Healthy Waves: Your Ultimate Wavy Hair Routine

Knowing how to take care of your wavy hair may require a bit more attention, due to some common challenges that aren't typically faced with straight hair.

However, maintaining your wave patterns while managing frizz and dryness doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you understand your hair and invest time in learning the best routine for it, you’ll be able to enjoy your natural waves at their best.

Read on as we break down the three different wavy hair types, their needs, and explore the best ways to tailor your wavy hair routine for optimal results.

A Simple and Effective Wavy Hair Care Routine

Understanding Your Waves

There are three subtypes of wavy hair, each varying in texture and degree of waviness:

Type 2A hair is the loosest wavy type, with straight roots and loose, undefined waves along the length of the strands. It’s usually fine and thin.

Type 2B hair has more defined waves, typically from the mid-lengths to the ends. This type tends to be thicker, offers more volume, and can be prone to frizz.

Type 2C hair features tighter, S-shaped waves that begin at the roots. It’s thicker and has more volume, and is prone to frizz and dryness.

Each type has its own specific needs, so understanding your wavy hair type is key to finding the best haircut, products, and styling routine.

Essential Wavy Hair Care Routine

Follow these baseline steps in order to ensure that your waves look and feel their best.

Step 1 - Use the right Shampoo

Use a sulfate-free, hydrating shampoo to nourish your waves and help lock in moisture. Gently cleanse by applying to your scalp and roots and allowing the remnants to drip down to the ends.

Note: Extremely hot water will damage and strip hair from its natural oils, so try washing hair with lukewarm water instead!

Step 2 - Deep condition regularly

The more texture your hair has, the more susceptible it’ll be to dryness. Condition with Goldie Locks® Signature Conditioner, which is anti-frizz and deeply hydrates. You can also combat dryness by incorporating a deep conditioning mask such as Goldie Locks® Signature Hair Mask.

Step 3 - Use the dryer sparingly then let the air do the rest

It is important to release excess water from the hair and a blow dryer on low speed will help to evaporate that water. Once you have about 30% dry, embrace the air to give nature the final touches to your waves.

Step 4 - Limit the use of hot tools

Begin applying your styling product evenly and opt to air dry if you can. If you choose to blow dry, use a diffuser and heat protectant. To prevent damage, avoid using hot tools.

Key Products for Wavy Hair Care

Goldie Locks® Essentials for Wavy Hair:

Activating and Enhancing Your Waves

Refreshing your Waves:

You can revive your waves between washes by spraying a mix of water and your favorite conditioner in a spray bottle. Once your hair is thoroughly sprayed, scrunch your waves up into your scalp for a more refined look.

Scrunching your Waves:

Use your hands to scrunch your strands up toward your scalp. This helps define your wave pattern as you air-dry without it losing shape.

Plopping your Waves:

Wrap damp hair around a cotton T-shirt and tie together to create a knot. Let the excess water absorb completely, then remove the T-shirt and lightly finger-comb through your waves.

Diffusing your Waves:

A diffuser helps distribute the air more gently and evenly, reducing frizz and enhancing natural texture. Set your blow dryer to low heat and in sections.

Why Your Wavy Hair Routine Might Be Making Your Hair Frizzy

Is your hair routine making your waves frizzy? These could be some of the reasons behind it:

1. Using the Wrong Products

Some products will weigh your hair down or strip it of moisture, which leads to frizz. Use products that are specifically formulated for wavy hair. These are hydrating and contain nourishing ingredients to enhance waves.

2. Towel-Drying Too Roughly

When you rub too hard on your hair with a towel, it roughs up the hair cuticle which causes it to frizz. Try gently blotting your hair with a microfiber towel - this will reduce friction and keep your waves smooth.

3. Over-Drying Your Hair

High heat on hair can strip moisture and create frizz. It can also cause hair to dry unevenly, leaving you with a frizzy, unruly texture.

Either use a blow dryer in low heat with a diffuser and a blow dry spray, or allow your hair to dry naturally.

4. Lack of Moisture

Wavy hair needs more moisture than straight hair, so moisturize your hair regularly by using hydrating shampoo and leave-in conditioner. You can also deep condition once a week to restore moisture and combat frizz.

5. Over-Washing

Washing hair too often strips away the natural oils that help keep your hair hydrated and frizz-free. Try washing your hair 2-3 times a week, and on off-days, you can refresh your waves with dry shampoo, or a lightweight hair spray to keep them looking fresh.

6. Brushing Your Hair When It’s Dry

Brushing wavy hair when dry will break up the wave pattern and create frizz by disrupting the natural wave formation. Brush your hair with a wide-tooth comb while it’s wet and conditioned.

7. Not Sealing in Moisture

Dry air can quickly make your hair frizzy if you’re not locking in moisture. After styling, use a lightweight cream to lock in moisture and keep frizz at bay.

8. Night Care and Maintenance

Avoid going to sleep with wet hair, as leaving hair wet overnight can cause strands to swell and are prone to breakage and frizz.

Use a silk or satin pillowcase to maintain your look overnight. Silk and satin help reduce friction and frizz. You can also use a silk or satin hair wrap to preserve your look.

FAQs

How to sleep on wavy hair?

Do not go to bed with wet hair to avoid breakage, and use silk/satin pillowcases or head wraps to reduce friction and prevent frizz.

How do I activate wavy hair?

Moisturize, scrunch, apply curl-enhancing products, and dry with care to get beautiful, bouncy waves that last all day.

What not to do to wavy hair?

Avoid extremely hot water and over washing your hair. Heat styling, heavy products that weigh your hair down and rubbing hair with a towel are not recommended if you want to avoid frizz, breakage and dryness.

Should I condition my wavy hair everyday?

Condition every other day or 2-3 times a week. This helps to maintain moisture without making your hair too heavy or greasy. You can also Deep Condition once a week, to replenish moisture and keep your waves hydrated and bouncy.

How often should I wash wavy hair?

Wash every other day or 2-3 times a week for your scalp to maintain its natural oils. This allows your waves to be hydrated, healthy, and frizz-free.

Final Thoughts

The secret to healthy, lustrous waves is a simple, tailored routine that meets their needs. There are no complex formulas required to maintain a carefree and natural look.

By using the right products, following the tips above, and embracing your waves' uniqueness, you’ll allow them to truly thrive. So enjoy the simplicity and effectiveness of a routine that works for you—it's time for your waves to shine!