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If you have wavy hair, you’ve likely had to go through a long process to find what works for you. Some curly hair products are too heavy, while formulas meant for straight hair don’t give you the definition or volume you’re after. It really is a balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be.
Sure, some trial and error comes with the territory for any hair type and texture, but some products tend to stand out for experts and editors that deliver results time and again. With the market being as saturated as it is, I decided to reach out to colleagues, curl experts, and celebrity hairstylists to find out which products are worth every dollar.
Curious to see which ones made the cut? Read on for the full list below in addition to pro tips on how to make defined waves last.
Best Products for Wavy Hair at a Glance
Best Products for Wavy Hair in 2026
Best Overall: R+Co Jackpot Styling Crème
R+Co
Jackpot Styling Crème
If you want a styling cream that does it all, this is it. R+Co’s Jackpot Styling Crème is versatile enough to be used on wet or dry hair for everything from slicked-back styles to blowouts. “It might seem unconventional, but I love using styling creams since they don’t weigh down the hair as much as curl creams can,” says celebrity hairstylist Kimberly Gueldner, founder of Voël. “This cream is lightweight but has a lot of tack, so it’s great for defining waves without any frizz!”
Pros: Can be used on wet or dry hair, locks in moisture
Cons: None
Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed soy protein, aloe-leaf extract, green tea, geranium extract, baobab extract
Customer review: “This product is amazing! It tames frizz, has enough hold that my hair stays the way I styled it throughout the day and as a bonus it smells awesome! Days I don’t use this, I regret it. I also enjoy the fact that it protects my hair from heat damage when blowing out.”
Best for Fine Waves: Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty Styling Cream
Paul Mitchell
Clean Beauty Styling Cream
If you prefer a slightly lighter hold, consider this cream from Paul Mitchell. “This one has tack, but not as much as the Jackpot Crème, so if you have finer hair and not so much frizz, this is a good cream for that,” says Gueldner. This lightweight formula contains ingredients such as flaxseed and ferulic acid to strengthen hair.
Pros: Lightweight, tames frizz
Cons: Not ideal for thicker hair
Key ingredients: flaxseed, ferulic acid
Customer review: “I really love this styling cream! It’s not too hard, it’s flexible and feels natural in my hair. It smells wonderful as well. I love the smoothness and the fact that a little goes a long way with this product. It definitely has a clean scent to it. I look forward to using this from now on.”
Best for Thick Hair: Bumble and Bumble Curl Defining Styling Cream
Bumble and Bumble
Curl Defining Styling Cream
Sometimes, curly hair products can be helpful for those with waves if their hair is thick or if their curl pattern is more defined. This styling cream from Bumble and Bumble contains a mix of oils, butters, and UV filters to tame frizz, add shine, and define waves and curls. “I have clients who use this, and it has great hold for defining hair,” says Gueldner. “They also make a lightweight one for medium to fine hair.”
Pros: Great for thick hair, adds shine, tames frizz
Cons: Not ideal for thin or fine hair
Key ingredients: Avocado oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, UV filters
Customer review: “I loooooove this stuff!! I have naturally wavy hair, and this is such a great product that brings out more of my wave without making it ‘crunchy.’ I loosely follow curly girl methods, but using this product alone is really all I’ve needed lately!”
Best Spray: Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Waves Spray
Innersense Organic Beauty
I Create Waves Spray
If you’re looking to add texture to your waves, look no further than the I Create Waves Spray. “This is one of my favorite enhancers for wavy hair because it supports texture without stiffness,” says curly hair specialist Dusty Schlabach. “It encourages separation and movement, which is exactly what waves need to look effortless instead of overstyled.” Pro tip: Schlabach suggests spraying this on once hair is dry and giving it a gentle shake to separate waves while maintaining definition.
Pros: Perfect for beach waves, clean ingredients
Cons: May cause slight crunchiness for some
Key ingredients: Pink Himalayan salt, aloe vera, angelica root extract
Customer review: “Although I don’t use it all the time it is a great product to give a nice hold on the days I want to keep my natural waves intact and on other days when my hair needs a refresh of wave. Ingredients are light and healthy also keeps some frizz at bay.”
Best Mousse: Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
Crown Affair
The Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
This pick comes from Who What Wear associate editor Alyssa Brascia, who says this mousse is great for defining waves and controlling the frizz. The formula provides volume, definition, and hydration without that crunchy feeling. It’s perfect for soft beach waves.
Pros: Soft on hair, defines and tames frizz
Cons: On the pricey side
Key ingredients: Pink Bolivian salt, Tsubaki Meadows, plant protein blend
Customer review: “I enjoy crown products and this is no exception. This is a really nice mousse. It has a great hold and doesn’t get all hard and crunchy. It last all day and leaves no buildup. I also enjoy the scent. My hair is great using this.”
Best Sea Salt Alternative: Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray
Some sprays can be heavy on hair, but this one has a lightweight formula that enhances waves while fighting frizz. “This is a great conditioning sea salt–alternative spray that won’t dry out your hair and encourages amped-up texture,” says Brascia. Bonus: It has a fresh desert-hibiscus scent that testers say they love.
Pros: Smells great, nondrying
Cons: Smell may be too sweet for some
Key ingredients: Hibiscus-flower extract, prickly pear–seed oil, moringa-leaf extract
Customer review: “This works tremendously well on my hair! I love the smell, I can reapply every day until I wash and it does not leave a crunchy feeling, it just refreshes my hair and my waves. Truly love it!!”
Best Splurge: Oribe Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm
Oribe
Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm
If you don’t mind splurging, consider trying this Oribe Styling Balm. The formula was made for fine-to-medium hair to style air-dried waves and other heatless styles. “This is a lovely addition to my hair after getting out of the shower on days when I want my waves to dry nicely,” says Brascia. It also adds shine and strengthens hair to prevent split ends and breakage.
Pros: Adds shine, reduces breakage
Cons: Pricey
Key ingredients: Tomato-fruit ferment, upcycled chickpea extract, fermented yerba mate extract, golden oak mushroom extract
Customer review: “This is the best air dry hair product I have ever used! I’ve let my hair air dry for about 20 years now and this is my new holy grail. I don’t have to do anything else for my hair to look great! I have long, thick hair that’s 2C.”
How can someone enhance their natural waves?
Enhancing your natural waves starts with the right haircut. Schlabach suggests getting plenty of layers based on how dense the hair is. “If hair is too heavy, it falls flat, and if it’s cut too thin, the ends start to look stringy,” he says. “Once the foundation is there, enhancing waves becomes less about adding to it and more about not disrupting what’s already naturally happening.”
When styling, Gueldner uses the scrunch and finger-coiling methods before drying with a diffuser. Schlabach adds that you don’t want to break up the waves too soon, as doing so can lead to unwanted frizz.
What’s the best way to maintain wavy hair?
As it goes for every hair type, following a consistent regimen is the key to maintaining healthy strands. “Waves thrive when you cleanse regularly so buildup doesn’t weigh them down. Plus, avoid heavy products that crush movement,” says Schlabach. For overnight maintenance, he recommends sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction for less frizz and breakage. However, he emphasizes that getting the right haircut and not skipping trims is essential. “Once a year just isn’t enough, as wavy hair needs regular shaping to look its absolute best,” he says.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best products for wavy hair, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients and customer reviews. We’re aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
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