These Hair Products Are Must

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Intro: This should be around 200-250 words with a tip box introducing your sources, and maybe just a paragraph or two on what kinds of products work best on wavy hair, what kinds of issues are common among people with wavy hair, etc.The body should include at least 20 products for wavy hair with short blurbs/descriptions on why they’re worth the buy. Try to get some recommendations from your hairstylists too (I'd say at least half of the options), and please add custom tags and pros & cons to each one.

Managing wavy hair is a true balancing act. If the products you use are too heavy, your hair will likely fall flat. If they're too light, frizz is almost guaranteed.

So what should you be looking for to get the right combo? "Getting wavy hair to thrive requires products that define your waves and add hydration without making your hair feel too greasy," celebrity hairstylist Deaundra Metzger says . "The best types of products for wavy hair are lightweight creams, mousses, and serums. Look for anything on the packaging that says anti-frizz."

Meet the experts: Deaundra Metzger is a celebrity hairstylist based in Atlanta. Nordia McIntosh is a senior hairstylist at Fabio Scalia salons.

Ideally, you want to make sure you're not putting anything in your hair that blocks moisture from entering the hair shafts, adds hairstylist Nordia McIntosh. If you're looking to give your wavy hair routine an upgrade, these are the options our experts recommend that you try.

This hair mask nourishes damaged hair while protecting it from future breakage. It's also free of mineral oil and contains manuka honey and ceramides to help lock in moisture.

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Curl Manifesto Nourishing Mask for Curly Hair

sephora.com

$68.00

This gel will leave your hair smelling and looking amazing! Camille Rose is known for its sweet scented products, and the curl maker gel is no different. This product contains hints of marshmallow, agave, coconut, pomegranate, botanical juices of seaweed, and aloe.

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Curl Maker Defining Gel

target.com

$23.99

If you need a product to use post-gym or when you're between wash days, this spray might be a great option for you. It's vegan, silicone- and sulfate-free, and has carbon neutral shipping.

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Açai Style Refresher

credobeauty.com

$20.00

Made for all hair types, this product helps revive dry, damaged hair while protecting hair color, removing scalp buildup, and improving shine.

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Chroma Absolu Shampoo

sephora.com

$40.00

Alongside vitamin A, which prevents hair aging and improves moisture retention, this one's star ingredient is argan oil which restores the hair's elasticity.

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Hydrating Conditioner

sephora.com

$26.00

This thick, gel-like shampoo gently cleanses hair while preventing breakage. It also contains key ingredients such as green tea, honeysuckle, and daisy.

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Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo

Oribe.com

$52.00

If you're looking for a product to define your curls without leaving them flat, this mousse will keep your curls full of life. One of the key ingredients is sweet almond oil, which nourishes hair and adds luster.

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Curl Shaping Mousse

sephora.com

$39.00

This curl cream can do it all! It has a lightweight formula that de-frizzes curls and locks your desired style in place all day. It can also be used on a variety of hair types from 2A to 3C.

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Curl Light Defining Cream

bumbleandbumble.com

$34.00

If your hair has ever had a chemical treatment, this leave-in conditioner is for you, since it helps strengthen your strands with rice protein. It's also extension safe and works wonders on knots that need detangling.

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7Seconds Leave-in Detangler

amazon.com

$12.00

The name "Wave Spray" speaks for itself. This sulfate-free product will give your hair the right amount of texture and shine to perfect your beach waves for the summer.

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Wave Spray

amazon.com

$28.00

This hydrating mist contains aloe, coconut oil, and avocado oil to give your hair the nourishment it needs between wash days. It's vegan and free of parabens, silicons, and formaldehyde.

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Hydrating Mist

patternbeauty.com

$18.00

This spray will help control your frizz without leaving residue on the hair and causing crunchiness. It's especially good for tightening your curls, so expect a bit of shrinkage.

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Frizz Ease Dream Curls Spray

amazon.com

$15.48

This formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with moisturizing ingredients like olive, coconut, and sunflower oil. It's also made with aloe, sage, rosemary, pepper, and basil, which are high in antioxidants.

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Moisture Memory Reactivator

ulta.com

$27.00

Living Proof's mask formula is good for all curl patterns but works best on medium and thick hair. If you have time to give your hair the TLC it needs, this product is sure for restoring moisture while minimizing frizz.

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No Frizz Intense Moisture Hair Mask

sephora.com

$45.00

If you deal with dry or flaky scalp, this lightweight oil might be your savior. Like many oils, this one stimulates the scalp. However, it also provides protection from UV rays and other environmental damage.

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Baomint™ Protect + Shine Oil Blend

sephora.com

$24.00

Hair products can be super expensive these days, but that doesn't mean there aren't others on the market that can get the same job done for a fraction of the price. Aussie's quick-acting deep conditioner is a great option if you want soft, manageable waves in less than ten minutes.

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3 Minute Miracle Waves Deep Conditioner

amazon.com

$6.99

Looking for a restorative formula? Dae's leave-in conditioner will protect your hair from breakage and heat damage up to 450 degrees. The cactus flower formula also provides your follicles with essential vitamins and minerals.

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Cactus Flower Leave-In Conditioner

daehair.com

$28.00

This dry shampoo gives you more freedom with your application process, making it easier to target specific areas and control how much product you want to use. It's color-safe and ideal for those with oily hair.

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The Dry Shampoo

sephora.com

$36.00

Using multiple styling products at a time can often lead to scalp buildup. Luckily, this scrub from exfoliates and helps fight dandruff, dead skin cells, and excess oil. It can also be used to help sooth your scalp after a coloring treatment.

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Scalp Scrub

dermstore.com

$55.00

TGIN (Thank God It's Natural) is no stranger to creating hydrating formulas for various curl patterns. The rose water in this product leaves hair smelling fresh and gives your locs a boost of antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D, E, and B3.

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Rose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo

amazon.com

$13.98

For months, Women's Health editors—including editorial assistant, Sabrina Talbert—have researched and tested the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated products for wavy hair. We also consulted two professional hairstylists and sorted through thousands of customer reviews to narrow down the 20 best wavy hair products for a variety of needs.

2A: This type typically starts straight at the root but then forms loose, s-curls. It tends to be pretty silky and delicate, and volume is something you might have trouble navigating.

2B: This is mostly straight, but the curls typically are more defined and respond well to products designed to define curls. This type of hair often struggles with frizz at the crown of the head, which is manageable with the right products.

2C: This type is thicker and has very defined S-shaped curls, creating a defined wave. The curls begin at the roots, making this type of hair susceptible to frizzing. While this hair type can be more challenging to style, with the right products used during and in-between washes and scheduled regularly, styling can be easier to navigate.

In terms of maintaining and protecting your waves, Metzger recommends looking for products that say "made for wavy hair textures." She also notes that air drying is a plus, and using heat should be avoided if you want a healthy wave pattern. "If you have to use a hair dryer, apply a heat protectant product to your hair, use a diffuser, and put the dryer on the lowest setting. Use a comb as little as possible, detangling from ends to root," she says.

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