The Best Products for Wavy Hair, According to Experts (2024)

Finding a shampoo that effectively cleanses without stripping waves of their natural moisture is essential in any shampoo, especially for wavy hair. This one from OurX is formulated to not only avoid stripping the hair, but also to replenish and deliver moisture in the form of squalane and peptides.

Wright loves that it "cleanses the hair while providing moisture, which preps the hair for styling," he says. With 4.9 stars, most online reviewers also love the shampoo, but one does note that it irritated their sensitive scalp, so take caution if your skin is sensitive or easily reactive.

For those looking for a more flexible hold, this styling spray is a great option: Wright even calls it his "new favorite product for wavy hair." It can be used as a scrunching product if you apply it after leave-in conditioner and scrunch your ends after use, but Wright also likes using it as a finishing hairspray.

"It helps enhance wave and reduces frizz," he says. But if you're using it as a hairspray, he loves that "it has a flexible hold without the crunchy feel." Some online reviewers wish it worked better in humid weather, but if you're looking for a humidity-proof product, an anti-frizz or stronger hold hairspray may be the best choice for you.

Infused with coconut oil, hibiscus flower extract and more delectable ingredients, this tropical-scented "smoothie" is widely-loved.

GH Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin incorporated the styling cream to repair her natural wave pattern. "Its creamy consistency isn't heavy, but I still use a light hand when scrunching it into the ends of my hair — a little bit goes a long way," she says. "It has enhanced my waves and has made it easy for me to embrace my natural hair texture." Take note that some online reviewers complain of a greasy feeling in their hair after use.

Add a little extra oomph to your waves with this three-in-one texturizing, volumizing and refreshing (read: can act like a dry shampoo!) spray from Drybar. Offered in three scents, Franzino reaches for the brand's classic, creamy Blanc option when her waves go limp.

"It boosts bend and fullness, yet leaves no residue or crunchy feel like others can," she raves. One of our other editors also loves the long-lasting fragrance this leaves on her waves. Online reviewers note that it's pricey, but many feel it's worthy of the investment.

A true multitasker, Pantene's deep conditioner can do it all, from boosting shine to restoring smoothness — even in the winter. Thanks to added lipids and antioxidants, it claims to help make hair stronger and healthier too. One of our beauty editors swears by this product, using it after every shampoo.

"I cannot tell you how many compliments I've gotten on my hair since I started using this deep conditioner," she says. "I have thick, wavy, frizzy hair and this makes it more manageable, shiny and smooth. Plus, it fights off static in the winter months." Some online reviewers find it weighs their hair down, but our editor didn't experience this.

Smoothing argan oil is featured in Garnier's styling cream, a GH Beauty Lab anti-frizz test winner that also provides heat protection up to 450°F. Developed to smoothly blow dry hair, it performed well for keeping users' strands polished with no greasiness or stickiness.

The price-friendly buy scored high with testers, who found it smoothed hair and fended off frizz immediately after application. Despite its effectiveness, one tester with thick, wavy hair noted that it's so lightweight that "you wouldn't even know I had product on." Because this product is designed specifically for blow drying hair, it won't work very well if you're air drying.

Created specifically with textured hair in mind (making it great for curls and waves), this lightweight, airy foam earned a GH Beauty Award and was loved by both testers and experts alike. "It didn't make hair feel crunchy," one tester noted.

Another remarked that it "really accentuates your natural curl pattern while keeping it volumized and less frizzy." Experts loved it as well, with a professional hairstylist panel rating it best at defining and holding curls in place and for enhancing hair’s movement. While some online reviewers love this product's scent, some of the stylists disagreed, stating that it was overly floral and too strong.

A favorite of GH Editorial Assistant Adrianna Freedman, Garnier's well-priced product doubles as a leave-in conditioner and smoothing styler. "My hair texture is an odd mix of both wavy and curly hair, meaning it frizzes like crazy and I have a hard time controlling it," says Freedman. "This product saves me every time I use it with wet or dry hair.

"The drugstore buy proved to fight frizz, with Beauty Lab data evaluation finding that among women with frizzy hair, 84% reported their hair felt smoother and 80% felt that it did not look frizzy after use. Freedman notes that the product is a thicker cream, which she likes, but if you prefer a more lightweight consistency, you won't find that here.

There are not very many products on the market specifically formulated for wavy hair, so when shopping for anything from a conditioner to a styling mousse, our experts recommend the following:

✔️ Lightweight product: To avoid your ends falling flat or looking heavy, "I recommend products that are lighter in weight and will not weigh the hair down," says Wright.

✔️ Moisturizing formula: "Choose high-hydrating shampoos and conditioners to maintain moisture in your wavy locks," advises Cavalcante.

✔️ Anti-frizz properties: Wavy hair can get frizzy, so Cavalcante also recommends looking for products "designed to combat frizz and keep your waves looking smooth."

Wright explains that enhancing your waves and making them "pop" all comes back to moisturizing and detangling properly. He recommends detangling "with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb so that your waves will be more pronounced," he says. "You can use a curl definer product while you comb, which will help evenly spread product and create perfectly defined waves and curls."

You can also use styling products to accentuate your waves, such as curl enhancers or texture sprays. "Products explicitly labeled as curly enhancers can help define and accentuate your natural waves," explains Cavalcante. "For a beachy vibe, consider using salt sprays. They work well in creating that textured, effortless look."

Good news: The ideal wavy hair routine is simple. Our experts lay out these four steps to follow:

✔️ Start with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. "Focus your application of conditioner toward the ends of your strands to avoid hair falling flat," says Wright. Cavalcante adds that you should "avoid washing your hair every day to maintain natural oils and prevent dryness."

✔️ Detangle gently "using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb," says Wright.

✔️ Apply a leave-in conditioner "to help reduce frizz and not disrupt your wave pattern," Wright explains.

✔️ Use a diffuser, both experts recommend. If possible, "air dry your hair until it's about 75 percent dry before styling, as wet hair is fragile and can break easily," Wright advises.

GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair products, including countless ones for her own wavy hair. For this story, she interviewed the following experts:

• Johnny Wright is a celebrity hairstylist and author who has worked with celebrities like Michelle Obama and Kerry Washington.
• Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City.