Making Waves (In the Best Possible Way)

Taming Your Wavy Hair Can Be as Easy as a Day at the Beach

Wavy hair: the best of both worlds? It depends on how you’re treating your tresses. Wavy hair can be both a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, wavy hair tends to hold curl well, is easy to straighten, and is flexible enough for many lengths and styles – short, long, up, and down. And, who doesn’t adore beachy waves? On the other hand, however, it can often lack volume, and it never falls short in the frizz department. So how do you make the most out of your not-too-straight and not-too-curly locks?

1. Hydrate,hydrate, hydrate!

Even more so than our straight-and-sleek-haired friends, those with wavy hair are in desperate need of ample moisture to fight the frizzies. Make sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that is ultra-hydrating for starters. Look for emollients such as keratin, argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba, shea butter, or glycerin to keep hair well hydrated. Seal in the moisture with an equally hydrating, leave-in conditioner. Moisturized locks will look and feel their absolute best. Try Keranique products for amped-up moisture, softness, and fullness.

2. Give It a Lift

Oftentimes the wavy hair blues include little to no volume at the roots. This problem is easily solved by using the right products and styling tricks. To maintain volume and texture, find a hardworking, root-lifting spray or powder to apply directly to the root of the hair. Also, look for a volumizing dry shampoo to keep hair from falling flat. After washing and applying a leave-in conditioner, blast your roots with a blow dryer and generously apply the root-lifting and volumizing products for a photo finish.

3. Know How to Air Dry

Letting hair air dry can sound like a risky (if not preposterous) move. However, wavy hair often looks most enviable when allowed to dry on its own. You just have to take the right steps to prevent a frizz fest. After applying the leave-in conditioner for moisture and a root-lifting spray for volume, you need to give your hair some direction. To achieve beachy (not botchy) waves, use a sea-salt or tousle spray on wet strands, then loosely braid your hair in two to four sections. Once your hair is dry, take out the braids, run your fingers through to separate your locks, and voila! Sexy, loose, effortless waves complete your look. Is your hair too short, or do you have difficulty braiding? Fear not. Replacing the braids for buns will have the same effect.