How To Pick The Best Hair Products For Wavy Hair

What Hair Waves Need, Depending on Your Habits And Lifestyle

Before we get into the unique hair care and styling products required for waves, it’s worth looking at what makes hair wavy in the first place. The shape of the follicle it grows from plays a huge part. While straight strands emerge from straight follicles, the follicles that produce waves or curls have a hooked shape, forcing hair to leave your head in a curve. But it’s also the bonds deep within the cortex that determine the hair pattern.

Nexxus scientists have dedicated their work to the study of proteins, and through focused proteomic research, discovered the differing protein structures in wavy and curly hair: they’re rich in a specific amino acid thought to reinforce waves, curls, and coils. With all this in mind, it’s a no-brainer that wavy hair requires a certain type of TLC, through products that support a more vulnerable lipid layer (more on that below), without weighing it down…

Use a wavy hair shampoo (especially if you color your hair)

Due to the kinks in a wavy hair strand, the cells that make up its protective cuticle are unable to overlap, leaving the inner cortex vulnerable to attack from external aggressors. It’s a little bit like there are gaps in the hair’s armor. This can lead to a host of hair problems, including dehydration, brittleness, and breakage - especially true if you chemically color your hair. We all know a good styling product will wrap and bolster the outer lipid layer, but by using protein-infused hair care products, cuticle rebuilding can start in the shower. The Ultralight Smooth Weightless Frizz Protection Shampoo and Conditioner uses a unique PROTEINFUSION blend with almond protein and jasmine flower to strengthen strands from within, keeping them smooth and protected from frizz weightlessly. The collection contains no stripping sulfates either, which is important as gentle cleansing is key when caring for waves… especially colored ones.

How to style wavy hair, with or without heat

Fact: wavy hair is more prone to frizz. Why? Because the exposed and often dehydrated inner cortex takes on moisture from the air, which rearranges your strands into a halo of fuzz. A good wavy product works by plugging these gaps and aligning raised cells. Case in point: The Ultralight Smooth Frizz Defy Cream Serum, which envelops the hair fiber to create an invisible, humidity-repelling barrier. The even better news is that it’s still light enough to allow for the natural body and movement associated with beautiful beach waves. If you like to add a few heat-styled waves among your natural ones, apply the Weightless Style Prep & Protect Leave-In Spray first. It contains a unique blend with elastin protein and hyaluronic acid to weightlessly detangle, moisturize, and soften, as well as hold off the damaging effects of said heat styling.

Hair products for added gloss in waves

We’ve already explained how the kinks in a wavy strand can lead to increased moisture loss and vulnerability from external aggressors, but it’s also believed that a curved follicle is unable to send lubricating sebum along the full length of the hair shaft (yet another reason hair with texture tends to lack shine). Nexxus’s Ultralight Smooth Frizz Defy Cream Serum can be used on wet or dry hair as the third step in your wash-day routine. It forms a humidity-repelling barrier that leaves strands soft and smooth (so easier to scrunch style) for up to 72 hours… and who doesn’t want that?