How to Make Your Hair Wavy

Last Updated: January 28, 2023 References

Wavy hair is a great alternative when you don't feel like wearing your hair straight or curly. There are countless ways to get wavy hair, ranging from heat to no-heat. Even if you already have wavy hair, you might want to check this out; it will help shape and tame your waves.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Curling Iron

1
Apply a volumizing product and a heat protectant to damp hair. You need to start with damp hair because you will be blow drying it first, unless your hair is naturally straight. This will help make your waves appear smoother while also adding volume.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The volumizing product is especially important if your hair doesn't hold styles well.
- If your hair tends to get frizzy, use a smoothing product instead.
2
Part your hair as desired, then blow dry it straight using a round brush. If your hair is naturally straight, then you can skip the blow dryer. Place the brush under a thin section of hair, and pull it slowly down towards the ends. Point your hairdryer down on top of the hair that’s wrapped around the brush. As you reach the ends, rotate the brush downwards so that the ends curl in.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Hold the brush horizontally and parallel to the floor, not vertically.
- Work in small sections, starting at 1 side of your head and finishing at the other.
- The sections should be a little shorter than the brush. How thin they are depends on how thick your hair is; the thicker it is, the thinner the sections should be.
- If you want to add volume, blow dry your hair upwards at the roots as well.
Advertisement
3
Curl your hair using a 1 in (2.5 cm) curling iron. This time, hold the curling iron vertically and perpendicular to the floor. Wrap thin sections around the rod, alternating them as you work your way around your head.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Wrap 1 section towards your face, and the other away from your face. This will give your waves a more natural look.
4
Brush or comb your hair to separate the waves. Which tool you use depends on how fluffy you want your hair to be. If you use a brush, your waves will loosen and soften up more. If you use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers, the waves will retain their shape.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- It would be a good idea to let your hair cool for a few minutes first, or use the cool setting on your blow dryer after you finish blow drying each section. If you brush or comb it while it is still warm, you’re more likely to undo those gorgeous waves.
5
Mist your hair with hairspray to help set the style. If you want to add a little more volume to your style, mist some dry shampoo onto your hair instead, focusing on the roots.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Waves without Heat

1
Dampen your hair and part it down the middle. Your hair needs to be damp in order for this to work, so either mist it with water from a spray bottle, or take a quick shower. Next, part your hair down the middle.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You can change your part later, after you have created the waves. You need an equal amount of hair on each side of your hair.
- Make sure that your hair is not dripping wet, or it will take too long to dry.
2
Gather a section of hair from the front and split it in half. Choose a side on your head to start on: left or right. Next, gather a section of hair from the front of your head, right next to the part. Split that section in half.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The section should be at least twice the width of your index finger.
3
Twist both sections together 2 times. Twist each section downwards individually first to create 2 ropes. Next, twist the sections together upwards by bringing the outermost section over the inner section.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- This process is sort of like creating a rope braid.
4
Add some hair to the outer rope. Gather a long, vertical section of hair, spanning from your part down to your hairline, and add it to the outer rope. Depending on the direction you split your hair in, this section will either be on the bottom or next to your face.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- This step is similar to French braiding or French rope braiding.
5
Twist the ropes together once, and repeat until you reach your nape.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} This is similar to French braiding, except that you are only adding hair to the bottom/outer section. Keep adding sections of hair to the outer rope, then twisting the rope over the inner rope. When you reach your nape, stop.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- When you are done, the hair that you were working with should be ready to gather into a pigtail, which you will later turn into a bun. In the end, you'll end up with 2 buns!
6
Twist the rest of your hair into a bun. For a more wavy look, finish with a rope braid first. For a less wavy look, simply combine the 2 ropes into 1 thick rope instead. Twist the rope(s) into a bun, then secure it with a hair tie.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Don’t add the hair from the other side of the part into the bun.
7
Repeat process for the other side of your head. Gather a section of hair from the other side of your head. Create a French rope braid, only adding hair to the bottom strand. Finish with a bun, then secure the bun with a second hair tie.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- All of your hair should be gathered into your buns at this point.
8
Let your hair dry completely. Depending on how thick and porous your hair is, expect to wait least 6 hours or overnight for your hair to dry.^{[14]
X
Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} This is very important, because if your hair is not completely dry, the waves will come out of your hair!^{[15]
X
Research source}
9
Undo your buns and braids. Work 1 bun and braid at a time. Remove the hair tie from your first bun, and gently unwind it. Next, use your fingers to carefully unravel the French rope braid.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- If your hair feels damp at any point, stop! Wrap it back up into a bun and let it dry some more.
10
Finger comb your hair, then set it with hairspray. You can also use a wide-toothed comb for this step, but do not use a brush, or you will get frizz.^{[17]
X
Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Once you have your hair combed out, you can part it the way you want it, then mist it with hairspray.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- If you want more volume, flip your hair over, mist it with hairspray, then flip it back.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating Waves with a Hairdryer

1
Apply a small amount of hair product to damp hair. Dampen your hair with water from a spray bottle or in the shower. Make sure that it is no longer soaking-wet, then apply a volumizing mousse, focusing on the roots.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- If your hair is prone to frizz, use a smoothing cream.
2
Apply a heat protectant and blow dry your roots for additional lift. This step is completely optional. If you already have thick hair, then you may not even need to do this. If you have fine or limp hair, however, blow dry just your roots to give them some lift.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Don’t blow dry all of your hair just yet.
3
Create multiple braids. This is key to creating waves. Divide your hair into 4 to 8 sections, then braid each section. Do a simple 3-strand braid on each section of hair. Hold your hair straight out from your scalp as you braid is so that the braids stick out; this will help give you a little more volume.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- The more sections you create, the smaller and tighter the waves will be.
4
Finish blow drying your hair. If you don't want to use a hairdryer, you can certainly let your hair air dry instead. Make sure that your hair is completely dry before you move on, however. If your hair is the slightest bit damp, the waves won't stay.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- Speed up the air drying process by sitting out in the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen!
5
Undo the braids and gently finger comb your hair. If your hair feels even the slightest bit damp as you are unbraiding it, braid it back up and let it dry some more. Once you have taken all of the braids out, run your fingers through your hair to help break up the waves.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- Do not brush your hair, or it will turn bushy. If you don't want to use your fingers, you can use a wide-toothed comb instead.
6
Mist your hair with a styling product. Hairspray, anti-humidity spray, and volumizing spray are all great choices here. It really depends on what you want. If you want the style to last, use hairspray. If your hair tends to get frizzy, anti-humidity spray will be your friend. Lastly, if you desire more volume, then use a volumizing spray!^{[24]
X
Research source}
- You can part your hair down the center or off to the side.

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How do I make my hair permanently wavy?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To achieve permanently wavy hair, you’d need to get a perm. A larger sized perm rod will give you waves.
Question

How can I make my hair wavy and stop it from becoming frizzy if I have curly hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To achieve waves while taming your frizzy, curly hair, you need to first blow dry your hair straight. Blow drying curly hair will elongate your tresses and reduce some of the frizziness of it. Afterwards, apply product such as a gel or cream and braid your hair into several braids. After your hair has dried, unravel the braids and you should have waves.
Question

If I make two buns instead of one, will it be the same?

Sharia Farhan

Community Answer

Yes, but then once you open your hair, your hair will be parted from the middle, since it dried that way.