After years of using heat-styled tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons, I noticed significant heat damage. I decided to avoid heat styling and let my wavy hair thrive. Now, it’s healthier and I’m excited to share my styling process. Curly hair often behaves as if it has a mind of its own, and each wash and style session can end with your hair looking slightly different.
Styling wavy hair can be difficult, as it sits somewhere between straight and curly. Using a classic curling iron can help create loose waves for those looking for natural waves without heating products. However, I prefer an easy wash-and-go style that embraces my hair’s natural ripples and waves towards the bottom.
Over the years, I’ve collected best tips and techniques from various tutorials and experiments. These include using different styling products, learning how to enhance the natural ripple-like pattern, and knowing which styles suit all lengths and textures of hair. understanding these aspects can lead to messy, beautiful wavy hair with minimal maintenance.
How You Style Naturally Wavy Hair? The Quick Answer
How I Style My Naturally Wavy Hair?
Wash and Condition With Wavy-Hair-Friendly Products
When preparing to style your naturally wavy hair, beginning with the right wash routine is crucial. Using a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for wavy or curly hair can significantly enhance your hair’s natural wave pattern and reduce frizz. Look for products in bottles that explain they are suited for your hair type, as these are formulated to maintain the integrity of your waves without weighing them down.
For those with wavy textures, choosing the right cleansers is about finding a balance that maintains moisture without leaving hair limp. Lightweight shampoos work well for finer, 2A wave types, while thicker hair might need richer cleansers packed with moisturizing ingredients.
Kerastase’s Curl Manifesto Shampoo is excellent for redefining curls and locking in natural oils, especially if you avoid overwashing. To keep your hair looking lively and not dry or frizzy, skip washing every day. Instead, condition more frequently and extend the time between hair washes. This method helps restore the natural oils and keeps the scalp from becoming too dry.
Comb Wet Hair
After showering, squeeze your hair gently to remove excess water and refrain from towel drying to avoid adding frizziness. When your hair is mostly wet, it’s the perfect time to style it. Use a wide tooth comb, starting at the ends of your hair and carefully working out any tangles. This comb type is essential as it does not snag or pull on the hair, which can damage it.
Brushing your hair when it’s wet can cause breakage, so it’s best to avoid using a brush or a regular comb that’s not wide-toothed. The wide tooth comb is the best choice for protecting your waves and ensuring your hair remains healthy and easy to manage.
Detangle Remaining Knots
If you find yourself battling with knots and tangles even after careful shampooing and conditioning, it’s essential to address them with care. Gently apply a detangling spray to your damp hair to ease the process.
Instead of using harsh methods, use your fingers to detangle, a technique known as finger raking, which helps preserve your hair’s natural wave pattern. If necessary, a wide-tooth comb can be used to run through your hair, ensuring that you continue to protect and enhance the waves without causing additional stress to your strands.
Consider Microfiber Towels to Dry Excess Water
After stepping out of the shower and toweled off, it’s crucial to handle your hair with care to prevent frizz. Instead of using regular towels that can be rough on your freshly washed hair, I recommend opting for a microfiber towel. This choice helps maintain the natural texture of your hair without creating frizz.
Gently wrap your hair in the center or part it as you prefer, and let it sit in the towel for about ten to fifteen minutes—just until it’s no longer dripping wet but still damp enough for applying product. This method removes excess water without weighing down your waves, making it easier to apply styling products
Apply Product and Keep Scrunching
When it’s time to apply product to your naturally wavy hair, start by using two pumps per side. It’s crucial not to just dab it on the ends but to scrunch it from the ends all the way to the head, ensuring the product is evenly distributed.
Applying a product that enhances waves without making them crunchy is key, so opt for alcohol-free options like mousse, paste, or spray. Squirt the mousse or paste into your hand and gently work it through your hair.
To avoid the frizziness often caused by towels, use a microfiber cloth or an old cotton t-shirt. Instead of rough scrunching with your hands, use the cloth to gently press and scrunch your hair from the roots toward your ends. This method helps maintain the natural waviness without disrupting the texture.
Let Your Waves Dry
Now, use a diffuser to dry your waves quickly without disrupting their natural pattern. Set the blow dryer on a low setting to disperse heat evenly, which helps reduce frizz and protects your hair with heat protection.
When you have more time, opt for air drying by wrapping damp hair into buns at the middle of your head. Alternatively, braiding your damp hair loosely can also create beautiful waves.
In the cooler winter months when drying takes a long, completely dry your hair naturally or speed up the process with a diffuser. However, be careful as high heat can make your hair frizzy. The key is to find the right balance that enhances your desired look without the fuss.
Maintain Your Waves with Silk/Satin Essentials
Integrate silk or satin essentials into your nighttime routine to ensure your waves last and keep their shape. Using a silk scrunchie to put your hair into a ponytail or bun at night helps avoid squashing the waves. Additionally, sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrapping your hair in a silk headwrap can protect your waves from becoming frizzy and untamed.
This combination not only prevents tension on the scalp but also preserves the twist from the front pieces that tend to lose their curl fairly quickly. By washing your hair every 4th or 5th day and taking these steps, you can maintain your style for days without it looking wild.
Refresh Your Waves During Off-Days
For effective maintenance, keep your styling products light and use refreshing tools like a wave-friendly mist. Experts recommend a product such as Kerastase Refresh Absolu Luxury Hair Spray to detangle and revitalize your waves each morning. When combing or raking through your hair, do so gently to maintain the integrity of the waves.
On days you use hot tools to add definition or craft the exact waves you desire, make sure to protect your strands from heat damage with a heat protectant of your choosing. Skipping this vital step can lead to weakening your twisty pattern and drying out your hair—issues that prevent establishing healthy, bouncy wavy hair.
What Are The Heatless-Ways to Style Wavy Hair?
Sock Curls
Sock curls are the easiest method to create no-heat waves. Simply cut the toe off a clean sock, roll it into a hair donut, then tuck your hair around the donut. Leave it overnight to form messy, undone waves.
Sleepy Braids
Achieve effortless waves while you sleep by embracing the two-in-one strategy of sleepy braids. Before bed, brush your hair to free it from tangles, then spritz with a holding spray. Weave your hair into two three-strand or French braids, starting where you want the waves to start. The looser the braid, the tighter the curl will be. Secure the ends with a hairband.
In the morning, untie the braids, run your fingers through to loosen the waves, and if needed, leave the braids in a bit longer to ensure your hair is fully dry. For added shine, spritz your hair with a shine spray or serum to finish.
Twisted Bun
The twisted bun is a great multi-tasking hairstyle for day-to-night styling. During the day, twist your hair into an updo. This keeps it neat and out of the way. When night falls, unravel the style and finger-comb your hair to release the waves. This simple technique transforms your look effortlessly, giving you beautiful waves with minimal fuss.
Sea Salt Spray
Sea salt spray is designed to be used on the hair and help in creating a natural beach wave. When your hair is coated with the sea salt spray, the cuticle begins to swell, resulting in the much coveted beachy look. This product is perfect for adding texture and enhancing the waves without the need for heat tools.
Final Thought
Styling naturally wavy hair doesn’t have to be complex. Embrace techniques like proper hair washing and drying, as well as appropriate use of styling products, to achieve the perfect beachy texture. Always remember to protect your hair from heat when using styling tools and invest in good-quality products to maintain healthy, bouncy waves. Your wavy hair can always look its best with the right care and methods.
Dive into the world of curls with Farah, a celebrated curly hair expert whose passion and expertise have transformed her into a beacon for those seeking to embrace their natural hair texture. With a vibrant career spanning over a decade, Farah has dedicated herself to the science and art of curly hair, making her an authoritative voice in this niche. Her deep understanding of curly hair’s unique needs and challenges allows her to craft personalized care routines and styles that not only enhance the natural beauty of curls but also promote hair health.