Wavy hair: Bouclème’s complete guide

Are your straight, frizzy locks actually waves in disguise? For many of us, wavy hair remains an undiscovered treasure, hidden beneath years of incorrect styling. Unlike defined curls, waves fall somewhere between sleek and spiralled, with a soft, natural bend that often goes unnoticed until the right techniques bring them to life. 

Depending on your hair’s thickness and wave pattern, your waves can range from barely there to full-on bouncy beach waves, so mastering the art of caring for and styling woke-up-like-this wavy hair can be as intricate as it is rewarding. 

At Bouclème, we believe in celebrating the unique beauty of every hair type, and we’re here to guide you through how to create artfully undone wavy locks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share the secrets to nailing the perfect wave.

What does wavy hair look like?

Wavy hair is often categorised into three distinct wave patterns that require tailored care to truly shine. Understanding these patterns can help you address their specific needs and challenges:

Soft wave

• Grows straight at the crown, then develops into waves toward the ends. 
• Loose waves with a fine texture – sometimes they’re barely noticeable!
• Usually easy to manage, prone to minimal frizz and don’t require heavy styling. 

Wavy

• Grows straight but shapes into larger, S-shaped waves at the crown.
• Defined waves with medium texture, and a bit more body – a voluminous beachy wave.
• Can be prone to frizz so needs some styling support.  

Deep wave

• Small to medium-sized waves that form into an S-shape as they grow from the crown.
• Defined waves, with a coarser texture. 
• More frizz and needs more effort to maintain definition and control.

You might have one, two or even three of these patterns – for example, denser, tighter waves underneath with straighter, frizzier waves at the crown. Colour can also affect your waves and how they behave – bleached waves may be dry and need more moisture.

How to know if you have wavy hair

If your hair is prone to frizz and feels unruly, you might assume it’s simply unmanageable and in need of ‘taming’ with straighteners. However, many people don’t realise that frizz can be a sign of natural waves waiting to be defined. Some natural waves can easily get lost under frizz, especially with fine hair, often because people brush their waves out instead of enhancing them.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• If your thick hair isn’t completely straight but lacks clear curls, it may fall into the wavy category, with hidden texture that’s revealed through proper styling. 
• If your hair tends to flick out on its own, it’s likely waves are trying to take shape. 
• If your hair is wavy when wet, but straight when dry, it’s likely you have wavy hair that just needs a little encouragement. 

To discover your hair’s natural pattern, take a few wet strands and place them flat on a white surface. As they air-dry, observe how they naturally curl or wave. You might notice a mix of patterns, as hair often varies in curl type across different sections. 

Need more details? Read our guide to curly hair types: how do I work out my curl pattern.

How to care for wavy hair: building a wavy hair care routine

First you’ll need dedicated wavy hair products: Bouclème’s 30 Days to Waves Kit is a fantastic option that prepares your waves for styling with a nourishing, hydrating formula and contains everything you need to create juicy definition. Here’s what’s inside: 

• Hydrating Hair Cleanser (300ml): gently cleanses scalp and hair
• Curl Conditioner (300ml): detangles, strengthens, protects
• Curl Defining Gel (300ml): smoothes and defines
• Super Hold Styler (250ml): gives long-lasting hold and definition.

Don’t just take our word for it – it’s been life-changing for one of our happy customers: “Really impressed at how wavy/curly my hair can actually be! Total liberation from blow drying and straightening!” 

No looking back now – it’s time to fully embrace your waves! Here’s how to use the 30 Days to Waves Kit.

Cleanse 

Wash with a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo that cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Wavy hair is the least dry of all curly hair types (unless bleached) and may get an oilier scalp more quickly, so you may need to wash it more frequently. We love our Hydrating Hair Cleanser to gently remove dirt and build-up.

Condition

Follow up with a hydrating conditioner like Curl Conditioner to replenish and maintain moisture and enhance wave definition. After cleansing, apply generously to soaking wet hair and comb through with your fingers. Leave in to hydrate thirsty waves or rinse out of finer textures and balanced hair. 

The result? “This new formula is great for the extra slip I need for detangling my long wavy hair,” says one reviewer. “I cannot stress enough how much better my natural waves look with Bouclème as opposed to before I switched to curl-friendly products!”

Style

While your hair’s still wet, finish with this stellar styler: Curl Defining Gel, which dries to create a soft cast around curls, holding your style and curl shape with a lasting medium hold. “It smells lovely and does the job! Shiny curly, manageable hair, with no crunchy, sticky bits,” reports a reviewer. 

If you find that your curls or waves go flat or feel weighed down by gels, try Super Volumising Foam. This lightweight foam reduces frizz, enhances curl retention and conditions your hair for lasting waves – perfect for waves that drop during the day. 

Looking for extra hold? Meet Super Hold Styler, the ultimate for definition and firm hold, a gel to keep your waves in check even on the busiest of days. Apply to soaking wet hair for best results. Rake through section by section, then scrunch up. Once dry, gently squeeze curls to break the cast. One reviewer said it gave “definition, yet wasn't too heavy for my thin, slightly wavy hair...love it!”

To finish, lightly mist your hair with Bouclème’s Flexible Hold Hair Spray, ideal for setting your waves without adding stiffness, ensuring a natural, flowing finish. “I am BLOWN away by how amazing this hairspray is as my one and only styler!” says one of our reviewers. “I use this on wet hair and scrunch it in. It gives just the slightest amount of cast, without weighing my very fine hair down. After some light diffusing and final air drying, I have soft, touchable and shiny waves!”

Top tips for styling and drying wavy hair

Achieving perfect waves requires the right techniques. Here are some stellar tricks that really do work to enhance your waves. Yes, they have weird names but if you’re new to embracing your waves, these tips will change your life!

1. Squish to condish

Begin by applying enough styling product to your wet hair so that when you squeeze it, you hear a slight squelching sound. This ensures your hair has the right amount of moisture to prevent your conditioner from weighing it down.

Do this while you’re still in the shower – we tend to keep our Curl Conditioner handy to save time and effort!

Hair needing extra moisture? Incorporate Curl Cream for wavy hair, an ultra-nourishing, leave-in conditioner for velvety, bouncy waves. “I use this to give my hair moisture while air drying my hair and before using Curl Defining Gel,” enthuses another reviewer. “Gives excellent results and leaves no greasy residue. I’ve managed to find the perfect balance of this product and the gel to give great definition to my waves.”

2. Plop 

Forget wrapping your hair up in a terry-cloth bath towel! Try ‘plopping’ instead. This method involves gently coiling your wet hair into our Curl Towel. It’s made from soft jersey that’s gentle on strands, helps reduce frizz, absorbs excess moisture and enhances natural wave formation. Learn more by reading how to stop frizzy hair after washing: plopping and pineapple-ing.

3. Scrunch

Scrunching (cupping your hands and squeezing the waves) is a versatile technique that not only helps define and shape your waves during the styling process but also works wonders for refreshing your hair throughout the day. 

After applying your styling products, scrunching helps to break the “cast” created by gels or creams, softening any crunchiness and allowing your waves to bounce back to life.

In the morning or at any time during the day, a quick scrunch can revive your waves, reducing any frizz, restoring their natural shape and texture and maintaining hydration, volume and definition. It’s an effortless way to ensure your waves stay looking fresh and vibrant from morning until night. 

4. How to dry wavy hair 

Drying your wavy hair properly is essential to preserving its natural texture and maintaining its health. The method you choose can significantly impact the definition, volume and overall appearance of your waves. Diffusing can really help amplify wave formation. It helps to dry wavy hair without disrupting its natural pattern, which is key to maintaining wave definition and reducing frizz. Here’s how to diffuse wavy hair like a pro:

1. Add Curl Defence Spray before diffusing to prevent heat damage.
2. Flip your head upside down or to the side to add volume at the roots. 
3. Gently cup sections of your hair in the diffuser, starting at the ends and moving towards the roots. 
4. Hold each section for a few seconds before moving to the next. 
5. Avoid touching or combing through your hair during this process, as this can cause frizz.
6. Once your hair is about 80% dry, stop diffusing to avoid over-drying, which can lead to frizz. 
7. Allow the remaining moisture to air-dry.

How to care for wavy hair between washes

Maintaining your wavy hair between washes is key to keeping your waves defined, frizz-free and fresh. Tie up your waves with one of our Silk Scrunchies, designed to combat breakage and minimise pressure on your locks.

Switching to our Silk Envelope Pillowcase can make a big difference. Unlike cotton, which can cause friction and strip moisture, silk is gentle on your hair, helping retain natural oils and reducing frizz and breakage. You’ll wake up with smoother, more manageable waves. 

For extra protection, try our 100% mulberry Silk Turban. It’s ideal for those who toss and turn at night, helping preserve your waves’ shape by minimising friction and moisture loss. This reduces frizz, dryness and breakage, making your morning styling routine easier. Read Beat the frizz: does sleeping with a mulberry silk pillowcase really help curly hair? to learn more.