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How to Get the Best Haircut for Wavy Hair

 

If your hair has more bend to it than pin-straight strands, but less curve than a curl, welcome to the wavy hair club. Natural waves are as versatile as they are stunning, but depending on dozens of factors (like the weather, the season, and haircare products), styling your waves can be a daunting task. First step in embracing your waves? Nailing down your wavy haircut. We've rounded up some A-list inspiration along with tips from pro hairstylist Kourtney Scott on the best haircuts for wavy hair.

MEET THE EXPERT

Kourtney Scott is a hair stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago specializing in precision cutting and styling.

Check out some of the best celeb-inspired haircuts for wavy hair.

01

Blake Lively

Blake Lively's long tresses ooze beach vibes. The slight bend, damp ends, and unstructured part complement the long length perfectly. To get the look at home, try Drybar's Seashore Spritzer Salt-Free Wave Spray ($26).

02

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox's long bob is in company with long layers and soft curls. Scott says that this is a great universal cut for both fine and thick hair, and is both low-maintenance and youthful.

03

Tyra Banks

Highlights, a pouf, and ultra-long locks? Count us in for this fun, flirty 'do. If you're starting out with sopping wet hair, use Conair's InfinitiPro Frizz Free AC Dryer ($50) for frizz-free drying. Then, follow up with a protective leave-in to keep flyaways at bay and hair shielded from damage.

04

Kerry Washington

We're all about a one-length cut that hits just above the shoulders. Coupled with a fringe and unstructured bends, this look is fresh yet sophisticated.

05

Mariah Carey

The beauty of these soft waves is that they work on most hair textures—it's all about finding the right styling products to help manage the length. If your hair is looking a bit dull and weighed down, work in a shine-enhancing serum like Az Haircare's Sooth Serum ($45).

06

Jennifer Aniston

The queen of layered haircuts gives hers a little fluff with tousled ends and a blown out fringe. To prep the hair, detangle, and add shine, run the Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Miracle Nectar 10-in-1 Leave-In ($6) through damp strands before styling.

07

Viola Davis

Make like Viola Davis and give your cropped cut a retro feel with these glamorous waves. Amika's High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper ($120) is what'll get the job done and keep the hair looking crease-free.

08

Drew Barrymore

We can't get enough of layered bobs and neither can Drew Barrymore. Scott touts this style as being great for medium to thick hair types. To ensure your layers are well-blended with the rest of your mane, add a slight curl to the top sections.

09

Rachel McAdams

Thanks to Rachel McAdams, it doesn't take much convincing to chop your hair into a classic A-line bob. "This is a great style for medium to fine hair with straight or light texture," notes Scott.

10

Zendaya

You'd think Zendaya's one-length bob and baby fringe would come across as timid, but paired with her auburn color and bold brows, it's anything but. Keep a color like this looking fresh with Pureology's Smooth Perfection Shampoo ($30).

11

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Looking to own that model off-duty cut? Take a cue from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who styles her full-length lob with tousled waves and a messy tuck behind the ear.

12

Beyoncé Knowles Carter

If you're all about the length, take a page out of Queen Bey's book and give it some personality with a barely-there wave. It's effortless, easy to achieve, and flattering on all face shapes.

13

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada's sporting an edgy long bob with a bold undercut. "This is a great style if you have a lot of hair—it slims it out and creates a bit of fun," says Scott, noting that if you're new to undercuts you can go lower for a more subtle finish.

14

Jennifer Lopez

Leave it to J.Lo to make glamorous waves look attainable. We love this auburn hue (doesn't it scream fall and winter?) along with her warm-toned makeup look.

15

Mila Kunis

When Mila Kunis debuted her chic angled bob, we instantly turned into the heart-eyed emoji. Bobs are versatile, easy to style (and maintain), and is a cut that blends well with hair that has natural movement.

16

Serena Williams

Give your lob an unexpected twist with a slightly asymmetrical cut. Paired with tousled strands and a bold brow, the look is statement-making all around.

17

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence's blonde lob with root to tip waves and feathered layers is serving up some serious hair-spiration. Philip B.'s texture-enhancing Maui Wowie Beach Mist ($28) will help you mimic the look.

18

Nina Dobrev

Amp up your A-line bob with a bedazzled hair slide and crimped waves. This Gold Chain Link Barrette ($7) by The Hair Edit satisfies our need for accessorizing.

19

Ciara

Let your hair do all the talking with this short 'do that doesn't skimp on volume. Ask your stylist for a cropped cut with longer pieces at the front.

20

Rosario Dawson

Long hair weighing down your look? Try NuMe's Classic Curling Wand Reverse ($99) to mimic Rosario Dawson's look—it's made with a 100 percent tourmaline ceramic barrel to deliver full-bodied waves without feeling heavy.

21

Iman

We're all about hairstyles that suit all hair types, and this long-layered soft curls look donned by Iman fits the bill. Scott says to use a thermal protectant whenever applying heat to protect your color (and your tresses).

22

Alexa Chung

When we think of curtain bangs, we think of Alexa Chung. Here, she styles hers with undone, messy waves and a cropped shoulder-length cut—simply put: it just works.

23

Rihanna

Look closely and you'll see that RiRi's slight lift at the roots adds height to her lob and middle-parted fringe. Plus, her wet-looking curls are so red carpet.

24

Jessica Alba

We can't tell you if blondes have more fun than brunettes, but Jessica Alba's chic ombré may be able to. Her shoulder-length cut won't weigh down finer hair textures, and the mid-shaft waves will fake volume in all the right places.

25

Mary J. Blige

"This graduated bob with soft curls can be worn by anyone with fine to thick hair, but it is definitely higher maintenance," warns Scott. Still, when it comes to high-maintenance 'dos, we're willing to take the plunge if it means good hair days are in our future.

26

Jessica Biel

Could Jessica Biel look any more elegant? Her mid-length cut is complemented with face-framing layers and a long side-swept fringe. If you have fine hair, use a thickening spray to fake texture—we like Boldify's Hair Thickening Spray ($30).

27

Janet Jackson

Looking for some short bob inspo? Janet Jackson plays up hers with undercut sides. Scott recommends using a smoothing blow out cream before styling with a molding paste for hold, definition, and texture.

28

Logan Browning

Sometimes the simplest looks are the most statement-worthy. Logan's one-length strands are twisted back to let her strong facial features have a moment of their own.

29

Sofia Vergara

We can't tell what's hotter: Sofia Vergara's hot pink lip or her swift layered haircut. Her bangs hit right at the chin, making a center-part, side-part, or sleek pull-back all options.

30

Olivia Culpo

When in doubt, flip it out. Especially ideal if your hair is lacking in the volume department, a long layered lob like this one works well with a deep flip and side-swept parting.

31

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

If there ever were a time to get layer-happy, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has proven it's here and now. Rather than a thick head of hair weighing her down her look, the layers help to add balance and structure. Plus, we love that she paired her feathered ends with a simple side braid.

32

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is giving us some major hair envy with her voluminous natural curls. Since curly hair tends to skew dry, Scott recommends adding lots of moisture by way of Oribe's Styling Butter Curl Enhancing Crème ($46).

33

Adele

Hats off to Adele for taking our breath away with both her voice and her red-carpet beauty looks. Here she's sporting long layers and a medium length, with tons of volume and a bold flip-out at the ends.

34

Jessica Chastain

Vintage waves get a modern upgrade with this shoulder-length bob. The smaller the curling iron you use, the tighter the curl will be. For the perfect sized curl, use Conair's One-Inch Instant Heat Curling Iron ($7).

35

Taraji P. Henson

A shoulder-length lob gets an upgrade with this fiery hue à la Taraji P. Henson. We're totally digging the straight-back part and perfectly-coiled bends all throughout.

36

Eve

Growing out your pixie? This ear-grazing crop looks fabulous paired with long bangs and a slight go-over with a curling wand. And, the platinum hue makes it a show-stopper no matter the length.

37

Demi Lovato

In dire need of a hair change-up? Let Demi Lovato's bob with a single side undercut serve as your inspo. It's playful but the undercut can be hidden whenever desired, and the overall style is ideal for medium to thicker hair types.

38

Katy Perry

If you have fine to medium hair texture, opt for a versatile blunt shoulder-length bob—it's equal parts fun and fresh, yet can be sleek and chic when the time calls for it. Douse hair with a dry texturizing spray for a more matte look like Katy's.

39

Halle Berry

A messy fringe and layered shoulder-length cut is all you need to look as glamorous as Halle Berry. Work in Eva NYC's Lazy Jane Air Dry Shampoo ($12) to achieve maximum thickness and texture while air-drying.

40

Cara Delevingne

Fine-haired folks, listen up. If you don't want to go full-throttle with face-framing layers, opt for a one-length longer cut with light face-framing layers. Scott says it keeps the hair looking thick but the addition of shorter pieces around the face give it style.