An Easy Wavy Hair Routine for Beginners

Heads up: without a proper styling routine, naturally wavy hair might not reach its fullest, most voluminous potential. In fact, this often misunderstood hair type might be susceptible to excessive heat styling to keep frizz at bay.

Wavy hair actually needs the same TLC as curly hair, just without the heavy conditioners and creams. Put down the hot tools and embrace shiny, weightless waves with a styling routine for 2A, 2B, and 2C hair.

Start with a nourishing shampoo and conditioner duo

Much like curls and coils, healthy waves start in the shower. Infused with argan oil, Verb’s Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner quenches thirsty strands while improving hair strength and taming frizz. The result is soft, tangle-free hair.

Don’t skimp on the deep conditioner

Ensure you’re masking up once a week with an indulgent deep conditioner that floods strands with added moisture. Apply a reparative formula like Oribe’s Signature Moisture Masque to hair after shampooing, and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Detangle with a lightweight leave-in mist

Now for styling! After showering, resist the urge to wring out your hair, and instead, opt to style it wet. This will help reset your hair pattern and stop frizz. Start by spritzing on a multitasking mist, like this one from Verb. It features a cocktail of supercharging ingredients like fatty acid-rich moringa oil, protective green tea extract, and strengthening bamboo extract to set the foundation for your styling routine.

Layer on a strand-defining cream

Follow up on the hair mist with a rich, yet flexible cream. The Curl Defining Creme from Bumble and bumble will enhance and hold waves in place with a rich blend of oils (avocado, coconut, and jojoba) and butters (shea and cocoa). Rake through and notice your waves pop with touchable, frizz-free volume without the crunch.

Scrunch with a light to medium hold gel

With a dime-sized amount of lightweight gel distributed between your hands, flip your hair in front of your face and scrunch strands upward. Flip your hair to your right side and continue scrunching strands, repeat on the left side. This’ll give your waves extra body and spring. When it comes to gel and wavy hair, go for sulfate and silicone-free formulas like Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel that seal the cuticle for healthy, natural-looking definition.

Get in the habit of diffuse drying

Diffusing wavy hair is game-changing. You’ll find your strands are bouncier, shinier, and full of body—like they’ve been given new life. Find a diffuser that affixes to your blow dryer to distribute heat evenly while lifting and separating hair.

Finish the look with a hair oil

Once your hair is thoroughly dry, add a dime-sized amount of hair oil to seal split ends, reduce breakage, and guard against damage. Augustinus Bader’s The Hair Oil is a fast-absorbing, restorative elixir of strengthening ingredients that’ll keep hair hydrated and protected throughout the week.