Try This Low-Maintenance Wavy Hair Routine

Do your strands fall in a loose “S” pattern—not straight but not quite ringlets? If so, you have wavy hair. You might go through ups and downs with frizz, oiliness and getting your strands to fall the way you want them to—and that’s totally normal.

If you’re tired of straightening your hair into submission or being stuck in a revolving door of products that don’t really work for your waves, we have a low-maintenance wavy hair routine for you—no hassle, heat or heavy ingredients involved.

It helps to know the basics of your hair type (after all, different waves have different needs!), so start with this guide if you need a refresher. You can also check out this curl pattern guide to learn more about your wave type. Then, follow these steps to bring out the best of your waves the easy way.

Step 1: Cleanse

Start by gently cleansing your hair and scalp with a sulfate-free shampoo (sulfates can be drying and cause frizz). A proper cleanse prevents product buildup from dulling your shine and weighing down your locks so your natural wave pattern can flourish.

The key is to choose the right shampoo for your hair type:

• Have fine hair that gets oily and flat? Try our Volumizing Shampoo for lifted roots and better bounce.
• Have coarse or frizzy hair? Try our Smoothing Shampoo to lock in moisture, lock out frizz and boost shine.

Step 2: Condition and detangle

After cleansing, use conditioner to moisturize and strengthen your strands, concentrating on your mid-lengths to ends so you don’t get greasy roots.

We typically recommend our Volumizing Conditioner or Smoothing Conditioner based on your hair type and goals. With the nuances of wavy hair, your best Odele wash routine might include a mix between product lines like Volumizing Shampoo paired with Smoothing Conditioner—the product quiz will point you in the right direction.

Have dry or damaged hair? Try using a hydrating mask in lieu of conditioner once a week. Our Moisture Mask takes only five minutes, but it leaves hair with long-lasting hydration and shine.

Detangling is easiest to do when your hair’s saturated with conditioner, so take advantage of the slip. A wide-tooth comb can gently work through knots while also helping the conditioner evenly coat your strands.

Step 3: Style

The real magic happens post-shower. After rinsing out your conditioner, thoroughly and gently squeeze excess water from your hair with your hands or a microfiber towel (rubbing will generate frizz). Let your hair air dry partially before applying products. When it’s about 60-75% dry, that’s when wavy hair is primed for styling.

Once you’ve hit your mark on dampness, follow up with Air Dry Styler—the holy grail of heatless styling products. It’s ideal for wavy hair types because it lightly hydrates while providing just enough hold to define waves without making them stiff or crunchy. See: Exhibit A!

Looking for something a little more sculpting? Try our Flex Hair Gel—it provides a medium hold for extra definition, but it’s still crunch-free.

Overall, wavy hair will get along best with lightweight products like water-based gels, creams and pomades, especially if it’s fine or has low porosity. Avoid heavy, oil-based products since these can make waves look greasy and lose shape.

Using your hands or a comb, work your styling products evenly through the lengths of your hair—avoiding the roots. Then give it a scrunch or two, and let it continue to air dry. That’s it!

Step 4: Refresh

Keep riding the waves after wash day by spritzing Texturizing Sea Salt Spray for a volume boost. Sea salt is a natural texturizer, perfect for adding oomph to second- or third-day hair.