If you've always had that in-between hair that's not quite straight, not quite curly, then welcome. You will know all too well the juggle of trying to style those soft and slightly unruly waves that never seemed to fully make up their mind. For me, I have days where my hair falls into those perfectly imperfect bends that feel effortlessly cool; on others, it flattens, goes limp and resists every product I throw at it (often leaving me having to reach for a hair waver).
Having worked with some of the best stylists over the years, there’s one thing they all agree on: wavy hair isn’t difficult, it’s just misunderstood. Their number one rule? It doesn’t need taming or over-styling; it needs the right balance.
If you're struggling to find the best products for wavy hair, then you'll also want to turn to the people I trust most: fellow beauty editors with the same ambiguous texture. I asked them to share their ride-or-die products and the techniques that actually work in their hair routine, because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the best products don’t fight wavy hair; they simply help it do its thing, better. But first, I spoke to two of London's leading stylists to get their expert advice on decoding your waves and how to care for them like a pro.
Best Products for Wavy Hair
- Best Mousse for Wavy Hair: Larry King My Nanna's Mousse, £22
- Best Texture Spray for Wavy Hair: Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Hair Mist, £28
- Best Styling Cream for Wavy Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream, £39
- Best Shampoo for Wavy Hair: Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo, £30
- Best Hair Mask for Wavy Hair: Davines Beautiful Things Restoring Leave-In Mask, £40
- Best Air-Dry Cream for Wavy Hair: Arkive Headcare Moisture Cream, £14
- Best Curl Jelly for Wavy Hair: Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly, £9
1. Larry King My Nanna's Mousse
Perfectly tousled waves can be achieved.
"Mousse can be hit or miss for me because my hair is quite fine, so it can easily get weighed down or feel sticky, but this one is really lightweight and easy to work with. It gives my waves and volume without making them feel crunchy or stiff. I apply it to damp hair and scrunch it through, and it helps enhance any natural bends. It’s great when I want a bit more hold and body without overloading my hair with product.' –Perdita Nouril, beauty editor at Women's Health and Who What Wear UK contributor.
2. Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Hair Mist
"'Barely there' can sometimes mean 'barely works', especially on fine hair that tends to drop, but this texture spray is an absolute keeper. Instead of forcing structure, it gently coaxes the waves into place. I’ve been using it as a refresh on second- and third-day hair: a light mist, a quick scrunch, and my waves are good to go again. What I like most, however, is how forgiving it is. It works with whatever shape my hair has woken up in, enhancing rather than resetting." – Perdita
3. Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
"I have coarse, wavy hair, so I struggle a lot with frizz and it can feel frustrating at times, but there are a few products I swear by. My must-have is the Living Proof Smooth Styling Cream. Every stylist I know swears by this cream, and I apply it before blow-drying as it gives me a really sleek, polished finish. Then I layer the sadly discontinued Aveda Brilliant Emollient Finishing Gloss on top. My hair just drinks it up, and I can use a generous amount without it ever feeling greasy. Together, they really lock in smoothness and keep the frizz under control." – Alex Friend, beauty director of Red Magazine
4. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
"To add definition and banish frizz, I have to use a fair few products, from leave-in conditioner and styling gel, to control cream and hair oil. Every few days, I spritz on a reviving mist and add some more cream. Needless to say, product build-up on the scalp is real, which makes owning a hard-working shampoo a must. I’ve been using the Sachajuan Clarifying Shampoo, and it's brilliant. It removes product build-up and excess oil from your scalp and strands, giving them a reset without totally stripping them to the point of tightness, dryness or irritation. On opening, the citrusy scent instantly lifts my spirits, and post-wash, my hair feels soft and as light as a feather, while my scalp feels clean, balanced and refreshed. What’s not to love?!" – Amerley Ollennu, freelance beauty editor
5. Davines Beautiful Things Restoring Leave-In Mask
"Let's begin with some context: my hair was wavy, but now it's damaged beyond repair. I don't mind, I have a committed relationship with crazy colours and bleach, so it's my own fault. But this does mean that I need some serious help when it comes to making my waves look like actual waves, and not just crispy whisps of straw. Enter: the Davines Beautiful Things Restorative Leave-In Mask, which smooths and hydrates within seconds. It smells like a salon treat and is a deliciously lightweight, milky texture that doesn't weigh my waves down. It even protects against heat." – Humeara Mohamed, freelance beauty editor
6. Arkive Headcare Moisture Cream
"Over the years, I have learned that my wavy hair loves a hair cream. Since turning my back on weighty oils, my waves are oh-so-much happier. To me, that is the number one product category you should invest in for wave definition. There are two that I always have in rotation. I use the Arkive The Good Calmer Cushioning Moisture Cream on damp hair on the lengths and ends, then use the scrunch method to 'activate' my waves and allow them to dry naturally. It leaves my hair feeling super silky and looking healthy. On dry hair, I am a devout loyalist to the Hershesons Almost Everything Cream, which revives two-day-old waves, defines natural movement and boosts shine." – Katie Thomas, senior beauty editor at Marie Claire UK
7. Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly
"I absolutely love this curl jelly. When I’m wearing my hair naturally wavy, I try not to overload it with products—my hair is quite fine, so too much either makes it go crunchy or causes build-up that weighs it down (and I end up with that “spaniel ears” look). This is one of the few products that really works for me. It defines my waves beautifully and smooths out frizz without leaving that stiff, crunchy finish. A little goes a long way, so I just apply a small amount to soaking wet hair and let it do its thing." – Chloé Burcham, freelance beauty editor
What’s The Difference Between Wavy and Curly Hair?
"Wavy and curly hair sit on the same spectrum, but the key difference is in the structure of the pattern," explains Hadley Yates, celebrity stylist and CURATED Co-Founder.
Whereas curls tend to form full spirals or ringlets and start curling right from the root, wavy hair is changeable and more reactive. Lucy Jones, stylist at Larry King, South Kensington adds that "waves tend to form a softer, looser S shape that sits closer to the head, whereas curls are more defined and spiral from the root."
When it comes to styling waves, Hadley reveals wavy hair is also typically finer and more prone to dropping or frizzing. "It needs a lighter touch when it comes to product use," he advises.
How I Enhance My Wavy Hair, As a Beauty Editor
- Style intuitively: There’s a rhythm to it. I’ve found a softer, more intuitive way of styling that requires less interference and more restraint. Lucy puts it simply: "Most people get it wrong by either overworking their hair or treating it like it’s straight."
- Styling on soaking wet hair: "Reach for lightweight formulas, like mousses, gels and barely-there curl creams," advises Lucy.
- Diffuse on a low heat: "If you are using a hair dryer, opt for a speed that can help set the shape, but just as important is avoiding over-brushing or over-handling, which can break up the wave and create frizz," says Hadley.
- Swap brushes for hands: "Flip your head forward and scrunch upward—this builds that natural wave pattern," reveals Lucy.
- The right cut is key: "Layers are your best friend to create volume and balance. Blunt cuts can drag waves down and fall flat," adds Lucy.
How to Protect Wavy Hair Between Washes
Wavy hair can lose its shape quickly between washes, so clever protection is vital. "Sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase helps reduce friction, while loosely tying the hair in a soft bun or braid can preserve the wave pattern overnight. In the morning, a light mist of water or a refresh spray, followed by a gentle scrunch, is often enough to bring the waves back to life without needing to fully restyle," advises Hadley.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.