How to Care for Wavy Hair

Co-authored by Arthur Sebastian

Last Updated: July 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Wavy hair is a beautiful hair type to have. Waves can support a variety of looks, from carefree and beachy to sleek and classy. This is a great hair type to have, but it can also be difficult to take care of because it is neither straight nor very curly. Keeping your hair in shape can be simple with the knowledge of how to wash, style, and maintain it properly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Washing Wavy Hair

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1
Buy a good shampoo . Use a shampoo that is made for wavy to curly hair. Choosing a shampoo that is made for another hair type, like straight hair, won’t give your hair the proper care it needs. Look for shampoos that specifically say they are made for a wavy hair texture and will add bounce and/or definition to the waves. Do not use too much shampoo or shampoo too often. While shampooing, focus on your scalp and use a quarter-sized amount. Depending on how oily or dry your hair is, wash once every other day or once every few days. ^{[1]
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- Consider any problems you’ve had with your hair before buying a shampoo. Look for a sulfate-free shampoo if you have trouble with frizz, as sulfates tend to cause frizz.
2
Pick the right conditioner . Along with buying a shampoo made for wavy hair, you should use a conditioner based on your hair type as well. If you find a shampoo you like, try to find the conditioner that is paired with it. If there isn’t a conditioner that is meant to be bought with the shampoo, then look for a product that says it is for wavy hair. Make sure to use conditioner every time you wash. Only apply the conditioner to the mid-shaft through the ends of your hair. ^{[2]
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- Conditioners made for curly hair can work for wavy hair as well.
- If you are concerned about the ingredients in your conditioner, like alcohol that can dry hair out, look for an organic conditioner.
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3
Rinse with cold water. Hot showers feel great, but they are not good for your hair. Warm water is good to use to allow the shampoo and conditioner to work into the hair, but finishing your shower with warm or hot water can dry it out. Even if you start with a warm shower, end with a cold one. A cold shower will close the cuticles and help seal in the moisture from the shampoo and conditioner. ^{[3]
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- If you really can’t take or end with a cold shower, use one cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with two cups of water and pour it over your wet hair. This will remove build-up from products and dandruff from your scalp.
If you do not plan to style your hair after washing it, then put in buns before bed to help maintain waves. Towel dry your hair, apply a styling mousse, and then put your hair in four twisted buns. This will help you maintain soft curls for the morning. ^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Styling Wavy Hair

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Don't use a hairdryer to dry hair if possible. Instead, let it dry naturally. The heat from a hair dryer can cause damage to hair and leave the waves looking poofy. If using a hair dryer is unavoidable, make sure to apply a heat protectant product to your hair beforehand, use a diffuser, and put the dryer on a low heat setting. ^{[5]
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2
Use a comb as little as possible. A comb can cause breakage to your hair, especially if it is used too soon in the styling product. First, use your fingers to detangle hair. Then, you can use a wide-tooth comb to tackle any knots that you were not able to untangle with your fingers. Start combing at the ends of your hair and work up to your roots, rather than starting at the roots. ^{[6]
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- Do not use a brush. A brush can cause breakage and ruin the shape of your waves.
- Comb your hair while you are still in the shower if you can’t avoid combing it altogether.
Use a mousse or other styling product to control frizz and maintain waves. Divide your hair into at least four sections before applying product. The smaller sections allow you to coat every strand of hair. While applying the product, scrunch your hair, squeeze it for a few seconds, and then let it go.
4
Avoid heat styling tools. Hair straighteners, flat irons, and curling irons can damage your hair and cause the waves to look frizzy, so it's best to use them sparingly. ^{[7]
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Arthur Sebastian
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Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} Your hair will be healthier if you allow it to dry on its own and stay wavy. ^{[8]
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- If you do use a heat styling tool, then use a heat protectant product before straightening or curling your hair.
Complete your styling routine with an oil to seal in moisture and add shine. Look for a lightweight oil that won’t weigh your hair down, like Argan oil. Only use a small amount. The size of dime should be enough, depending on the length of your hair. Apply the product from mid-shaft through the ends of your hair.

Part 3

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Keeping Your Hair Healthy

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1
Invest in a deep conditioner. Use a deep conditioner once a week to give your hair extra moisture and protection. Deep conditioning gives your hair more a more intense conditioning than your usual, everyday conditioner, and it should not be used as often. A deep conditioner can repair damage, add shine, and protect your hair from pollutants and harsh UV Rays. Apply the product from the mid-shaft to the end of your hair, leave in for five to thirty minutes, and rinse thoroughly. ^{[9]
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- The product should say that it’s a deep conditioner or mask that is not meant for daily use.
- The amount of time you leave the conditioner on your hair depends on the instructions on the label of the product, and the amount of damage to your hair.
- If possible, apply heat by sitting under a hooded dryer while the deep conditioner sits on your hair. This may help your hair to benefit even more from the conditioner.
2
Use a clarifying shampoo. Using a lot of product can cause build-up in your hair, which can leave hair looking dull and limp. Buy and clarifying shampoo and use it once a week to get rid of dirt and oil in the hair. The instructions for use depends on the product, but typically you should massage and lather into hair and then rinse thoroughly. ^{[10]
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- Consider following up your clarifying shampoo with a moisturizing shampoo. Clarifying shampoo can have a drying effect on hair, so a moisturizing shampoo can help to return moisture back to your hair.
3
Try to stay away from chemical processes. Avoid chemical processes, like dyeing hair and using chemical relaxers. Chemical processes damage the hair, and it can be hard to recover from that kind of damage. Use an organic hair dye if you do decide to dye your hair. And if chemicals can’t be avoided completely, make sure to deep condition before and after the process. ^{[11]
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- Henna is an example of a natural hair dye.
Michelle Breyer, Hair Care Expert

Caring for wavy hair requires embracing your unique texture, not fighting it. Focus on hydration and avoid harsh chemicals that strip natural oils. Use products made for wavy hair, and remember that less styling product is often best. Be patient with your hair and yourself — the journey to healthy, beautiful waves is a process of understanding and enhancing your natural texture. But it's a rewarding journey worth the effort.
4
Trim hair regularly. Heat usage, combing, and brushing causes split ends. Not getting rid of these split ends can cause the ends to split ends even more, which leads to unhealthy hair that will probably need a dramatic hair cut later on to fix. Trim your hair every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthy and long. ^{[12]
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- To envision what broken hair is like, imagine breaking a pencil. The ends split (hence the word split ends) into two, sometimes three strands. If you cut your hair frequently, it's not going to keep splitting all the way out. ^{[13]
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  Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.}

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Question

How can I make my thick wavy hair look good?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is a Professional Hair Stylist based in San Francisco, California. He is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon, a studio offering Hair Styling, Color & Brazilian Blowout services. Arthur has 30 years of experience styling hair. His career began with apprenticeships at Wayne’s Beauty College in Santa Cruz, California Miss Marty’s School of Beauty in San Francisco, California. After receiving his Cosmetology License in 1998, he rented his first station at Wack Shack Hair Salon in San Francisco, going on to hold positions at Posh Hair Salon, Acabello Hair Salon, and Red Union Salon before opening his own studio. With over 500 online customer reviews, Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon has a 5 star average rating on Yelp and 4.9 average review on Google.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

If you have really wavy, thick hair, and are still having troubles managing it, one possible solution is a keratin treatment. These are straightening services that can minimize some of the frizziness.

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Is there a routine for 2A hair?

Marta Zakrzewski

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I’m between 2A and 2B. What I do is brush my hair before my shower. I shampoo my scalp/roots area and use conditioner on the hair from my ears to tops, and don’t put it on my scalp. I rinse, then lightly dry my hair with a towel. I let my hair air dry without touching it or lying on it, and when it’s just a little damp, I braid it and sleep. In the morning, I take it out slowly.

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Can I use Morrocan oil to keep my hair silky?

Community Answer

Yes, but don't use too much or it will weigh down your hair and make it lose its volume. Also, using too much will make your hair look greasy.

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Invest in a satin pillowcase. Sleeping on a satin pillow case reduces tangling and matting of the hair. ^{[14]
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Avoid touching your hair once it has been styled. Too much touching, along with excessive brushing and manipulating, can cause extra frizzing. ^{[15]
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Use a microfiber cloth or a cotton T-shirt instead of a towel to dry your hair. These both help to reduce frizz and prevent matting.

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Warnings

Make sure you rinse all of the conditioner out. If not rinsed properly, it can make your hair look greasy and ruin the waves.

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Do not wash your hair on humid days. Washing your hair on humid days can add frizz to your hair. ^{[16]
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How to Care for Wavy Hair

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Styling Wavy Hair

Keeping Your Hair Healthy

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