style wavy hair

How to Style Wavy Hair: Two Methods That’ll Blow Your Curls

Styling your wavy hair can be difficult because it’s as if you don’t know if it’s straight or curly. There are many ways to style wavy hair or, if you have straighter hair, to get waves that look natural. You can style it naturally without using heat tools or using a classic curling iron to create those loose waves you want.

Method 1: Creating wavy hair with styling products

Wash and condition your hair

Before you start styling your hair, it would be good to wash it so that it is in its natural state. If you try to style your wavy hair after you’ve done another style before, it may be more difficult. Use a shampoo and conditioner that enhances this type of hair. When you go to your local cosmetic or grocery store, look for a shampoo and conditioner for wavy or curly hair. The bottles will usually have some indicator on them that tells you what type of hair the product is made for. Using a special shampoo for your hair may help to enhance your natural wave.

Style your hair while it’s wet

After you finish the shower, you can scrunch it out, but avoid towel drying it. It will be easier to comb your hair if it’s largely damp, and towel-drying can create more frizz. Use a wide-toothed comb and start at the ends, untangling any knots you might have. It’s important to use a wide-tooth comb at this point, as other tools could pull or snag your hair, which will hurt it. Using a brush will most likely have this result, so don’t brush when it’s wet. A regular comb (not a wide-toothed one) is less likely to pull it, so you could use it if it’s the only one you have; however, your best option will be a wide-toothed one.

Apply a styling product to your hair

After styling your hair, you can apply a product that enhances your waves. Try a product with little or no alcohol in it (as it can make your hair feel stiff). You can use it as a mousse, cream, or spray (whatever you prefer). Scoop some of the product into your hand and work it through your hair, compressing it from the ends to the roots. Look for a product that says it enhances curls or waves. Avoid hair sprays as these can produce a stiff, frizzy appearance. Besides, try not to get a product at the roots as it will build up and make your hair look too stiff. If you want to achieve the most natural look possible, apply the product closer to the ends as waves tend to be more spaced out at the top of the hair and narrower at the end.

Keep compressing your hair 

After applying the product, take some time to compress your hair: gather the ends in your hands and scrunch upwards towards your roots. Once all the product is in your hair, scrunch it with a microfiber cloth. Do this until you’re done with it all, and you’ll finally get the desired wave. Avoid compressing your hair with a towel, as this can cause frizz. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, you may use an old cotton t-shirt. It would be best if you don’t use your hands too much, as these could also create frizz in your hair.

Comb through any messy parts

Once you have finished compressing your hair, use your fingers to comb out any messy waves you might have created. It’s best not to run a comb or brush through your hair while it’s like this, as you could eliminate the waves you created, which will make your hair look fluffy. Finger comb your hair and fix any flyaways or knots you may have created.

Blow-dry or air-dry your hair

You can blow dry your hair naturally or with a blow dryer. The first option will take longer, but it will protect your hair from heat damage and may help keep you from getting frizz. If you’re going to use a blow dryer, you’ll need to use a diffuser. Set the heat setting on low and blow dry your hair carefully with the diffuser until it is dry. To do this, place the ends of your hair in the diffuser and blow it upwards towards your roots. To do this, place the ends in the diffuser and blow it up towards your roots.

Method 2: Styling your hair with heat tools

Repeat all the steps from the previous method

Before you start using heat tools, it is recommended that your hair already has some waves in it. You can create natural waves by applying some product, compressing it, and blow-drying it with a diffuser. Another simpler option is to wash and condition your hair and then let it air dry.

You don’t need to apply a styling product and scrunch it to do this method. However, before it dries, apply a serum or a curl-enhancing spray. You don’t have to compress your hair with the product, just spray it on top and comb it through with a brush or your fingers. This will give your hair a little more wave and make it easier to curl.

Apply a heat protectant to your hair

Heat tools can hurt it when drying, but applying a protectant will reduce the damage. After application, use a comb or brush to distribute it evenly throughout the hair. Separate your hair into sections. Divide your hair into three or four sections (depending on the thickness and length of your hair). You can separate it into a bottom, middle, and top part, or part it at the parting and bring it in front of your shoulders. Use bobby pins to loosely hold hair that you’re not going to work with. If you can leave it loose, do so. Holding it back may cause some waves to fall out or kinks to form in your hair. If you are going to pin it up, do it loosely so that it forms a bun or a very loose loop.

Curl your hair in sections

Use a 1 inch (2.5 cm) curling iron or curling tongs and start waving your hair in sections. Instead of imprisoning the hair with the iron, wrap it around the iron. Point the appliance downwards and, starting at the roots, wrap a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair in it until you reach the ends. Then hold it for about five seconds. It is best to wrap the hair around the appliance because the hair is not as long as it should be. Doing it the usual way will create full-bodied waves that look less natural. On the other hand, wrapping the hair also creates a looser look on top and a more concentrated look underneath, which will give you a more natural wave style.

To create waves that curl backward, i.e., away from your face, place the curling iron or curling iron behind the section of hair you are going to work with. For example, take a section about an inch long (this can be larger or smaller if you want tighter or looser waves) and hold it outwards. Then take the flat iron, pointing it downward, and place it behind the section of hair. Start wrapping it around the appliance, starting at the top and working your way up until the end of the end at the end of the curling iron.


  2. – Cloete E, Khumalo NP, Ngoepe MN. The what, why, and how of curly hair: a review.