The 16 Best Products for Wavy Hair That Volumize and Define S-Shaped Curls

Best Overall

Ceremonia Guava Beach Waves Hair Texturizing Spray

$22 at Sephora

“My hair is in that no-man’s-land territory,” says Kaitlin Clark, senior beauty commerce editor. “It’s definitely not straight, but it’s not curly either. On a good day, I have Gisele beach waves. On a bad day, I have a rat’s nest.” This in-between hair type usually means creams are too heavy, mousses too light, and salt sprays, while they work for some, they definitely don’t work for others, Clark included.

“Every salt spray I’ve ever tried has somehow made my hair look worse than if I just let it air dry, so I did not have high hopes for Ceremonia’s new launch, especially with the small bottle,” she says. “But I have been humbled — it gives my hair the right amount of hold and structure to keep my waves actually looking wavy and not fall flat, but it also doesn’t overdo it, because a crunchy finish is just a no. Basically, it makes me look like I’m having the best hair day of my entire life with an appropriate level of bounce and body — not poofiness —  that also smells heavenly.” 

Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Pink bolivian salt, aloe vera, guava fruit extract | Size: 4.2 oz

Best Leave-In Cream

Bumble and bumble Surf Styling Leave-In

$35 at Sephora $35 at Ulta $35 at Kohls.com

The ultimate dream: Never taking a strand scorching flat iron or blow dryer to our delicate waves again. The conditioning Bumble and bumble leave-in cream is one air dry hair product getting us that much closer, as we rely on its beachy blend of moisturizing ingredients to provide natural definition and shape without any crunchiness of traditional curl creams.

Unlike the gritty texture some salt sprays can leave behind in our hair, the conditioning and fortifying vitamins and minerals found in aloe vera, coconut extract, and sage leaf oil soften strands and provide them with extra hold and body. While it may not transform straight hair into mermaid-like waves, for those who already have some definition, prepare to see the same enhanced shape we only glimpse after the perfect beach day. But maybe the best part? With the formulation's protective UV filters, you can rock beachy, wavy hair at the beach on a sunny day in totally healthy way.

Type: Cream conditioner | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, kelp extract, coconut fruit and algae extracts | Size: 5 oz

Best Brush for Detangling

Crown Affair The Brush No. 002

$74 at Sephora View on Goop.com View on Crownaffair.com

We will never again second guess the true power that the right brush can hold over determining whether we’ll have a good or bad hair day. After individually testing the 25 brushes for curly hair The Crown Affair No. 002 brush was easily the best option for gently detangling waves and left our hair so shiny and frizz-free, we second-guessed if it contained a secret, strand-smoothing ingredient between each durable bristle. 

In reality, it came down to a thoughtful design — the brush features spacious gaps between each bristle allowing hair to seamlessly pass through each one without getting tangled and this detail helped to better distribute our natural hair oils so tresses were less greasy overall. Not only did the Beachwood bristles leave our hair less damaged than when we use coarse, plastic ones, but their weight provided subtle pressure to circulate blood flow and slightly massaged our scalps with each stroke for an unexpected self-care ritual. While it may seem like a splurge, as long as you keep the material away from water and damp hair this durable brush will last you a lifetime. 

Type: Wooden bristled brush | Key Ingredients: Natural beechwood | Size: Standard size

Best Drugstore

John Frieda Styling Foam

$10 at Amazon View on Target

John Frieda and his line of affordable hairsprays, creams, and gels are certified frizz-taming machines and slick back flyaways on all hair types, including Emily Blunt’s Oscars updo to Hailey Bieber’s bob. The Waves Styling Foam, however, is specially formulated for thick wavy locks (although it worked wonderfully on our fine, thin hair too) and helps hold S-shaped waves in place while simultaneously boosting shine.  The best part? This lightweight water-based foam retains its airy consistency and doesn’t dissolve strands into crunchy messes 

One downside is the strong whiff of faux florals, kind of similar to your grandma’s signature scent, we got with each use, but thankfully it dissipated once we worked it into our hair. 

Type: Foam | Key Ingredients: Moringa oil, rosehip oil | Size: 5 oz

Best Splurge

Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask

$73 at Sephora $73 at Violet Grey View on Shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com

When your bleached, heat-fried waves call for real damage control, treat battered strands to the indulgent properties of Shu Uemera – even our colorist, who says that thanks to this serum, our abused hair feels renewed, approves of the brand’s healing formulas. This creamy reset mask enshrouds hair in a light botanical fragrance while a cadre of healing ingredients, notably the vitamin-enriched rice extract, revive dead ends, hydrate parched strands, and smooth away coarse texture. We like to heap it on in the shower, and watch our waves take a fuller, more defined shape as they air dry. Keep in mind that its thick consistency could weigh down thinner hair types.

Type: Cream hair mask | Key Ingredients: Japanese-sourced rice extract, vitamins B and E | Size: 6 oz

Best for Wavy, Frizzy Hair

RŌZ Milk Hair Serum

$52 at Nordstrom $52 at Anthropologie $52 at Neiman Marcus

Mother Nature and wavy hair have a tenuous relationship – one Cumulonimbus cloud and our perfect princess waves are kaput. But, just as its products saved Emma Stone’s sleek hair look on the red carpet, the milk serum from Roz prevents unwanted static from weather, a rough pillowcase, and dehydration. “First of all, every time I apply this serum at least one person compliments my floral-fresh smelling hair, but more importantly, it’s a savior on days where humidity is high and heavy clouds hang in the sky,” says Richardson, who adds that, “There’s not lingering residue after applying the serum-cream-hybrid texture applies to my damp hair and it keeps wavy blowouts intact no matter what whacky weather comes my way.” 

Although thick hair types may use much more product than our finer-haired friends, all hair types still benefit from lightweight ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol to condition and fortify strands. Together with plant extracts such as sunflower seed, grape, and ginger root, they counteract any dryness leading to frizz and lock in hydration. 

Type: Serum | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil, grape and ginger root extracts | Size: 3.38 oz

Best for Wavy Hair After Shower

Crown Affair The Hair Oil

$40 at Sephora View on Crownaffair.com $40 at Violet Grey

Call it invisible magic. After applying only a few drops of this clear Crown Affair serum, it instantly melted into our damp hair and all extraneous frizz disappeared by the time we blew out our waves. “My endless amounts of weird, broken half strands always add extra frizz to my mane, but ever since I started incorporating this oil into my hair routine after I shower I haven’t seen a single straggler," says Richardson. "And, trust me, I’ve tried everything to tame my frizzy flyaways,"

She adds that she doesn’t have to worry about the serum messily running down her hands thanks to its thicker viscosity, which feels thicker than an oil but more flexible than a leave-in cream conditioner. While the texture felt a little greasy between her palms, there wasn’t a trace of residue left between her strands.  

Type: Oil-serum | Key Ingredients: Tsubaki and meadowfoam seed oils | Size: 1 oz

Best for Scrunching Wavy Hair

Kérastase Gelée Curl Contour Gel Cream

$46 at Amazon $46 at Sephora

Who knew we’d enter the age with so many opinions on the right and wrong way to scrunch our hair (does anyone actually have time for the “Bowl Method?”). No matter how you crimp or crumple your curls, the Kérastase Contour cream does exactly as the name suggests and molds waves into better-defined patterns for extra hold, security, and body — no curling wands required.

With the formula's gelish, non-sticky texture, you can scrunch it and even continue applying layer after layer (if you need it, that is) and still find that it feels like a smoothing lightweight oil, not a control gel. Given the wealth of moisturizers — manuka honey, coconut oil, and shea butter — mixed with strand-strengthening ceramides, this formula was specifically developed to bring out the best in your wavy hair and keep breakage at bay. That said, sometimes shea butter can be a little too heavy for very fine hair, so we suggest testing the waters with just a pea-sized amount of product if this applies to you. 

Type: Gel-cream | Key Ingredients: Ceramide, manuka honey, coconut oil | Size: 5.1 oz

Best Wavy Hair Products for Beginners

JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream

$26 at Amazon $14 at Sephora $12 at Kohls.com

Whether you’re beginning to embrace your natural waves courtesy of the TikTok curly girl method or you simply have thinning patience when it comes to styling, the JVN air dry styling cream is an unfussy, easy way to see your waves reborn healthier and fuller with minimal effort. This clean, green, frizz-fighting machine ditches sulfates and waxy fillers in favor of healthier options such as hair-softening emollients like squalane and moringa seed oil. 

What’s better, these silicone alternatives still provide grip and texture, minus any of that waxy residue we sometimes see, so feel free to go forth without washing because these ingredients won’t leave behind a filmy layer. A couple of pro-tips: The gel texture also gives dry second or third-day hair great hold for a non-greasy-looking slicked-back bun, and if you decide to finish off your look with the coordinating nourishing hair oil you’ll see shine for several days. 

Type: Cream | Key Ingredients: Squalane, chia seed extract, moringa seed oil | Size: 5 oz

Best Wavy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner

$101 at Dermstore $55 at Sephora $53 at Modaoperandi.com

Dazzling luster and lush locks accompany each hair wash with the Oribe Gold Lust shampoo and conditioner, according to Richardson. “Using this duo is a non-negotiable for me — mainly because together the products helped increase the thickness of my fine wavy hair and increase the fullness of my waves, but also because the intoxicating, rich-girl scent that accompanies each washing is worth the price tag alone,” she says. Richardson also notes that, surprisingly, the shampoo and conditioner's thick, rich consistency doesn’t weigh down her thin texture thanks to its use of featherweight, plant-based oils. 

Additionally, the brand’s signature keratin-packed formula repairs broken ends and fortifies weak strands to promote gleaming, healthier hair over time. “Plus, the golden-flecked formula and gem-cut shampoo bottle make hair washing, my least favorite task even above shaving, enjoyable,” adds Richardson. Another perk: It doesn’t use nutrient-stripping sulfates, which are good at breaking up dirt and oil but can be damaging for color-dyed or fragile hair.

Type: Cream shampoo and conditioner | Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed, ginger, watermelon, and kiwi extracts, glycerin | Size: 2.5 oz (Shampoo); 1.7 oz (conditioner)

Best Natural Wavy Hair Product

Gisou Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray

$39 at Amazon $39 at Sephora

Believe it or not, beachy waves don’t always come from surf and sand – in fact, you can find the ingredients you need in a more botanical biome according to natural hair care brand Gisous. Its texturizing wave spray taps propolis, the resin bees use to build hives, as the formula’s hero ingredient and lays a foundation for stronger hair with the addition of sunflower seed extract, another strengthening oil.  “The added sea salt definitely provided the promised texture to my hair, but I really appreciated how it didn’t cause my strands to feel gritty or stiff, which is a problem I often encounter with similar formulas,” says Richardson. She also says that the spray helps her waves dry in a looser, less-defined texture ideal for casual wash-and-go days when she needs to look presentable, but not ready for the red carpet. 

Most hair types will benefit from it, but if you’re on the extra dry side we’d use it alongside one of our favorite leave-in conditioners to see extra moisture and shine.

Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Propolis, sunflower seed extract, sea salt | Size: 5.1 oz

Best for Wavy Thick Hair

Drunk Elephant Silkamino Conditioning Leave-In Milk

$32 at Sephora $32 at Ulta View on Drunkelephant.com

Drunk Elephant loaded up this moisturizing leave-in with the good stuff: Antioxidant-rich marula oil, camellia oil’s fatty acids, and vitamin-based abyssinian oil work to restore moisture, boost shine, calm frizz, and leave hair super soft and smooth. But what really got our attention is the trio of silk ingredients — smoothing silk sericin, strengthening silk amino acids and shine-enhancing hydrolyzed silk — that work together to rebuild hair from the inside out.

Over time and with consistent use (time to schedule that self-care Sunday moment), these ingredients help the hair retain moisture for longer periods of time, boosting elasticity and shine. Thicker hair types could get away with using it regularly, but finer strands may want to use it less often and apply less product overall since it's a heavier formula. 

Type: Leave-in conditioner | Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, amino acids, marula oil | Size: 7 oz

Best Wavy Spray

Ouai Wave Spray

$28 at Amazon $14 at Sephora $28 at Ulta

For a formula that applies nearly invisible, the Ouai Wave Spray has some noteworthy fans — Dua Lipa, for one, credits her weightless, beachy mermaid hair to this wave-boosting spray, and we’re similarly enthralled. “I find that so many wave sprays leave my hair crunchy and feeling, well, pretty stiff, so consider me more skeptical of them than the sea moss movement, however, the Ouai Wave Spray applied in a fine mist and naturally enhanced my waves, allowing me to skip out on using hot tools,” says Richardson. We like to give our hair a little scrunch, maybe create coils by wrapping a strand or two around our fingers, and presto, we’ve got a care-free summer ‘do. 

You could even apply it to your dry roots for an extra zhuzh of volume and not worry about seeing build-up or a sticky residue. Although we like its use of conditioning plant-based extracts, notably coconut water, this probably won’t give your hair the same level of softness as say, a leave-in conditioner, but we’re still pretty impressed with the shine it delivers. 

Type: Spray | Key Ingredients: Rice protein, coconut water, ginger root extract | Size: 4.9 oz

Best for Dry Hair

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

$46 at Amazon $15 at Sephora View on Briogeohair.com

We tried to come up with something that this deep conditioning mask couldn’t fix – a lengthy trip to the Sahara desert, hours spent in chlorine, using a really hot hair straightener – but came up empty. Seriously, the thick, rich formula is that good at resuscitating dehydrated strands that are mere seconds away from shriveling up and splintering off in split ends.

We haven't seen such a jam-packed conditioning formula like this in quite some time. It relies on shine-enhancing rosehip and almond oils, keratin-forming B vitamins like biotin, and plenty of natural plant-based ingredients. But the real cherry on top? It's all wrapped up in a light, delicious vanilla-scented fragrance. (Although if your hair is on the finer side, don't overdo it like we once did, or else you may see a little bit of buildup like we also did; keep your applications to twice a week, max.)

Type: Cream conditioner | Key Ingredients: Rosehip and almond oils, biotin, algae extract | Size: 8 oz

Best Lightweight Product for Wavy Hair

Amika Defining Cream

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Kohls.com

We get it, applying products with a gel texture can be scary, especially if you’re worried about it leaving behind a tacky residue. Fear not, because while the Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream may look like the traditional, crunchy, sticky styling gels of yore, it’s lighter than a serum, and melts between strands like one, too. One key ingredient mastering this feat is tapioca starch, a natural alternative to heavy silicone, that provides curls with the thicker viscosity they need to stay in shape, but without leaving behind any lingering residue.

Meanwhile, other plant-based products in the formula full of fatty acids contribute to strong locks, and strengthening amino acids build hair bonds to leave you with healthier hair over time. Using it, however, requires some trial and error, and you may find the most luck applying it after any hair oils instead of before. 

Type: Leave-in cream | Key Ingredients: Oat peptide, sea buckthorn, tapioca starch | Size: 6.7 oz

Best for Thin, Wavy Hair

Raw Sugar Rosemary Vinegar Hair Rinse

View on Rawsugarliving.com

The constant battle between trying to keep hair clean, not overwashing it, and dealing with oil buildup is tricky, especially since thin hair tends to get greasier than other types. However, the Raw Sugar Rosemary rinse became the perfect solution mastering the balancing act. It uses gentle ingredients like apple cider vinegar and rosemary to gently break up the grit and grime from our scalps.

Released from the weight of old products, our waves appeared fuller and more buoyant. Mostly, we were impressed with the blinding shine it imparted across our tresses – a key indication of healthier hair. We didn’t bother lathering on any other oils after thanks to our already lustrous locks, and although we would’ve liked to see a bit more hydration, at least no heavy plant butters weighed down our hair. 

Type: Rinse shampoo | Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, rosemary, mint | Size: 6 oz