Not quite curly, but not quite straight, wavy hair has its own set of rules. We hate to break it to you but that effortlessly cool, beach look requires *a little* bit of work, but with the right products caring for this texture can be a breeze. Keep scrolling to unlock the secrets of caring for wavy hair the right way.
Wash your wavy hair the right way
Like curly and coily textures, wavy hair doesn’t require a daily wash. Remember, over washing can strip hair of necessary oils to keep it healthy and makes colored hair fade faster. If you must, opt for every other day with a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair healthy, hydrated, and frizz free.
We’re fans of our Brazilian Joia™ Shampoo & Conditioner Set that checks all the boxes like damage repair, eliminating dryness, and tackling split ends. A lightweight-but-hydrating conditioner will lock-in moisture, ease the detangling process, and help enhance your natural texture. Focus on applying to mid-shaft to ends and always rinse will cool (not hot) water.
Detangle carefully
First things first, never ever detangle wet, wavy hair with a brush since it can cause excess damage and unwanted breakage. While in the shower (with conditioner still in your hair) gently detangle hair with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb (like SOL Yellow Wide Tooth Comb) to slowly work out any knots and tangles. Finish with a leave-in conditioner, which also assist with detangling, before heat styling (i.e., diffusing) or air drying to prevent unwanted frizz.
Add extra moisture
Healthy hair equals moisturized hair, which is why conditioner is a step you should never skip. When you really need to up the ante, incorporate deep conditioner or hair mask (we recommend our Triple Brazilian Butter ™ Hair Repair Treatment for this) weekly for a moisture and protection boost.
Again, focus on mid-shaft to ends to avoid weighing down your roots and leave in for at least 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. When used sparingly, hair oils like Brazilian Glossy™ Nourishing Hair Oil to smooth frizz and fly-aways, plus add shine to wavy hair. P.s. this oil is pretty concentrated so start with a little and add more as needed.
Use a diffuser or air dry
After your hair is washed and prepped, you have two options to enhance your ways: diffusing or air drying. If you aren’t in a rush (and want to minimize damage), air drying is your best bet. Apply products to wet to damp hair, scrunch with a microfiber towel, and keep your hands to yourself. No seriously, more touching means more frizz. Avoid overmanipulating your hair, when possible, for best results.
If opting to blow dry, always use a diffuser since this reduces the air flow, cuts drying time, adds volume, and boosts texture. Use a styling product with heat protectant already built-in, both our hair oil and leave-in conditioner offer up to 450° of heat protection and 72-hour frizz control.
Style with the right products
As covered above, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are the gold-standard of haircare to cleanse gently without stripping. Look out for silicones in ingredient lists, too. Traditional silicones form a protective layer that does not rinse off, attracting build up and preventing conditioner and other nutrition from entering follicles. The silicones in our hair care are water soluble, leaving a silky-smooth finish without the buildup.
When it comes to your everyday routine, product choice is key. Aim for lightweight versions with moderate to strong hold pending your desired results, like mousses, gels, or creams. Applying to wet or damp hair will garner the best results before air drying or diffusing. Of course, a light hair oil or mist can be used as a final touch.
Keep your wavy hair protected
All hair textures need to be treated with care, but wavy hair is susceptible to frizz, tangles, and breakage. Tricks like sleeping on a silk pillowcase or wearing a bonnet (hi, grandma!) can reduce all the hurdles listed above.
Wavy hair is also super versatile and can be easily straightened or curled. When using heat tools, always use a heat protectant and keep the temperature moderate. You don’t need to fry your hair to achieve your desired look. Heat damage is no joke — and can not only flatten our waves, but cause breakage, brittleness, and split ends.
