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The 13 Best Haircuts to Show Off Your Wavy Hair

 

They're sure to make waves.

Haircuts for wavy hair offer the perfect blend of texture and movement, supplying endless options for styling. For starters, you might want to consider layers. “Long layers, face-framing layers, and layered shags all help accentuate natural waves and make them appear wavier or even curly," says hairstylist Jenna Spino. "They are super easy wash-and-wear cuts." Another option? “Bobs are also great for wavy hair, especially hair that is slightly wavy and needs a little help getting there,” says stylist Raven Hurtado. To find out more, we tapped Spino and Hurtado for their top tips for enhancing a wavy haircut and maintaining your natural bends. Check out what they had to say, plus find inspiration in 13 of the best haircuts for wavy hair, below.

Meet the expert

• Jenna Spino is a veteran hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. She specializes in long, layered cuts, bobs, and keratin treatments.
• Raven Hurtado is a Maxine Salon stylist with over a decade of professional experience. She is an expert in long, beachy waves.

 

How to Enhance a Wavy Haircut

Get Long Layers

If you want your wavy haircut to have more body and movement, remove some bulk and weight. To do this, Hurtado suggests asking your stylist to add long layers to create more contrast and definition. “By adding longer layers to a wavy haircut, you’ll see more movement and life,” she explains. 

Use Curl-Enhancing Styling Products

Both experts also recommend applying styling products to enhance the natural shape of your waves and boost their bounce. “I like to use a curl cream to enhance wavy haircuts and reduce frizz,” says Spino. “On next-day hair, use a curl refresher spray or a texture spray to give your hair lift."

Haircare Tips for Wavy Hair

Maintaining a wavy haircut combines proper care, styling techniques, and products that enhance and preserve your waves. Below, our stylists have recommended some of their top tips for keeping your wavy haircut looking its best:

• Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner: Choose products designed to hydrate and enhance waves. Look for sulfate-free options to avoid drying out your hair.
• Use a wide-toothed comb: When detangling wet hair, use a wide-toothed comb to prevent breakage and maintain your wave pattern. You might also consider the Denman brush since it's designed specifically for textured hair.
• Apply a leave-in conditioner: After washing, apply a leave-in conditioner to keep your waves soft and manageable.
• Gently towel dry hair: Pat your hair dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing it vigorously to prevent frizz and preserve your waves.
• Air-dry or use a diffuser: Let your hair air-dry whenever possible to maintain your natural wave pattern. If you need to use a blow dryer, attach a diffuser to minimize frizz and enhance waves.
• Use the scrunching technique: To enhance your waves, scrunch your hair gently while it's damp. You can also apply a curl-enhancing product before scrunching.
• Avoid heavy products: Use lightweight, wave-enhancing styling products to define your waves without weighing them down.
• Protect from heat damage: If you must use heat styling tools, apply a heat protectant and use a low-heat setting to avoid damaging your waves.
• Get regular trims: Visit your hairstylist for regular trims every six to eight weeks to remove split ends and maintain the shape of your wavy haircut.
• Protect your hair at night: Use a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz while you sleep. You can also loosely braid your hair or use a silk scrunchie to prevent tangling.
• Use a sea salt spray: If you want to enhance your waves further, you can use a sea salt spray to create a beachy texture.
• Avoid excessive manipulation: Try not to touch your hair too frequently or brush it excessively throughout the day, as this can disrupt your wave pattern.
• Be kind to yourself: Remember that everyone's hair is unique, and it may take some experimentation to find the best routine and products for your specific wavy hair type.

Best Haircuts for Wavy Hair

Medium-Length Waves

“I like this medium-length haircut on Taylor Swift because the bangs give a youthful look, and the length of the cut is light and fresh,” says Hurtado. To get the look, texturized bangs which add softness are key, she tells us.

Curly Bob

"Curly bobs are a super easy way to wear waves," says Spino. "Ask for a bob with some long layers [tailored to where] you want the length to be." When you go to style your hair, Spino suggests applying a curl cream before diffusing or air-drying. We recommend Ouai Curl Crème because it contains hair-loving ingredients like coconut and soybean oils.

Bob With Bangs

Hurtado likes this long, wavy bob because the face-framing layers enhance the waves and virtually every hair type can wear it. “To try this cut, ask your stylist for the length to hit at the collar bone, with long layers throughout to remove weight and long face-framing layers for lift and volume,” says Hurtado.

Chin-Length Bob

The versatility of this bob definitely ups its appeal. "To achieve this look, have it cut one length below the jawline with long, face-framing layers to soften the features around the face," says Hurtado. When it comes to styling it, opt for a mousse. This way, you'll achieve tons of body and texture when you scrunch it. "Part it on the side and use a hairspray to tuck the hair behind your ears for a sleek look," Hurtado adds.

Long, Layered Cut

“This is a basic long-layered cut. I like the ease of air-drying that you get with [it]. All you need to do is to put some product in and go,” says Spino. If you know your curls tend to fall out sooner than later, she suggests taking a curling iron to the flatter pieces to bring them back to life.

Short Shag

A wavy shag is fun, free, airy, and requires little maintenance. "To get this cut, ask for shorter layers to give a shag-like feeling," says Hurtado. "To style, twirl sections with your fingers to get more defined waves. Use a diffuser to accentuate the waves and to give them volume." 

As you can see, shag haircuts have several short layers. For this reason, they work best on those with medium to thick hair density. Those with thin hair will find blunt cuts and long layers most flattering.

Long Layers

"I love a simple long-layer haircut because it is easy to manage and maintain," says Spino, who suggests enhancing curly or waved looks with a curling iron for extra definition. "Be sure to use a heat protectant before curling," she says. "Allow curls to cool and run your fingers through and finish with a texture spray or oil."

Bardot Waves

This Brigitte Bardot-inspired cut is perfect for wavy hair. The middle-parted bangs and long layers frame Emily Ratajkowski's face and accentuate her cheekbones. To get a similar haircut, ask for long layers and Brigitte Bardot bangs—your stylist will know exactly what you're talking about.

Blunt, Textured Bob

This blunt, textured bob is low maintenance and darling. "I like to style this type of bob with a Trademark Beauty Sunny Styler. It's great because it can be used to straighten or curl," says Spino. To get Rowland-like waves, start by parting your hair in horizontal sections. Then, take your curling iron and rock it back and forth to create a bend. "This can also be achieved with a wand," Spino instructs. "Curl only wrapping the hair around once or twice, leaving the ends out. Finish with a texture spray."

Long Bob With Side Part

This long bob with a side part is universally flattering. It incorporates long layers for movement, Hurtado tells us. "To style this cut, use a sea salt spray for texture and part it at the side for extra body." 

Layered Lob

Layered lobs are perfect for those wanting an in-between length, says Spino. To get the look, ask your stylist to cut approximately at the collarbone and add some face-framing pieces. "This cut can also look great air-dried," Spino adds.

Cropped Waves

This style is the perfect illustration of growing out your pixie done right. "To ask for this cut, request that the back be shorter than the front and keep the front long enough to tuck behind the ears," says Hurtado. "You can use a curling iron to accentuate the waves and then comb out the waves with a wide-tooth comb to make the style more glamorous." 

Inverted Bob

This wavy inverted bob frames the face and accentuates the jawline. "To ask for a similar cut, have the length cut at the jawline with layers that are texturized," says Hurtado. "To style, use a lightweight oil to keep it tamed, shiny, and polished."