Wavy hair has been trending for quite some time, and we are sure it will never be outdated. The sole reason is that this particular subtle style suits basically everyone, enhances their look and, just in general, is a lovely low-effort hairstyle. Especially if your hair is already naturally wavy! Either way, it requires a special wavy hair routine in order to keep your hair looking healthy and natural.
But unlike other hairstyles, maintaining wavy hair can get a bit confusing! People tend to mix up wavy hair with curly hair, but in reality, both hair types are entirely different from one another and require different hair care routines.
In this guide, we will discuss a couple of basic differences between wavy and curly hair and what you should avoid when taking care of your gorgeous wavy hair! We will also guide you through our easy step-by-step wavy hair routine (something you can easily do even at home). Stay tuned and keep reading to get you a step closer to your healthy hair goals!
So, what is there to know about wavy hair?
The predominant characteristic of wavy hair is its shape—a loose curly shape or a stretched S-shape. The texture, however, can be similar to other hair types such as smooth, medium, or coarse. Wavy hair comes in all shapes and forms!
To fully understand your hair texture and type, do the following:
• Follow your usual hair washing routine
• Do not apply any hair products immediately after washing your hair
• Do not use a comb or your fingers to untangle your hair
• Let your hair air dry naturally
• Notice how your hair looks after it completely dries off
You will see the exact type and texture of your hair. Once you figure this out, you come a step closer to implementing the right hair care routine for your specific hair type. Sometimes, if you have damaged hair, it can be a little tricky for your natural hair texture to shine through. However, don’t give up! Follow our step-by-step guide to bring life back to your curls with our easy wavy hair routine! And, stay tuned for the FAQ 🙂
Easy Step-by-Step Wavy Hair Routine
Having wavy hair is like having the best of both worlds, but this also means that you need double down on the hair care in order to maintain those waves. This routine works best if you apply it on a bi-weekly or a monthly basis, meaning that you should repeat these steps regularly. This way, your waves will stay looking healthy and luscious without any extra effort!
You can easily follow this hair care routine at any time of the day! However, in order to avoid having to blow dry your hair, it might be best to use this routine at night, before going to bed. This way, your hair has the time to naturally air dry, therefore minimizing the heat damage.
Following these easy steps on a weekly to monthly basis will ensure that your waves look beautiful every day! So, without further ado, let’s get straight into our wavy hair routine that you can follow to make your waves look more healthy and defined:
Step #1: Remember to “oil” your hair!
Contrary to popular belief, it is recommended to oil your wavy hair on a consistent basis. No, you will not lose your waves. And no, your hair will not become sticky! Instead, you will be able to benefit from various nutrients that these oils contain, and they will “breathe” more life into your waves.
And here’s a little trick: applying oils a couple of hours before your hair wash will be highly effective in strengthening and moisturizing your hair. Oils have naturally healing properties, and they are full of nutrients that enrich your hair!
When you apply oil to your hair, it absorbs the nutrients and vitamins that prevent your hair from breaking; as a result – healthy hair with less visible damage and more life!
Tip: For best results, you might even want to leave the oils in your hair overnight and let them do their magic! That way, your hair will absorb the oils even better. Apply the oil all throughout the length of your hair, then put it in a braid or a bun, and head to bed. Wash the excess oil in the morning, following your usual hair wash routine.
So, which oil best suits the wavy texture of your hair, you may ask? We have an answer for you!
• Coconut Oil (cold-pressed)
• Almond Oil
• Rose Oil
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
Directions:
• Prior to applying oil, brush your hair with a wide tooth comb
• Apply oil the night before your hair wash if you have really dry hair
• Apply oil about an hour before your hair wash if you have oily hair
• Warm the oil for a couple of minutes before applying – however, don’t overdo it!
• Gently massage your hair with any of the above choices
• Focus on massaging the scalp, as well as all throughout the hair strands
• Put your hair in a braid or a bun
• Cover your hair with a soft cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to let the oil work its magic
• After some time, rinse to oil off and proceed with your regular hair wash routine
Tip: Squeeze in few drops of lemon juice into your warm oil to enhance the glossy texture of your hair. Additionally, it can help reduce dandruff and relieve itchy scalp problems!
Step #2: Add some hair care products to your wavy hair routine!
We know oiling is a bit messy and may not work for everyone! That’s totally fine, and if you are not into oiling, we have a list of alternative options for you so that you can maintain your waves.
When choosing a product for wavy hair, the most important thing to focus on is moisture. When your hair is properly moisturized, it reveals it’s natural texture. So, when you properly moisturize your hair, your wavy texture is going to be even more visible! It is also important to aim for lightweight products that won’t weigh your hair down.
So when it comes to hair care, try to look for products that are both natural and moisturizing, in order to enhance your natural wave pattern. For example, pick a good hair mask, a sulfate-free shampoo, nourishing conditioner, deep conditioning balm, etc. However, remember not to overdo it, because product buildup can also negatively affect your wave or curl patterns. Balance is key! 🙂
Here’s a few examples that you can consider when looking for natural hair care products:
Directions to apply hair care products in your wavy hair routine:
• Start from the back of your head
• Part your hair in multiple small sections
• Use a hairbrush (or your hand) to apply the mixture to one section
• For certain products, apply on your scalp and smoothly brush the mixture into your hair strands
• Repeat the process from the back of your head to your forehead hairline
• Wash your hair gently with water (avoid hot water)
• Use a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to dry your hair
• Repeat as necessary but remember not to over-saturate your hair with products
Step #3: Try out some natural alternatives!
While there is a wide range of products available for purchase, you can always try out some natural alternatives as well. These natural products will work in a similar way to the oils – they will nourish your hair from the inside, with the help of vitamins and other nutrients. Thankfully, there is no shortage of these natural alternatives 🙂 Here’s a few examples:
• Essential oils
• Avocado (a great source of vitamins for your hair!)
• Rice water
• Aloe Vera
Directions:
• Use your choice of the main ingredient from the above list (if you decide to use oil, remember to warm the oil before proceeding)
• Add in a bit of any of the four items
• Mix well using a spoon, fork, or brush
• Apply to your damp hair from roots to ends, for best results
• Wait for a few hours for the ingredients to really absorb into your hair
• Rinse them off and air dry your hair
These naturally-derived hair care “products” will fill your hair with vitamins, and will nourish your scalp as well! And as we know, a healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair!
Step #4: Say goodbye to styling products and heat!
We cannot stress this enough. Avoid styling products to sustain the natural texture of your hair. Products such as hairspray, hair mousse etc will damage your natural wavy hair texture and will significantly impact your curl definition!
In addition, and this factor is perhaps even more important – avoid heat styling your hair as much as you possibly can. Especially for wavy and curly hair, heat brings damage to your hair and makes your waves or curls less visible and defined.
Instead of blow drying or air drying your hair, there are some other effective alternatives you could use. For instance, wrapping your hair with a microfiber towel will help your hair dry faster and with no damage at all, unlike a regular towel! For example, check out these products:
Overheating your hair or overusing chemicals will always end up damaging it. Unless it is absolutely necessary, try not to use them, especially right after a hair wash. Instead, try to air dry your hair whenever possible and if you are looking to get curls – try out some heatless curling alternatives.
For example, you can try braiding your hair before bed, this way you will wake up with a head full of gorgeous, heatless curls with absolutely no damage! Here’s a few products you can check out if you’re looking to get beautiful, heatless waves:
Step #5: Split ends = big NO
Split ends make your hair look fuzzy and badly maintained. So, remember to regularly trim off the split ends to make your waves look “cleaner”. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you might want to get your split ends trimmed once every few months. Ideally, once every three weeks to a month. Trimming your split ends can make your hair grow healthier and faster. And the best part is that it is extremely easy and totally doable at home as part of your wavy hair routine!
Directions:
• Comb your hair
• Take a small portion of your hair and hold it between two fingers
• Glide your fingers along the hair strand, starting from your scalp to the tip of your hair
• You will immediately notice split-ends sticking out of the hair strand
• Use sharp scissors to trim them off
It is extremely important to use sharp, professional scissors when trimming your hair. Using regular scissors can even worsen the situation and leave your ends cut bluntly, which only encourages the appearance of split ends! Here’s a few options you can check out if you’re looking to buy professional scissors:
Alternatively, there are also some great, time saving split-end trimming machines you can try out:
Step #6: Pay close attention to your hair wash routine
Your hair is most fragile after a wash and needs the right care, as well as time to breathe. It is important to remember not to brush your hair while it is wet. Here is what you can do instead:
• Use your hands (extremely lightly) to detangle your hair after washing
• Let your hair air dry, or wrap a microfiber towel around your hair to let it dry faster
• If you are in a rush and must use a blow dryer, always remember to keep the dryer settings on “cool” to protect your hair
• After your hair is dry, use a thick wooden comb to settle your waves gently.
• Use pins to keep them in place or let them flow!
Tip: Use a shampoo that has a low PH value and the least amount of chemicals. It is also essential to make sure that you are using sulfate-free products, such as shampoo and conditioners. Also, if you are looking to enhance the look of your waves – make your hair conditioner your best buddy. Apply generously to ensure that your hair is properly moisturized, and you will see that your waves look more defined!
Step #7: Accentuate your waves with a haircut
Why settle for boring, lifeless hair when there are millions of trending hairstyle ideas you could try? Book your appointment and try out a glamorous haircut! Some layered haircuts can help your waves stand out even more!
Not only can some haircuts make your waves look fuller, but they can also make your appearance more captivating!
Step #8: Add some texture
If you are looking to enhance the waves in your hair, you are not alone! Thankfully, there is a variety of products that can help you emphasize your hair and make your waves look more defined. These products commonly use natural ingredients that make your hair appear more curly without having to resort to hair gels or hairspray.
For example, you can try a sea salt spray that will give your waves a “beachy” look and enhance your curls. Alternatively, using a natural dry shampoo can also add more texture to your hair, and make it appear more wavy. There is a variety of curl-defining products that are available for purchase – just pick the ones that work best for your needs.
Here’s a few examples that you can check out:
Frequently Asked Questions: Wavy Hair Routine
1. How can I protect my wavy hair during winters?
Winters, and cold temperatures in general, harm wavy hair. You may experience unpleasant effects such as an itchy and dry scalp, frizzy hair, or even less volume. To protect your wavy hair during winter, you can use a satin-lined beanie as part of your wavy hair routine.
Apart from this, apply aloe vera cream after you wash your hair to keep the waves intact, provide moisture and prevent the hair from getting frizzier due to the cold wind. As a general rule of thumb, try to keep your hair as moisturized as possible during the winter months! For that purpose, you can use natural treatments, deep conditioner, hair masks, protein treatments, mineral oil and more!
2. How can I keep the waves intact while asleep?
Many of us wake up with our waves all gone due to a good night’s sleep. While there are various solutions on the market, they may damage your hair, and you will not be able to sleep properly because you will have to keep adjusting them throughout the night.
Instead, you can try these simple tips:
• Cover your wavy hair in a soft cotton t-shirt
• Wrap up your waves in a silk or satin cap or scarf
• Try “Pineappling,” which in general means to put a loose bun on top of your head (located more towards the forehead rather than back head)
• Use a silk or satin pillow cover to sleep
3. How often should I wash my wavy hair?
Although there is no universal rule that applies to everyone, it is generally recommended to wash your hair once every 4-5 days. But in case you have oily hair, you can wash it more often. However, stick with whatever works best for you and your hair type when it comes to your wavy hair routine! 🙂 Remember to use a less chemically active shampoo and always end the hair wash with a conditioning treatment.
Wrapping Up Our Wavy Hair Routine Guide!
Your hair deserves just as much attention as your skin. Often people disregard their hair, which costs them dry, rough, brittle hair, and sometimes even hair loss. So it is crucially important to take good care of your hair. Trust us, your hair will thank you by looking beautiful and well-maintained :).
We hope that with our wavy hair routine, your hair will shine bright and look gorgeous! So, set aside some time to take care of your mane, give it the required pampering, and make those waves bounce and sing in the breeze—a little show-off is okay!!
