Wavy Hair Routine for Beginners

February 15, 2023

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Wavy hair truly has the best of both worlds. Some bend and shape with natural texture is a great natural hairstyle! But keeping wavy hair free of frizz and full of shapely defined waves can be harder than it looks.

But how do you know if you have wavy hair? While curly hair makes a full round spiral, wavy hair has more of an S bend. Meanwhile, straight hair can have some bend to it, but it won’t have that S bend that goes from side to side. There are 3 types of wavy hair:

Type 2A: These types have loose waves that may appear straight when coming out at the roots, but the mid-lengths and ends of the hair have some bend. The waves are a bit looser than a S bend that goes from side to side.

Type 2B: With this hair type, waves form a more traditional wavy pattern with the mid-lengths and ends of the hair moving in S-bend waves.

Type 2C: 2C hair almost looks like curly hair with it’s defined movement that goes from root to tip. What distinguishes wavy hair from curly hair, is the pattern is distinctly that os waves instead of full curly spirals.

wavy hair chart

Whatever your wavy type, wavy hair can be prone to puffiness, frizz, and unmanageability. But going the full curly girl routine can leave your hair weighed down with too much moisture, while not giving it enough hydration will leave you with all the frizz and poofiness you don’t need.

This easy wavy hair routine is good for beginners and those who have tried everything to tame their wavy mane.

Wavy Hair Routine for Beginners

Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo

For wavy hair, it’s essential you use the right shampoo. An overly-moisturizing shampoo can leave your scalp greasy and your hair weighed down with too much hydration. However you also don’t want to strip your hair of oils and leave your hair dry and frizzy.

Look for a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates tend to take away a lot of your scalp’s natural oils which can dry out your hair. Also avoid washing too frequently. Every 2-3 days should be a good frequency so you hair can be clean without becoming dry.

Add Moisture with a Hair Mask

Add some moisture to your hair with a good conditioner. Once a week, use a hair mask for extra hydration. A good hair mask for wavy hair is one that provides lightweight moisture so it will leave your waves defined but not heavy.

If you struggle with dry hair, add some hair oil to the ends of your hair after you’ve finished rinsing out your hair to lock in some of that moisture.

How to Take Care of Wavy Hair After a Shower

Comb (Not Brush!) Through Your Waves

After the shower, it’s important to use a wide-tooth comb to brush through your waves. Using a brush on your wet hair can make your hair goofier as it dries as you’ve brushed out the waves.

If your hair is too tangly after a shower to use only a wide-tooth comb, use a leave-in conditioner to add some moisture to your hair and then comb through your hair. You can also brush you hair dry right before you enter the shower so your hair will be detangled after you’ve washed your hair.

Use a Hair Wrap (or a T-Shirt) to Dry Your Hair

Hair wraps can dry your hair much faster than a traditional bath towel, and they also define your waves without pulling or snagging them. Because hair wraps absorb a lot of the moisture in your hair, it will prevent split ends and frizz. A t-shirt works just as well if you don’t have a hair wrap.

Plop Your Waves

Plopping is a way of drying your hair that is popular amongst the curly girl set, but if you have wavy hair you may want to try it! To plop your hair, bend over at the waist and gather your wet waves at the top of your head. Then affix your hair wrap or t-shirt onto your head to keep the waves in place.

Plopping allows your waves to dry while scrunched on top of your head. This increases your waves’ definition

hair quiz

Try an Air Dry Cream for Defined Waves

If your hair tends to dry with some puffiness or frizz and you don’t get those defined waves you’re looking for, try an air dry cream.

Air dry creams create a very light hold in your hair which gives definition to your waves without any of the crunchiness or greasiness of styling creams or hairspray. It enhances your natural texture and is quick to use. Just take a small amount in the palm of your hair and run your hands through your hair. Let air dry and you have some gorgeous natural waves!

Sleep on a silk pillowcase

A silk pillowcase has benefits for any hair type, but if you have wavy hair they can help your hair retain moisture. This means you’ll wake up with a frizz-free mane in the morning!

Silk pillowcases also reduce friction which leaves your hair softer and without tangles. Your hair doesn’t get caught as easily as it would on a cotton pillowcase which can help you avoid breakage.