Whenever summer is around the corner, I suddenly want to only wear my hair in tousled, beachy waves. The ideal beachy wave looks like you just emerged from swimming in the ocean and let your hair air-dry in the sun—it would look equally at home on both a surfboard and the red carpet. The problem with beachy waves is that they’re trickier than you might think to achieve. The best place to start? A solid shampoo and conditioner formulated with waves in mind.
"Someone with wavy hair should be looking for shampoo and conditioner that provides moisture and definition without leaving your hair feeling stiff or sticky," says celebrity hairstylist Frederic Aspiras. "Shampoo and conditioner with moisture will help your hair from getting frizzy in the heat and provide smooth waves."
Frederic Fekkai, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Fekkai, says to look for nourishing ingredients like olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil, which provide fatty acids without weighing hair down. There are also a few ingredients you should be sure to skip if you want waves, though. "Sulfates are not great for wavy hair types, especially if the individual has sensitive or dry scalp concerns," says Fekkai. "I would also caution against heavy, non-soluble silicones as they can lead to buildup. In addition, overwashing will result in dried-out waves. Better to get a great, thorough shampooing in every other day."
Keep reading for the best shampoos and conditioners for wavy hair, plus some essential styling products for the perfect waves—even if you're starting with straighter strands.
Fekkai Brilliant Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner
Fekkai says that he and his salon team love this duo for wavy hair. Cold-pressed olive oil, prickly pear, rice proteins, and edelweiss extract are blended together to create formulas that hydrate and boost shine.
Joico Hydrasplash Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
"The HydraSplash Shampoo and HydraSplash conditioner have coconut water in them to lock in moisture and quench the hair but still leave it feeling bouncy," says Aspiras. "They also have sea kelp, which is packed with vitamins to restore nutrients and leave the hair strong."
Fekkai Technician Color Shampoo and Conditioner
"If you have wavy hair that you color, Technician Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner are great for every other wash as the Keraguard and fatty acids from mirabelle plums lock in color vibrancy and prevent fade while hydrating and smoothing."
Maui Moisture Strength & Length + Castor & Neem Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
If your hair is in need of a bit of extra repair, these $7 picks are perfect for you. Infused with castor oil, neem oil, and peppermint oil, they are richly moisturizing and wave-friendly.
Dove Endless Waves Shampoo and Conditioner
Formulated specifically with wavy hair in mind, this shampoo and conditioner duo aims to strengthen hair's bonds, smooth hair, add shine, and boost your natural wave pattern.
Verb Sea Texture Shampoo and Conditioner
These formulas aim to amp up your hair's texture, so they're perfect for straight hair that you'd like to add waves to. Seawater and sea salt help give hair that surfer-esque, tousled vibe.
Adwoa Blue Tansy Clarifying Gel Shampoo and Reparative Conditioner
By removing any product buildup with a clarifying shampoo, you'll help strip your hair of anything weighing it down. Use this duo on days when you want to remove product buildup and repair your hair deeply.
Other Essential Products for Perfect Waves
A good leave in conditioner is the key to more defined waves.
If you don't have natural texture, this waver will help give you tousled, relaxed waves. It adds volume and bend to hair in a flash.
To really turn up the definition for your waves, try scrunching in a curl gel on soaking wet hair and watching the magic happen.
Have you seen how luscious JVN's hair looks? Try his air-dry cream to help amp up your own texture. Squalane and moringa seed oil boost moisture while chia-seed extract adds a bit of hold.
Pop this mask on once or twice a week to impart tons of hydration to your waves.
This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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