By hair type · Sub-chapter 02
The S-pattern that disappears in humidity and comes back wrong after a blowout. The full library for enhancing what's already there.
212 how-to's · Updated 29 April 2026 · Avg. 4 min per piece · Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director
Editor's note
Wavy hair sits at the most contested intersection in hair care: too wavy for straight, not curly enough for curl products, and permanently advised to 'just pick a side.' Don't. Wavy hair has a pattern that responds to encouragement — the right amount of moisture, the right hold, and the patience not to touch it while it dries.
Other hair types
What 'wavy hair' actually means
Wavy hair grows from a slightly oval follicle and forms a loose S-pattern from root to tip. It's classified as Type 2 (2A through 2C), ranging from a barely-there bend to strong, defined waves that almost read as loose curls.
Myth, meet fact
- Myth: Wavy hair is just straight hair with frizz. Fact: Frizz is lost wave pattern trying to form. Wavy hair needs moisture and hold principles just like curly hair — just lighter-handed.
- Myth: Curl products are too heavy for waves. Fact: Lightweight curl creams and gels work. The mistake is using the same quantity, not the same product.
- Myth: You have to scrunch constantly while it dries. Fact: Scrunch once to encourage pattern, then leave it completely alone.
Everything we've published on wavy hair
- The squish-to-condish technique
- Why your waves disappear after washing
- Gel cast for wavy hair — get it, break it right
- Plopping: a complete beginner's guide
- Diffusing wavy hair without disrupting pattern
- Low-poo vs co-wash for wavy hair
- Humidity and wavy hair — what actually works