How to Style Men’s Wavy Hair for a Relaxed and Textured Look

Wavy hair works best when you work with it, not against it. Trying to force natural movement flat or treating it exactly like curly hair usually ends with hair that looks puffy, greasy or over-styled. The goal is simple: enhance the wavy hair you’ve got and keep things relaxed.

Regardless of whether your hair is short, medium or long, styling men’s wavy hair comes down to using the right product in the right order. Light layers and natural texture will always beat loading your hair up with product. Explore Uppercut Deluxe’s full hair styling range to style your wavy hair.

What Makes Men’s Wavy Hair Different?

Wavy hair sits somewhere between straight and curly and usually has a natural ‘S’ pattern that gives movement and texture without forming tight curls. That movement is what makes wavy hair versatile. It can look clean and controlled or loose and relaxed, depending on the cut and the products you use.

Unlike straight hair, wavy hair naturally creates volume and separation. They don’t usually need heavy creams or intensive moisture to keep shape like curly hair.

If you’ve been treating your hair like it's completely straight, chances are you've been brushing too much or using products that are too heavy. Complete our product selection guide to make sure you are getting the right product for your hair type.

The Best Way to Style Men’s Wavy Hair: A Simple 5-Minute Routine

You don’t need a complicated routine to get the most from your waves. A few simple steps and layering with light hold products will give you relaxed texture without crunch or stiffness. See our simple 5-minute daily styling routine for a quick breakdown.

Step 1: Start With Damp, Not Soaking Wet Hair

Good styling starts after washing. Towel dry gently and leave your hair damp. If it’s dripping wet, products become diluted and won’t distribute evenly.

Using quality shampoo and conditioner helps keep wavy hair soft and manageable, particularly if your hair tends to get dry or frizzy.

Step 2: Add Salt Spray for Grit, Lift, and Loose Texture

Salt Spray is one of the easiest ways to enhance natural waves. Applied to damp hair, it creates separation, volume and a relaxed matte finish without feeling heavy.

If you’re wondering how you should style your wavy hair, this is usually the first step. Spray evenly, scrunch lightly with your hands and either air dry or use a diffuser on a low heat, low air-flow setting if you want extra definition.

For more tips and tricks on how to get the most out of Salt Spray, check out styling with sea salt spray.

Step 3: Use Hair Cream to Control Frizz and Shape the Waves

Hair cream is ideal when your wavy hair need a bit more control without losing movement. It provides light hold, reduces puffiness and leaves hair looking natural rather than shiny or stiff.

Work a small amount through damp or dry hair and let the waves do the work. Less product usually gives better results. Learn how to style waves with hair cream.

Step 4: Finish With Styling Powder for Matte Volume and Reworkable Texture

Styling powder is best applied to dry hair. It adds lift at the roots, creates separation and delivers a natural matte finish that can be reworked throughout the day.

If your hair falls flat after a few hours, powder is an easy fix. A small amount goes a long way. For more, read our guide to using styling powder.

How to Style Men’s Wavy Hair by Length

Hair length changes how your wavy hair behave, so your routine should adapt accordingly.

How to Style Short Wavy Hair for Men

Knowing how to style short wavy hair for men is usually about creating texture without making the hair look stiff. Short wavy hair works best with controlled volume and a matte finish.

Salt Spray or Styling Powder can create lift and separation while still keeping things natural. Textured crops, messy tops and low tapers all work particularly well. Check out our guide to styling short men’s hair.

How to Style Men’s Medium Wavy Hair

Medium length gives waves room to move and is often the easiest length to style.

If you’re looking for how to style medium-length wavy hair, consider looks such as curtain fringes, loose brush backs, textured crops and relaxed quiffs. All of them make the most of natural movement.

Add to that one of our light hold products, which will help keep things moveable without locking hair into place. Explore our low-maintenance medium hairstyles guide.

How to Style Men’s Long Wavy Hair

Longer wavy hair need moisture and restraint. Men often make the mistake of using too much product, resulting in hair that is heavy or tangled.

Gentle drying, a little Salt Spray and a small amount of hair cream are usually enough. Focus product through the mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots to keep things loose and natural. Read our guide to styling long men’s hair for more inspiration.

How to Style Wavy Hair by Hair Type and Density

The same routine won’t suit everyone. Hair density and thickness play a big role in how your wavy hair behaves, so a few small adjustments can make a big difference. Check out our guide to products for fine hair and explore products with a natural finish.

How to Style Men’s Thick Wavy Hair

Spending too much time Googling ‘how to style thick wavy hair men’? You’ve probably got the same issue plenty of others have: too much bulk and too much frizz.

The answer isn’t piling on more product…

It starts with the haircut, ask your barber to remove weight and add texture so your hair moves naturally.

Once that’s sorted, keep the styling simple. Salt Spray can help define the waves, while a small amount of hair cream provides shape and keeps flyaways under control. Avoid chasing extra volume if you've already got plenty of it, and consider using products with a natural finish. Read our guide to styling medium length men’s hair.

How to Style Men’s Fine Wavy Hair

If you’ve got finer hair, less is more. For anyone chasing exactly how to style fine wavy hair, lightweight products are your best friends. Salt Spray creates texture and lift, while Styling Powder adds fullness without weighing everything down.

Heavy products can quickly flatten fine waves and make hair feel greasy. Start with a small amount and add more only if needed. Read our guide on the best lightweight products for fine hair.

How to Keep Wavy Hair Relaxed Instead of Puffy

Puffiness usually isn’t caused by having wavy hair. More often, it’s caused by what you’re doing to it.

Brushing dry waves, over-drying with a towel, skipping conditioner or using too much product can all turn natural movement into unwanted bulk.

Try using a wide-tooth comb, let your hair dry naturally when possible and add a small amount of hair cream if you need extra control. If your hair constantly feels too thick, speak with your barber about removing weight rather than trying to solve everything with more product. Browse Uppercut Deluxe’s range of hair brushes and combs, and shampoo and conditioner.

Best Products for Men’s Wavy Hair: Salt Spray vs Cream vs Powder

Different products do different jobs. The best results often come from combining two products rather than relying on one heavy styler.

Common Wavy Hair Styling Mistakes to Avoid

A few bad habits can make even good hair difficult to manage. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Using too much product too quickly

• Applying styling powder to wet hair

• Brushing wavy hair once they’ve dried

• Using strong gels when the goal is relaxed movement

• Washing too often and drying the hair out

• Skipping conditioner

• Ignoring haircut shape and excess bulk

• Trying to force naturally wavy hair flat every day

Most guys don’t need more product. They need better timing and lighter layers. Read our 5-minute styling routine guide, and browse our shampoo and conditioner options, as well as our brushes and combs.

Barber Tips for a Relaxed, Textured Wavy Haircut

Good styling starts with the cut. A barber who understands texture can make your daily routine much easier.

Depending on your length and density, consider:

• Textured crops for short wavy hair

• Curtain fringes for medium-length wavy hair

• Loose brush backs that work with natural movement

• Layered shag cuts for medium-to-long hair

• Low tapers with textured tops

• Long natural styles with light layering

The right haircut removes weight where it isn’t needed and leaves enough length for the waves to do their thing. See our low-maintenance medium hairstyles
or read our guide to beach hairstyles.

Find the Right Wavy Hair Styling Product at Uppercut Deluxe

Knowing how to style men’s wavy hair isn’t about forcing a particular look. It’s about making the most of your natural movement and choosing products that support it.

A simple routine of Salt Spray, hair cream and Styling Powder gives most men everything they need to create relaxed texture without stiffness, shine or excess weight.

From short wavy hair to medium and long, the key is keeping things light and working with your waves. Stick with that and you’re going to get the best results. Browse Uppercut Deluxe’s complete hair styling collection combined with our product selection guide to find what works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you style men’s wavy hair?

The easiest approach is to towel dry your hair until damp, apply Salt Spray, scrunch or shape with your hands, then let it air dry or diffuse. Finish with products like hair cream for softness or styling powder for extra lift and texture.

How to style men’s long wavy hair?

Gentle towel drying, minimal brushing and a small amount of hair cream through the mid-lengths and ends will keep long wavy hair soft and under control. Avoid loading the roots with heavy products. Read our guide to styling long men’s hair for more inspiration.

How to style men’s medium wavy hair?

Medium-length wavy hair suits curtain fringes, loose brush backs, textured crops and relaxed quiffs. Light hold products help maintain movement while keeping the style easy to rework throughout the day. Read our guide styling medium-length hair.

Is salt spray good for men’s wavy hair?

Absolutely. Salt Spray helps enhance natural waves, creates texture and adds volume without making hair feel heavy. It works best when applied to damp hair before air drying or diffusing. Check out our guide on styling with sea salt spray.

Should men with wavy hair use cream or powder?

Both have their place. Hair cream is ideal for softness, frizz control and a natural finish. Styling Powder is better when you want matte texture, separation and extra root lift. Many men with wavy hair use both, with cream first and powder as the finishing touch.