getting and maintaining 360 waves: Guaranteed method

Have you been trying to get waves and can’t seem to get them deep and connected how you really want? Thinking about cutting your hair off and trying your luck with waves?  If you’re either of the aforementioned, achieving 360 waves is right around the corner if you follow the routine that I will tell you about in just a moment.

Last year was the year of long hair (nappy fros, twists, man buns, just to name a few.)  It’s 2019, and the people have spoken; Waves are back in!  This blog will be helpful to beginners, as well as provide seasoned wavers with a few tips. Let’s dive in!

If you’re starting fresh with trying to get waves, the first thing I would recommend is going to your barber and getting your hair cut down even with a #1 guard.  Feel free to get it tapered on the sides and back if that’s what you prefer.  The reason that you want to start out with your hair cut low, is so that you train your hair to curl from the scalp by brushing consistently.  The more your hair grows as you continue to brush, the easier it will be to train the longer hair to wave up.  

If you really want DEEP 360 waves, you will need to go about 6 weeks without cutting your hair.  I already know what you’re thinking, 6 WEEKS?? ARE YOU KIDDING???...but trust me when I tell you it will be worth the wait.  However, you can still get lineups and tapers to keep yourself looking presentable.  In no way am I condoning looking like a caveman.  During this 6 week period, you will repeat a consistent routine that will allow you to achieve the deep waves that you desire.

Next, you will need to pick up a soft and medium wave brush (if you have very coarse hair, you may need a hard brush when your hair gets thicker), a quality durag, a leave-in conditioner, and a natural pomade (such as beeswax).  Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need thick wave grease (which includes ingredients that are bad for your hair) in order to get waves.  The purpose of the leave-in conditioner is to make the hair soft and manageable.  The purpose of the natural pomade is to lay the hair down in place and help your waves set in.  It is important to purchase a quality durag because it definitely makes a difference in how your waves will lay down.  One of the best durags that I ever owned came from www.tsurag.com.  Now let’s get into the specifics of the routine.

Start by taking a damp, hot towel and pressing it on your head for about 30 seconds to open the pores on your scalp.  Take a dime sized amount of leave in conditioner and distribute it evenly across your head with your hands. You only need to put product in your hair once a day.  Take the wave brush and begin to brush all sides of your head with an even amount of strokes on all sides.  Be sure to start brushing from the crown (center) of your head and brush in the natural pattern that your hair grows.  If you are just starting out, begin with the soft brush.  Begin to incorporate the medium and hard brush into the rotation as your hair continues to grow longer.  BRUSH A MINIMUM OF 5-10 MINUTES at least three times a day.  Always finish out a brush session with the soft brush, as this will add a nice “polished” look to your forming waves.

Use the natural pomade sparingly as the hair begins to get thicker.  Be sure to brush the product in for at least 5-10 minutes.  This will give your hair hold.
After you finish brushing, tie your hair down with the durag.  

BONUS TIP/SECRET....Now this may seem bizarre when you initially read it, but I PROMISE you it works.  Once you reach about the 3-4 week mark, your hair will probably become harder to lay down.  In order to fix this, a secret that a lot of wavers do is take a ziploc bag (Yes, a ziploc bag), put your hand in it like an oven mit, and rub your hair in the direction of your wave pattern.  Once again, this may sound idiotic, but after you try it once, I guarantee that you will continue doing it.  Do this right after a brush session, and right before you put your durag on.

Repeat this process every day for 6 weeks.  At the end of 6 weeks, go to the barbershop and get your hair cut with the grain with a 1.5 guard. This length will make your waves pop.  If you have fine hair, go with a #2 guard.

After your waves are set in, continue to brush, moisturize, and tie down your hair regularly to achieve maximum waves.  If you are not satisfied with your waves and want them deeper, repeat this 6 week process and incorporate combing the hair for 5 minutes before you begin your brush session.  This will help better connect your waves giving them the 360 look, and it will also make them deeper.

The last tip that i will leave you with is to deep condition and shampoo your hair twice a week.   Shampoo your hair as you normally do because you need to properly clean your scalp.  However, when you deep condition it, brush in the conditioner with the pattern of your waves.  

If you stick to this routine and have a little patience, you will definitely achieve the waves you desire.  I'll leave you with this quick video summing up the process.  Enjoy!