Wavy Hair Looking Meh? You Need These 17 Defining Products ASAP
- 1/18
Wavy Hair Looking Meh? You Need These 17 Defining Products ASAP
If you have wavy hair, I’d be willing to bet you spend half your days desperately trying to find wavy hair products that actually work, and spend the other half saying f*ck it, nvm, it is what it is (cue: your go-to roster of braided hairstyles, messy buns, and quick updos). Wavy hair requires a ~delicate~ balance of hydration and hold, but annoyingly, a ton of wavy hair products tend to be all moisture (ahem, heavy oils and air-dry creams that leave you greasy), or all hold (see: sticky, crunchy, tangled-feeling finishes). Or if you’re really lucky, your new wavy hair product will do absolutely nothing at all—as if you just wasted $$ on water.
But it’s 2022, bb, and we’re not about disappointment this year. So to help you and your waves out, I chatted with two hairstylists—Jenna Spino and Naeemah LaFond—to handpick all the best shampoos, deep conditioners, texturizing sprays, and curl gels that’ll leave your wavy hair defined and smooth, not pulled-out and limp.
Right this way for a sneak peek of some of the best wavy hair products on the market rn, then keep reading for the complete list of our favorites plus answers to all your wavy hair questions.
Our top picks for the best wavy hair products of 2022
[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]
Now that you’re officially intrigued, keep scrolling for a full breakdown on the best wavy hair products to try ASAP, along with tips on how to enhance your wavy hair and how to choose the best wavy hair product for your specific type of waves.
Getty Images - 2/18
Dove Amplified Textures Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Dove
amazon.com
$15.90
For wavy hair that needs a lil moisture in the shower without feeling heavy or oily after rinsing, try this drugstore-favorite shampoo and conditioner duo. Both are formulated with moisturizing aloe, shea butter, and coconut oil to add that sweet, sweet softness to your hair that’ll help define your waves without leaving them looking stringy.
THE REVIEWS: “My waves are even more defined, smooth, and even have more bounce,” according to one tester. “My hair felt noticeably softer, smoother, and easier to brush.”
Courtesy Image - 3/18
TGIN Rose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo
Thank God It's Natural
amazon.com
$14.99
A common myth about fine hair? That it requires sulfate-filled shampoos to keep it feeling light and volumized. But nope—wavy hair is automatically drier than straight hair, so to keep your waves soft, shiny, and healthy, you’ll need a cleanser that actually helps hydrate, like this one. This sulfate-free shampoo gently breaks down buildup while adding just a bit of shine-enhancing moisture that won’t make your fine hair riot.
THE REVIEWS: “I have rather thick, low-porosity, fine hair, and TGIN shampoo gets my hair clean with no residue and helps my hair absorb conditioning and smells so nice and light,” writes one reviewer.
Courtesy Image - 4/18
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Clarifying Shampoo
Bumble and bumble
sephora.com
$27.00
Wavy hair feeling a little flat, dry, pulled-out, and meh? You may need a “reset” wash—i.e., when you wash your hair with a sulfate-based clarifying shampoo to strip away product buildup or mineral deposits (see: hard water, chlorine, dry shampoo, etc.). This cleanser uses sodium laureth sulfate, one of the harshest of the sulfate detergents, to reset your waves. It’s effective but hella drying, so limit your use to once or twice a month, avoid it on your freshly colored or chemically treated hair, and always follow with a deep conditioner on the ends.
THE REVIEWS: “This shampoo makes my hair and scalp feel super refreshed and clean when I’m done using it,” one reviewer writes, “but it never leaves my hair feeling stripped.”
Courtesy Image - 5/18
Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Waves Deep Conditioner
Ausie
amazon.com
$6.98
Waves need a very delicate balance of moisture: too much, and your hair gets greasy and weighed-down; too little, and your waves can become tangled and poofy (especially if you have dry hair). Enter: this cult-favorite deep conditioner that uses a hair-smoothing cocktail of fatty alcohols, hemp seed extract, and kakadu plum extract to keep your waves lightly moisturized and super soft.
THE REVIEWS: “This is one of my favorite go to drugstore deep conditioners,” writes one tester. “The price is fantastic and I can always count on it to easily condition my hair.”
Courtesy Image - 6/18
SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub
Fable & Mane
sephora.com
$32.00
Exfoliating your scalp with a scalp scrub once a month is basically a requirement for healthy hair growth and voluminous waves. Before shampooing or conditioning, part your wet hair with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, and massage this sea salt-based scrub along your scalp, section by section, to break down dead skin cells and product buildup. Shampoo and condition like normal to rinse out all the residue.
THE REVIEWS: “I had been struggling with product buildup on my long, very thick hair, and this has worked wonders,” writes one tester. “It leaves my hair silky, shiny and clean.”
Courtesy Image - 7/18
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil
Olaplex
sephora.com
$28.00
Don’t be scared of hair oils—they’re actually the MVP of locking in moisture and smoothing flyaways and split ends on wavy hair. The trick is finding an oil that’s lightweight, like the mix of moringa, sunflower, and grape-seed oils in this formula. Rub a few drops between your palms, then rake, smooth, and twist your fingers through your dry or damp hair to define your waves while adding a bit of shine.
THE REVIEWS: “I use this product exclusively on the ends of my hair after I shower,” writes one reviewer. “When my hair dries, it dries very soft and without any frizz.”
Courtesy Image - 8/18
John Frieda Frizz Ease Air Dry Waves Styling Foam
John Frieda
amazon.com
$9.99
If the 4,000 five-star reviews don’t prove the magic of this drugstore mousse, then I don’t know what will. For the days when you can’t be bothered to pull out your hair dryer and actually style your hair (me, most days), you need this air-dry foam that helps enhance and volumize your natural wave pattern, without the crunch or heat damage. Reviewers recommend scrunching 1-2 pumps through towel-dried hair, then letting it completely air-dry before touching it, or just leaving it untouched for a soft, beachy finish.
THE REVIEWS: “My hair looks voluminous but just feels conditioned and soft,” one review reads. “I have found the waves stay at least three days (the longest I can go without washing my hair).”
Courtesy Image - 9/18
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave In Conditioning Spray
Briogeo
amazon.com
$24.00
If there’s one product your wavy hair needs in its product arsenal, it’s this lightweight leave-in conditioner. Thanks to the formula’s mix of shea butter and oils (hi, rose hip, argan, and coconut), this leave-in spray lightly coats your hair cuticle with humidity-blocking moisture to help keep your waves soft and smooth, even in the sweaty summer months. *adds to cart immediately.*
THE REVIEWS: “It’s the only product I’ve ever used that actually reduces my frizz without weighing down or creating a weird coating on my hair,” a tester writes in one review. “Where has this been all my life?!”
Courtesy Image - 10/18
OUAI Wave Spray
OUAI
amazon.com
$28.00
If your definition of an easy hairstyle is just your natural hair but better, please meet your new BFF. Unlike traditional sea-salt sprays that leave your hair tangled and dry, this non-sticky spray uses a combo of strengthening proteins (like rice, keratin, and corn proteins), moisture-retaining humectants (like glycerin and panthenol), and hydrating coconut water to boost your natural wave pattern with just a few spritzes on wet or dry hair.
THE REVIEWS: “I have naturally wavy hair, and this is one of the only products I use anymore because it perfectly accentuates natural waves or curls,” according to one tester. “I just put it in slightly damp hair and crunch it a bit, and it results in lovely, soft waves.”
Courtesy Image - 11/18
UNITE Hair 7 Seconds Detangler
UNITE Hair
dermstore.com
$32.50
Anyone with wavy or curly hair knows that a brush is basically the enemy of good hair definition. Instead of trying to detangle on dry hair, mist this detangler throughout your freshly washed hair after showering. The formula’s conditioning panthenol and slippery silicones will help you gently comb out knots without messing with your waves or leading to breakage.
THE REVIEWS: “It’s a great all in one product that everyone should use,” writes one reviewer. “It detangles, adds shine, acts as a heat protector, and makes my hair really soft.”
Courtesy Image - 12/18
Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk
CAMILLE ROSE
ulta.com
$14.99
Yes, wavy hair is naturally drier than straight hair, but using a too-heavy cream or balm can often leave your waves weighed down and stretched out—i.e., the opposite of what you’re going for. Instead, try this lightweight cream that uses avocado oil and aloe vera to moisturize dry hair, while still absorbing quickly into your hair cuticle, thanks to its milky texture (ahem, that’s editor speak for “thin”).
THE REVIEWS: “I can use this everyday on my hair, and it keeps my hair moisturized and doesn't weigh down my hair,” reads one tester’s review. “It also works great as a styling product and smells amazing, like sugar cookies.”
Courtesy Image - 13/18
Noughty Hey Curl Scrunching Jelly
Noughty
ulta.com
$9.99
If the idea of scrunching your waves gives you flashbacks to your middle-school days, I get it. But this silicone-free jelly isn’t like the stiff, crunchy gel of your pre-teen days—it’s lightweight, flexible, and gives your hair a tiny bit of hold (think: a watered-down gel) that won’t flake off, no matter how much you use. Just rub a quarter-size drop of jelly through your palms, flip your wet hair over after showering, and gently cup and scrunch the gel into sections of your hair, finger-raking as you go to disperse the gel (need a visual? Check out this hair-scrunching tutorial).
THE REVIEWS: “If you have fine textured wavy/curly hair, you know the trouble with balancing moisture and finding the right products that aren't heavy but still effective,” writes one tester. “It provides definition and hold without weighing down hair.”
Courtesy Image - 14/18
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel
Ouidad
amazon.com
$24.47
If your wavy hair is both super dry and prone to poofing, you already know that one styling product is never gonna cut it. Instead, layer a dollop of this moisturizing gel (ty, glycerin and castor oil) on top of a lightweight leave-in conditioner or styling milk to keep your dry hair soft and defined, without the flaking or crunching.
THE REVIEWS: “This gel is so moisturizing for my dry hair,” writes one tester. “It isn’t like other gels that harden and dry your hair out in the next couple days.”
Courtesy Image - 15/18
Miss Jessies Pillow Soft Curls Lotion
Miss Jessie's
amazon.com
$21.47
I’m a firm believe that all hair types can benefit from a leave-in conditioner (yup, even stick-straight hair), so if you’ve been avoiding the leave-in life because you’re afraid your waves can’t handle it, try this mid-weight cream. It’s formulated with glycerin, avocado oil, and silk amino acids that smooth and soften your waves, without straightening out your curl pattern. Use a quarter-size amount of the cream and rake and smooth it through detangled hair (really! do it!), then blow-dry with a diffuser or air-dry.
THE REVIEWS: “It does not give that wet look that most curl gels and creams do—just simply light and fluffy curls,” writes one reviewer.
Courtesy Image - 16/18
R+Co Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm
R+Co
amazon.com
$34.00
I’ve always had bad luck with texture sprays making my hair look sticky and tangled, rather than bedhead-y and purposeful, which is what led me to ultimately falling in love with this texture balm (yes, balm). A tiny dab of the silicone-based formula will leave the ends of your hair looking perfectly piecey and beachy yet still soft and workable. Think: second-day grit without the second-day grease.
THE REVIEWS: “Nothing, nothing, nothing felt sticky or heavy or looked like I had products in,” writes one reviewer. “I mean I had perfect lift at the crown, and the rest of my hair looked great. Even my waves looked like delicate beautiful waves, which I have never experienced in my life.”
Courtesy Image - 17/18
Sun Bum Sea Salt Spray
Sun Bum
amazon.com
$13.99
This sea-salt spray is actually the GOAT for giving freshly washed hair some texture and grip (or, you know, making your third-day hair look intentionally gritty), but its salt-based formula can also be drying. To get that matte, beachy look without your hair feeling like straw, first layer on a lightweight leave-in conditioner before spritzing on your salt spray to create a moisturizing, flexible barrier.
THE REVIEWS: “It’s lightweight enough that I can go two days without washing my hair but still using the product,” according to one review. “It keeps my waves clean and frizz down.”
Courtesy Image - 18/18
Moroccanoil Curl Control Mousse
Moroccanoil
amazon.com
$30.00
If your hair is too fine for styling creams and leave-ins, but it still requires more moisture than a gel can provide, try this airy mousse that’s filled with moisturizing argan oil, vitamin E, and castor oil to give your waves a touch of hydration, along with anti-static agents to keep your waves smooth after they dry. Shoot for a golf ball–sized puff and rub it between your hands before raking it through your hair with your fingers to evenly distribute.
THE REVIEWS: “I am traveling, and it is wonderful not to have to spend a lot of time on your hair—just apply the mousse, use hairspray, and you are ready for the day,” one review reads.
Courtesy Image
![<p class="body-dropcap">If you have wavy hair, I’d be willing to bet you spend half your days desperately trying to find wavy hair products that actually work, and spend the other half saying f*ck it, nvm, it is what it is (cue: your go-to roster of <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a32463/braid-how-to/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:braided hairstyles;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">braided hairstyles</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a26758/hair-how-to-perfectly-undone-bun/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:messy buns;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">messy buns</a>, and quick updos). <strong>Wavy hair requires a ~delicate~ balance of hydration and hold</strong>, but annoyingly, a ton of wavy hair products tend to be all moisture (ahem, heavy oils and air-dry creams that leave you greasy), or all hold (see: sticky, crunchy, tangled-feeling finishes). Or if you’re really lucky, your new wavy hair product will do absolutely nothing at all—as if you just wasted $$ on water.</p><p>But it’s 2022, bb, and we’re not about disappointment this year. So to help you and your waves out, I chatted with two hairstylists—<a href="https://maxinesalon.com/staff_jenna_spino/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Jenna Spino;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Jenna Spino</a> and <a href="https://www.thewallgroup.com/artist/naeemah-lafond" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Naeemah LaFond;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Naeemah LaFond</a>—to handpick all the best <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g2149/best-shampoo-conditioner/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:shampoos;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">shampoos</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g28313157/best-deep-conditioner/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:deep conditioners;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">deep conditioners</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g28253173/texturizing-sprays/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:texturizing sprays;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">texturizing sprays</a>, and <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g33278431/best-curly-hair-gels/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:curl gels;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">curl gels</a> <strong>that’ll leave your wavy hair defined and smooth, not pulled-out and limp.</strong> </p><p>Right this way for a sneak peek of some of the best wavy hair products on the market rn, then keep reading for the complete list of our favorites plus answers to all your wavy hair questions.</p><h3 class="body-h3">Our top picks for the best wavy hair products of 2022</h3><p>[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]</p><p>Now that you’re officially intrigued, keep scrolling for a full breakdown on the best wavy hair products to try ASAP, along with tips on how to enhance your wavy hair and how to choose the best wavy hair product for your specific type of waves. </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/w79Rdj95EJJaC3eBELg.jg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cosmopolitan_438/f6078f2eda58b9852201a18463572045)
![<p class="body-dropcap">If you have wavy hair, I’d be willing to bet you spend half your days desperately trying to find wavy hair products that actually work, and spend the other half saying f*ck it, nvm, it is what it is (cue: your go-to roster of <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a32463/braid-how-to/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:braided hairstyles;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">braided hairstyles</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a26758/hair-how-to-perfectly-undone-bun/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:messy buns;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">messy buns</a>, and quick updos). <strong>Wavy hair requires a ~delicate~ balance of hydration and hold</strong>, but annoyingly, a ton of wavy hair products tend to be all moisture (ahem, heavy oils and air-dry creams that leave you greasy), or all hold (see: sticky, crunchy, tangled-feeling finishes). Or if you’re really lucky, your new wavy hair product will do absolutely nothing at all—as if you just wasted $$ on water.</p><p>But it’s 2022, bb, and we’re not about disappointment this year. So to help you and your waves out, I chatted with two hairstylists—<a href="https://maxinesalon.com/staff_jenna_spino/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Jenna Spino;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Jenna Spino</a> and <a href="https://www.thewallgroup.com/artist/naeemah-lafond" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Naeemah LaFond;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Naeemah LaFond</a>—to handpick all the best <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g2149/best-shampoo-conditioner/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:shampoos;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">shampoos</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g28313157/best-deep-conditioner/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:deep conditioners;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">deep conditioners</a>, <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g28253173/texturizing-sprays/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:texturizing sprays;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">texturizing sprays</a>, and <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g33278431/best-curly-hair-gels/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:curl gels;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">curl gels</a> <strong>that’ll leave your wavy hair defined and smooth, not pulled-out and limp.</strong> </p><p>Right this way for a sneak peek of some of the best wavy hair products on the market rn, then keep reading for the complete list of our favorites plus answers to all your wavy hair questions.</p><h3 class="body-h3">Our top picks for the best wavy hair products of 2022</h3><p>[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]</p><p>Now that you’re officially intrigued, keep scrolling for a full breakdown on the best wavy hair products to try ASAP, along with tips on how to enhance your wavy hair and how to choose the best wavy hair product for your specific type of waves. </p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KoUmryf29JyeMX6rVlU0sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTEzMQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cosmopolitan_438/f6078f2eda58b9852201a18463572045)
Two hairstylists break down the best wavy hair products, from gels, to mousse, to deep conditioners, and styling sprays—to enhance your natural wave texture.
