Stop fighting your DNA for a second. Most guys think they’re stuck with pin-straight strands or a frizzy mess, but the truth is usually hiding in your routine. Getting that effortless, "just off the coast of Malibu" texture isn't just about buying a sea salt spray and praying to the grooming gods. It’s science. It’s technique. Honestly, it's mostly about moisture.
If you want to know how to get mens wavy hair, you have to understand that hair shape is determined by the follicle. If yours is perfectly round, your hair comes out straight. If it's oval? That’s where the magic happens. But even guys with straighter hair can coax out a wave if they stop stripping their natural oils away like they’re cleaning a greasy engine block.
The Moisture Myth and Why Your Shampoo is Ruining Everything
Most men wash their hair way too much. Like, way too much. You’re nuking the very sebum that allows your hair to clump into those coveted S-shapes. When the hair cuticle is dry, it stands up. It searches for moisture in the air. That’s what we call frizz.
To get waves, you need "clumping."
Clumping is when individual hairs find their neighbors and decide to hang out together in a unified curve. You can’t get that if you’re using a harsh sulfate-based detergent every morning. Professional stylists like Kevin Murphy have long championed the "co-wash" or "low-poo" movement for a reason. You need a sulfate-free shampoo, or better yet, skip the soap and just use a high-quality conditioner two out of three times you hit the shower.
Think of your hair like a high-end wool sweater. You wouldn’t throw a cashmere knit in a heavy-duty cycle with bleach, right? Treat your scalp with the same respect.
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The Sea Salt Secret
Sea salt spray is the industry standard for a reason. It adds "grit."
Basically, the salt dehydrates the hair just enough to create friction between the strands. This friction holds the wave in place. But here is what most people get wrong: they spray it on bone-dry hair and end up looking like a scarecrow.
The pro move? Apply it to damp, towel-dried hair. Scrunch it. Don't comb it. If you run a fine-tooth comb through your hair after applying product, you’re literally combing the waves out. Use your fingers. Be messy.
How To Get Mens Wavy Hair Using Heat (Without Looking "Done")
Sometimes nature needs a nudge. If your hair is stubbornly straight, you might need a blow dryer and a diffuser attachment. Most guys ignore the diffuser—that weird, bowl-shaped plastic thing with the prongs—but it's your best friend.
Standard nozzles blast air in one direction. This flattens hair.
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A diffuser spreads the airflow out so it doesn't disturb the natural wave pattern. Turn your head upside down. Put the hair into the diffuser bowl. Push it up toward your scalp. Use the "cool shot" button once the hair is warm to lock the shape in. It sounds like a lot of work. It kind of is. But if you want the look, you have to do the reps.
The Role of "The Cut"
You can have all the product in the world, but if your hair is one length, gravity is going to win. Long, heavy hair pulls the wave out.
Ask your barber for "long layers" or "internal texture." You want the weight removed from the mid-lengths so the hair is light enough to bounce up. If your barber reaches for the thinning shears and starts hacking away at the ends, tell them to stop. Thinning shears can create "fuzz" if used incorrectly. You want point-cutting—where the stylist cuts into the hair at an angle to create different lengths within the bulk.
Products That Actually Work (And Some That Are Garbage)
Forget the "3-in-1" body wash/shampoo/conditioner/engine-degreaser. It’s trash. If you’re serious about how to get mens wavy hair, you need a dedicated arsenal.
- Matte Pomades or Clays: These provide hold without the "wet" look of 90s gel. Brands like Baxter of California or Hanz de Fuko make clays that give a gritty, lived-in feel.
- Leave-in Conditioners: A tiny bit of a leave-in (like the ones from SheaMoisture) keeps the hair heavy enough to avoid frizz but light enough to wave.
- Texture Powder: This is the "cheat code" for 2026. A silica-based powder sprinkled at the roots adds massive volume and helps waves stand up instead of lying flat.
Avoid anything with heavy silicones (like dimethicone) high up on the ingredient list if you have fine hair. Silicones coat the hair and make it shiny, but they also weigh it down. For waves, weight is the enemy.
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The "Plunking" Technique
Borrow this from the "Curly Girl Method" community. It works for guys too. After you shower and apply your product, take a micro-fiber towel or an old 100% cotton T-shirt. Lay it flat. Flip your hair onto it and tie the shirt around your head.
Leave it for 15 minutes.
This absorbs the excess water without disrupting the cuticle. Standard terry-cloth towels have tiny loops that catch on hair and cause frizz. The T-shirt method keeps the waves intact while they start to dry. It looks ridiculous. Your roommates will laugh at you. But your hair will look incredible.
Environmental Factors and Hair Health
Weather is a factor. High humidity means you need a product with more "film-formers" to block moisture from entering the hair shaft. In dry climates, you need more humectants.
Also, watch your water. Hard water—water with high mineral content like calcium and magnesium—buildup can make hair stiff and resistant to waving. If you live in a city with hard water, get a filtered shower head. It’s a $30 investment that changes the texture of your hair in about a week. You'll notice it immediately.
Diet matters too. Biotin and Omega-3 fatty acids aren't just myths. They strengthen the keratin structure. Stronger hair holds a shape better. If your hair is limp and breaking, it’s not going to wave; it’s just going to hang there.
Actionable Next Steps for Better Waves
- Ditch the daily shampoo. Switch to a sulfate-free option and only use it 2 times a week. Use conditioner every time you shower.
- Buy a sea salt spray today. Apply it to damp hair, not dry.
- Stop touching your hair while it dries. This is the hardest part. Every time you run your hands through your hair while it's drying, you're breaking the wave "bonds" and creating frizz. Leave it alone.
- Find a barber who understands texture. If they only know how to do a skin fade, they aren't the right person for a wavy flow. Look for someone who uses shears more than clippers.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. It sounds boujee, but cotton snags your hair and sucks out the moisture while you toss and turn. Satin lets the hair glide, meaning you wake up with your waves still intact instead of a bird's nest.
Consistency is key. Your hair has a "memory." The more you encourage it to wave, the easier it becomes over time as the cuticle adjusts to the new routine. Stop fighting it. Start working with it.