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16 Best Hairstyles for Wavy Hair, According to Stylists

 

Wavy hair, don’t care.

I have a love-hate relationship with my wavy hair. On good hair days, it's wonderful and flowy, but taming it can be an absolute nightmare. That said, wavy hair definitely has its pros. It can add some texture and volume to a hairstyle that otherwise lacks dimension. These days, wearing it wavy is one of the most coveted finishes after a salon cut. In fact, there is a whole world of Facebook groups devoted to The Curly Girl Method celebrating the beauty of naturally styled curls and waves.

Want in on the waves? Whether you have long or short wavy hair, we asked hairstylists for the best styles to pair with your glorious curls the next time you go to the salon. Screenshot these for your next appointment.

Blunt Bob

A blunt bob is known for its straight lines (particularly at the ends) for a clean, precise look. For those with natural waves, the hair itself won't be straight, but it will have a uniform look. "Depending on the density of the hair, a blunt bob can enhance wavy hair if it's on the finer side," says Shelly Aguirre, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. It's also a great, face-framing hairstyle for round faces.

Shag With Layers

Over the past few years, the shaggy cut's been all the rage among millennials and Gen-X-ers alike. It works especially well with wavy hair. "A shaggy cut effectively removes the weight and bulk at the bottom with well-cut layers for a flattering, polished style," says Nunzio Saviano, the owner of Nunzio Saviano salon. In addition to its stylish vibe, the layers can help you keep better tamed. "If the hair is longer and thicker," he adds, "then adding layers will help remove some unwanted bulk."

Pixie Cut

While pixie cuts work for almost any hair type, wavy hair can add texture and dimension that a typical pixie lacks. Another advantage: "With wavy hair, a pixie cut can be quite versatile," says Aguirre. If you like to go a little longer between appointments and want to use minimal product, ask your stylist for a choppy, tousled finish.

Full-bodied Curls

Craving more definition? Enhance your wavy hair with some additional curls for that extra bounce. "Adding a few curls to your natural waves can give it a great textured look and feel," says Lacy Gadegaard West, CEO of Laced Hair Extensions. Create this look with hot rollers or a traditional curling wand—just make sure to use a smoothing serum or taming product to help minimize frizz.

Curtain Bangs

Want to get bangs but not ready for a full commitment? Wavy hair lends itself well to curtain bangs as they frame the face and add dimension. This style requires minimal effort with a blow dryer and a round brush to create the desired shape. You can easily pin these longer bangs back if you want your hair off your face, not to mention they'll blend right into the rest of your haircut as they grow.

Inverted Lob

Accentuate those waves with an inverted lob (aka a "long bob") that gradually gets shorter as it reaches the back. Not only is this style on-trend, but it can also easily be grown out by adding some bangs along the way for a more even shape.

Short Undercut

Dare to go bold? An undercut is a haircut with one or both temple areas cut very short. Although it's been a very popular men's style for years, it's a trendy look for women who want to accentuate a wavy mane. Half of your hair will be short while the waves on the other side reign free.

Grown Out Pixie

Somewhere in between a pixie and a bob lives a cute, in between crop, and it's a great look for showing off your waves. Ask your stylist for a shorter in the back and longer in the front style, where the face-framing pieces are long enough to tuck behind your ears. Pair it with a deep side part to add a face-sculpting, flattering angle. Enhance your natural waves with a curl cream (then air dry or diffuse), or use a small curling wand to wrap pieces around for pretty ripples like Halle.

Wolf Cut

Model Mica Argañaraz joined the pack by rocking a wavy wolf cut on the runway. Celebs including Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish helped put this choppy, layered cut on the map. This look is especially flattering on those with fine hair because it adds instant texture and body. It also ups your cool factor because of its edgy, rocker vibe. Best of all, it highlights your natural texture so if you've already got waves or curls, this cut will make them look even better. Air-dry and slay.

Feather Cut Bob

This 70s-inspired look takes a page—as the name implies—from birds! It's all about soft layers (or feathers, if you will) that can be played up to enhance movement or smoothed down (who doesn't want versatility?!). While this feathered style can work on short or long lengths, a bob is the sweet spot. Play up your waves with a curling iron or run a wave cream through and air-dry for a sculpted, almost retro vibe.

Wispy Bangs

One surefire way to make bangs look super cool: keep them wispy (cue Sabrina Carpenter). While bangs are notoriously high maintenance, the celeb-inspired, wispy bang trend is pretty chill. Stylists say that wipsy bangs frame your face but the airy, shorter strands are much easier to style than full-blown fringe. Plus they look amazing on wavy styles. Ask your stylist for feathery, wispy bangs then style them using a little leave-in conditioner and a round brush.

Asymmetrical Waves

Sure, blunt styles and perfectly even ends are beautiful but there's something so refreshing and cool (hi, Mary!) about an asymmetrical cut. The uneven look adds interesting, face-flattering angles, plus, friendly reminder, hair grows back. So if you're ready to make a switch, show your stylist this photo as wave-enhancing inspo. When it comes to styling, experts recommend define natural waves with a mousse then going in and wrapping small sections around a wand for extra piece-y-ness.

Ombré Ends

Cuts and styles are great ways to show off waves, but hair color has a huge impact on highlighting your texture. A subtle ombré, where your color gradually gets lighter towards the ends of your hair makes waves really pop. Elizabeth Olsen's golden brown color with caramel hues add extra dimension for waves that wow.

Silver Waves

For anyone who thinks "going grey" is a sign of letting go, Andie MacDowell proves that silver reigns supreme. Whether you're growing out colored hair to go natural, or you want to dabble in grey or silver dye, the metallic hue serves as a stunning spotlight on soft waves. Keep your hair shiny and banish any brassiness with a purple shampoo.

Wet-Look, Beachy Waves

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton says that the key to the wet-look is to start on freshly washed hair. He recommends raking in a serum to keep hair soft and hydrated followed by a mousse (he loves the one from ColorWow) to pump up the volume and add hold. He tops that cocktail with a gloss for mirror-like shine. Before drying the hair with a diffuser, he twists it into small sections to help coax out waves. Diffuse to dry (it looks wet; but it's dry!) then shake it all out for wet-looking, mermaid-like waves.

High, Wavy Ponytail

Gabrielle Union's snatched high ponytail is a prime example that an updo doesn't have to be crazy complicated. Her pony at a recent premiere is proof that a sleek in the front and wavy in the back, high ponytail is modern elegance. So how do you elevate a ponytail from the gym to the red carpet (or, ya know, dinner)? Keep it smooth in the front with gel and let your waves flow down the length of the ponytail (rock them natural or use an iron, or even a clip-on ponytail!). The finishing touch: wrap a piece of hair around the base of your ponytail and secure with a pin for the ultimate polished pony.