Find the right haircut for your wavy hair
Waves are not straight and not quite curly, and the wrong cut can leave them puffy or flat. Preview shape and length on your own photo first. Free to try.
What is the best haircut for wavy hair?
A cut that gives waves some shape without removing too much weight. Layers that start below the chin, a lob or a collarbone cut usually work well. Avoid a blunt cut with heavy ends, which can leave a wide, triangle shape.
Cuts that work with your waves
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Layers that shape waves
Long, soft layers help waves group together and show their pattern. Layers that are too short or too steep can push waves out into puff. Ask for layers that follow where your waves already bend.
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Lob and collarbone cuts
A lob or a collarbone cut has enough weight to keep waves smooth and enough length to show the bend. Waves tend to look balanced at these lengths, and they pull up less than on a short cut.
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The wavy bob
A bob on waves has a natural, easy shape, but it springs up when it dries. A bob that reaches the chin when wet can end up shorter when dry. Ask your stylist to check the length dry.
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Bangs on waves
Curtain bangs and longer side-swept fringes suit waves because they blend into the length. Short, blunt bangs can curl up or kink. Check your hairline for cowlicks, and plan for how the bangs sit when dry.
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Avoiding the triangle
A triangle shape happens when the ends flare out and the top lies flat. Layers that remove bulk at the bottom, and a shape that keeps some lift at the crown, help balance a wavy cut.
- Best for
- Anyone with natural bends or S-shaped waves who wants a cut that shows the pattern, not one that has to be blow-dried straight every day.
- Upkeep
- Waves usually look best with light product and air-drying or a diffuser. Trims keep ends from flaring, and a quick refresh of layers stops the shape from growing out heavy.
- Watch out for
- Waves shrink as they dry, and weather can change them. A cut that looks right wet can sit much shorter dry. Tell your stylist so they plan the length for dry hair.
More looks to try
Try wavy-hair cuts in the app
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Add one photo
Add one clear photo of yourself with your hair as it naturally falls, in good light. Face the camera, so the app can read your face shape.
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Try lengths
Browse the catalogue and try a lob, a collarbone cut and a bob. Compare how each length sits on your face and shoulders.
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Import a wavy reference
Found a wavy cut on Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook? Import it with the hair reference. Choose one on hair close to your own texture.
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Compare and save
Toggle See original, regenerate and try a color change if you like. Use it for length, shape and bangs: your real wave pattern decides how it falls.
Take it to your stylist
Show your natural waves
Bring a photo of your hair air-dried, not styled straight. Your stylist can see your real pattern and plan layers around it.
Ask about cutting dry
Many stylists cut waves dry, or check the length dry, because the hair springs up as it dries. Ask how they work and how much it will lift.
Say how you style
Tell your stylist if you air-dry, diffuse or straighten. A cut for waves should look good in the way you really style it.
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Should wavy hair be cut wet or dry?
Either can work, and many stylists do both. Cutting wet gives a clean base, and a dry check shows how the waves really sit. Ask your stylist to check the length and the layers when dry.
Why does my wavy hair look like a triangle?
Heavy, blunt ends carry weight at the bottom while the top lies flat, so the shape widens toward the ends. Layers that remove bulk lower down and keep some lift at the crown can fix it.
How short can I go with wavy hair?
Waves shrink as they dry, so hair can spring up much shorter than it looks wet. Preview the length in the app, then ask your stylist to cut a little longer first and go shorter if you like it.
Do layers make wavy hair frizzy?
Layers do not cause frizz by themselves, but cuts with very short layers can puff up. Long, soft layers usually work better. Dryness and humidity also play a part, so ask about products.
What is the difference between wavy and curly cuts?
Waves are loose bends that can be pulled straight easily, while curls form defined spirals and spring up more. The curly hair page covers that. This page is about cuts that keep waves soft and balanced.
Keep exploring
- Layered Haircut Simulator See yourself with layers before you book the cut
- Medium Length Hair Simulator See yourself with shoulder length hair before you cut
- Curly Hair Simulator See yourself with a curly haircut before the scissors
Ready for your new look?
See it on you before you cut. Free to try.