your waves by applying small amounts of the Sea Spray and Volume Dry Texture Spray on the waves that have come loose to keep it looking fresh!
Shop our favorite hair products for wavy hair
And that's it! You're ready to show off your natural, wavy hair to the world. Got any other questions we didn't answer? DM us at @verbproducts on Instagram and we'll be happy to help!