how to know if you have wavy hair

We know how it starts—you stumble upon a viral TikTok video or YouTube story, and it’s always the same.

Someone who thought their hair was straight has discovered it’s wavy.

If you’ve wondered about your hair type, here are many signs you might have waves or curls.

Following a curly routine could benefit your hair.

What does wavy hair look like?

Wavy hair typically has a loose, relaxed S-shape wave.

Depending on thickness and style, the waves can range from barely noticeable to full-on mermaid beach waves.

If you’re almost certain you might have wavy hair, it’s likely Type 2A—fine hair with a barely-there wave that can be occasionally tousled or frizzy.

Signs you may have wavy hair

While these signs aren’t a perfect science, they can give you clues to spot if you have natural waves in your hair.

Your hair is wavy when wet, yet dries straight

Wet hair reveals its natural pattern.

If you spot kinks, it’s a sign that you don’t have straight hair.

Avoid brushing post-shower, as it encourages natural waves to drop. Instead, let it dry untouched.

If it turns wavy, the key is to find the right products and techniques to embrace your waves after it’s washed.

This approach can also help prevent types of hair damage.

Your frizz is out of control

If your frizz is not normal for straight hair, it’s a common sign your hair is wavy.

Instead of tying your hair back to keep it neat, add moisture with a high-quality conditioner like Repair Conditioner.

This will deeply hydrate your hair, turning frizzy messes into soft, defined waves. And remember, wavy hair can sometimes be curly too!

Your hair looks puffy or flicks out

If your hair looks puffy or flicks out at the end, it’s a common sign of waves.

Natural waves can be hidden under poofiness when people brush them out instead of defining them. If your hair naturally flicks out, it’s likely waves trying to form.

Your hair is unmanageable

If you’ve tried loads of different conditioning treatments and still find your hair impossible to tame, or have broken hairbrushes and combs trying to brush it, your hair could be extremely damaged, wavy, or experiencing shrinkage hair

Heat can’t make it straight

If you’ve noticed sections of your hair that refuse to straighten, with kinks that appear no matter how much blow drying or straightening you do, it’s a sign of wavy hair.

To manage this, learn how to soften coarse hair for smoother, more defined waves.

Does your hair dry and frizzy or have lots of flyaways?

If your hair is curly or wavy and prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions like Monica in Friends says, “It’s the humidity!” It might be time you tried a curly hair routine to see the difference it makes.

Does your hair get bigger when you brush it?

If brushing your curly hair when it’s dry creates more volume and frizz, making it bigger and poofier rather than smooth and sleek, and it looks more messy after brushing than before, you might have curly hair.

Heat doesn’t make your hair totally straight.

If blow drying and straightening your hair only lasts a little while, and frizz or kinks soon reappear, especially with moisture in the air, you might have wavy or curly hair that needs a different styling routine. Those stubborn kinks that refuse to straighten are a sign.

Does your hair crave moisture?

Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair. If your hair feels dry and unmanageable, it might have waves or curls waiting to be embraced. Only Curls products are designed to be moisturizing, nourishing, and lightweight on hair.

Tests to see if you’ve got wavy hair

There are two simple tests you can do to see if you have wavy hair. One is super-speedy and gives you results quickly. The other will require a little bit of time but can be equally effective. To get a better idea of your hair texture, try both.

1-hour test to see if you’ve got wavy hair

Methods like this can help you discover if you have wavy hair.
Wash and condition your hair normally in the shower.
After rinsing out your conditioner, scrunch it up, but don’t rub too briskly.
You want to activate your natural waves by gently scrunching upwards towards the root without causing tangles.
Blot-drying with a microfibre towel and applying Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam to damp lengths can help.
Let it dry naturally.
If it dries wavy, bingo! You likely have wavy hair.

2-hour test to see if you have wavy hair

Wash your scalp not lengths with detoxifying shampoo to remove sebum and product build-up.
Gently smooth conditioner through avoid roots and spread it with a wide-tooth comb or fingers.
Rinse out completely and squeeze excess water from your hair.
The next part’s important: you’ll want to protect the natural wave pattern.
Without disturbing, lift into a clean microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt.
Wrap it up for 20 minutes if thick, 10 minutes if thinner.
After 80% dry, remove, stand up, correct parting, and diffuse on low heat until 100% dry.

Conclusion

Discovering if you have wavy hair can be exciting and eye-opening. By following the simple tests and signs outlined above, you can better understand your hair type and embrace your natural waves. Whether it’s recognizing frizz, noticing how your hair dries, or seeing how it reacts to heat, these clues are essential. Incorporating the right products and techniques will help you manage and highlight your waves, leading to healthier, more defined hair that reflects your true texture.

FAQ’s

What is considered wavy hair?

Wavy hair, also known as type 2 hair, can be split into three different subtypes: 2A, 2B, and 2C. It is the hair type that sits in between straight and curly, from loose loops to S-shaped waves. Curly hair, on the other hand, has a more distinct curl pattern formation depending on the tightness of the curl.

How can I make sure my hair is wavy?

The perfect way to get wavy hair without heat overnight and with minimal effort is to scrunch dry or damp hair into a messy bun. Secure with a hair tie and hair pins as needed. Let hair dry, release the bun, and seal the deal with a quick spray of our Shine Bright Tonight Hairspray.

How do I know my hair type?

So, to determine your hair texture, leave your hair free from every product the next time you wash it. Simply let it take its natural shape. If it dries naturally, without a blend or curl, you have straight hair. If it dries with a slight curl that has minimal or no bounce, you have wavy hair.

Hair that looks puffy or flicks out at the end is a common sign of waves. It’s very easy for natural waves to be hidden under poofiness. If your hair naturally wants to flick out, it’s likely waves trying to form.