Wavy hair has been an iconic look for years! This hair texture is often glamorized in the media through magazines, runway models, and celebrities. If you are one of the many individuals of the world that has wavy hair, then you know not everything is always flashing lights and cameras. Maintenance and styling isn't always a breeze, but don't worry, we have you covered on everything you need to know about wavy hair. In this article we will cover the main need to know topics such as:
It seems like in today's day and age many people want the long hair surfer look or voluminous waves ready to walk the red carpet. But wavy hair wasn’t always so sought after. Wavy hair started its glamorous debut in the 1920’s and 1930’s when silver screen actresses Josephine Baker and Esther Phillips popularized the “finger waves” look for women. But like every trend they come and go; wavy hair wouldn’t see its return until the 1990’s when actresses such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts sported their wavy hair on the red carpet.
For men, time tells a different story. There was less of an emphasis on hair texture, but more so on hair style. In almost every decade there was an iconic man with wavy hair each boasting a unique style from Charlie Chaplin to Kit Harrington.
Before anything, we need to identify if you have a wavy hair texture. Statistically, about 40-45% of people globally will have wavy hair. You’ll know that you fit in this criteria if your hair naturally makes an “S” pattern. This comes from a unique gene in your hair that does not allow the protein keratin to distribute evenly. This results in an intermediate of curly and straight hair.
Another key indicator that you may have wavy hair is volume. The difference in volume between straight hair and wavy hair is very distinguishable. Where straight hair tends to fall flat, wavy hair will tend to have more volume and appear much thicker due to the “S” pattern bend in the strands.
Now we need to talk about styling. With wavy hair being so versatile it's hard to figure out which style would go best for you. Ultimately hair style is a way to show the world your personality, so go for what you would like the best. These are just some of the popular options.
For women:
For men:
Now that we have discussed what style you should go with, how do you maintain healthy wavy hair without heat styling? Don’t worry we have you covered on that as well. These practices apply to both men and women. When it comes to washing your hair try not to overwash it. I know we have all been told that this will strip your hair of its natural oils. This is especially true with wavy hair. Certain shampoos affect your hair strands when washing as well, so it is important to pick the right one for you.
Many people with wavy hair find it helpful to use a sulfate free shampoo, while others even opt for the “no shampoo” option. Alternatively, if you do want to shampoo your hair consistently, do so sparingly once every 3 to 4 days. When conditioning your hair, focus on the mid length to the ends of your hair, this will help define your waves in the long run. You can also use a leave-in conditioner to ensure moisturization for thicker more wavy hair.
The next step is drying. When it comes to drying wavy hair make sure you don’t pull too much on your hair, this often causes frizziness. Scrunch your hair with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel to set your style if you are pressed for time and need a quick way to dry. When combing, use a wide tooth comb over a brush on wet hair. This will be easier on the hair follicles as it leads to less pulling while also preventing breakage and preserving the waves.
When it comes to products, buying the most natural products will help hold in place any hairstyle. Avoid anything with alcohol as it has been proven to damage hair over time. As for wavy hair, lighter products such as mousse or sprays will be better for maintaining volume. A product that has become popularized for wavy hair, is sea salt texturizing spray. It gives you that natural beach curl look from the comfort of your home. The best part is drugstore sea salt sprays are usually made with natural ingredients, so you can even experiment with making your own at home!
Embracing Wavy Hair
Hair is such an important part of who we are as an individual. It is an extension of our personality, and changes the way we are perceived by others. One change in style can make someone go from bold and adventurous, to timid and reserved. Embracing your natural hair can sometimes be difficult, however, it is important to remember that in the long term the lack of heat damage helps prevent hair loss and brittleness. We hope this article has helped you with styling, maintaining, and understanding your wavy hair. And we wish you the best of luck on your hair care journey! There are many fabulous styles to choose from, so why not try them all?
