How To Style Naturally Wavy Hair?

Whether you’ve got naturally wavy hair or want to create a more dimensional look, there’s a lot that goes into making this strand type pop.

The good news is it’s relatively easy to style wavy hair without resorting to blow-drys and curling irons (though they aren’t bad for your strands). Here, we asked beauty editors to share tips for keeping this natural texture strong and healthy.

Blow-Dry

Blow drying can help wavy hair look more manageable, reduce tangles, and give you styles that may not be possible with air drying. But it can also ruin your natural curl pattern and cause split ends if you do it wrong.

You can easily create stunning blowouts at home using simple steps and the right products.

Here Are Some Of Our Favorite Ways To Style Naturally Wavy Hair With Blow Dryers:

Achieve Volume And Body

To create a head of waves, start by dividing your hair into sections and clipping them out of the way. Then, use a round brush to lift the roots and rotate them forward and out as you work your way to the ends of each section.

Once you’ve reached the ends, hold the blow dryer up to your hair and spritz it with cool air from your handheld attachment. This will lock in your wave and keep it from frizzing, says Renya.

Achieve Shine And Softness

Finally, spray your wavy hair with a shine-boosting product like a serum, cream, or hairspray to help it retain its moisture. This will make your hair more manageable and prevent it from getting tangled, explains Tugman.

You can also apply a leave-in conditioning spray to your wavy hair to help it stay soft and shiny while you’re working on styling it with a blow dryer. It’s also a great way to prevent frizz, which can happen when you use hot tools on your hair.

Try using a diffuser if you don’t want to spend much money on a blow dryer. Diffusers, which are spiky attachments for most blow dryers, help deflect and distribute the heat your hair is exposed to.

They also protect your wavy hair from the damaging effects of heat, which can lead to breakage and split ends. To get the best results, be sure to buy a good-quality one that’s made specifically for wavy hair.

The time it takes to blow dry your hair varies based on your hair type and the style you want to achieve. Still, you should expect it to take about five to 10 minutes for short and fine hair and about 15 to 30 minutes for longer, thicker, and coarser locks.

Braids

One of the best ways to style naturally wavy hair is by braiding it. Braiding a wavy hairstyle can give you voluminous curls and a textured look that you can wear with anything from an updo to a ponytail.

In addition to being a great hairstyle choice, braids can also be an excellent way to protect your kinky locks from humidity and heat damage. Many different braids can be worn, and you can choose whatever suits your style!

To start, separate your hair into sections. The number of sections you need will depend on how thick your hair is and how to loose you want it to be.

Next, take your sections and cross them over each other until you reach the ends of your hair. Then, keep repeating this process until your hair is all braided up.

Once you have finished the braiding, wrap your hair around a tie to secure it. This will help keep your wavy braid in place and prevent it from coming undone throughout the day.

If you have fine hair, you can use a scrunchy or ribbon instead of a hair tie to help hold the braid in place. However, remove the braid in the morning, so you don’t leave any dents on your head!

Another great way to style a wavy braid is by using a scarf technique. The scarf technique allows you to create a set of waves without using any extra heat on your hair.

After you have completed your side braid, wrap the rest of your hair in a scarf and cover it with a shower cap or similar. Let your hair dry overnight, and remove the scarf in the morning to reveal a stunning wavy look.

If you have a lot of hair to braid, use a wide-toothed comb and apply a generous amount of conditioner to help your strands remain strong and healthy. This will prevent your wavy hair from breaking and make it easier for you to style your new protective hairstyle.

Twists

Whether you want to add some texture to your natural waves or protect them, twists are a great option. They are lightweight and easy to manage, promote hair elasticity, and don’t require heat styling.

There are a variety of twist styles to choose from, including two and three-strand twists, flat twists, Senegalese twists, passion twists, and more! These easy styles are perfect for any occasion and can be paired with almost anything.

Twists can also be incorporated into several other hairstyles, like a ponytail or a bun. In addition, you can tuck them into a head wrap or scarf to keep your natural locks out of the way and add extra volume and shine.

To achieve the best results with your twists, it’s important to use the right products. A leave-in and oil or cream before you start twirling will help your curls stay healthy and voluminous throughout the style. After you’re done, adding a sealing oil or gel will seal in the moisture and prevent your twists from losing shape.

To maintain your twists, it’s important to wash them at least once a week with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner. You should also apply a bit of oil or cream before going to bed each night to seal the moisture and promote hair elasticity.

Using silk pillowcases, bonnets, and scarves is a good way to protect your twists. This will prevent friction and keep your strands from getting frizzy.

You can also make your spritz with water and a little oil or cream to keep your strands from drying while twisting. This is especially useful if you have type 4 or high porosity hair, as it can easily be stripped of moisture during the process.

To keep your twists in place, it’s also a good idea to use a hooded dryer to speed up the drying process. You can also try sleeping with your twists overnight to dry them out more thoroughly.

Updos

Wavy hair can be a challenge because it’s so unpredictable. It can venture between looser curls and weighted-down waves that require different styling styles. This can be frustrating, but thankfully there are plenty of updos that work with wavy hair, especially during the summer.

According to Byrdie, there are many easy updos that a wavy-haired woman can do to protect her curls from heat damage and breakage. One style that the outlet recommends is a sleek updo. The style requires five steps: brushing your hair into a smoother texture, detangling it, dividing the ponytail into two sections, twisting each section into a makeshift bun, and securing it with a hair clip.

If you want to take it a step further, try doing a braided bun with your wavy hair. This style looks great on short and long hair and is easy to wear if you’re going for a casual or more upscale look.

The key to this updo is to use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair before you do your braid. Be sure to spritz on some hairspray to secure your updo and prevent it from unraveling while you’re putting it in.

This incredibly simple yet chic updo is perfect for any occasion. The style can be worn if you’re headed to the office or out to dinner with your significant other, and it takes just minutes to execute.

A simple twist on a classic updo, this style has the bonus of looking like it took a lot more effort than it did. This updo is best for wavy hair that’s shoulder-length or longer.

For this updo, you’ll need a good quality mousse. The mousse will help your curls retain their shape and give them a springiness that will look amazing against the rest of your hairstyle.

You’ll also need some bobby pins and a hair spray to finish the look. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can add some floral hair pins to access the updo.

FAQ’s

How rare is natural wavy hair?

Human hair is available in a wide variety of hues, textures, and forms. Specifically, Asian hair is straighter and thicker; African hair is more coiled and dry; and Caucasian hair is in the middle, with roughly 45% of Caucasians having straight hair, 40% wavy hair, and 15% curly hair.

What should wavy hair avoid?

Avoid products that contain salt, which dehydrates the body, as well as silicones and parabens, which weigh down the hair and prevent active components from penetrating the shaft.

Should I brush wavy hair?

Never dry brush hair that is wavy. It generates stress, which alters your wave pattern and may result in breakages or other damage. When wavy hair is wet and has conditioner applied, then is the ideal time to brush it. Use your fingers to first detangle the hair before using a soft hairbrush or wide-tooth comb.

What damages wavy hair?

Because your scalp’s natural oils can’t easily pass down the hair shaft, wavy hair is inherently drier than straight hair. Without these oils, the hair is more vulnerable to daily harm.

What is wavy hair caused by?

While heredity, humidity, and a number of other factors play a role in whether you have curly or straight hair, researchers have shown that a strand’s curvature and the angle at which it grows are both influenced by the form of the follicle.