Medium-length thick wavy hair offers a versatile and textured look that can be styled in numerous ways. This type of hair has natural body and movement, making it ideal for various styles that emphasize volume and definition. However, it also presents challenges like frizz, weight, and sometimes difficulty in managing. This guide will provide you with comprehensive styling tips, techniques, and product recommendations to help you achieve the best results.
Understanding Your Hair Type
The Characteristics of Medium Length Thick Wavy Hair
Before diving into specific styles, it’s essential to understand the characteristics of your hair type. Medium-length hair usually falls between the shoulders and collarbone. When combined with thickness and a wavy texture, your hair is naturally voluminous, which can be both an asset and a challenge. The wave pattern can range from loose waves to more defined ones, affecting how certain styles will hold and look.
Challenges and Benefits
Challenges:
Frizz: Wavy hair is prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions.
Weight: Thick hair can be heavy, which may cause some styles to lose volume or shape.
Manageability: Thick hair can be difficult to manage, requiring more effort in styling and maintenance.
Benefits:
Volume: Thick wavy hair naturally has more volume, eliminating the need for excessive teasing or volumizing products.
Texture: The wavy texture adds movement and interest to your hair, making it more visually appealing.
Versatility: Medium length offers a balance between manageability and styling options, allowing for both updos and free-flowing styles.
Preparing Your Hair for Styling
Washing and Conditioning
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner: Start by washing your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for thick and wavy hair. These products help maintain moisture, which is crucial for reducing frizz and keeping your waves defined. Look for sulfate-free formulas, as sulfates can strip natural oils and cause dryness.
Deep Conditioning: Incorporate a deep conditioning treatment once a week to add extra moisture and nourishment. This step is essential for maintaining the health of thick hair, preventing breakage, and enhancing the natural shine.
Detangling and Drying
Detangle with a Wide-Tooth Comb: After washing, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots to minimize breakage. Avoid using a brush on wet hair, as it can cause frizz and disrupt the wave pattern.
Towel-Drying with Care: Gently towel-dry your hair by patting it with a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt. Avoid rubbing your hair, as this can create friction, leading to frizz. Let your hair air-dry to retain its natural texture, or use a diffuser attachment on a low heat setting if you prefer to blow-dry.
Styling Techniques and Tools
Defining Waves
Leave-In Conditioner: Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair to lock in moisture and define your waves. This product helps in smoothing the hair cuticle and reducing frizz while providing a lightweight hold.
Curl Enhancing Cream: To enhance your natural waves, use a curl-enhancing cream. Work it through your hair using your fingers, scrunching sections to encourage the wave pattern. This product adds definition and bounce without weighing down your hair.
Diffusing for Volume: If you opt to blow-dry your hair, use a diffuser attachment to enhance your waves. The diffuser disperses air evenly, reducing frizz and maintaining the shape of your waves. Flip your head upside down while diffusing to add extra volume at the roots.
Creating Soft, Natural Waves
Twist and Air-Dry: For soft, natural waves, divide your damp hair into sections, twist each section, and allow it to air-dry. Once dry, gently unravel the twists and use your fingers to separate the waves. This method creates loose, effortless waves that are perfect for a casual look.
Braiding Overnight: Another method to achieve natural waves is to braid your hair before bed. Divide your hair into two or more sections, depending on how loose or tight you want the waves to be, and braid each section. In the morning, unbraid your hair and lightly finger-comb to achieve soft, wavy hair.
Sleek and Polished Looks
Flat Iron Waves: To create more polished waves, use a flat iron. Take small sections of your hair, clamp the flat iron near the roots, and twist it as you glide down the length of your hair. This technique gives you smooth, defined waves with a sleek finish. Remember to use a heat protectant spray before using any heat tools to prevent damage.
Sleek Low Ponytail: For a sophisticated and sleek look, gather your hair into a low ponytail. Smooth the top with a bit of hair serum to tame any flyaways, and secure it with a hair tie. You can wrap a small section of hair around the hair tie to conceal it, giving the ponytail a more polished appearance.
Voluminous and Textured Styles
Beachy Waves: To achieve beachy waves, apply a sea salt spray to damp hair. Scrunch your hair to enhance the waves and let it air-dry. This style gives a tousled, effortless look, perfect for a casual day out. Sea salt spray adds texture and volume, making it ideal for creating a more lived-in, relaxed vibe.
Voluminous Half-Updo: For a style that combines both volume and texture, try a half-updo. Section off the top half of your hair, leaving the rest to flow naturally. Tease the roots slightly for added volume, and secure the top section with a clip or hair tie. This style is perfect for adding height and interest while still showcasing your waves.
Maintaining Your Style
Frizz Control
Anti-Frizz Serum: To keep frizz at bay, apply an anti-frizz serum after styling. Focus on the ends and mid-lengths of your hair, where frizz is most likely to occur. Serums help seal the hair cuticle, providing a smooth finish and adding shine.
Regular Trims: Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair and preventing split ends, which can contribute to frizz. Aim to trim your hair every 8-10 weeks to keep it looking fresh and manageable.
Holding the Style
Flexible Hold Hairspray: Use a flexible hold hairspray to set your style without making your hair stiff. This type of hairspray allows your hair to move naturally while maintaining the shape of your waves. It’s especially useful for styles that need to last all day or through special events.
Touch-Up with Heat Tools: If your waves start to lose their shape throughout the day, you can touch them up with a curling iron or flat iron. Just a few quick passes can redefine your waves and restore their bounce.
Nighttime Care
Silk Pillowcase: Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help maintain your style overnight by reducing friction, which causes frizz and breakage. Silk also helps retain moisture in your hair, keeping it soft and smooth.
Loose Bun or Braid: Before bed, loosely gather your hair into a bun or braid to preserve your waves. This prevents your hair from tangling or flattening while you sleep, making it easier to style the next day.
See Also: How To Curl 4c Hair With Eco Styler Gel
Haircuts and Styles for Medium Length Thick Wavy Hair
Layered Cut
Benefits of Layers: Adding layers to medium-length thick wavy hair helps to reduce bulk and create movement. Layers prevent the hair from looking too heavy or shapeless by adding dimension and allowing the waves to form more naturally.
Styling Tips: When styling layered hair, use a lightweight mousse or foam to enhance the texture and volume. Apply the product to damp hair, scrunch, and either air-dry or diffuse for best results.
Blunt Cut
Sleek and Modern: A blunt cut is ideal for those who want a more modern and sleek look. This cut gives a sharp, defined edge that contrasts nicely with the natural wave pattern, providing a chic and sophisticated appearance.
Styling Tips: To style a blunt cut, use a straightening serum and a flat iron for a polished finish. You can also add loose waves with a curling iron for a softer, more romantic look.
Shag Cut
Textured and Edgy: The shag cut is perfect for those who love texture and an edgy style. This cut features choppy layers and a messy, undone look, making it ideal for thick wavy hair that naturally has a lot of body.
Styling Tips: For a shag cut, use a texturizing spray to enhance the layers and add definition. Scrunch your hair while applying the product and let it air-dry for a tousled, rock-and-roll vibe.
Long Bob (Lob)
Versatile and Stylish: The long bob, or lob, is a versatile haircut that works well with medium-length thick wavy hair. It’s long enough to style in various ways but short enough to be manageable.
Styling Tips: To style a lob, apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush for a sleek finish. You can also use a curling iron to create loose waves for a more casual, everyday look.
Curtain Bangs
Soft and Feminine: Curtain bangs are a great addition to medium-length wavy hair, adding a soft, feminine touch. These bangs are parted down the middle, framing the face and blending seamlessly with the rest of the hair.
Styling Tips: To style curtain bangs, use a round brush while blow-drying to create a slight bend that follows the natural wave of your hair. Finish with a light hairspray to hold the shape without making it stiff.
Product Recommendations for Medium Length Thick Wavy Hair
Shampoos and Conditioners
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner: These products are excellent for adding moisture and taming frizz in thick, wavy hair. The formula includes argan oil, which nourishes the hair and leaves it smooth and shiny.
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner: This duo is perfect for those with thick wavy hair that needs extra hydration and smoothness. It’s infused with six lightweight oils that help detangle, defrizz, and protect your hair from heat damage.
Styling Products
Ouai Wave Spray: Ouai Wave Spray is ideal for enhancing natural waves without weighing them down. It adds texture and hold while maintaining a lightweight feel, perfect for medium-length thick wavy hair.
DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler: This styling cream is great for defining waves and curls while providing moisture and frizz control. It’s particularly beneficial for those with thicker hair, as it adds definition without heaviness.
Oribe Curl Gloss: Oribe’s Curl Gloss is a lightweight gel that defines and shapes waves while adding a glossy finish. It’s perfect for medium-length thick wavy hair that needs both hold and shine.
Heat Protectants
GHD Heat Protect Spray: Before using any heat tools, apply GHD Heat Protect Spray to shield your hair from damage. This spray provides an invisible barrier that protects your hair while maintaining its natural texture and shine.
Living Proof Restore Instant Protection: This spray not only protects your hair from heat but also from UV rays. It’s a great all-in-one product for keeping your hair healthy and protected during styling.
Conclusion
Medium-length thick wavy hair offers a world of possibilities when it comes to styling. By understanding your hair type, using the right products, and employing effective styling techniques, you can achieve a wide range of looks that highlight the beauty of your natural waves. Whether you prefer a sleek and polished appearance or a more textured and voluminous style, the key is to work with your hair’s natural characteristics and enhance them with the appropriate products and tools. Regular maintenance and care will ensure that your hair stays healthy, manageable, and always looking its best.