How to Accentuate Wavy Hair

Co-authored by Christine George and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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Wavy hair is perhaps the holy grail of hair textures. You can blow it out straight, achieve bounce and volume, or scrunch your waves for maximum texture. If you really want to accentuate wavy hair, the good news is you can achieve a soft tousled look that is polished and frizz-free. By using the right products and learning the correct techniques, you can effortlessly enhance your wavy hair.

1

Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo.

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Stick to a sulfate-free shampoo that’s extra moisturizing. Since wavy hair tends to be a little more frizzy and dry than straight hair, it’s important to use gentle, hydrating products.^{[1]
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- Look for shampoo that says “moisturizing” or “hydrating” on the bottle.
- It’s up to you how often you wash your hair, but try not to wash it every single day. Using shampoo too often can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it frizzy.

2

Condition your hair to fight frizz.

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Every time you wash your hair, use a medium consistency conditioner. Heavy, deep conditioning products can weigh your hair down, so try to find products that are designed for wavy hair to fight frizz and help your waves form.^{[2]
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- Stay away from silicone and sulfate products as you look for a conditioner. These ingredients can actually make your hair drier, leading to more frizz.

3

Use cold water to rinse your hair.

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Wash with warm, but rinse with cold water. The cold water will close your hair cuticles, leading to a smoother, shinier finish as your hair dries.^{[3]
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- It can be tough to get used to a cold water rinse, but it may actually help wake you up in the mornings!

4

Pat your hair dry with a towel.

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Use a microfiber towel to avoid frizz and soak up extra moisture. Flip your head upside down and soak up any excess water by patting your hair. Don’t be tempted to rub hair with the towel, because this will make your hair frizzy. You can also wrap your hair on top of your head with a dry towel for a few minutes if you need to.^{[4]
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- Your hair will still be damp, but not soaking wet, after towel drying.

5

Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

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Brushing your hair with a hairbrush can lead to extra frizz. If you notice any tangles or knots, grab a wide-toothed comb and start at the ends of your hair. Gently work out the toughest of the knots as you move up toward your scalp.^{[5]
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- If you only have a few knots here or there, try combing through your hair with your fingers first for a more gentle option.

6

Spray your hair with leave-in conditioner.

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This step hydrates your tresses to minimize frizz. While your hair is still damp, spray a light mist of conditioner all over. This will help fight frizz even after your hair is dry; plus, it will add some extra moisture. Leave-in conditioner is also a good option if you have fine hair since it’s a little bit lighter than its traditional counterpart.^{[6]
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- The best leave-in conditioner for wavy hair should be a lightweight formula that creates shine, detangles and smooths cuticles.
- Leave-in conditioners normally protect hair from heat, as well.

7

Scrunch in 1 to 2 pumps of hair serum.

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Use hair serum every day to fight frizz and add extra moisture. Rub the product between your hands and work on your ends first. Scrunch your hair with your palms, working upward to distribute the product evenly.^{[7]
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- Argan oil works great as a hair serum, because it smooths fly-aways, but isn’t too heavy.^{[8]
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- Do not overuse hair serum, as it can weigh your hair down. A pea-sized amount is really all you need.

8

Add a volumizing mousse.

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Give your waves some extra hold so they don’t fall flat. Rub a quarter-sized amount of mousse in between your palms. Gently scrunch it into your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the crown. Look for a mousse that contains flexible polymers to give curl memory and definition to your wavy look.^{[9]
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Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}
- Mousse has come a long way since the 1980s. Instead of creating a stiff, crunchy hold, it now gives soft, touchable control to hair.

9

Air dry your hair for a natural wave.

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Use the air-drying technique when you have a few hours to spare. Wrap and twist your hair around your fingers in 1 in (2.5 cm) sections. Scrunch the ends of your waves with your hands to set the curls. Keep the curls in place by wrapping a towel around your hair and leaving it on while it dries. Take the towel off after a few hours to let your hair dry the rest of the way.^{[10]
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- Drying your hair in a towel is also called the “plopping” method. It helps keep your waves in place as they dry for bouncier, springier curls.
- If you’re going to bed, try putting your hair into a braid. Braid wet hair in one big, loose braid. Twist the braid into a bun, and clip your hair a few inches below the crown for some lift.^{[11]
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  Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}

10

Diffuse your hair to speed up the drying time.

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Give your waves extra volume with a diffuser attachment. Tilt your head to the side or upside down and start drying from the ends of your hair, working your way up. Hold the nozzle horizontal to your locks or at a 45-degree angle to your head, and scrunch your waves as you dry. Massage your scalp with the diffuser to add volume at the roots.^{[12]
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- You can buy universal diffusers that fit any hair dryer, or you can buy one made specifically for yours.
- If you finish diffusing and notice any unruly waves or curls, touch them up with a curling iron.
- If diffusing makes your hair a little too frizzy, try drying your hair until it’s about 50% dry then letting it air dry the rest of the way.

11

Sleep on a silk pillowcase.

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Protect your waves at night to fight frizz throughout the day. Replace your old cotton pillowcase with a silk or satin one to keep your waves hydrated and moisturized while you sleep.^{[13]
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- You can also wear a silk bonnet to bed if you’d prefer!
- Silk also helps keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so it’s a win-win situation.

12

Refresh your waves with a leave-in conditioner.

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Use this technique on days that you don’t wash your hair. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add a little bit of leave-in conditioner. Spritz your locks with your mixture and scrunch the ends of your hair with your hands. Let your waves air dry to tamp down frizz.^{[14]
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- You could also use a sea salt spray or coconut water for extra hydration.

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How can I get wavy hair overnight?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Try putting your hair in a braid and sleeping with it. Undo your braid in the morning and you'll have wavy hair.

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What causes straight hair to become curly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you have soft waves that are mostly straight, you can strengthen them by washing your hair less frequently. You should also avoid combing and brushing except with a fine-tooth comb. You can twist or clip it while it's wet to enhance the curls as well.

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Question

How do you make your hair naturally curly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can enhance your natural curls with humectant products like curl creams and gels. Washing less frequently will also bring out your curl pattern.

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Tips

After you style your hair, try to touch it as little as possible. Touching your hair might make it look dry and frizzy.

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Hair serums and leave-in conditioners double as a heat protectant.

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