Get ready for an affordable, easy hair routine for wavy hair! This follows the curly girl method, so feel free to share it with both your wavy friends and curly friends! I detail how to use each product for each wash day, and also the other treatments to do less often (like a hair mask!)
Yet again stealing these words were from a different hair routine: As a wise wavy once said, “It takes way longer to write out how I apply the products than it does to actually apply them.” Truth. Don’t be scared by how long this looks! I’m trying to give the most comprehensive information possible!
Note: I prefer to wash my hair at night, but I wrote a section for morning tips too.
note: **this shampoo contains amodimethicone, which is NOT like other silicones. This one does not coat the hair in the same way as other silicones. However, I will provide an alternative below that is completely cone free, keep reading!
First of all, hooray for us! The curly and wavy hair community have absolutely pushed companies to create more sulfate free and silicone free options at a great price point. This option by Aveeno is no exception. The line that caught me was “oat as the first ingredient.” Most shampoos/low-poos have water or maybe aloe vera juice as the top ingredient. So to see this “colloidal oat extract” as the top ingredient got me to try it. And I’m so glad I did! Between that and the amodimethicone (a-cone as it’s often shortened to), my hair feels smooth and soft.
Alternative: If you really, really want to stay away from A-cone, another gentle shampoo option is the Odele Smoothing Shampoo.
How I Use: Basically, I use the Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Shampoo as a “normal” shampoo. While the name doesn’t say it, this IS a low-poo because it’s sulfate free! Low-poos are very user friendly if you are just starting your natural hair journey. I use about a quarter size amount and lather into my scalp. Don’t lather into your ends or they will get dry. This shampoo (low-poo) lathers very well and is quite cleansing. If you use water soluble silicones you’ll have no trouble rinsing those out. I wash my hair twice most times to be sure all product is out. I fully rinse in between. I also focus on my scalp this entire time, and don’t intentionally put any shampoo onto the lengths of my hair. As your rinse the shampoo out, the ends get very gently cleansed. The scalp is where build up actually occurs, so that’s where to focus.
To make this clear to any new readers, no this isn’t sponsored. I just like using full product lines.
How I Use: First things first I will use a little of this conditioner to detangle my hair (with my fingers) and rinse completely. I detangle all the way up to my roots, and this part of conditioning takes me less than a minute. This must be rinsed out quickly or the hair gets weighed down. The I do the “real” conditioning. I use the “squish to condish” method, and I’m not sure exactly who to credit this technique to (if anyone knows please tell us below and I will edit this). But basically, you flip your head over and “squish” your conditioner into your hair by scrunching it into soaking wet hair. I then let this conditioner sit on my hair while I do all the rest of my non-hair shower stuff. Then, to rinse out, I switch the water to room temperature/cool, change the water setting to a less aggressive water pressure, flip my head over, and rinse out while detangling/scrunching… I actually change my water settings so that a little bit of the conditioner stays in the lengths of my hair. Approximately 95%-98% of the conditioner is removed. Then I move onto the next step….
IF there’s only ONE product you take away from this hair routine, let it be the Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic Curl Simulator. The name doesn’t lie, this stuff is MAGICAL. It makes the hair soft, enhances waves, and calms frizz. It’s a holy grail that I’ll repurchase over and over.
How I Use: Once my hair is rinsed, I stay flipped over and lightly scrunch about 3 pumps into my hair. Keep in mind I have coarse, thick hair that is below my chest. Start with less as you test out the product and build up to your perfect amount with each wash. This curl activator also has good slip, so if your hair is tangly, rake the product through (if your hair has a very light wave, rake very gently or you’ll pull out the waves!). Then I immediately get into the next step…..
Once I’ve got the UFD Curl stimulator in, I twist my hair into the turbie twist. I think this actually helps my waves form into more ringlets/waves. Then, I go to bed. Yep, I do my hair at night 9 times out of 10. Keep reading if you take morning showers!…
If you MUST shower in the morning…..
Leave your hair in the turbie twist for at least 20 minutes. This is a great time to do your skincare routine (click here for my skincare faves!) and/or makeup. Or try to wrangle your two toddlers and huge Australian shepherd (or is that just me?!). Then, get your hair to 80% dry. You might leave your hair in the turbie twist longer, or scrunch it with a regular microfiber towel (or tshirt), or diffuse. Personally, I don’t like to spend the time diffusing – remember those toddlers? – but if that’s your thing go for it! I love the Xtava Black Orchid because it is HUGE. Check out this set that includes a dryer and the black orchid. Just don’t move onto the next step until your hair is *at least* 80% dry, but NOT fully, 100% dry. You want a little give and for there to be good chunks of waves to use a product with hold, and you want to do this before the frizz starts.
Ah yes, back to this holy grail. That’s right, this routine contains TWO holy grail products! The Herbal Essences Totally Twisted is my favorite mousse. It offers a good hold but without getting crunchy. p.s. If you DO notice crunch, wait until the hair is 100% dry then scrunch your hair while it’s dry!
How I use: I take my hair out of the turbie twist. For me if I sleep overnight, my hair is about 80% dry. That’s where I want it: dry enough to soak in the product, but damp enough to distribute it before it frizzes. If my hair is any drier /I will lightly scrunch in a bit of water from the sink. Nothing too detailed, I just want some moisture there. I then scrunch mousse until my hair feels coated. This is typically 4 golf ball sizes out mousse for my medium thickness, coarse, long hair. Really, you can look at the pictures in my 2 minute refresh post and the technique is quite similar (my hair is about double the length now!). I do not put mousse directly at my roots. That causes buildup/grease. I apply it up to about 4 inches from the roots. I find if I go any higher that my hair gets too much build up on days 2-4.
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You might be wondering about root clipping/volume. TBH, most days I flip my hair “against” my part until it’s dry, then once it is dry, flip it to the “normal” side. That’s my simplest method. Also, using mousse means your hair isn’t as heavy as it would be with gels/creams. But also….I don’t worry too much about root volume. In the scheme of things, I’d rather not worry. My commute would allow for 20 minutes of clipping, so I did do my triceratops root clipping method if you need an in-between. But if you want my “normal” routine….this is it. I’m done! If you are interested in diffusing, I love the Xtava Black Orchid because it’s HUGE, which means you can get your hair done relatively fast.
There are other parts of my hair routine that I consider my routine but aren’t done with each wash. If you want a detailed blog post on any of these, please comment below. I love to share what YOU want, wavy friend!
How I use: Basically whenever I notice my hair is dry, I’ll use this in place of a regular conditioner. In the winter months, I’ll use this every other wash. In spring-fall, maybe every 4th wash.
How I use: same as the GVP conditioning balm, just something else to change it up.
How I use: I very gently work the brush through, starting from only an inch or two own from my hair. I go up a couple of inches with each stroke until I’m at my roots. I lose SO much less hair than detangling in the shower. Plus it’s easier to deal with, and the drains don’t clog (really though. We’re friends here, it’s fine.)
How I use: same as the GVP conditioning balm, just something else to change it up.
I wrote a whole post about apple cider vinegar! I do this….whenever I think about it. Usually that means every 6 weeks or so. If you want info on ACV rinses be sure to check
If I’m just bored of my waves and want to change things up, I’ll do flexi rods in my hair overnight. How I use: with 95% dry hair, I’ll wrap small sections around each rod as if I was curling the hair with a clipless curling iron. Then I sleep on hem (the foam makes it tolerable), and carefully remove in the morning. It’s a satisfying way to try a new look without heat damage! If you’d like a full post on these, please comment below so I know.
If my scalp is disgusting but I also want to have freshly washed hair within the next two days (i.e. on a Thursday before a saturday event or something) I’ll co-wash. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a Wavy Hair 101 post on co-washing!
Phew! That covers pretty much everything! I hope this helps you whether you’re new to your natural wavy hair journey, or just want to read someone else’s routine! Be sure to comment below if you try this routine, or love anything mentioned. Comments, questions, critiques, and suggestions asked respectfully are always welcome! 🙂
First, I wanted to say your website has been very helpful. I actually already use the Herbal Essence mousse but was not using it right. Second, do you not use gel anymore? Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that! Glad you’ve got a product to try to use a new way. I typically only use gel in the hot and humid summer months! I find if I use it other times it weighs my waves down and leads to build up. Hope that helps! -Rachel
Just found your website and I love it! I have 2a/2b hair and it’s a love hate relationship. I grow it out and then cut it again because I just get tired of the battle. Been looking for an easier routine than I have seen. Many I have looked at are so complicated and I am all about lazy girl hair. Thank you for the great tips.
Ugh, I totally get that love/hate thing! Glad you enjoyed the read; hope it all helps! 🙂 -Rachel