Confession time: as a beauty editor, mastering the art of hair styling has always eluded me. Skincare? I nail it! Makeup? A breeze! But, for some frustrating reason, making my hair look good has never been my forte. (Until now, that is.) Even though it took me close to 30 years, I recently discovered that my hair—surprisingly—has a lot of natural wave. Over the past year, I skipped the electrical heat tools and let it air dry, leading me to the revelation that there’s some significant bounce to my mane, sans styling.
Excitingly, I was able to unlock a new world of styling possibilities and ever since, I’ve become obsessed with getting the most beautiful, cascading waves as humanly possible. The real game-changer? Finding the right products and routine to enhance and embrace my natural waves. Whether it’s the perfect shampoo and conditioner duo or a good curl cream, I’ve tested a few dozen haircare products to really know what’s best for this type of hair pattern.
Below, you’ll find 15 of my favorite wavy hair essentials—perfect for a newbie, like me, or a seasoned styling pro. Keep scrolling for all of the must-haves I highly recommend for anyone else trying to enhance their natural waves.
Get effortless beach waves with this weightless hydrating wave spray from Dae. It’s enriched with hibiscus flower extract and prickly pear seed oil, and I love to spraying it on damp or dry hair, alike. (It also happens to smell insanely good.)
Function of Beauty
Mini Bond Repair Custom Conditioner Mask for Wavy, Damaged Hair
This mini recovery mask from Function of Beauty’s pro line adds flexibility, body, and shine to wavy hair that’s recovering from damage. Over time, you’ll find that the key ingredients like lysine and manketti seed oil repair hair back to its health.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Scalp Serum
Good hair starts with a healthy scalp. As someone who suffers from some flaking, I like to use this scalp serum from Barbara Sturm to keep the skin on my head hydrated and moisturized.
Leonor Greyl
Mousse Au Lotus Volumatrice Styling Mousse
A leave-in styling mousse is perfect for enhancing and defining your natural waves. Packed with hydrating lotus extract, organic oils, and the zesty scent of lime, this one from Leonor Greyl is the ultimate companion for effortless wavy hair. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, paraben-free, and vegan.
Edition de Parfums Frédéric Malle
Carnal Flower Parfum Hair Mist
Now that my hair looks incredible, I need it to smell good, too. I’m a huge fan of Frédéric Malle fragrances, and the iconic scent, Carnal Flower, is ideal for my waves—the fragrance of milky tuberose and musk cover every curl.
Oribe
Swept Up Volume Powder Spray
Because I have fine, wavy hair (and a lot of it), I like to throw in a volume powder spray to amp up the curliness. This one from Oribe is safe for color-treated hair (I like to go a shade darker with a gloss) and works as a styling assistant, too.
Ceremonia
Guava Beach Waves Hair Texturizing Spray
Get hair that looks like you came straight out of the ocean without the sand with Ceremonia’s guava-powered texturizing salt spray. Perfect for fine, medium, or thick hair, it enhances waves, fights frizz, and protects against UV for effortlessly voluminous locks.
Crown Affair
The Refillable Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo from Crown Affair has been my saving grace over the past few months. As a fine-haired, wavy, and oily girl, this easy-to-use brush can be swept wherever you’re experiencing dullness or grease—for me, it’s always the front bangs. No spraying required!
Dyson
Limited Edition Supersonic Hair Dryer in Pink and Rose Gold
To get stunning waves with the most body, a diffuser is key. I use the Dyson Supersonic to lightly dry my wet hair and then utilize the diffuser attachment by taking hair section by section and placing it into the attachment.
T3
Singlepass Curl X 1.25” Ceramic Extra-Long Barrel Curling Iron
I’m still getting the hang of styling my wavy hair so yes, some sections are a little flatter than others. I love to grab a curler with a barrel to help make my hair look more uniform and also give it a little refresh for day two or three.
Briogeo
Superfoods Banana + Coconut Hydrating Salt-Free Soft Wave Texture Spray
For a softer wave, opt for this ultra-hydrating wave spray from Briogeo. You’ll never get that icky stick or crunch!
ACT+ ACRE
Cold Processed Curl Nourishing Shampoo
Crafted as a nourishing wash, this shampoo from Act+Acre delicately purifies the scalp while infusing moisture to revitalize waves, enhancing their natural definition and bounce. Effectively dissolving impurities, excess oil, and product residue, you’re left with refreshed strands and tons of shine.
Iles Formula
Curl Revive Spray
Because my hair is fine and wavy, the curl pattern dies down a little bit on the second and third day after my wash. Whenever that happens, I like to use this curl revive spray with activating ingredients like coconut alkanes, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, pentaclethara macrobola seed oil, and silk extract to bring my hair back to life.
Oribe
Burgundy & Green Italian Resin Wide Tooth Comb
I use the curly girl method whenever I wash my hair, and that starts with detangling wet and conditioned hair in the shower to ensure that your hair isn’t in any knots once you are done washing the hair. This wide tooth comb is gentle, beautiful, and works well getting through strands.
Drybar
Triple Sec 3-In-1 Texturizing Finishing Spray
I don’t know about you, by my fine, wavy hair often looks duller and more lackluster than I ideally want it to. To add in some texture and volume, I use Drybar’s Triple Sec for an easy refresh.
