Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should people look for in a shampoo for wavy hair?
Wavy hair might not seem hard to care for, but it comes with its challenges: frizz, dryness, and lack of definition. Light hydrators and gentle cleansers are important components to consider in a shampoo for wavy hair because they gently cleanse and moisturize without weighing waves down. Humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), ceramides, amino acids, proteins, and conditioning ingredients are universally supportive for all wave types, “helping waves feel soft (not crunchy) and also look more polished without sacrificing movement or volume,” says Nashville-based hairstylist Eric Marshall.
Also, choose ingredients based on your wave type. “Someone with very fine, loose waves probably doesn’t need the same rich formula as someone with thick, coarse waves,” notes Chase. Finer waves will want to opt for lightweight hydrators over rich formulas that can flatten waves. “If it’s coarse or dry, look for more nourishing oils and conditioning ingredients,” says Hong.
How can I hydrate wavy hair?
Our experts all agree: The goal for all wavy hair is to hydrate without the weight, starting with your shampoo. As you cleanse, focus on the scalp over the lengths, and apply conditioners from the mid-length down where it matters most for wavy hair. Post-shower, Hong emphasizes that “less is more” for styling products. Specifically, Marshall recommends a styling product “that can help with elasticity, control, and hydrate at the same time,” such as curl creams, hair oils, and texturizing sprays. Simply put: An effective wavy hair routine is equal parts hydrating, defining, and strengthening for bouncier waves.
Plus, don’t be afraid to wash your hair more frequently: According to Chase, “You don’t need to stretch out wash days just because you have textured hair.” Washing your hair when waves need it the most encourages a healthy scalp and wave pattern.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best shampoos for wavy hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists to find formulas that effectively cleanse and hydrate without the buildup. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
