The Ultimate Wavy Hair Care Guide

Wavy hair can be its own chameleon, with a texture that lands somewhere between curly and straight hair. It can sometimes require more upkeep than straight hair types, but isn’t as selective as curly hair can be. 

But, we love that there are so many different ways to style wavy hair, ranging from soft tousled waves to loose beachy boho waves. And if you’re looking for ways to keep your wavy hair healthy or you’re trying to figure out how to get the perfect wavy hairstyle, you’ve come to the right place. 

Ahead, we’re sharing tips on how to care for wavy hair and the best products you can use to keep your waves looking defined and healthy.

What Does It Mean When Your Hair Is Wavy?

First things first, how do you know if you have wavy hair? Since it lies in-between more straightforward hair types, it can be difficult to tell. According to Jonathan Colombini, L’Oréal Paris Creative Director of Style & Color, wavy hair can be defined by hair type 2A to 2C, ranging from “low-density waves with a loose S-shape pattern” to “extremely defined, tight waves with a close resemblance to the ringlets of curly hair.”

How To Take Care Of Wavy Hair

As every hair type does, wavy hair has its own set of needs to ensure that it stays healthy. Here are some rules of thumb to follow if you have a wavy hair type.

1. Use The Right Hair Washing System

The journey to healthy hair starts with cleansing, so make sure to use products that will work to hydrate and keep your wavy strands frizz-free. “Wavy hair tends to get dry quickly,” says Colombini — and he recommends using shampoos and conditioners that can reinforce moisture and shine.

Reach for the L'Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo and the L'Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo. This hydrating, frizz-defying combo is formulated with hyaluronic acid and castor oil to deeply condition wavy strands while also banishing frizzy hair. 

2. Deep Condition Regularly

Waves are looser forms of curls, and curly hair tends to be more prone to breakage and frizz. To give wavy hair the extra care it needs, you’ll need to add a deep conditioning treatment, like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi use treatment, into your hair care routine. It’s formulated with a repair concentrate and proteins to strengthen damaged hair and reduce split ends and tangles. 

3. Air Dry Your Hair 

Air drying is a great heatless option for rocking wavy hair, and it can give you a gorgeous, just-back-from-the-beach look. To style, apply a generous amount of the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner (that’s made for both curls and waves) to damp hair from your roots to your ends. Gently scrunch your hair to work the product in and let your strands air dry. 

Colmbini also recommends air-drying, but to use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment if you must dry your hair quickly. “Keep the settings at medium heat and low pressure and don’t over dry,” he says. “It’s better to dry only 80 percent and let the rest air dry on its own.”

Be sure to spritz your hair before blow drying with the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer. It has a lightweight formula that works to protect your hair from heat damage for up to 450 degrees.

How To Style Wavy Hair

It can sometimes feel easier just to heat style wavy hair, but there are definitely ways to accentuate your natural texture. Check out some of our tips for styling wavy hair below.

1. Use A Hair Mousse To Add Body

If you want to add body to your waves, reach for a volumizing hair mousse. Try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse, which will give your hair high definition and shape without leaving it sticky or stiff. Add to damp hair from the root to the tip, using an egg-sized amount of foam. For added body, flip your head upside down while you scrunch your hair.

Editor’s tip: For a quick volumizing hair refresh between wash days, grab the L'Oréal Paris Sulfate Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair or the EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair. They instantly absorb oil and won’t leave behind any white residue. You can also use the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Refresh & Reshape Leave-in Spray to hydrate and add some texture to your strands.

2. Use A Leave-In Styling Serum

Leave-in hair styling products are excellent multi-taskers and can help keep frizz at bay while conditioning your strands. Reach for the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In, which includes castor seed oil to support the keratin in your hair and make each strand stronger and smoother. You can apply one to two pumps of product on damp hair or dry hair to tame frizz and flyaways. 

Next: The Best Products to Fix 7 Types of Hair Damage

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Design: Crystal Simone