The main takeaway here is you don’t want your hair to dry out. “Curly, coily, and wavy hair types often have more frizz compared to straight hair—these hair types tend to be drier in nature, so hydration is important while [you’re] also making sure the products aren’t weighing down the hair,” says Leo Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK. If products are weighing down the hair, it can prevent your wavy hair from having that natural bounce and body. You can find the type of moisturizing routine that works for you—there are so many products that could work, including liquids, oils, creams, masks, and more.
You don’t want to over-cleanse your hair, celebrity hair colorist Bianca Hillier says, as it will strip your hair’s natural oils and leave it dull and dry. “For extra hydration, I recommend to my clients to have a filter for their shower. Within water, there are heavy metals, which cause dehydration in the hair,” she adds.
And sometimes, you just need a haircut to freshen everything up. Siobhán Quinlan, a colorist and stylist at Cutler West Hollywood, says starting with a good haircut will make all the difference in wavy hair. “Going to a stylist that knows how to encourage your wave will make a huge difference,” she says. “I would start with a good primer, next a moisturizer, and then something that would help encourage that wave and give the style a little hold. Often, wavy hair can air-dry very nicely, but if people don’t have time for that, have a hair dryer with a good diffuser. I like big hair, so a little texture powder never hurts!”
When it comes to styling your hair, sometimes, it’s best to let it be and not mess with it too much. “Wavy hair is pretty to look at but not touchy-touchy,” says Aloxxi stylist Jessica Wall-Innella. “Leaving it alone and using a lightweight texture spray is good to keep the waves tame and together.”
