Your next look is here! Wavy hair is versatile and beautiful, offering a perfect middle ground between straight and curly textures. Let’s explore the most flattering cuts that enhance your natural waves while making styling a breeze.
How to Choose a Haircut for Wavy Hair
Before diving into specific styles, it’s important to understand your wave pattern, hair density, and lifestyle needs. Wavy hair can range from loose, beachy waves to more defined S-patterns. The right cut should enhance your natural texture while being manageable for your daily routine.
Meet the Experts
We’ve consulted top hairstylists specializing in wavy hair textures to bring you expert advice on choosing and maintaining the perfect cut for your waves.
- Sarah Chen, Celebrity Hairstylist
- Marcus Rodriguez, Texture Specialist
- Lisa Thompson, Curl & Wave Expert
1. Pixie Shag
The pixie shag combines the edginess of a pixie cut with the texture of a shag. This low-maintenance style works beautifully with wavy hair, as the natural texture creates built-in volume and movement. The layers should be choppy and piece-y to enhance your waves.
2. Old Hollywood
Channel your inner silver screen goddess with soft, romantic waves that fall just past the shoulders. This timeless style emphasizes your natural wave pattern while creating glamorous volume. The key is to maintain longer layers that allow waves to form their natural S-pattern.
3. Cheeky Flip
This playful style features a medium-length cut with ends that flip outward. Your natural waves add extra bounce and personality to this retro-inspired look. The length typically hits at or just below the shoulders, with subtle layers to encourage the flip.
4. Angled Bob
A bob that’s slightly shorter in the back and longer in the front creates a modern, sophisticated silhouette. The angle helps manage volume while showcasing your waves beautifully. This cut works especially well for medium to fine wave patterns.
5. Lob
The long bob (lob) is a versatile cut that hits between the chin and collarbone. For wavy hair, this length is perfect as it allows enough weight to control frizz while maintaining movement. The cut can be customized with layers to enhance your specific wave pattern.
6. Choppy Lob
Adding choppy layers to the classic lob creates extra texture and movement. This style works particularly well with wavy hair as it enhances natural texture while preventing the heaviness that can weigh down waves.
7. Bixie
The bixie combines elements of a bob and a pixie, creating a short, textured cut that’s perfect for wavy hair. The longer pieces on top allow your waves to create natural volume, while the shorter back and sides keep the style manageable.
8. Blunt Cut
A straight-across cut creates structure while allowing your waves to take center stage. This style works best for those with medium to thick hair, as the blunt ends help control volume and create a modern, polished look.
9. Modern Shag
The contemporary take on the shag features softer layers and face-framing pieces. This cut is ideal for wavy hair as it enhances natural texture while creating movement throughout. The layers should be strategically placed to work with your wave pattern.
10. Side-Swept Pixie Cut
This feminine take on the pixie features longer pieces swept to one side. The style works beautifully with wavy hair as the natural texture creates effortless volume and movement in the longer sections.
11. Deep Layers
Long, dramatic layers starting at the chin create movement and enhance wave patterns. This cut is perfect for those wanting to maintain length while reducing bulk and encouraging their natural texture.
12. Beachy Waves
This effortless style features long layers cut to enhance natural wave patterns. The key is to keep layers long enough to allow waves to form naturally while preventing excess weight that could pull them down.
13. Wolf Cut
A modern fusion of a shag and mullet, the wolf cut features lots of layers that work perfectly with wavy texture. The cut creates volume at the crown while maintaining length through the back.
14. Straight Bangs
Blunt bangs can add a modern edge to wavy hair. The key is to cut them slightly longer than desired to account for shrinkage when your natural texture takes hold.
15. Pixie Cut
A classic pixie can be adapted for wavy hair by leaving extra length on top to show off your natural texture. The sides and back are kept shorter for easy maintenance.
16. Curtain Bangs
These face-framing bangs that part in the middle work beautifully with wavy hair, creating a soft, romantic frame for your face. The longer length allows your natural waves to enhance the style.
17. Asymmetrical Bob
This modern cut features one side longer than the other, creating an interesting silhouette that’s enhanced by wavy texture. The asymmetry adds edge while the waves add softness.
18. Let’s Dance
This playful, movement-focused cut features layers that encourage your waves to bounce and flow. Perfect for those who want their hair to move naturally throughout the day.
19. Wixie
The wavy pixie (wixie) is specifically designed for wavy hair textures. This cut maintains enough length to show off your natural waves while keeping the classic pixie silhouette.
20. French Bob
This chin-length bob with optional bangs embodies effortless Parisian chic. The cut works beautifully with wavy hair as it creates a naturally undone, romantic look.
21. Layered Bob
Strategic layers throughout a bob cut help enhance wave patterns while managing volume. The layers should be cut to work with your specific wave pattern and face shape.
22. Long And Undone
This relaxed style celebrates natural texture with minimal layers and maximum movement. The length helps weigh down the waves slightly, creating an effortlessly cool look.
23. Her Crown
A cut that focuses on creating volume and movement at the crown while maintaining length through the back. Perfect for those who want to emphasize their waves at the top of their head.
24. Long Layers
Classic long layers cut at varying lengths create movement and prevent waves from becoming weighed down. The longest layer should hit below the shoulders for maximum impact.
25. Preppy Bob
A polished bob that hits at the chin with minimal layers. This sophisticated cut allows waves to create natural movement while maintaining a clean silhouette.
26. Long Shag
This modern interpretation of the shag features longer layers that work with wavy texture to create a bohemian vibe. The cut includes face-framing pieces and layers throughout.
27. The Butterfly Cut
Named for its wing-like layers, this cut creates movement and volume that mimics a butterfly’s wings. The style works particularly well with wavy hair as it enhances natural texture.
28. Textured Bob
This bob features point-cut ends and internal layers to enhance natural wave patterns. The result is a perfectly imperfect look that’s both modern and manageable.
29. Birkin Bangs
Inspired by Jane Birkin’s iconic fringe, these long, slightly parted bangs work beautifully with wavy texture. The length allows them to blend seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
30. Face-Framing Lob
A lob cut with pieces specifically cut to frame the face. The waves add softness to the face-framing layers while maintaining the cut’s structure.
31. The Fawcett Flip
Channeling Farrah Fawcett’s iconic style, this cut features layers that flip away from the face. Natural waves add extra body and movement to this retro-inspired look.
32. The Swag Shag
A combination of a swagger cut and a shag, this style features choppy layers throughout that enhance natural wave patterns while creating an edgy, modern look.
33. Wispy Bangs
Light, airy bangs that work with your natural texture rather than against it. The wispy texture blends beautifully with wavy hair while adding softness around the face.
34. Mermaid Cut
Extra-long layers cut to enhance natural waves, creating a romantic, mermaid-like appearance. The cut features minimal layers to maintain length while preventing heaviness.
35. Octopus Cut
This trending style features shorter layers on top that create volume, with longer, piece-y layers underneath. The contrast in lengths works beautifully with wavy texture.
Styling Tips for Wavy Hair:
- Embrace your natural texture with wave-enhancing products
- Use lightweight styling products to prevent weighing down waves
- Avoid over-brushing, which can create frizz
- Consider air-drying or diffusing to maintain wave pattern
- Use a microfiber towel to prevent frizz
- Apply products to damp hair for best results
Maintenance Tips:
- Regular trims every 8-12 weeks
- Deep condition regularly to maintain moisture
- Use sulfate-free shampoos to prevent dryness
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz
- Refresh waves between washes with a spray bottle and product
Remember, the key to loving your wavy hair is finding a cut that works with your natural texture while fitting your lifestyle and maintenance preferences. Don’t be afraid to show these references to your stylist and discuss how to adapt them to your specific wave pattern.