Wavy hair deserves to be treated with the same love, care and the best products as all other curl types in order to thrive. Also known as ‘Type 2’ hair, it’s defined by S-shaped curls and a looser texture - and styling with the best products can enhance your natural wave pattern. Think bouncy, silky, voluminous waves that hold their shape and last all day. Curlsmith’s range includes everything you could ever need for wavy hair.
Table of Contents:
- How to Identyfy Wavy Hair at Home
- Best Wavy Hair Products for Every Step of Your Routine
- Best Cream for Wavy Curl Types
- Best Wavy Hair Shampoo
- Best Condtioners for Wavy Hair
- Best Leave-In Condtioners for Wavy Hair
- Best Deep Conditioners for Wavy Hair
- Best Styling Products for Type 2 Waves
- Best Wavy Products to Create Volume
- Hairspray to Lock in you Wavy Style
- Recommended Accessories for Flawless Waves
How to Identify Wavy Hair at Home
Wavy hair can come in many different forms, but it’s essentially a middle-ground between straight and curly hair. These are the key types of wavy hair:
1. 2A: Hair has a loose, tousled texture, with waves that are lightly accentuated and can sometimes be mistaken for straight hair (but with wave-friendly products, you can accentuate the natural curves).
2. 2B: Hair falls in distinct S-shapes at the lengths, but is still quite straight from the root. The shape is more defined than 2A, but it can easily be weighed down.
3. 2C: These are more defined S-shapes that begin at the root and continue down the length of the hair, and it can even turn into more corkscrew-style curls when styled.
Best Wavy Products for Every Step of your Routine
If you want wow-factor waves, it all begins with your hair-wash. As the least-defined curl pattern, oil and dirt can build up faster. You may find you need to wash your hair more frequently than other curly types - 2-3 times per week is the sweet spot. Still, it’s what you do in your shower that makes all the difference - as well as the styling products that you use afterwards,
Step 1: Shampoo or Co-wash. Starting with a gentle sulphate-free shampoo or co-wash (essentially conditioner with cleansing properties) will cleanse your roots and banish oil and dirt, without stripping your hair of natural moisture.
Step 2: Conditioner. A gentle conditioner - free from silicons, sulphates and parabens - will also add essential moisture, while aiding with all-important detangling (we recommend using your fingers for this - but a wide-toothed brush or comb can work well too).
Step 3: Leave-In. Once you’ve rinsed everything out, a small blob of leave-in conditioner applied evenly to soaking-wet hair will add an extra hydration boost. Think of this like a base layer for your styling products (a bit like applying a moisturiser under makeup).
Step 4: Curl cream. Next comes styling. Wavy hair can be weighed down easily, which can flatten the wave, so you’ll want to use lightweight and volumising formulas in your styling routine. Light creams, applied to damp hair and scrunched, will add definition without sacrificing volume.
Step 5: Gel or mousse. Finally, liquid gels and fluffy mouses help secure your style, without making hair feel heavy, sticky or crunchy.
Now, let’s explore the specific wavy hair products you can use for every step in your routine.
Best Cream for Wavy Hair
Using the right curl cream as the first step in your styling routine can make all the difference for how beautifully your waves dry (and how well they survive until your next wash).
Awestruck Definition Cream
If you’re looking for ultimate definition, look no further than Curlsmith’s Awestruck Definition Cream. This innovative formula is more than just a cream - it also delivers the nourishment of a serum, and the definition of a styling gel while providing medium hold. It’s perfect for wavy hair because it’s lightweight, and won’t add unnecessary heaviness to delicate waves. It’s an everyday saviour since it controls frizz and provides protection against UV rays and heat - so it’s great for shielding your hair from both sun-damage and pollution. Simply take a blob through soaking wet hair (after applying leave-in) and then scrunch - making sure each curl is evenly coated. If more hold is required then follow up with a gel to lock in those defined curls.
Hold Me Softly Balm
But if you want a softhold, Curlsmith’s Hold Me Softly Style Balm is the cream you need. This formula feels just like whipped cream, and contains nourishing, curl-loving ingredients like avocado oil and rosemary extract. You can either use alone for a lighter, beachy look, or follow up with another styling product like a mousse or gel.
Best shampoo for wavy hair
Shampoo is where it all begins - it’s your first step in your hair-wash, there to clean and cleanse. However, many shampoos contain harsh ingredients like sulphates that can strip both curls and waves of natural moisture, leading to dry and lifeless strands. Curlsmith shampoos don’t contain these ingredients, making them perfect for wavy hair.
Full Body Weightless Shampoo
If you want to retain natural volume, opt for the Full Body Weightless Shampoo. Cleansing and gentle, the formula is enriched with vitamin B-packed calendula flower and arnica montana flower, nourishing your waves and helping to revive flat hair. Apply to wet hair and massage vigorously into your scalp, before rinsing thoroughly.
Frizz Control Shampoo
Is frizz your main gripe? Try the Frizz Control Shampoo, to keep strands from drying out and breaking free. This formula contains blackcurrant seed and cocoa butter to lock in moisture, plus enriching essential oils including jojoba seed oil, watermelon seed oil and argan oil (all carefully chosen to seal hair cuticles, and provide shine and smoothness).
Curl-Quenching Conditioning Wash
And if you’d like a two-in-one (co-wash), look no further than the Curl-Quenching Conditioning Wash. This delicate conditioner contains cleansing elements, gently removing dirt and oils while also looking after the scalp. Apply a generous blob to wet hair, massaging into the scalp and also smoothing through the ends. Detangle with your fingers, leave on for three minutes, and then rinse out. Perfect for speedy hair-wash days.
Best conditioners for wavy hair
Wave-loving conditioners do two all-important jobs to perfection: add moisture and hydration (without the extra grease), and aid detangling (with your fingers or a brush).
Multi-Tasking Conditioner
The Multi-Tasking Conditioner succeeds in both respects. If your waves feel particularly weak and damaged, this conditioner builds strength, since it’s enriched with hemp seed and plant-based rice protein. It also contains a blend of babassu, jojoba and castor oil to seal moisture in the hair shaft and smooth down cuticles - making detangling easy work. Even better? It’s truly multi-tasking - you can rinse it out when you’re done, or you can leave it in for 15-30 minutes for a deeper hydrating treatment, or even use it as a leave-in.
Full-Body Milk Conditioner
If volume is your top priority, the Full-Body Milk Conditioner is the way to go. Best paired with the Full Body Weightless Shampoo and Hydrate & Plump Leave-in. It plumps your waves thanks to the blend of olive stem extract and linden buds. The result? Detangled, fuller-looking waves.
Best Leave-in Conditioners for Wavy Hair
Leave-ins are not to be skipped. Best applied after detangling and washing out both shampoo and conditioner, these hydrating products add a base layer of moisture to keep wavy hair frizz-free and protect it from damage. Think of it rather like a moisturiser or primer in your makeup routine. Nail this step, and the rest looks so much more beautiful (and lasts much longer!).
Weightless Air-Dry Cream
Some leave-ins can be too heavy and thick for wavy hair, but the Weightless Air-Dry Cream is perfect for enhancing those beautiful S-shaped waves. Its key ingredient? Hyaluronic acid - which is known for its moisturising and softening properties, since it has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Apply to soaking wet hair using ‘prayer hands’ to make sure it’s evenly applied, as the last step in your shower.
Hydrate & Plump
If you seek volume, you’ll want to reach for the Hydrate and Plump Leave-In again and again. Containing a plant-based stem cell complex which nourishes the hair from the inside-out, it’s also enriched with jojoba oil to hydrate and moisturise. Ensure it’s evenly coated before moving onto your styling products.
Best deep conditioners for wavy hair
Not to be confused with leave-ins, deep conditioners are left in your hair for a specific time frame (can be 10-30 minutes) before being washed out, giving your curls a much-needed boost. These are best used once a week, or as needed (rather than every wash).
Double Cream Deep Quencher
Whenever your waves are feeling particularly dry or lifeless (or when you need an extra helping hand to detangle deep knots) reach for the Double Cream Deep Quencher. Formulated with avocado oil, shea butter and apricot kernel oil, it deeply moisturises hair while smoothing cuticles. For a quick boost, leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. Or, for a deeper moisturising treatment, leave on for 30 minutes.
Best Styling Products for Type 2 Waves
Your hair-wash lays the groundwork, and then your styling routine seals the deal. This is where you lock in that all-important moisture, definition and volume for beautiful S-shapes to suit whatever style you’re after.
Different kinds of stylers can work really well for wavy hair - some of them can be used on their own, while others work best in combination with other products.
The trick to remember is this: moisture comes first, then comes hold. Moisture comes in the form of leave-in conditioners and cream. Then, you use a holding product like a mousse or gel to enhance definition. These won’t work as well if your hair isn’t already feeling moisturised and hydrated, so don’t skip out on that first step!
Effortless Waves Spray
If you’re after a beachy, breezy wavy look, the Effortless Waves Spray will become your new favourite. It’s ultra-lightweight, adding soft hold and definition to waves and reducing frizz, without any crunch. Apply to wet hair after your usual cream or leave-in, spraying throughout the mid-lengths towards the end of the hair. Use the raking method to ensure all waves are covered, then scrunch to enhance your waves. Finish by diffusing or air-drying.
Bouncy Strength Volume Foam
For the ultimate volumised look, try the Bouncy Strength Volume Foam. Foams are your best bet for adding volume to your styling routine, enhancing your natural wave pattern in the process. This lightweight protein-enriched foam provides soft-hold volume thanks to the unique blend of hydrolyzed rice protein, strengthening shiitake mushroom and smoothing blackcurrant. Apply to wet hair after your usual moisturising products, using praying hands to ensure even distribution. Scrunch, before diffusing or air-drying.
Hydro Style Flexi Jelly
And, if you want wavy definition without compromising on volume, go for a liquid gel like the Hydro Style Flexi Jelly. This medium-hold formula won’t weigh down waves, and contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to look in moisture, reducing frizz without making hair feel stiff. Scrunch, scrunch, scrunch - then leave to air dry or diffuse.
Best Wavy Products to Create Volume
Wavy hair sits in the in-between zone of straight and curly - meaning waves don’t always have quite the same amount of springiness that curlier hair does to hold themselves up. This means they can easily be pulled down by gravity, making hair appear flatter from the root. Thankfully, the Curlsmith Volume Recipe is perfect for this - you can find everything you need from hair-wash to styling in this range.
Invincible Volume Mousse
You can also go for the Invincible Volume Mousse - an innovative gel-to-mousse formula that adds volume and hold all at the same time. Designed for all curl types, this mousse doesn’t contain any drying alcohol - meaning your waves will appear thicker and fuller, without compromising your hair.
Hairspray to Lock in your Wavy Style
To lock in beautiful bouncy waves beyond your hair-wash day, the Flawless Finish Hairspray is a hero. While many hairsprays on the market contain drying alcohols, this one is formulated specifically for waves, curls and coils - controlling frizz, protecting against humidity and keeping your curls in place all day without creating a sticky, damaging cast. It’s especially useful if you’re in a hot climate, or want an up-do to stay in place all night long. Shake well before use, then spray about 7-9 inches away from your dry, styled hair, then allow to set.
Recommended Accessories for Flawless Waves
It’s not just the products you put into your hair that make a difference to your waves. The accessories you use can also make a huge impact. This is especially important for making your waves last for a few days in between your washes.
1. Microfibre towels
Styling products are best applied to soaking wet hair (then left to air-dry or diffuse), but if you want to absorb excess water before continuing with your day, stick to a microfibre towel. These towels are super-soft and thin, drying hair while also preventing friction and frizz.
TOP TIP: Use the towel to ‘plop’ or scrunch after your mousse and gel. It’ll absorb any excess water and product, while also helping dry your hair.
2. Diffusers
Air-drying is always an option for curly hair, but sometimes we just want to get on with our days. Not only will a diffuser (used on a low wind and heat setting) speed up drying, it’ll also lock your waves into a beautiful and consistent pattern. The Defrizzion Dryer & XXL Diffuser comes with an extra-large 8 inch diffuser, allowing you to dry your hair in no time at all.
3. Satin or silk pillowcases, bonnets and scrunchies
To protect your wave pattern overnight, satin should be your best friend. Silky and smooth, satin protects against tugging, tangles and friction, reducing frizz and knots in the morning. Tie hair into a loose pineapple using a satin scrunchie, and then rest your weary head on a satin pillowcase (or opt for a satin bonnet - whatever works for you!).
For wavy hair, trust Curlsmith
Every wavy hair pattern and texture is different, which means every routine will be too. It’s important to try what works best for you, and make changes if needed. Whatever you choose, rest assured Curlsmith has everything you could need - from shampoo to leave-in to mousse to gel, and everything in between. Whether you want enhanced volume, reduced frizz, or waves that look defined and controlled, you can trust Curlsmith’s wave-loving cruelty-free products. Show your waves some love, and they will love you back.
