How to Care For, Protect, and Style Wavy Hair

If you ask any seasoned stylist how to take care of wavy hair, chances are their response will be along the lines of: it depends. Wavy hair can vary drastically from person to person, with some sporting fine, loose waves and others rocking thick, voluminous spirals. Though both technically fall under the “wavy hair” category, these hair types have vastly different needs. As such, learning how to care for wavy hair isn’t always that cut-and-dry—in order to figure out your best routine, you need to determine where your hair falls on the spectrum (and understand what that means).

That might sound like a tall order, but we’re here to help you cut through the noise. Ahead, we’ll break down the three different wavy hair types, explain the characteristics of each, and arm you with plenty of tips to make your wavy hair routine work for you. Find all the details—plus a look at some of our favorite wavy hair products to stock up on—below.

What Does It Mean When Your Hair Is Wavy?

Wavy hair is a hair type that falls between straight and curly. It’s typically a bit straighter at the roots but sports a noticeable bend along the length of the strand. However, the amount of texture and degree of waviness depends on what sub-type it is. Like all hair types, wavy hair can further be broken down into subcategories denoted by a number and a letter (for example, 2B). The letter describes the curl pattern, while the letter describes the density of the curl or wave.

What are the three wavy hair types?

There are three different types of wavy hair, each with its own set of characteristics:

• Type 2A: 2A hair is the loosest wavy hair type. It typically features straight or mostly straight roots and loose, undefined waves down the length of the strands. It’s not particularly voluminous—in fact, if you have 2A hair, your strands may be on the thinner, finer side.
• Type 2B: With type 2B hair, the waves are well-defined from the mid-lengths to the ends. This hair type is usually on the thicker side and boasts a decent amount of volume. 2B hair can, however, be prone to frizz, especially with an improper haircare routine.
• Type 2C: This wavy hair type has tighter, S-shaped waves that are prone to frizz and dryness. The texture is typically coarse and thick, and the waves start right at the root of the hair. These waves have a good amount of volume, and can sometimes be misidentified as curls.

It’s important to know which wavy hair type you have because it can help you identify the best haircut, products, and styling routine for your strands. If you’re having trouble figuring out which type of waves you have, consider consulting your stylist—they can help you narrow down whether you’re 2A, 2B, or 2C.

How To Take Care of Wavy Hair

As every hair type does, wavy hair has its own set of needs to ensure that it looks and feels its best. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your wavy hair routine.

1. Use a shampoo for wavy hair

There are many different types of shampoo on the market, from deep-cleaning clarifying shampoos to formulas designed to repair damaged, color-treated hair. If you have wavy hair, we suggest using a shampoo designed specifically for waves and curls. We love the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Length Curls Moisture Push Shampoo—the hyaluronic acid-infused formula gently cleanses without stripping hair of moisture to help support hydrated, defined waves and curls. After lathering up, work the coordinating L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Conditioner throughout your mid-lengths and ends to nourish your hair and help lock in moisture for up to 72 hours (without any wave-flattening weigh-down).

2. Deep condition regularly

As a general rule of thumb, the more texture your hair has, the more susceptible it’ll be to dryness (especially at the ends). Oil travels easily throughout straight hair, but not so readily throughout waves and curls. To help combat dryness, we suggest incorporating a deep conditioning mask, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi Use Treatment, into your wavy hair routine once or twice per week. The lightweight formula melts into the hair fiber and helps renew the hair to leave it stronger and healthier-looking. You can also use it as a leave-in treatment or a co-wash if your hair feels especially dry.

3. Limit your use of hot tools

When possible, skip the hot tools and air-dry your hair instead to help prevent unnecessary damage. If you must blow-dry your hair, be sure to use a heat protectant first. The L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer is one of our top picks for wavy hair—it provides up to 48 hours of frizz control and helps protect hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also a good idea to use your dryer on a lower heat setting to avoid unnecessary damage.

How To Style Wavy Hair

There isn’t one way to style wavy hair—your exact routine will depend on your wavy hair type, length, and what you’re hoping to achieve. We suggest using the below as a starting point rather than a definitive tutorial.

1. Squeeze out excess moisture

Roughly drying your hair with a towel may feel like a great way to speed up your styling routine, but it can cause breakage, which may make your waves frizzy and undefined. Instead, after showering, use your hands to gently squeeze any excess water from your hair. Then, wrap your hair up in a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt to help absorb residual moisture. This approach is far gentler on your strands than drying with a towel and can help ensure your waves look smooth and sleek rather than tangled and frizzy.

2. Apply a moisturizing leave-in treatment

Once your hair is damp (but not sopping), work a moisturizing leave-in treatment, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Leave-in Conditioner, throughout your strands. The leave-in conditioner moisturizes the hair and helps protect against humidity to promote hydrated, defined waves and curls (without the stiff or crunchy feel that hair gels can sometimes leave behind). Use your fingers to distribute the product throughout your mane, avoiding your roots if your hair is on the oilier side.

3. Scrunch or plop your hair

One of the best things about having wavy hair is that it typically dries pretty nicely. To enhance your waves, try scrunching your strands for more definition. Start by flipping your head over so your hair hangs in front of your face. Then, use your hands to scrunch your roots up toward your scalp. This should help define your wave pattern so your hair is able to air-dry without losing shape. However, you can also scrunch your hair as you dry it with a diffuser if you’re not willing to wait for it to air-dry.

The plopping method is another great way to style wavy hair without having to rely on hot tools. First, lay out a T-shirt on a flat surface. Flip your damp hair over and make sure that your hair is at the center of your T-shirt. Place the sides of the T-shirt around the back of your head, and then bring the top part of the T-shirt toward the nape of your neck. Wrap the sides of the T-shirt around your neck and tie them together to create a knot. Be sure to tuck in any loose fabric underneath the knot you just created for a snug feel. Let the excess water absorb completely, then, remove the T-shirt and lightly finger-comb through your waves for an effortless, beachy style.

Styling Tips for Beautiful Waves

Consider incorporating these tips into your hair routine for wavy hair to help keep your strands looking and feeling their best.

1. Try a hair mousse

If you have finer 2A or 2B waves and want to amp up the volume, reach for a hair mousse. These airy formulas are among the best wavy hair products to add to your routine because they add volume without making your hair feel stiff or weighed down. After shampooing and conditioning, work an egg-sized amount of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse throughout your hair from root to tip (add more if your hair is longer). Then, flip your hair over and lightly scrunch your strands as described above to help create texture. From there, you can air-dry your hair or blow-dry it with a diffuser for up to 24 hours of body, volume, and bounce.

2. Lean on dry shampoo

Many people with wavy hair don’t need to shampoo daily—in fact, washing your waves too often could leave them feeling dry or depleted. Try washing your hair every other day or three times per week to help prevent stripping your strands of moisture. If you find your roots tend to get greasy between washes, refresh your hair with a dry shampoo. Look for a volumizing formula to help absorb oil and give your second (or third) day hair a little extra body.

3. Reach for a frizz-fighting leave-in

Type 2C waves can be susceptible to frizz, especially in humid conditions. To help keep your hair looking sleek and smooth, prep your damp strands with a frizz-fighting leave-in, like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In. It’s made with castor oil and helps tame frizz and static without leaving behind a greasy residue. Work two pumps throughout your strands before heat-styling, or use a small amount to help tame frizz once your hair is dry (a little goes a long way).

If your waves are on the finer side, consider using a lightweight leave-in conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair, instead. This one moisturizes, detangles, protects against frizz, and adds shine, all while offering heat protection to shield your strands against unnecessary damage.

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Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris