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.

2

Condition your hair to fight frizz.

  1. 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]
    • 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.
4

Pat your hair dry with a towel.

  1. 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]
    • Your hair will still be damp, but not soaking wet, after towel drying.
5

Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

  1. 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]
    • If you only have a few knots here or there, try combing through your hair with your fingers first for a more gentle option.
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6

Spray your hair with leave-in conditioner.

  1. 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]
    • 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.

  1. 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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9

Air dry your hair for a natural wave.

  1. 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]
    • 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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10

Diffuse your hair to speed up the drying time.

  1. 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]
    • 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.

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How can I get wavy hair overnight?
    Christine George
    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

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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.
  • Question
    What causes straight hair to become curly?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer

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    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.
  • Question
    How do you make your hair naturally curly?
    Laura Martin
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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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References

  1. https://hair.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Manage_Wavy_Hair
  2. Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
  3. https://www.today.com/style/how-wash-hair-correctly-tips-experts-t111714
  4. Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
  5. https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/hair/how-to-brush-curly-hair
  6. https://hair.lovetoknow.com/Styling_Tips_for_Wavy_Hair
  7. https://hair.lovetoknow.com/Scrunching_Hair
  8. Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.
  9. Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.

About This Article

Christine George
Co-authored by:
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
This article was co-authored by Christine George and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. 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. This article has been viewed 188,786 times.
14 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 16
Updated: December 26, 2022
Views: 188,786
Article SummaryX

To accentuate your wavy hair, be gentle while washing it and try a hair product or 2. After you wash your hair, soak up excess water by patting and scrunching it with a towel, instead of rubbing it, since this can make your hair frizzy. Consider only brushing your hair before washing it, since brushing can pull waves out of your hair. While it’s drying, wrap strands around your fingers and twist them, which will help your hair stay wavy. Try adding a small amount of mousse or a hair serum, like argan oil, to help maintain your waves. Dry shampoo also helps to hold the shape and volume of your hair. For more tips from our Beauty co-author, including how to diffuse your wavy hair with a hairdryer, read on!

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