Wavy hair exists on a spectrum between straight and curly. If your hair exhibits any of the following characteristics, it’s likely wavy:
1. Your hair is wavy when wet, yet dries straight
Many with wavy hair find their waves disappear as their hair air dries. The curls relax into loose S-shapes or soft textures.
2. You experience frizz. Especially during humidity
Frizz is a tell-tale sign of wavy hair that lacks definition. Humidity causes the cuticle to lift, resulting in fuzziness.
3. Your hair looks puffy or flicks out
Wavy hair tends to have more volume at the roots that cascades into loose shapes down the shaft. It has a tendency to puff up rather than hang straight.
4. Your hair is unmanageable
Without the right products and techniques, wavy hair can be unruly. But with care, you can enhance its natural texture.
5. Blow drying, yet it’s still frizzy
Blow drying wavy hair when wet can exacerbate frizz since it’s agitating the cuticle further. Gentle drying methods work best.
How To Awaken Your Wavy Hair
The curly girl method is effective for wavies. Avoid sulfates and silicones, focusing on lightweight creams and gels. Scrunch product into soaking wet hair to encourage clumping. Plop or diffuse for soft definition. Regular deep conditioning also plumps waves. With patience and moisture, you can train wavy hair to shine.
In closing, figuring out your natural hair texture takes trial and error. But with the right routine, wavy locks can flow beautifully whether air dried or styled. Play up your waves and embrace what nature gave you! Let me know if any part needs more explanation.
How do you tell if you have wavy hair?
The best way is to examine your hair when wet without product. Gently stretch a strand between your fingers – if it forms gentle S shapes rather than hanging straight, it’s wavy. Waviness can also be harder to see on shorter haircuts. As hair grows longer, patterns typically become more apparent.
Do I have naturally straight or wavy hair?
Some have a mix of textures – straight at the roots fading to looser waves at the ends. Evaluate your hair when a baby/child, as texture is usually persistent. However, damage from heat tools/dyes can sometimes straighten naturally wavy hair over time. If unsure, avoid high heat styling for a few weeks to observe regrowth patterns.
What is considered wavy hair?
| Hair Type | Description |
| Loose Waves (2A) | Hair has a loose, silky texture and tends to form subtle waves near the ends with some straight pieces near the root. |
| Spiral Waves (2B) | Hair spirals gently away from the head and is easiest to see when wet. Waves are noticeable but may straighten in parts when dry. |
| Tight Spirals (2C) | Tight ringlets and coils that are clearly defined. Waves are uniform and active all over, though individual hairs may cross over each other. |
| Coilies (2C/3A) | Highly textured hair on the boundary between wavy and curly, with very tight ringlets/spirals and some looser sections near the root. May appear curly when wet/styled. |
Does straight hair get wavy when wet?
For some with straight-leaning hair, wetting can cause a temporary wave as it relaxes between washes. But truly wavy hair maintains its shape when wet without product, even if the waves are loose and relaxed. If wet hair is pin-straight, the natural texture is likely straight as well.
How do I activate wavy hair?
Gentle treatments like regular deep conditioning, sleeping in a satin bonnet, and avoiding excess heat styling can help naturally wavy hair flourish. Cowashing between shampoos retains moisture. Lightweight gels or mousses scrunched into soaking wet hair before plopping or diffusing are ideal for definition without frizz. With TLC, hidden waves will start to shine!
Conclusion
Embracing your natural wavy texture takes some experimentation. But with the right techniques and products, you can enhance your hair’s gorgeous potential. Be patient as you learn what methods work best for defining your particular wave pattern without frizz.
Whether you air-dry for beachy natural texture or use styling tools for gorgeous movement, play up your waves with pride. Your hair is a reflection of you – make the most of its unique qualities through moisture and care. With some trial and error, you’ll soon be loving your lovely locks in all their wavy glory
