Having naturally wavy hair can sometimes be both a blessing and a curse, as this can often mean ample volume but frequent frizzing. With that said, we rounded up 7 celeb-fave hairstyles that will help keep your wavy tresses looking chic, trendy and sleek with minimal effort.
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We also checked in with hair stylists and experts for pro tips when it comes to styling your locks— read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Holly Dear, professional hair stylist at House of Dear Hair Salon, and Lauren Udoh, professional hair stylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports.
1. Layered Lob With Wispy Bangs
One classic way to wear voluminous waves and keep length is with a lob, as seen on Taylor Swift. For even more movement, she added sultry, eyebrow-grazing wispy fringe that can either be worn down or parted in the center for a curtain bang look. Either way, this pairing along with her layers is perfect for those of us with wavy tresses that want to prevent frizz but still have eye-catching, face-framing volume.
2. Center-Parted Wavy Lob
There's nothing that promotes facial symmetry more than a center parting, and combining this with wavy hair has a romantic, exquisite effect. Ciara sported a lob with her wavy hair, and her middle part only emphasizes her symmetrical features (especially eyes and cheekbones) even more. For anyone with wavy hair who wants to go shorter but still keep a significant amount of length, this might be the cut for you!
3. Wavy 'Mob' Cut
Meg Ryan is known for her timeless and beautiful waves, and the actress often opts for a trendy 'mob' cut with them. This style, as Udoh explains, refers to a 'medium bob,' as you're probably already familiar with the classic 'bob' and its longer cousin the 'lob.' While traditional bobs often end at the chin and lobs fall at the collarbone, the 'mob' ends in the middle of the neck. "The mob cut can be adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette," Udoh adds. This not-too-long and also not-too-short cut provides "volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style," she points out.
4. Blown-Out, Side-Parted Wavy Bob
Keri Russell's bob is similar to Ryan's 'mob' in that both of these cuts end in the center of the neck. However, Russell's wavy style has a more 90s blown-out effect with more layers and a dramatic side part. This parting, Rivera notes, is always a great way to add even more volume to your wavy look, and face-framing layers always work well with it too. "An angled and layered bob is another great option, especially for those that don’t want to cut all of their hair off," she says. Rivera adds that "layering like this allows for the removal of damaged ends and also creates a lot of opportunities for styling."
5. Shaggy 'Wolf' Cut
Miley Cyrus' trendy and bold 'wolf cut' combines elements of a classic 70s shag and longer layers. This style, Rivera says, works well for wavy-haired gals for several reasons: it provides interest with jagged, edgy layering, movement for your texture and it can also make your hair look even fuller. "This is another amazing cut that is well recognized for being versatile," Rivera says of the layering. Regarding this look's shaggy bangs combo, she notes that fringe like this is great for "giving any wavy look a nice pop."
6. Chin-Length, Side-Parted Wavy Bob
Charlize Theron's chin-length wavy bob differs from others on this list as it is styled with the ends facing away from the face. This, Dear explains, helps to make your face look even more symmetrical and lifted. "Wearing your hair away from your face opens and lifts your face shape," she says. Rivera agrees and adds that this haircut is so iconic and such a go-to for anyone with wavy hair as it is always "easy to add some longer layers to create volume, or you can modify the look by changing it up with an A-line cut or lob for those that like length." The possibilities are endless!
7. Waist-Length Soft Waves
For the last hairstyle in our round-up, we chose a quintessential soft, long wavy look with waist-length tresses. Jessica Alba's style is brushed-out, creating a softer-looking wave that is frizz-free, sleek and shiny. She also went for a middle part, creating even more symmetry. Rivera deems this to be a "very soft and sexy look that plays well with the natural fall of the hair." If you want to add layers, she suggests ones that are "longer from the shoulders down." This, she says, gives your natural waves even more "movement and texture." Getting longer layers at the crown, "usually hitting just beneath the chin," will add volume to the hair as well, she explains.
Overall, there are so many ways to wear wavy hair, and finding the best style for you can mean meeting with a professional, determining what works for your face shape and which low-maintenance cut you can maintain with your schedule.
As far as parting words and advice for anyone with wavy hair, Rivera says it's best to choose a look that is "easy on the hair because it doesn’t require a lot of heat, which can contribute to damaging the hair." She says to always microfiber towel or air-dry your hair after washing, and to "add some gel from mid-shaft to the ends to scrunch slightly to emphasize waves and curls." Noted!
