Why do we always want what we don’t have? Those with limp, straight hair would often kill for a bit of volume that doesn’t require styling tools or bucket-loads of product. And those with tight spiral curls eye the straight-haired with envy.

But between the two, there’s natural waves. And while those with wavy hair will still gripe about its annoying tendencies (there are one or two), there’s much to appreciate in this wash-and-go hair type. You can chemically straighten or perm hair, but there’s no magic in a bottle for those in-between waves.

Wavy hair tends to be thicker, denser and less prone to thinning and there are plenty of icons including Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles to look up to. So, what more do we need to convince you that you lucked out in the follicle department? Experiment with the best wavy hairstyles below, along with some expert barbershop styling advice, and you can thank us later.

How To Manage Wavy Hair

Ok, so humidity might not be your friend, and there’s always that one little bit that refuses to behave. But these are glitches that can be fixed with the right hair products (think best hair mousse, men’s hair gel or pomade) and styling techniques. Tim Pateman, the director of Clerkenwell salon, The Lion and The Fox and a session stylist (who’s worked with George Ezra, Russell Kane and Jake Bugg) gives us the lowdown on how to manage waves.

Let’s start with the basics. Pateman favours co-washing with wavy hair (co-washing is short for ‘conditioner washing’). “This method should still involve two steps as if you were using shampoo,” says Pateman. “Skip the shampoo, take a dose of conditioner to emulsify the hair all over to clean it, rinse and then repeat.” He likes Redken Curvaceous Conditioner and Kiehl’s Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid. We’re also fans of Davines Love Curl Cleansing Cream.