Wavy Texture

Discover your texture

Hair Rules Texture Spectrum

Hair Rules Texture Spectrum - hair texture can be understood as being somewhere with in a texture spectrum that moves from straight to wavy to curly to kinky.
Straight
Wavy
Curly
Kinky

Straight

1A-1C
Straight textures are known for their uniquely unbending, flowing pattern. They can have fine to coarse strands.
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Wavy

2A-2C
Wavy textures have a naturally, loosely curving s-pattern. They can have fine to coarse strands.
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Curly

3A-3C
Curly textures are known for their looping or spiraling s-patterns. They can have fine to coarse strands.
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Kinky

4A-4C
Kinky textures have tight coiling s-patterns. They can have a range of fine to coarse strands.
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Rediscover Your Wavy Texture

Hair that naturally has a loose s-pattern. Wavy textures can have fine, medium, or coarse strands.

Pattern: Curving

Wavy textures can be identified by their flexible, loose wavy shape, especially when near the straight texture end of the spectrum, or lightly curving or spiraling pattern as it approaches the curly portion of the spectrum. It’s known to lie close to the head but is more voluminous than straight textures. Not sure if you have wavy hair? Visit the straight or curly texture pages to find out!

Wavy hair gently curves but there’s more to wavy textures than it’s natural movement. The lesser known, yet equally important, part of what makes individual textures so unique is the other contributor of texture: strand thickness.

Strand Thickness

Texture goes beyond your hair’s pattern and encompasses the thickness of each strand, or cuticle, of hair. Wavy textures can have fine, medium, or coarse strands. Because of the pattern of wavy textures, their strands can give off a range of sheen.

Similar to the texture spectrum, sheen has a spectrum of its own. On one end is “shine”, and on the other is “luster”. Healthy wavy strands can have a mix of shine and luster. Finer strands tend to be shinier, whereas medium or coarse strands tend to be more lustrous. Knowing the components that make up your unique texture is important. They can help you navigate which products work best for you.
illustration of fine wavy hair

Fine

Illustration of medium thickness wavy hair

Medium

Illustration of coarse wavy hair

Coarse

Closeup of long dark wavy hair on a white background

Wavy Hair Concerns

Your texture is unique, but so is how you treat your texture and scalp. Oiliness, dryness, heat damage, flatness, dullness, color treatments, frizziness, and more all contribute to what products you need and how to use them. Visit our glossary to identify things that are unique to you, and learn how they might be affecting your hair.

Wavy Hair Rules

01

Enhance your curves

Accentuate the natural shape of your waves: first, with lightweight products designed for waves, such as light gels or mousses.

Second, get a cut designed for wavy hair. For instance, a layered cut will help the natural curve of your waves come to life.

Try: Wavy Mousse

02

Keep it light

Wavy hair lies close to the head which can make it prone to oiliness. From start to finish, maintain volume and a balanced scalp without sacrificing hydration by using lightweight products.

A weightless leave-in conditioner is a must for wavy textures. It seals in moisture that lasts through the day without reducing volume!

Try: Nourishment Leave-in Moisturizer

03

Protect your waves

Wavy textures are no stranger to frizz. Frizz can be caused by multiple things that can all be traced back to one thing: hair lacking hydration.

A go-to, daily frizz-fighter is a reliable heat protectant. Adding a fortifying layer to your routine will infuse and nourish hair soft, frizz-free, and weightless waves.

Try: Blow It All Out™

Products for Wavy Textures

From start to finish, we’ve got your wavy tresses covered.
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