You can enhance existing wavy hair by using specific products and styling techniques designed to define and amplify your natural wave pattern, without necessarily using heat.
Here's how:
Styling Techniques for Wavier Hair
1. Air Drying with Wave-Enhancing Products:
- Application: While your hair is damp (not soaking wet), apply a product specifically designed to enhance waves. Examples include:
- HAIR.RESORT by Kevin Murphy: A texturizing hair product.
- KILLER.WAVES by Kevin Murphy: Designed to define and separate waves.
- Scrunching: After applying the product, gently scrunch your hair upwards from the ends towards the roots. This encourages wave formation.
- Air Dry: Allow your hair to air dry completely. Avoid touching it too much while drying, as this can disrupt the wave pattern and cause frizz.
2. Braiding:
- Product Application: Apply a wave-enhancing product to your damp hair. This provides hold and definition.
- Braiding: Loosely braid your hair. The number of braids will affect the wave pattern:
- Fewer, larger braids will create larger, looser waves.
- More, smaller braids will create tighter, more defined waves.
- Drying Time: Let your hair dry completely while braided. This can be achieved naturally or, for quicker results, with a diffuser on a low heat setting.
- Undo and Style: Once dry, carefully undo the braids and gently separate the waves with your fingers. Avoid brushing, as this can disrupt the waves and create frizz.
3. Plopping:
- Application: Apply a wave-enhancing product to damp hair.
- Plopping Technique: Lay a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt on a flat surface. Flip your head over, placing your hair in the center of the towel. Wrap the towel around your head, securing it at the nape of your neck.
- Drying Time: Leave the towel wrapped around your hair for 20-30 minutes, or until your hair is mostly dry.
- Air Dry/Diffuse: Remove the towel and either air dry or diffuse the remaining moisture.
4. Diffusing:
- Product Application: Apply a wave-enhancing product.
- Diffusing Technique: Use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. Diffuse your hair on a low heat and speed setting, cupping sections of your hair in the diffuser and gently lifting them towards your scalp.
- Avoid Over-Drying: Stop diffusing when your hair is about 80% dry to prevent frizz. Allow it to air dry the rest of the way.
Tips for Success:
- Experiment with Products: Finding the right product for your hair type is crucial. What works for one person may not work for another.
- Avoid Over-Handling: The less you touch your hair while it's drying, the better defined your waves will be.
- Deep Condition Regularly: Healthy, hydrated hair is essential for well-defined waves.
- Use a Microfiber Towel or T-Shirt: These are gentler on your hair than traditional towels and can help reduce frizz.
By utilizing these techniques, you can successfully add and enhance the waves in your wavy hair.
