The 6 Best Wavy Hair Products For Effortless Waves In 2024

This shampoo lathers like a dream without making my scalp feel irritated. It does come with a very subtle “tight” feeling after rinsing, which for me went away immediately after globbing on conditioner. Still, I’d consider it a very gently lathering shampoo.

Hold isn’t applicable here, since it’s not a leave-in product!

This is a very hydrating shampoo. My 2c waves need ample moisture, but I also only wash my hair 1 to 2 times per week, so I need an effective lather to lift lingering buildup. I find this Curl Cleanse ticks both boxes effortlessly.

I thought the original Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse was hydrating with 1.5% glycerin, but this curly-girl version ups the ante with 5% of the humectant. The humectant attracts water to the strand, and the added moisture leaves my waves bouncy and oh-so juicy. You’ll also find carrot and raspberry seed oil to unparalleled slip and shine. 

The “sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate” on the INCI list might give you pause, but rest assured this ingredient is a common substitute for harsh sulfates. It’s a very mild surfactant that cleanses the scalp (without stripping) and gives the shampoo its foamy feel. 

It does have fragrance in the form of essential oils (something to note if you’re sensitive to EOs), but it’s synthetic fragrance-free.

Pros: Big size, Creates a nice lather

Cons: Contains essential oils, if you’re sensitive to those

“It’s thick, it’s rich, and it’s oh-so-hydrating,” says Frye. “The product comes in a tub rather than a bottle like most conditioners out there, due to the thicker consistency. Nevertheless, it spreads easily throughout longer, denser hair.”

Hold isn’t applicable here, since it’s not a leave-in product!

Frye swears this formula is so hydrating that she doesn’t even need to follow up with leave-in conditioner post-rinse. “That’s how effective it is,” she gushes.

The formula features sustainably-sourced olive fruit extract, which is great for softening the hair and eliminating frizz. It also provides vitamin E, which is great for nourishment and fighting off free radicals. 

The product does contain some silicones, if you avoid those. “I haven’t personally noticed buildup or dryness from it, but it’s an ingredient worth noting nevertheless,” Frye mentions.

Pros: Can use as a hair mask or conditioner, Big size

Cons: Contains silicones

The texture is thicker than your average milky leave-in, and it sometimes clogs the spray nozzle. I like to unscrew the nozzle, pour it into my hands, and rake it through my hair instead of spraying, since the nozzle often gets stuck. I would suggest different packaging for the thicker consistency, but the formula is just too good to toss!

It has some hold, but its main purpose is smoothing and hydrating (so the hold is not too applicable here). That said, it does provide slight hold for people who don’t want to use a gel or mousse.

My waves feel so soft and hydrated when I use this leave-in. It coats each strand in moisture without leaving behind a slick residue.

No silicones, but it does have fragrance if you tend to steer clear of scent. I personally love the aroma—it makes my hair smell like a strawberry milkshake. Some other high-quality ingredients to note:

Pros: Smells amazing, Super hydrating yet doesn’t weigh down hair

Cons: Product can build up in the nozzle

This curl butter is thick, so much so that it almost feels like a super-hydrating paste. If you have thinner hair, I will say this might be too heavy for you. But it’s the perfect consistency for my dense, frizz-prone waves. I didn’t experience any residue, but again, if you have finer locks I would use it very sparingly.

This butter does give a fair amount of hold, but it might be too heavy for some folks with finer hair. If you find your waves falling limp or feeling slimy, you might need a lightweight gel-cream (we have another one on this list!). I have thick, 2c waves though and my locks drink the formula right up.

So hydrating and thick—you can really feel the shea butter at work here! My hair is way less frizzy when I use it, and we know ample hydration is the No. 1 antidote to frizz.

No silicones, but it does have natural fragrance in the form of essential oils. Bonus points for the rainforest grown rahua oil, which is super moisturizing. A few other noteworthy ingredients:

Pros: Hydrates and offers slight hold 

Cons: Might be too thick for some

The formula has a gel-cream texture, which gives it a lightweight finish as opposed to a slimy, waxy feel. When it dries, my hair feels soft and touchable (never crunchy), without any lingering residue. I’ve applied it on both wet and dry hair, and it remains practically undetectable! I can even brush it out at the end of the day without feeling like I need to dunk my head under the sink and rinse out all the residue.

No crunch, slime, or flaking with this gel. I only give it a 4 because it doesn’t provide as much hold as a thicker, stickier gel. But if you have finer waves like me, you probably don’t need anything stronger!

I definitely notice a difference when I use this gel. My waves appear shinier, softer, and much more manageable compared to other gels I’ve tried. And it doesn’t make my strands look greasy, either. I especially appreciate how hydrating it feels even when it dries down—no hard shell exterior here.

No silicones, but it does include a light fragrance. I suspect the xanthan gum is what gives it the jelly-like texture; the ingredient also has the ability to lock in oils, so it’s great for a gel. Some other quality ingredients include:

Pros: Perfect middle ground—not too sticky yet provides light hold, Can use on dry hair to slick back strands 

Cons: Expensive for a smaller tube

Like the name suggests, this mousse is super lightweight. “When you pump it out, you’ll see bubbles in the product, making it look and feel more like a foam and less like a mousse,” Frye notes.

“The hold is great and also super buildable,” Frye adds. “I’d caution against using too much (2 to 4 pumps is probably good enough, depending on your hair length and density), otherwise you may start to spot some crunchiness.”

Hydration doesn’t totally apply here, since a mousse’s main gig is hold, not moisture. Still, you don’t want the product to dry out your tresses, and this one doesn’t sacrifice hydration, says Frye.

Sugar cane extract helps to naturally induce texture and hold while natural extracts from sweet almonds, rosemary, and olives keep hair protected from oxidative stress. The ingredient list is free of parabens and silicones, too—great for leave-in products. 

It does have some citrus essential oils, if you’re sensitive to those, but the light scent smells fresh and subtle.

Pros: Defines waves without making them feel crunchy, Buildable hold 

Cons: Smaller size