20 Hairstyles That Make Wavy Hair Look Gorgeous

Effortless Everyday Waves

These styles are perfect for running errands, heading to the office, or just looking put together with minimal effort. They work with your hair’s natural movement, requiring little more than the right products and technique.

The Enhanced Air-Dry: The goal here is definition, not frizz. After washing, apply a leave-in conditioner and a curl-defining cream to soaking wet hair. Gently scrunch with a microfiber towel, then do not touch it as it dries. The result? Your natural wave pattern, but more uniform and glossy.

Half-Up, Half-Down with a Twist: This classic gets a wavy-hair upgrade. Pull the top section of your hair back, but instead of a simple ponytail base, create a small twist on each side before gathering the hair. This adds a romantic, face-framing detail that looks intentional and chic.

The Messy Wave Ponytail: Avoid a sleek, tight ponytail which can flatten waves. Instead, gather your hair at the crown or nape of your neck loosely. Pull out a few face-framing pieces and gently tug on sections of the ponytail to create volume. A texturizing spray is your best friend here.

Headband Elegance: A simple fabric or twisted headband can instantly corral second-day waves and add a vintage touch. Tuck your hair behind the band, allowing waves to peek out at the sides and back for a soft, polished look.

Stylish & Defined Looks

When you want your waves to be the star of the show, these styles add definition, shape, and a touch of glamour. They’re perfect for dates, dinners, or when you simply want to feel extra fabulous.

Mermaid Waves: These are the ultimate glamorous waves—deep, defined, and cascading. Use a large-barrel curling wand (1.5 inches or larger) to curl large sections of hair in alternating directions. Then, break up the curls with your fingers and a light hair oil for a seamless, red-carpet finish.

Braided Wave Crown: Create a loose braid on each side of your head, starting at the temples and going back. Gently pull on the edges of the braids to make them fuller, then pin them across the crown of your head, tucking the ends. This creates a beautiful, bohemian halo that showcases your waves underneath.

The Defined Bob: For those with wavy lob or bob cuts, enhancing the shape is key. Apply a strong-hold mousse to damp hair and diffuse dry, focusing on lifting the roots. Use a curling cream to define the ends, creating a chic, modern silhouette with lots of bounce.

Rope Twist Accents: Take two small sections of hair near your face, twist each one tightly, and then twist them together. Secure at the back. This simple addition adds instant polish and definition to your look, guiding your waves beautifully.

Beautiful Braids for Wavy Texture

Wavy hair is the perfect texture for braids. It provides natural grip and volume, making braids look fuller, softer, and more romantic than on perfectly straight hair.

Fishtail Braid: The fishtail looks especially ethereal on wavy hair. The texture helps camouflage the braid’s sections, making it appear intricate yet effortless. Perfect for a festival or a casual weekend look.

Pull-Through Braid: This style gives the illusion of a complex braid but is surprisingly simple. Create a series of ponytails down the back of your head, splitting each one to connect to the next. Once finished, gently pull on the sides to create a voluminous, textured braid that blends seamlessly with your waves.

Side-Swept Braid: Gather all your hair to one side and create a loose, low braid. Gently pull it apart to make it wider and softer. This style is elegantly casual and keeps hair off your face beautifully.

Boho Bubble Braids: Create two or more high ponytails down the back of your head. Then, gently tease or add hair donuts to sections of the ponytail to create “bubbles,” securing with clear elastics between each one. Leave the ends wavy for a playful, modern look.

Elegant Updos & Twists

Don’t relegate your waves to only down-dos. The texture and volume of wavy hair create updos that are soft, romantic, and far from severe. These styles are ideal for weddings, galas, or any formal event.

Messy Low Bun: The key is “undone” elegance. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck, twist loosely, and wrap into a bun, leaving ends and pieces out. Use bobby pins to secure, but allow waves to escape around your face and neck. Spritz with texturizing spray.

Gibson Tuck Twist: A vintage-inspired look that works amazingly with waves. Create a loose, low ponytail but pull it only halfway through on the last loop of the hair tie (creating a loop). Tuck the remaining ends under and around the base, pinning securely. The waves create a soft, full shape.

Twisted Chignon: Split your hair into two sections. Twist each one tightly, then twist them together around themselves into a coil at the back of your head. Pin in place. The wave pattern adds grip and body, making the chignon look fuller and more artistic.

Voluminous Top Knot: For a chic, daytime updo, gather your hair into a high ponytail but don’t pull the ends all the way through on the last twist. Wrap the remaining length around the base and pin. The natural volume of your waves makes this knot look effortlessly cool, not slicked-back.

Accessorized & Fun Styles

Sometimes, all you need is the right accessory to transform your waves. These ideas use tools, clips, and more to add a fun or polished finish.

Scrunchie Power: A velvet or silk scrunchie adds a touch of luxury to a simple low or high ponytail. It’s gentler on waves than a tight elastic and adds a pop of color or texture.

Clip & Go: Oversized claw clips are back and perfect for wavy hair. Twist your hair loosely, fold it up, and secure with a beautiful clip at the back of your head. It’s a 30-second updo that looks incredibly stylish.

Pinned-Back Waves: Use decorative bobby pins or small barrettes to sweep one or both sides of your hair back. Criss-cross them for a detailed look. This keeps hair off your face while showing off your wave pattern.

Bandana or Silk Scarf: Tie a scarf around a low ponytail or bun, or wear it as a headband with a bow on top. This adds a retro, polished touch and is also great for managing second-day waves.

Pro Tips for Maintaining Gorgeous Wavy Hair

Great hairstyles start with healthy, happy hair. Here are a few non-negotiable tips for keeping your waves in top form.

Hydration is Key: Wavy hair is often dry. Incorporate a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and never skip a weekly deep conditioning treatment.

Scrunch, Don’t Rub: When drying, always scrunch with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt. Rubbing creates frizz and breaks up your wave pattern.

Diffuse for Volume: A hair dryer diffuser attachment is a game-changer. It dries your waves without blowing them apart, enhancing volume and definition at the roots.

Protect Your Waves: Always use a heat protectant before using hot tools, and consider a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and frizz while you sleep.