If you have checked your curl pattern and figured you are either 2a or 2b, you are in the proper wavy category and curl experts say that you can actually uncover your hair’s curl potential beneath what you thought was “just wavy hair” or “almost straight hair” if you have a proper hair care routine.
While most basics are the same as with a curly hair routine which you can read here – My curly hair routine, there can be slight adjustments required to suit your hair type. You need to add moisture without weighing your hair down.
So let’s figure out the differences that you need to make from a regular curly hair routine to suit your wavy hair!
1) Shampoo and washing – Because sebum can reach down faster compared to curly hair, you are prone to greasy hair more. So you may be able to do with cowashing on alternate days and shampooing 1 or 2 times a week.
2) Clumping – You need to get your loose waves to clump. Use clumping techniques like squish to condish as often as possible and make sure your hair is dripping wet when you apply styling products. Scrunch, scrunch and scrunch some more to enhance your waves.
3) Protein – Your hair may feel limp and loose and maybe able to take protein better than curlies to provide body to waves. Do check for protein sensitivity here – Difference between dry and damaged hair – Moisture v/s Protein
4) Diffuser – This is probably the most favourite tool for wavies because it has the potential to enhance waves to look curlier. Everything about diffusing curly hair – What, Why, How
5) Products – Avoid heavy oil and butter based products which can weigh you hair down. Look for products which are heavily water based or come in spray bottles. Mousses and light weight gels are great for providing hold without weighing your hair down. You can also check this for product suggestions – Beginner friendly products – Curly Hair Starter Kit or this for a lot of options – List of curly hair products in India (for every budget)
6) Flat roots – Wavies usually have flat roots that stick to the scalp. Use clipping techniques to lift the roots and style with your head upside down to encourage volume – Video : Style Curly Hair with DevaCurl Clipping technique . You can also shuffle your scalp with your fingers for volume. But do not run fingers through your hair.
Apart from these differences, the basic rules still remain the same. So head to the curly hair routine and get started!
Read how Kamala enhanced her almost straight waves! – Reader Testimonial – Kamala Srivalli
Leave a Comment
New to the blog?
Hi! I am Anjana and I fell in love with my curly hair after years of hating it. YOU can too!
Popular Posts
Blog Comments
Joanna
November 11, 2016 at 7:17 pm
Hi! Do you have any tips for lasting of kajal? I have one kajal of Song of India:
http://ocdn.eu/images/skapiec/NmY7MDA7MDMsMCwxMTgsMCwx/c7aa343fe00445e15ba0148ff07ab1ef.jpg
…and I have problem with kajal smudge after a few hour or when I’m sleepy and my eyes are watery.
Anjana
November 14, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Hi Joanna, patting with face powder lightly after applying the kajal helps.
Shilpa
February 6, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Hi Anjana..
You are a true inspiration to many girls ..And im one among them..Just loved your articles and I’m trying to follow your routine..Keep up the good work 🙂
Anjana
February 7, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Thanks a ton Shilpa!! :):)
Isabella
May 21, 2017 at 9:16 am
Hi Anjana! ☺First I wanted to say thank you for helping bring out my wavy/curly hair and for great information to do so! I dye my hair every few months if that helps. I have a few questions, but here’s my routine so far. I wash my hair every other day with a color-protecting shampoo and a moisturizing shampoo diluted with water. After I rinse that out I use Suave Essentials everlasting sunshine conditioner and a little color-protecting conditioner and rinse just a little. Then I squish to condish. Once I’m out of the shower I leave my hair wet and apply Herbal Essences totally twisted curl boosting mousse ( about three cotton ball sized amounts), and L.A. Looks sport extreme styling gel. I’m still working out how much gel to use to coat each curl clump.😁 I scrunch all the products in, and then plop with a cotton tee. My problems are that my hair still comes out frizzy, when I use enough gel will the frizz be tamed? And when I sleep all my curly waves clump together and get knotty, any hairstyle ideas to keep them not so knotty? I’m sorry I know this is a lot I just love your blog and think your the best to go for curly hair help!👍. Thanks so so much!
Anjana
May 29, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Hi Isabella! What’s your hair type? Have you tried using a cream and gel instead of mousse and gel? and check this 4 ways to sleep with curly hair
May
December 22, 2017 at 3:01 am
I’m in my 30s, and I’ve always hated my almost thick, straight, frizzy, hay-like hair. I gave in and cut it in my late teens, and have kept it pixie short or in a short bob ever since. My current bob now almost goes down to my shoulders, so once again it has started to get bad. My top layer especially. I googled frizz prevention, and finally ended up here. Apparently my hair can be classified as 2a. That’s barely wavy, so I never even considered that it might need to be treated differently than straight hair.
Since I don’t know if this will work for me, I’m bought a gel from the grocery store to try it. I’m not expecting great results (especially with a random gel and no cream), but I figure it can give me an indication of whether or not it will work for me. I’m almost scared to try it!
Either way, I’m glad I found this site, because I’ve learned that my hair has a classification that I didn’t know existed! Thank you!
Anjana
December 22, 2017 at 10:49 am
So great to hear that! Let me know if you need any guidance 🙂
Erin
November 28, 2020 at 6:36 am
Hi May. When I was reading your post, okay of well been reading about me! Everything you said is me and my hair. I hated it and straighten it for years and am not trying to embrace the wavy. For products for wavy that I have had good lucky with are by deva curl and amika (I am trying to adhere to the curly girl method) good luck!
May
December 22, 2017 at 4:31 am
Sorry for double posting, but I have a couple of questions that I hope you can answer. Is there anything I should avoid when it comes to products? I also wonder if people with straight hair can get curls by using this routine? What I mean to say is, are the curls/waves created “real?”
Anjana
December 22, 2017 at 10:51 am
You should avoid heavy products that can weigh down your hair. No, not unless their “straight” hair was actually a hidden wave. Many people mistake their patterns. But true straight hair cannot be changed to wavy
May
December 22, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Than you again! I was looking at the list of products you have, because I will have trouble finding the things on your beginners list (I live in Norway). I have coarse 2a hair, and I’m not sure which products would be lightweight enough for waves. Conditioner should be easy enough to find, but I might have some problems with the gel, and maybe even the cream.
Looking at your list, do you think TIGI BedHead’s Small Talk is too heavy for a wavy hair cream? I’m not sure about the Garnier products yet. I know we have the brand here, I’m just not sure all the products you list are available, but if I can get a hold of the ones in your beginner guide, I’ll get those. I just know I can get the TIGI stuff. 🙂
As for gel, that might be a problem. There’s a chance I can get a hold of Wella Professionals Sculpt Force Flubber Gel, Herbal Essences Set Me Up hair gel, or Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Styling Gel. Are any of them suitable for wavy hair?
Anjana
December 22, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Gels should not be a problem at all. Most gels work great for any hairtype. For the creams you are interested in, can you please comment the ingredients of each?
May
December 22, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Okay, so the TIGI smalltalk has:
Water (Aqua/Eau), Cyclopentasiloxane, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, Polyquaternium-37, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bacopa Monniera Extract, Panthenol, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Benzalkonium Chloride, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Styrene/Butadiene Copolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4 Laurate, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, PEG-4, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.
I also found that I can get some Cantu products, but not the curl activator. I can get the coconut curling cream, though:
Water (Aqua, Eau), Canola Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Fragrance (Parfum), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ceteth-20, Glycol Stearate, Petrolatum, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Mangifera Indica (Seed) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Silk Amino Acids, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Laminara Cloustoni (Sea Kelp) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, PEG-75, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
I can also get Cantu leave-in conditioning cream:
Water (Aqua/Eau), Cetearyl Alcohol, Canola Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Stearalkonium Chloride, Glycerin, Diecetyl Dimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprate Dicaprylate, Ppg-1 Trideceth-6, Polyquaternium-4, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Oil, glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalis Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Oil Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Laminara Cloustoni (Sea Kelp) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Silk Amino Acids, Hexapeptide-11, Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Saccharu Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinesis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglyverin, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid
Sorry for the massive ingredient lists, but I have absolutely no idea what to look for or avoid.
Anjana
December 22, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Are you looking to follow the strict CG? Or just start now and then go into all that later?
May
December 22, 2017 at 7:42 pm
I’m not entirely sure. I want to try it properly, to see what I’ve got to work with, if you know what I mean. 🙂
I tried with just conditioner and a standard gel I got at the store, and I have a lot of thin clumps of fairly tight waves, except at the front, where I have one bigger clump on each side that is a much loser wave. do you think that can be my curl pattern, or just because my hair is trained to be straight, or that I didn’t have the right products/failed the routine?
Anjana
December 22, 2017 at 7:44 pm
It will get better with each wash as you get to know your hair more. You don’t need a cream. Just use conditioner and gel
T
August 3, 2018 at 9:05 pm
For wavy hair, you you also use the frucitis leave in cream conditioner along with leaving the regular conditioner in your hair?
Anjana
August 6, 2018 at 3:19 pm
That may weigh it down, but also depends on your coarseness, thickness and porosity
Kalyani Agnihotri
August 11, 2018 at 10:16 am
Hi Anjana,
A friend referred me to your blog and I’m trying to discover my way to gorgeous curls!
So I have 2a-2b type fine hair. I think I understand the basic routine of washing and taking care of my hair from your blog but how do you take care of it once it dries? As in, if I need to arrange me hair into a style without brushing it, what would be the best way to do it? Also I have frizz on the top layer of my hair. What’s the best solution for this?
Anjana
August 13, 2018 at 1:31 pm
What style are you thinking? https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/7-ways-to-make-your-crown-area-frizz-free-tackle-baby-hair/
Kalyani Agnihotri
August 13, 2018 at 7:40 pm
I have shoulder length hair with a side fringe in the front crown area. I usually just wear it down with a side partition. I’ve been on the CG routine for 2 weeks now and I’m just having trouble letting my crown area settle into a comfortable place 🙂
The link surely helps!
Anjana
August 14, 2018 at 6:04 pm
🙂
Na
August 15, 2018 at 3:43 am
Hi ! I have 2b thick low porosity hair, so i should use for styling my hair : leave in conditioner-light cream- light gel- oil? Or the leave in and oil is not necesary ?
Anjana
August 15, 2018 at 2:41 pm
You can skip cream and oil
Khushboo
June 30, 2020 at 9:40 am
Hi anjana ….!!
I have fine 2a hair type.
I have been reading your blog as I am newbie here…
Can you give tips for such hair type and I am also planning to shift all my hair products based on the your suggestion list because I am facing alot of issue with products . Would you recommend me to use diffuser and cowashing method ?
Anjana
June 30, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Hi Khushboo, please check all the tips in this post as it is meant for wavy hair types like yours and if you have any specific doubts, you can put them as comments.
Na
August 16, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Thanks !!
Simi
August 19, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Hi!
I read everything about your hair care routine but I already have extremely voluminous hair. I get really well defined curls after my hair dry naturally, but they start looking huge because of the volume. I also have a little face because of which the volume does not look great and I’m forced to comb my dry hair and remove all the curls. Do you have any suggestions for controlling volume or treating it?
Anjana
August 20, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Use a lot of gel, style on dripping wet hair. P.S – I used to be the same, now I am looking for ways to increase the volume 😀
Juli
October 28, 2018 at 11:57 pm
I have 2c hair and it’s hard to find articles for people whose hair looks like mine (my hair has tight waves that look like they are made up of C and if you look at it form the side the waves go left and right rather than up and down like the girl in the articles before picture) and my hair doesn’t curl no matter how hard I try. My hair curls at the ends but the rest doesn’t even with curling creams, sulfate and silicone-free shampoos and conditioners, and gels. My waves are well defined and relatively frizz-free. Do you know a routine I could use since my waves aren’t loose and my hair doesn’t curl? Or how to get my hair to curl?
Anjana
October 29, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Have you tried the routine mentioned on the blog?
Tripti
November 26, 2018 at 12:28 am
Hey, I think I’m between 2a/2b looking for a new wavy hair routine. My hair is coarse and I have a lot of hair fall as well so I need advice on restoring/repairing my hair too. Currently, I’m just using a Dove shampoo and conditioner but was thinking of getting the Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream, Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream, Define and Shine Custard and the Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment. What do you suggest?
Anjana
November 27, 2018 at 7:08 pm
Cantu maybe heavy for you, you may check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Alice Wilson
August 5, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Hello,
This blog is looking a nice ways hair routine different curly hair and beautiful. Thank you for share this blog
Aparna
August 16, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Thanks Anjana. Your hair looks so good and I’m started CG method after reading your blog. I wish to color my frizzy hair naturally. Can you help me how to do with henna and red beet.
Anjana
August 19, 2019 at 1:26 pm
I don’t know about that procedure Aparna
Marti
September 15, 2019 at 9:53 pm
So glad I stumbled on this Blog. I have type2b-2C fine and probably normal porosity even tho’ I color my hair but do so with Naturtint. Live in Sweden and have little humidity during fall and winter it is real desert with heating and cold. I have been sulphate, silcone, paraben free for years and have had short hair. But now growing out my hair, which is at chin length and goal is shoulder length. For the past year I have been using Shea Moisture. Have switched to Weightless but the shampoo dried out my scalp. Now I am looking at a curly regime. I thought about trying once a week pre poo with avocado oil then schampoo Shea moisture weighless. Conditioning with Shea moisture weighless rinse with some olive oil and then use Aloe vera and maybe jojoba oil. Cowash the other day of the week. Deep condition every other week with rice water and a deep conditioner . Does this all sound sensible?
Anjana
September 16, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Of course Marti! It’s all about experimenting irrespective of if it sounds sensible or not 🙂
Silpa
December 1, 2020 at 2:44 pm
My hair is 2b 2c thick coarse low porosity hair..can you tell me a routine..I’m using 6oil nourish loreal shampoo and conditioner..then I follow squish to condish..then I use normal parachute hair cream..and then flaxseed home made gel..I’m getting curls ..but not defined ..I’m using satin bonnet at night..I want better big fat defined clumps..should I stop using cream and just use gel..can you tell me what is to be done and also suggest me some products
Anjana
December 2, 2020 at 2:26 pm
That’s exactly what’s mentioned in this post 🙂
Payal
February 7, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Hi Anjana,
First, thank you so much for the wealth of information on your blog. Its so simplified in bite-sized blogs that makes it easy to understand the intimidating CGM method.
Honestly, had no interest in it, but when I stumbled on your blog it made me excited to try it after realising I have fine 2A/ 2B hair.
I have a couple of queries before embarking and would love to hear your thoughts. Just a little background-
I’ve been totally sulphate free since 2018 and only use amla-reetha+other herbs to wash my hair, and this removes deep oil like castor too.
But, I have neglected using conditioner since 2018 because it felt like my hairfall increased on using conditioners for my fine hair and made my hair greasy and oily quickly. So I always overnight oil hair before wash every week (I usually wash every 6-7 days) and have dry scalp. After wash my hair always looks frizzy almost dry but it feels smooth and soft.
1. Do I need to use a clarifying shampoo monthly if my herbal powder shampoo does a great job at removing oil and can be used to remove product buildup from gels-conditioner?
2. Is a leave-in conditioner enough after wash to scrunch hair?
(was thinking to directly apply leave-in after wash, no in-between conditioner because my hair looking greasy with “heavier” conditioner and I’m afraid 2 conditioner will just weigh it down+add greasiness)
3. Do I have to buy deep conditioner too since I anyway overnight oil hair every week?
4. I’m looking to simplify my routine as much as possible hence, is the combo of oil+herbal shampoo+leave in conditioner +gel enough for my fine hair? If I need to wash in between without oil, I’m still planning to use this same routine.
Please let me know your thoughts and corrections.
Thank you 🙂
Anjana
April 1, 2024 at 2:36 pm
1. As long as you are happy with the results, you can skip clarifying shampoo
2. Yes
3. Not required
4. Yes
🙂
Improved Hair Care Routine for Wavy Hair and What Products to Use? – Innovist - AfterCuriosity
March 23, 2024 at 1:39 pm
[…] Wavy hair routine – How is it different from a curly hair routine […]