How to Get Curly Hair to Turn Into Wavy Hair

Co-authored by Christine George

Last Updated: February 21, 2024 Fact Checked

If you have small, tight curls and would prefer to have looser waves, changing the texture of your hair will be a multi-step process. For a sleeker wavy look, you can temporarily get loose at home using a set of medium hot rollers and styling your hair while it's wet. Changing the way you care for your hair can also help your curls behave more like waves on a daily basis.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating Waves at Home

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1
Get your equipment ready. If you want your hair to have very loose, flowing waves, you'll need to apply some heat. After taking a shower and patting your hair dry, move to the bedroom (where it's less humid, since humid air leads to frizz) and gather all the equipment you need before you get started:
- Heat protectant product.
- Medium sized hot rollers. Get rollers that are at least 1 ¹⁄₂ to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) wide for loose, glossy waves, rather than curls.
- A hair dryer.
Plug in your kit and let the rollers heat up while you get your hair ready.

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3
Apply heat protectant to your hair while it's wet. Heat protectant is a product available in the hair section of drugstores and beauty supply stores. It protects your hair from getting damaged by heat styling tools. Since you're going to use both hot rollers and a hair dryer, it's important to protect your hair.^{[1]
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- Skipping this can lead to hair damage, especially to curly hair. If you don't have heat protectant, apply some hair serum or even leave-in conditioner.
You need two side sections, a top section, and a back section, so use your hands to divide your hair. You'll be starting with the side sections, so pull back the top and back sections into hair clips.^{[2]
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5
Roll up the top layer of the right section. Lift up the top layer of the right section of your hair so you have a small handful of hair. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller, and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.^{[3]
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- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
- Make sure you don't overcrowd the roller. The section of hair should fit neatly on the roller.
6
Roll up the bottom layer of the right section. Lift up the bottom layer of the right section of your hair so you have a small handful of hair. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller, and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
- If you have extra hair that wouldn't fit on the rollers, keep going until you've finished rolling the entire right side using the same technique.
7
Roll up the top layer of the left section. Lift up the top layer of the left section of your hair so you have a small handful of hair. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller, and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
- Make sure you don't overcrowd the roller. The section of hair should fit neatly on the roller.
8
Roll up the bottom layer of the left section. Lift up the bottom layer of the left section of your hair so you have a small handful of hair. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller, and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
- If you have extra hair that wouldn't fit on the rollers, keep going until you've finished rolling the entire left side using the same technique.
9
Roll up front of your hair. Unclip the top section of your hair. Lift up the front of your hair (just past your forehead) so you have a small handful of hair. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller (rolling toward your back, not your front), and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
10
Finish rolling the hair at top of your head. Lift up the unrolled portion of hair on the top of your head. Comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller (rolling toward your back, not your front), and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
11
Roll up the back section. Unclip the back section of hair, and use the same technique to finish rolling it up. Take a handful of hair, comb it out straight, then place the tips of the hair over the top of a hot roller. Use your hands to roll the hair over the roller (rolling toward your back, not your front), and keep going until the roller is against your head. Pin it in place using a roller pin.
- Keep the hair you're rolling up as smooth as possible as you roll by rolling the hair very tightly.
^{[4]
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Research source} Blow it over your rolled up hair from a few inches away to help your hair dry faster. Move the dryer around your head to evenly dry your hair from all angles. Keep going until your hair feels completely dry to the touch. If you take it down before it's dry, it'll curl back up.
Unpin the rollers and let your waves loose.^{[5]
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Research source} Use a wide-toothed comb to style your hair the way you want, and use medium-hold hair spray to hold the look in place.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating Sleeker, Looser Curls

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1
Use conditioner only to wash your hair. Shampoo contains harsh cleansers that strip the hair of natural oils and leave it dry, frizzy and poofy. Many curly-haired people have found that ditching shampoo entirely and choosing a moisturizing conditioner keeps curls shiny and bouncy, more like waves. Washing your hair with conditioner, known as "co-washing" is easy to do, and you'll save money if you don't have to use shampoo. Here's how to co-wash:^{[6]
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- Wet your hair in the shower, and massage conditioner into your scalp. Rub your scalp in a circular motion, and make sure you cover every spot.
- Use your fingers to comb the conditioner through to the tips of your hair.
- Wash it out using warm or cool water to seal up the cuticle so your hair won't frizz up.
^{[7]
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Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Curly-haired people don't need to wash their hair as frequently as those with straight hair. The natural oil your scalp produces takes a long time to travel down the coils of your hair to the tips. Washing it away too often will result in dry, brittle hair that looks frizzy instead of wavy. Cut back washing your hair to twice or even once a week and notice the results.^{[8]
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Work through the tangles gently with a wide-toothed comb, and never a fine comb or brush.^{[9]
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Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} A wide-toothed comb will keep your strands of hair together instead of pulling them apart, which can end up making your hair poof up.
Instead of roughly toweling your hair dry, use a soft, fluffy towel to dab away the extra water. Only use a hairdryer when you want to create a style for a special occasion; using one too often will result in damage to curly hair.
5
Use hair oil or a straightening serum. Before your hair is completely dry, apply a little hair oil, anti-frizz serum or straightening serum. Use your fingers to comb it through your hair, focusing on the tips. As your hair finishes drying, the serum will soak in, and your hair will end up sleek and shiny with lots of movement.
- Argan oil is a great natural solution that many curly-haired people swear by.^{[10]
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  Christine George
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  Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} It makes your hair look glossy and healthy.
- Or try a tiny bit of coconut oil (a little goes a long way). It will protect your hair from getting frizzy throughout the day.
This fun trick is great for both your hair and skin. Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture and oils, leaving your hair and skin dry in the morning. A silk pillowcase will keep your curls looking loose and pretty, rather than crushed and frizzy.^{[11]
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7
Consider getting your hair relaxed. If you really want your hair to look wavy instead of curly, having it chemically relaxed by a professional will give you the look you want. However, this is not a long-term solution, since over time this practice is damaging to curly hair.
- When you get your hair relaxed, chemicals are applied to your hair that cause it to become permanently straight. Then your hair is permanently waved according to your specifications; you can choose tighter waves or looser waves.
- Make sure you see a stylist who has experience working with very curly hair.

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Should I brush wavy hair?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Instead of a brush, use a wide-toothed comb while you're in the shower so your hair doesn't look frizzy or poofy.

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Question

How can I bring out my natural curls?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Try to avoid washing your hair every day to keep your hair healthy.

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How long does the relax stay in for?

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It depends on your hair and the product used. Usually relaxing treatments last between 8-10 weeks.

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Tips

Try to avoid getting your hair wet very often. When it is wet it tends to shrink up, but once dry for a long time it will slowly relax and become more wavy and less curly.

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After a long period of time, if you only wash your hair with conditioner it will become dry and not shiny so I recommend washing it once a week with shampoo.

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Make sure to read the label on the products! some mention that they are heat activated, which means that you would have to blow-dry for it to work.

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Warnings

Don't wet your hair before you straighten your hair.

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Straighteners can burn your hair if applied incorrectly so read all of the instructions before starting.

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