Is My Hair Wavy Or Curly?

Ever stood in front of the mirror looking at your hair, wondering: Is it wavy? Is it curly? Why is it so frizzy? You’re not alone.

Don’t worry – we’re here to help you embrace your natural texture and show your hair some love (without reaching for the straighteners every five minutes). Here’s the definitive Bouclème answer to the eternal question: is my hair wavy or curly? Let’s find out!

Wavy vs. curly: what’s the difference?

Wavy hair is the middle child of the hair world – neither poker straight nor full-on curly. It typically forms soft, loose “S” shapes that don’t quite coil into a spiral. Waves can range from barely-there bends to full-on beachy goddess vibes. The key difference? Wavy hair lacks the tighter loops of curly hair but still has plenty of personality.

Curly hair, on the other hand, is all about defined curls and bouncy coils that start from the root. If your hair forms spirals when wet and dries with a spring, you’re likely in curly territory. Not sure? Read Curly hair types: how do I work out my curl pattern for more deets.

Clues that straight hair might be secretly wavy

Not all waves are obvious at first glance. Your hair might appear straight, but if you find yourself reaching for the straighteners to smooth out frizz, chances are there’s a hidden wave pattern waiting to shine. Whether it’s the way your hair behaves when wet or how it naturally dries, there are plenty of clues that your ‘straight’ hair might actually be wavy in disguise. 

1. Your hair looks wavy when wet, but dries straight

If your hair forms soft “S” shapes when wet but dries looking flat, it’s a clear sign you’ve got undercover waves. Without the right routine, those waves can lose their shape, leaving you with frizz that doesn't settle on its own - so you might find yourself brushing it straight to keep it in check.

2. Your hair often looks poofy or fluffy

Hair that’s naturally wavy tends to puff up without proper styling or hydration. That extra volume or fluffiness is your hair’s way of saying it needs moisture and a gentle styling routine to reveal its true texture.

3. Your ends flip in or out, refusing to lie flat

If your ends refuse to behave and naturally twist in or out, your hair likely has a natural wave pattern trying to show through. Straight hair rarely flips without help, so those bends are a key giveaway.

4. Your hair gets frizzy in humid weather

Frizz is a telltale sign of wavy (or curly) hair. Humidity brings out the texture in your hair, and if yours frizzes up at the first hint of moisture in the air, you’re likely working with waves.

5. Short haircuts make your hair extra thick and puffy

When wavy hair is cut short, it often expands, creating a thicker, puffier look. The shorter length removes weight, allowing your natural texture to spring up more freely – sometimes more than you anticipated!

6. Your wet haircut dries much shorter

If you’ve ever left the salon with a fresh cut only to find your hair significantly shorter once it dried, it might be your waves. Wavy hair shrinks as it dries because the texture naturally pulls up, making those freshly cut ends bounce higher than expected.

7. Your “straight” hair has bends or twists sometimes

Notice odd bends or twists in your hair that seem to appear out of nowhere? That’s a classic wavy hair characteristic. Even if they’re subtle, those bends are a clue your hair isn’t as straight as you think.

Ditch the straighteners: embrace your natural texture

If you’ve got wavy hair, you know the battle: it’s prone to frizz, often looks a bit meh without help, and can feel like it’s not quite sure what it wants to be. It’s also the hair type most likely to suffer from heat styling damage (yep, we’re calling you out). We’re talking about addiction to straighteners, and we’re here to help you go cold turkey.

If your GHDs are no longer a tool but a non-negotiable part of your morning routine, we get it. It’s easy to turn a blind eye to the split ends and ignore the occasional forehead burn when it takes just a few minutes to iron every last kink out of your natural hair (it's effortless compared to blowdrying). But over time, all that heat can wreak havoc, leaving your hair brittle, dry and crying out for hydration.

If you’re fed up with depending on your flat iron in your quest for sleek, perfectly polished hair, maybe it’s time to reclaim your natural waves or curls and see them as a true expression of individuality. Letting your natural texture shine through feels revolutionary, and the biggest surprise? The liberation.

There’s a certain joy in the way your hair moves when it’s free to bounce and sway, unburdened by heat or harsh styling. You stop worrying about frizz every time it drizzles or someone mentions going swimming. It feels lighter, more authentic – like you’ve stopped trying to fit into a mould and started celebrating what’s already yours.

Why wavy hair needs a different routine

Like curls, wavy hair deserves a routine tailored to its needs. Sometimes it can be finer than curly hair, so heavy products can weigh it down faster than you can say greasy roots. But here’s the thing: the right routine can make your waves pop like never before. Hydration, lightweight styling products and ditching the heat can transform your hair from lifeless to luscious.

Enter the Bouclème 30-Days Kits

Think your waves are destined to be flat, frizzy or unimpressive? Think again. Bouclème’s 30-Days Routines are your wavy and curly hair rescue squad. Packed with lightweight yet nourishing products designed to enhance your natural texture, they’re here to show your hair who’s boss. Whether you’re rocking barely-there bends, full-on mermaid waves or juicy curls, these kits are your chance to see just how defined, shiny and healthy your locks can actually be.

30 Days to Waves Kit

Waves need moisture but get weighed down easily. This is the perfect kit for waves and loose curls, containing naturally powerful products to clarify, condition and create hold for wonderfully weightless, healthy waves. Here’s the routine to follow: 

1. Use our Hydrating Hair Cleanser to gently remove dirt and build-up.

2. Replenish moisture and definition with our creamy Curl Conditioner. 

3. Finish with the stellar stylers, Curl Defining Gel and Super Hold Styler, for all-day frizz control. 

30 Days to Curls Kit

Quench your curls with this nourishing and nutrient-rich collection, containing everything you need to create va-va-voom definition. Here’s how to coax those curls: 

1. Cleanse without stripping away your hair’s natural oils with our non-foaming and conditioning Curl Cleanser. 

2. Follow with our super-hydrating Curl Conditioner to rebalance moisture, enhance definition and strengthen strands. 

3. Curl TLC comes in the form of our moisture-boosting Curl Cream to create velvety-soft curls. 

4. Finish with Curl Defining Gel to smooth and set curls with a medium hold.

Bouclème's Starter Kit

Want to try us out before you commit? The Bouclème Starter Kit is the perfect introduction to a complete curlcare routine, featuring four essentials designed to cleanse, hydrate and define your curls – think big curl love in small bottles.

1. Start with Hydrating Hair Cleanser – gently foaming for oily scalps.

2. Next comes our lightweight Curl Conditioner for soft, defined and shiny strands.

3. Layer on Curl Cream, a leave-in conditioner for velvety, bouncy locks.

4. Add moisturising, medium-hold Curl Defining Gel, for smooth and defined curls and waves.

It’s time to break up with the flat iron and let your waves take centre stage. Embrace your natural texture and watch your hair transform. No heat, no drama – just gorgeous, effortless waves that look like you’ve stepped off the beach.

Ready to wave goodbye to heat damage? Shop the Bouclème 30-Day Kits now and fall in love with your natural hair all over again.