"Transform Your Straight Hair with These 3 Tips for Achieving 360 Waves"

1

Identifying your hair type can demonstrate whether it has any inherent ripple. Growing it out to at least 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) when completely dry will reveal any natural wave it may have. If not, then it is probably type 1 hair (straight) which is almost impossible to make wavy. While attempting to determine your hair type, consider the following:[1]

1: This type of hair is entirely straight and strands dries without any hint of curl.

2a: This type of hair has a slight wave only on sections of particular areas like on the tips, rather than the roots when it dries without any manipulation.

2b: This type of hair is wavy all around and more susceptible to frizz but still has flat roots when it dries normally.

2c: This hair is consistently wavy from top to bottom, posing difficulties when attempting to have a straight look.

3a: This type of hair has an ‘S’ pattern throughout and has a clear shape.

If your hair is type 1, 2a, 2b, or 2c, creating waves may be a challenge, however, you can try. Nevertheless, you will have a better chance of success only when your hair is type 3a or above.

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Avoid using hard brushes as they could spoil any natural wave your straight hair may possess. Instead, invest in a trustworthy medium wave brush. You could acquire them online or visit a cosmetics store near you for about $10 to $15. Look for one that is the right fit in the palm of your hand.[2]

Choose a brush produced with boar bristles. Unlike synthetic bristles, these won't split or damage your hair.

Swap to a soft-bristled brush if the brush irritates your scalp.

Tip: Wait until your curls are established before using a comb. Using a comb would render more definition and enhance your curls, but it won't create waves.

3

Brush from the front of your head towards your forehead fifty times. Pay appropriate attention to the entire surface area of the front of your head. Brushing your hair regularly, forcibly creating a wave pattern ultimately reinforces the pattern effectively keeping it in place.[3]

Since brushing will become a part of your everyday routine, it's crucial to find an easy way to integrate it into your daily schedule. One trick could be to accomplish it during commercial breaks when watching TV every night.

Try to brush your hair in the same pattern every time. Don't vary from brushing straight forward from the crown of your head to your forehead one day and brushing from the crown of your head down at a slant the next day.

4

Create a wave in the rear of your head by brushing from the crown to the nape of your neck fifty times. Use mirrors if necessary to ensure that you comb through every single segment of your hair, as it's easy to overlook an area when working in a region that is not readily visible![4]"

Are you struggling to create waves at the back of your head while styling your hair? Neglecting them may end up giving you an uneven look. What you need to do is brush your hair in the same direction every single time you do it. The bristles on the brush will help you in forming waves, but you need to be consistent in brushing your hair in the same direction.

After you have brushed the back of your head, complete your hair regimen by gently brushing the sides towards your chin. Make sure that you make 50 brush strokes on each side. Angling the brush strokes slightly downward is essential, as it helps in forming waves that are pointed towards your chin.

You won't see the waves appearing immediately if you have straight-textured hair. It may take 6 weeks or more, but you can see them developing with time. Practice patience and wait for them to develop.

Brushing your hair several times a day is crucial for maintaining your waves and accelerating their appearance. Try for at least three separate times in a day, and after a few days, you'll notice the results.

If you happen to miss a day, don't worry; just resume your regular routine from the next day.

Once your waves have developed, maintaining them becomes essential. Brush them regularly several times a day to keep them in good condition. Running your fingers through your hair is not recommended as it will undo all the work you put in with the brush. Try to avoid touching your hair unless you're brushing or washing it.

Nighttime care is essential too. Wear a durag while sleeping to protect your waves. You can start using a silk durag from the beginning as it will give you the best results. Make sure you tie the durag in such a way that the seams are outside and don't leave any impressions on your hair. If you're worried about it coming off, use a fabric headband for additional security.

Don't forget to wash your durag regularly, just like your hair, as it can develop a buildup of products. Once a week is enough to keep it in good condition. Remember, patience and commitment to the process can help you achieve those awesome 360 waves, even with straight-textured hair.

4

To maintain your wave hairstyle, schedule a visit to your hairdresser every 2-4 weeks for trimming and cutting. To achieve a layered cut, inform your hairdresser or barber about your goal of developing waves. This technique will create the illusion of waves and make them more prominent. [10] If your current hairdresser doesn't know how to create 360 waves, don't hesitate to search for one who does as it could do wonders for straight-textured hairwaves.

1

Wash your hair once a week to prevent the waves from unleashing. Before washing, use a comb or brush to loosen up any built-up product on your hair. Use shampoo of your choice but using brands like curl-enhancing shampoos or specially designed shampoo for waves proves to be more helpful. [11]

2

Keep your hair clean between washes by co-washing. Co-washing is using only conditioner to clean the hair, and it is ideally done every 3-4 days for removing grease and dirt without stripping the hair of its oils. Remember to use sulfate and paraben-free products to keep the waves healthy. [12]

3

To enhance waves further, brush your hair while in the shower. Wet hair is soft and less prone to breaking, so using a wave brush and following your everyday routine will be helpful. Remember to let your wave brush dry completely before using it on dry hair or to keep a separate brush in the shower just for wet brushing. [13]

4

After a shower, apply a curl enhancer to keep the hair moist. Regular brushing can dry the hair, so after a shower, using a coin-sized amount of enhancer or conditioner and applying it evenly across the hair with fingers will do the trick. For a more organic approach, sweet almond oil, olive oil, or an all-natural pomade could be useful. [14]

5

To keep the waves in place, use a natural moisturizer 1-2 times a week. Use pomades and hair creams consisting of no petroleum. Determining how dry your hair gets between washes, use a moisturizer every 3-4 days. Products with shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or other natural oils are the gentlest on hair. [15]

It is important to be mindful of how frequently you use moisturizer, as overuse can lead to excess oil buildup and clogged pores, resulting in an undesirable appearance.

If you are wondering how long it will take to achieve the desired level of waves in your hair, the timeline can vary from a few weeks to a few months. Consistent brushing is key to speeding up the process.

For those with a small afro who wish to have wavy hair, it is certainly possible. Simply brush your hair out and use conditioner to encourage the waves to form.

If you have naturally straight hair but still want to use curl enhancer, it is certainly possible, but it is recommended that you limit usage to one or two times per week, always applying it after shampooing your hair.

To achieve the sought-after 360 waves, the following products may be useful: shampoo, conditioner, wave brush, curl enhancer, and pomade or moisturizer.

This article has been authored by the wikiHow staff and has been subjected to extensive review to ensure its accuracy and comprehensiveness, as is the case with all wikiHow articles. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the authors.