Having wavy hair is great because you can easily change its texture. Going from wavy to curly hair is super simple. There are a few methods you can use to do so.
Here are 11 ways how to make wavy hair curly:
- Scrunch
- Use leave-in conditioner
- Diffuse
- The curly girl method
- Pin curling
- Get a haircut
- Use a heat protectant
- Increase curl definition with a Denman brush
- Braid your hair before sleeping
- Use the sock curling method
- Use heat
In this article, we’ll explain each of these techniques in detail. Try each of them until you find the one that suits your hair the best. Keep reading.
11 Ways to Make Wavy Hair Curly
There are endless ways to make wavy hair curly. We’re explaining 11 of the best ones in detail. Depending on whether you’re looking for a long-term semi-permanent way to get curlier hair or an immediate solution for an event, you can pick the most appropriate technique for you.
There are heat and heat-free ways to make wavy hair curly. However, if you want to have curly hair regularly, using heat tools isn’t a great idea because you’ll damage your hair. So we’d recommend going with one of the heat-free methods listed below.
On the other hand, if this hairstyle is a one-off, feel free to use heat if you want to. We’ll explain how you can do so at the end of the list.
1. Scrunch
One of the easiest and most effective ways to make wavy hair curly is by scrunching it right after your shower. This method involves you squeezing the ends of your curls towards your roots.
Consider your hair to be like a string. Your job is to compress the string to the top without ruining the coils. In fact, you have to try to enhance those coils.
If you use products like styling mousse, you’ll find it quite effective to scrunch it in instead of brushing it in. Apply your product and then gently squeeze your hair upwards.
You Make Like: How To Plop Hair For Defined, Frizz-Free Curls
2. Use Leave-In Conditioner
Another great way to make your hair wavier is by using a leave-in conditioner. While this won’t enhance curl formation, it will neaten up your hair. This is because such products are designed to combat frizz.
They keep your hair hydrated throughout the day without weighing it down. Since curly hair already has more volume than straight hair, avoiding excess tension in your hair is great.
3. Diffuse
Sometimes curly hair becomes wavy because wet hair is quite heavy. This pulls hair down and stretches out the curls. So they lose their natural curl texture, and you end up with waves instead of curls.
- Show Off Your Curls – Curly hair products alone aren’t enough for hair care. You need a hair diffuser for curly hair to look its best. Using the Black Orchid Diffuser instead of a hair brush minimizes frizz, boosts volume, and defines curls.
- Faster Styling – Over 90 air vents in this hair diffuser help dry curly hair for quick drying. Our large diffuser offers better airflow with uniform heat dissipation and extra long fingers for drying roots and tips.
- Frizz Control – Stop using a hairbrush and banish the frizz with this hair diffuser for curly hair. A diffuser can improve the bounce of curls. For straight hair it enhances the body instead of flattening your hair.
- Hair Dryer Compatibility – Our diffuser hair dryer attachment fits around any hair dryer with a 1.8 inch diameter barrel. Add on the blow dryer diffuser attachment with a twist and a push. The silicone grip keeps the hair dryer attachment secure.
- How it Works – Use low or medium heat with this blow dryer attachment. The hair diffuser attachment disperses the heat to evenly dry hair. Diffuser hair dryer for curly hair includes only the hair diffuser.
You can counteract this by diffusing your hair. Now, you may have heard that diffusers cause frizz in wavy and curly hair. However, you can easily avoid it with the right products. So don’t be afraid of using diffusers. Get your hands on styling products like gel or mousse to keep your curl definition.
Dry your hair with a diffuser attachment until it is about 80% dry. Then flip your head forward, cup your wave and dry the rest of your hair like so. Add the gel at this point and scrunch your hair towards the roots.
Combining scrunching and diffusing like this can lead to excellent results.
4. The Curly Girl Method
The curly girl method is a long-term way to make wavy hair curly. You’ll see drastic differences in your curls after a couple of weeks.
You’ve probably heard of the curly girl method before. However, if you haven’t come across before and after pictures of people using this technique, let us tell you that they are dramatic transformations.
People who had no idea they were curlies have found out by using the curly girl method. So if you want to make wavy hair curly, you need to give this technique a shot.
Start by only using sulfate-free and silicone-free hair products and swearing off heat. This may sound extreme if you’re accustomed to using curly irons and straighteners. However, the results will speak for themselves.
You’ll notice increased curl formation within a few weeks. Your hair will be healthier and stronger too.
5. Pin Curling
Pin curling is a great way to get curlier hair immediately. Your hair needs to be wet for it to work properly, though.
As soon as you shower, apply a styling product of your choice to your hair. Then take a small strand of hair and curl it with your finger. Use a bobby pin to secure each curl. Make your way through all your hair.
Let your hair dry with the clips in place. When you remove them, you’ll notice curl formations according to the clips and coils you set.
You can increase the durability of this hairstyle by using hair spray on the finished product. Alternatively, you could scrunch in some setting mousse.
6. Get A Haircut
Damaged hair loses its elasticity and becomes straighter than its natural texture. So if you want to make wavy hair curly and haven’t gotten a cut in a while, go to a salon and get a trim.
You can tell when damaged hair is causing your hair to be straight by looking at your roots. If the hair there is curlier than the hair at the ends, getting a trim will fix it.
Getting a trim also reduces the weight pulling down on your waves. This further increases the chances of you getting curlier hair.
7. Use A Heat Protectant
Heat makes curly hair wavy. Using a heat protector is a precautionary measure that will reduce the impact of using heat.
It will protect your hair and help it be healthier and curlier. If you use heat tools like hair dryers regularly, you’ll notice a difference in your curl formation within a couple of days.
Getting a trim along with using a heat protectant will produce the best results. This is because you’ll get rid of the damaged hair and avoid damaging any more hair.
8. Increase Curl Definition With A Denman Brush
Denman brushes have plastic bristles. They are ideal for curling small sections of your hair.
You will get the best results with this brush if you use it right after a shower. This is because your hair will be completely wet at this point. Apply a leave-in conditioner or styling product and brush it into your hair with your fingers.
Flip over your head and brush through your hair with the Denman tool. Then stand straight again. Brush small portions of your hair, starting at the root and moving away from your head.
Since Denman brushes have thick bristles, they encourage curls. Brushing your hair away from your head leads to small and tight curls that look great. This makes Denman brushes one of the best ways to make wavy hair curly.
9. Braid Your Hair Before Sleeping
TIghtly braid your hair before going to bed. Open your hair in the morning, and it will be curly. The exact curl formation will depend on the type of braid and the amount of hair used.
You’ll get the tightest curls by making many small braids all around your head. Making one or two french braids will lead to looser curls. Whereas a simple braid will just make your hair wavy. You won’t get curls.
You can also impact curl formation by using some product in your hair when making the braids. For instance, you can spray the finished braids with hair spray. Alternatively, you can apply some styling mousse or gel to your hair while you’re making the braids. Both will secure your hair into place and ensure that you wake up to tight curls.
You’ll have noticed that most of the methods we’ve talked about so far work for wet hair. You have to use them right after a shower because they require drenching hair to be successful. However, this technique is different because you don’t have to do it right before you go out.
An important downside to using this method is that you will pull your hair. This can lead to tension in your scalp. So avoid doing this regularly, or your hair will become weak.
Even so, braiding is an excellent way to make curly hair wavy for a special day.
10. Use The Sock Curling Hack
The sock curling hack will make your waves tighter and similar to curly hair.
You don’t need to do this immediately after a shower. However, you would benefit from dampening your hair before you begin. Also, rake some styling mousse before you add the socks.
Separate your hair into four sections and grab four socks. Then use a clip to attach the first sock to one section. Further, separate this section into two portions. Now you have two strands of hair and one sock.
Braid all three like you normally would until you reach the end. Then, attach a hair tie to the end. You can remove the clip you attached at the top.
Repeat this process on all four sections and leave your hair to dry. Some people do this before sleeping and dry their hair overnight. While you don’t need to do so, it is essential to let your hair fully dry before removing the socks.
You will need a few hours, to say the least. If you haven’t done the sock method the night before and plan to do it while you get ready, make sure hair is the first part of your routine. This way, your hair can dry while you do your makeup and put your outfit together.
11. Use Heat
While heat definitely damages your hair, it is also one of the most reliable ways to curl wavy hair. Truth be told, as long as you don’t do it too regularly, you won’t damage your hair too much with it.
Curling Your Hair With A Curling Rod
Curling with a curling rod is fairly straightforward. So instead of telling you how to do it, we’ll give you a couple of useful tips about the process:
- Use a 1” rod for short/medium hair and a 1.25” rod for long hair
- Put hairspray on your hair before you start curling
- Use your rod at a low setting for fine hair and at a higher setting for thick/coarse hair
- Clip irons will give you glam waves while curling wands will give you loose, beachy waves
- Don’t keep the rod in your hair for longer than 10 seconds
- WIDE CONICAL BARREL: The 1”–1½” barrel quickly creates gorgeous, tousled waves for all hair types—ideal for everyday styles or quick touch-ups.
- PEARL-INFUSED CERAMIC COATING: Crushed pearls and ceramic reduce frizz and damage while delivering smooth, salon-quality results with even heat. Wipe barrel regularly to maintain top performance.
- FAST HEAT-UP & CUSTOM SETTINGS: Heats in 30 seconds up to 410°F with 9 heat settings and a digital LCD screen. Always style on clean, dry (or nearly dry), detangled hair.
- AUTO SHUT-OFF & SWIVEL CORD: 60-minute auto shut-off for safety. 360° salon-length swivel cord adds flexibility—avoid tight wrapping to protect cord life.
- THERMAL GLOVE INCLUDED: Glove helps shield fingers during styling for short contact. Not for direct barrel contact or other heat sources.
As long as you keep these tips in mind, you’ll get great curls with a curling rod. Add in some styling products to secure your curls and keep them for a long time.
Curling Your Hair With A Straightener
Curling your hair with a straightener is a popular but slightly complicated process. Start with clean and dry hair. Both these conditions are essential. You won’t get the curl formation you’re looking for without meeting them.
Use a thin flat iron to get the best shape. Also, make sure it has rounded edges. Otherwise, you won’t get smooth curls that stay in place.
Start close to the scalp. Then, curl your iron towards your head and turn it hallways. Next, move the iron downwards. The faster you move the iron, the looser your curls will be.
You can make the curls tighter by curling the straightener in a full circle instead of only halfway.
- SMOOTH, SHINY HAIR IN A SINGLE, EFFORTLESS PASS: This titanium flat iron hair straightener features premium 100% titanium plates that transfer heat evenly to minimize hot spots for a snag-free glide. Infused with Argan oil & Keratin, it delivers consistent heat for smooth, sleek, shiny results. Ultra-smooth titanium plates ensure your hair glides effortlessly, reducing frizz and leaving a healthy-looking shine after every pass. Enjoy a silk press at home with a keratin-like smooth finish.
- 2-IN-1 STYLING FREEDOM: 1-inch flat iron with rounded edges lets you shape your strands from sleek and straight to perfectly curled. The unique curved design lets you straighten, wave, or curl hair without snags or creases, while the rounded tip design allows you to get close to the hairline and roots to style from root to tip. This versatile hair straightener and curler empowers you to create bouncy curls or sleek looks. It's the ultimate curling flat iron for endless styling possibilities.
- CONQUER THE MOST STUBBORN HAIR TYPES FOR FASTER STRAIGHTENING: Cut your morning styling time in half with extended length plates that maintain complete hair contact for fewer passes and efficient styling across fine, thick, coarse, and textured hair. Straighten faster and more effectively, saving precious time in your daily routine while achieving flawless, long-lasting results on even the most stubborn hair types.
- NEVER GUESS YOUR HEAT SETTING OR RISK FRYING YOUR HAIR: Precision heat control with 11 settings ranging from 265°F to 450°F lets you customize the heat for your unique hair type. Go low for fine or delicate strands, crank it up for thick, textured hair. It ensures effortless styling while protecting the health and integrity of your precious tresses for healthy-looking results every time.
- BE READY IN SECONDS: This hair styling iron heats up fast, reaching a maximum temperature of 450°F in just seconds. It delivers consistent heat recovery to quickly style your hair and save valuable time during your morning routine, making it ideal for busy mornings, quick touch-ups, and your everyday styling routine.
- STYLE WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY: A comfortable, lightweight design allows for effortless handling and makes it easy to maneuver at any angle. Style with total control and without arm fatigue for a more enjoyable, beautiful styling experience.
- TRAVEL WORLDWIDE WITH ZERO STRESS 100-240V GLOBAL DUAL VOLTAGE: Keep your silk press flawless and your curls shiny anywhere in the world. This dual voltage flat iron features automatic 100-240V compatibility, making it the perfect travel flat iron to take abroad without clunky voltage converters. Designed with a built-in 60-minute auto shut-off function, it guarantees ultimate peace of mind when you rush out of your hotel room or your house.
- BECAUSE MY STYLIST SAID SO: Achieve smooth, salon-worthy results in one pass with this VANESSA PRO Straightener. Engineered for performance and trusted by stylists, this professional hair straightener delivers sleek, shiny, stylist-approved styles with every glide
Final Thoughts on How to Make Curly Hair Wavy
That’s all we have for ways to make curly hair wavy. Try whichever ones stand out to you and then pick one which gives you the best results to use regularly. If you get a haircut, come back to our list and pick new techniques for your new style.
Remember to think about what sort of curls you’re looking for and pick a technique accordingly. You’ll get the tightest curls with heat tools and pin curling. Sock curling will give you the loosest curls.
