Hard Brush Or Soft Brush For Waves? The 68 Latest Answer

Have you tried every air dried cream only to end up with a frizzy, poofy mess of hair? Have you ever gone to bed not knowing how your hair will look in the morning? Seen humidity and heat in the forecast and submerged for a week? (Oh, just us?)

If any of the above sounds familiar, you might be blessed with wavy, but not quite curly, hair. And while some days it feels like you have the best of both worlds, most days it just feels like a hassle.

The good news? With the right routine and know-how, you can style your wannabe curls to have exactly the look you’re looking for—whether curling your hair into gorgeous curls, using your natural texture for a slightly tousled look hug it or straighten it with a flat iron.

But first…

Here’s what you need to know about wavy hair

To understand your wavy hair, you first need an introduction to the different types of curls. Your genes and the shape of your hair follicles (along with a few other factors) play a role in the appearance of your hair, which is typically classified into 4 main types and several sub-types. This categorization takes into account density, volume, length and texture as explained in our curly hair guide here.

While you might immediately identify with one of the 4 main types, it’s also normal that we wavy girls are still confused. For example, you might feel like you fall between Type 1 and Type 2 depending on the day, tiny routine changes, humidity, and tons of other factors.

Another of the biggest challenges for wavy hair is frizz. With its natural texture, wavy hair tends to frizz with just a little moisture in the air! If you live near the ocean, in a high humidity area, or sweat at the hairline, you know this all too well.

Already feeling frustrated? Yes, we know the feeling.

Aside from getting Brazilian blowouts or perms every few months — which sure can get expensive — our top tip is to experiment with products and routines until you find what works for you. You may have to decide ahead of time which look you want, as starting with your style from the moment you step into the shower can make a world of difference.

Additionally, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you get to know your wavy hair…

25 tips for controlling and styling wavy hair

General care for wavy hair

Know your hair type. As we mentioned above, hair tends to fall under a major type and/or sub-type. 2As, for example, tend to have a very fine texture. You need to look for lightweight products that won’t weigh your hair down – mousse is a good choice. But 2Cs tend to have thicker and coarser strands — you need extra moisture to keep your strands hydrated, and your hair can handle heavier products.

Rain or intense humidity in your weather forecast? While you tend to cover up, you don’t have to—but definitely take this into account when styling your wavy hair so you can stop frizz in its tracks. If you have fine hair, apply a light styling product like our Potion 10 Miracle Styling Potion. Thicker strands will do better with a moisture-proof gel or serum like our Miracle Styling Serum. A deep conditioner or hydrating hair mask used once a week can also provide a buffer.

If you feel like you’re constantly chained to your blow dryer, flat iron or curling iron, you’re not alone. Just make sure to use a heat protectant first and keep your tool on a low setting. Even if you’re using your curling iron or wand, a setting that’s too hot can swell (read: frizzy!) your hair cuticles and actually straighten your cuticles. Keep it low and loosely coil your wave to encourage and define the curl’s shape.

If your hair is dry, hands off – and neither do brushing! Excessive brushing can cause frizz and breakage, and touching your hair can transfer moisture from your skin to your strands. Resist the urge!

Fancy bangs? Do it! But be aware that you know style will likely take a little more time before stepping out your door – and make sure your stylist is experienced with curly and wavy hair. There is a special way to cut it, and even more so for bangs!

Invest in quality hair products. While drugstore brands often have great marketing behind them (and a cheaper price tag), salon products typically have more concentrated ingredients and extensive testing to back up their claims. Trust us, the investment is worth it!

How to prep wavy hair for great style

Try sleeping on a satin pillowcase. Cotton causes a lot of friction, which leads to breakage and, yes, you guessed it, frizz.

Great hair starts in the shower! Use warm water – not too hot but not too cold – and rinse with cold water after shampooing and conditioning. This seals the cuticle and adds shine.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Intensive care once a week to keep the moisture in your hair. You should also look out for sulfate-free products, especially if your hair is color-treated.

Follow up your shower with a nourishing leave-in product. Try our Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin if your hair is damaged, our Miracle Leave-In Lite for fine hair, our Potion 10 Miracle Instant Repair Leave-In for extra dry hair, or our Miracle Silk Leave-In for coarse or thick hair hair hair.

Detangle wet with a wide-toothed comb OR fingers. Using a brush can break up your natural wave/curl and also cause damage.

DO NOT rough up your hair with your regular towel! This causes friction that leads to curling and damage. Instead, take a microfiber cloth or t-shirt and gently squeeze or blot out excess moisture

How to enhance your waves and curls

Want to work with your waves? Find a nourishing or curl-enhancing styling cream and apply evenly to damp hair. Our Miracle Styling Cream, for example, helps define curls and waves with bouncy shine and a smooth, silky texture.

Twisting or scrubbing your waves while your hair is still damp can also help. Work in 1 inch sections to enhance the “piecey” look.

Try using a diffuser attachment with your blow dryer. A diffuser reduces the air pressure coming through your blow dryer so your hair doesn’t get rough as much. The result: curls stay intact and frizz stays under control.

Don’t underestimate hairspray. Find one that offers the support you need without crunching.

Try air drying: If you shower at night, try sleeping in braids to set your waves into a more defined curl pattern. Start with a lightweight balm like our Miracle Whipped Styling Balm that coats hair from roots to tips. Then, divide your hair into two sections and braid each side, secure with a small elastic. In the morning, unbraid your braids and tousle your hair. Use a curling iron to touch up if necessary.

You can also try the “pop” technique that many curly hair girls rely on! After showering, take a t-shirt or a thin microfiber cloth and place it on a flat surface in front of you. Bend forward and rest your head on the shirt/towel with all your hair on top of your head. Wrap the shirt/towel around your head and fasten it at the back of your neck. Go about your work and let your hair “set” like this for at least 30 minutes. This way your hair’s wavy pattern will remain intact as it dries because gravity won’t pull it down.

Waves look even better with each passing day, so try to get this style! If you can go a day or two without shampoo, do it. If your roots get oily, work in a dry shampoo and smooth them out with a curling iron or a spritz of texturizing spray.

How to straighten wavy hair

Prep your hair with an all-purpose styling cream, potion, or balm. (Bonus if it contains frizz-fighting ingredients: Look for natural oils like sunflower oil, humectants like propylene glycol, and silicones.)

Perfect your blow-dry technique. Take a round brush and work section by section, pulling hair firmly against it and directing the blow dryer at your strands. You should feel tension as you do this (but not too much). Make sure your hair is 100% dry when you’re done – otherwise it will start frizzing as the remaining moisture evaporates.

Use a straightening iron to straighten the hair, which is still a bit wavy. Similar to our curling iron tip above, make sure the heat isn’t too high! If you have fine or thin hair, set the temperature to around 300 degrees F. Thicker or coarser hair can usually handle up to 400 degrees F.

Fine hair fallen flat? Get a volume boost by flipping your head upside down and tousling hours of hair; follow with a mist of the volumizing spray to hold your style.

How to love your wavy hair

Last week we talked about hard brushes and when (and why) to use them. If you missed it, you can catch up here. This week we cover medium hairbrushes. After speaking to wavers in the community, most would agree that regardless of the texture of your hair, you should have a medium hairbrush in your wave rotation. Just like hard brushes, medium hair brushes come in different shapes and sizes. Again, we’ll break them down into three parts: bristle composition, pros and cons, so you can make better decisions about the tools you use to style your hair.

bristles

Most medium-sized brushes are made from 100% boar bristles. When you feel the bristles they should feel firm, but not as firm as reinforced boar bristles. Some brands also offer a mix of boar and flex bristles.

advantages

The main benefit of using medium brushes is versatility. There are some medium brushes that are tougher than others; This gives you the opportunity to replace your hard brush with your hardest medium brush. Medium brushes are also less stressful on the hair and scalp than hard brushes, so you can brush for longer periods of time if you want without damaging your hair or wave pattern. Depending on your texture, you can also use medium brushes as a shower brush, but I would only recommend this to those with low haircuts and those who might have a problem with thinning hair. This way you can protect the follicle and not pull your hair like you would with a stiff brush.

Disadvantages

Since this texture varies from person to person, this could go either way. Once you start grinding, you’ll find that over time your medium brush feels like a soft brush on your scalp. This is a clear sign that you may need a hard brush or a harder medium brush to do its job in your rotation. When you have more hair, the effectiveness of your medium-sized brush used as a shower brush also decreases. This is where using a synthetic bristle brush could come into play.

Understanding how medium brushes work is key to building the right twist that suits your texture. You will likely spend more time with your medium and soft brushes than your hard brush. It’s always good to remember that the brushes you put the most work into are the brushes that will make or break your progress.

We’re starting to see submissions for #WaverWednesday on Instagram, you guys look great out there, keep up the good work! Next week we’ll talk about soft brushes and prepare you to decide what the best rotation is for you. See you next week and remember: keep those brushes moving!

-Kado

Kado is the founder of Elite Spins, a digital community for the undecided to share product reviews, methods and tips. Connect with him personally on Instagram and follow the Elite Spins page.

We here at 360 Wave Process know what it takes to get your waves swimming, so let’s talk about the first steps to getting the deepest waves through wolfing.

Wolfing goes without a haircut for a long time.

You have to understand that wolfing is the technique that will make your waves better than almost any other guy you know with waves. Wolfing doesn’t cut your hair at all, no matter how much you might want it. This step is necessary to achieve waves and teach your hair the 360 ​​pattern.

To really wolf, you need to invest some time in wolfing. Wolfing time is the time you go without a haircut to allow your hair to grow and learn the look of your desired wave pattern. The wolfing time can be determined by the time that has passed since your last haircut.

The stages of wolfing can be a little difficult to understand because while you may be in the wolfing process, you’re not really wolfing until about four weeks after your last haircut. Now let’s talk about these different phases.

Level 0 begins immediately after hair cutting. This is when you can start counting your wolf time.

The first phase of wolfing is when your hair is about a length 1 with the grain. An easy way to determine hair length is to look at what protection you are using. For example, level 0 is when your hair has about a wax length of 0, level one is when your hair has about a wax length of 1, and so on. ATTENTION: This length varies depending on the hair structure. If your hair has a straighter texture, you may have to wait longer before actually starting to develop waves, so your starting length may need to be different and longer than someone with a coarser texture. For the purposes of this information, we’ll focus on a coarser texture similar to that of Mr.360WaveProcess himself, Rashaad. If you don’t know what texture we are talking about, you can watch this video to get a better understanding.

The second phase of wolfing is when you reach between 1.5 and 2 guards in length with the grain. (Check the video below for images of this phase).

The third stage of grinding is somewhere between a 2-3 wax length with the grain.

And in the fourth and final stage of the wolf, things get tricky when your hair grows back and you need a haircut. As much as you want to cut it, don’t! At this point you can truly say you are a wolf.

Keep in mind that it’s important to keep up with your brushing work and to lay your hair down while grinding. As new hair grows in, you want to train it to follow the 360 ​​degree wave pattern. This makes a difference in defining your waves and distinguishing between controlled and uncontrolled wolfing. Uncontrolled wolfing is when you haven’t been keeping up with your brushing schedule and your hair isn’t lying as heavily as you would like, while controlled wolfing is when you stick with your brushing schedule and you can see definition in your waves. This will ensure that you are ready to show off your 360 degree waves to the world when you go to your final haircut after the wolfing process!

A quick and structured way to get your waves swimming is interval grinding. Interval wolfing is when you progressively increase the time between haircuts. You start waiting to the point where you think you need a haircut and then add another 2 weeks to that wait. Once you get your haircut wait for it to grow back out and then instead of waiting 2 weeks again, this time 4 weeks wait, steadily increase your wolf time between haircuts by 2 weeks until you reach the 12 week reach mark. The intervals go like this when waiting between haircuts, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks. At this point when you get a haircut your waves should be fully floating and you are now a 360 waver!

Want to stop the rollover?

Hold on to your wolf and stop the rollover with 3WP Wavy Hold Butter, specially formulated to give your waves a natural shine and hold them in place for a silky look. Try the product today! Specially made for Waver, it gives a natural shine that lasts all day. Unlike fat, which imparts an unnatural shine, 3WP Butter is 100% natural and contains no parabens, sulfates or petrolatum. Apply the 3WP Hold Butter once a day.

How to get 360 waves overnight

Many people have asked if it is possible to get 360 waves overnight. People ask me all the time, “How long will it take before I get waves?” and “Can I get waves in a day or overnight?” Simply put, there is no easy answer to either of these two questions, but I will give you the answer to both questions.

After reading this page you will know if it is possible and yes it is possible to get 360 waves overnight. You’ll also have a good understanding of how long it takes for most men to get waves, and yes, some men can get waves faster due to the hair texture they were born with. I will discuss the two main types of hair texture and draw conclusions as to why one hair texture waves faster than the other.

How long does it take to get waves?

Before I get into that, I want you to know that there is no specific answer to the question “how long does it take to get waves?”. If you’ve been looking for an answer like “It takes X days to get waves” or “If you brush X times a day, you can get waves in X days” then you’ve been looking for the wrong answer because there aren’t any answer with a certain number of days. There is no set number of days that you can just brush your hair and expect waves that day. That does not work like this.

Now you’re probably wondering, “If there isn’t an exact number of days I can brush and expect to get waves, how long will it take?” After getting involved in the wave game and helping guys get waves got enough insight to answer that question with some pretty accurate time frames. Read on for my expert estimate of the number of days it will take to get waves.

Hair texture A

Given that I stated above, you should be able to get waves from anywhere between 1 day, the shortest time, and 90 days, the longest time. When I say someday, I mean that some men can expect to see waves in their hair after a few hours of constant brushing. In general, guys who can get waves in this short time are usually born with a thick hair texture and loose curls as seen in the image below. As you can see his hair texture is very curly but his locks are long. One effect of longer curls is bigger waves. With a hair texture similar to 360 Mike’s, you’re more likely to see progress in your waves within a day. (Please understand that if your hair is like his, this doesn’t mean you’ll get waves in a day, but it does mean you’re more likely to see progress in a day. Also, understand that after a day rarely see waves if you have never had waves (if you have hair similar to hair texture A and have never had waves, then it is more realistic to expect to see progress in a week than in a day).

Hair Texture B

The second hair texture that generally takes longer to get waves is one with small curls. Hair of this texture generally gets waves that aren’t big. The smaller your curls, the smaller your waves will be. As a result of smaller curls, you will effectively have more waves on your head. Generally, people with coarse hair have smaller curls and smaller waves. If you have coarse hair, you can expect progress in your waves after about four weeks (30 days) of daily brushing. At the latest in 90 days you will see progress if you have B hair texture. Remember that you should get a haircut every month, so a haircut every 30 days. If you don’t see any progress after three haircuts (90 days) of daily brushing, then something is wrong. Nonetheless, 90 days is extreme and most men with B hair texture will see wave progression after their first haircut, which should be after 30 days of daily brushing. You might think it’s not fair that it lasts longer, but this hair texture has advantages. If you have this B hair texture, you can easily maintain your waves once they are on full effect. People with hair texture A have a higher risk of losing their waves if their hair is cut too low. This is because since her hair has looser, longer curls, when her hair is cut low it tends to become straight rather than curly, and as a result, much of her wave progression disappears. And as we all know. You need curly hair to get waves.

Can I get 360 waves overnight?

In summary, it is possible to get waves overnight. We should understand that people have different hair textures. Some hair textures allow for faster progress while others take more time. Both textures have advantages and disadvantages. Hair texture A allows faster progression, but is insufficient in that the waves are easier to lose. Hair texture B takes more time to develop a wave progression, however, once fully developed, the waves are easier to maintain in the sense that even very low haircuts retain the wave pattern.

Need a good 360 wave brush? Try the 3WP Brush Blue Edition!

If you have benefited from this post, please like it below on Facebook, leave a comment if you have any questions and follow me on Instagram: @360waveprocess. If you need more help please see my other post eg Haircut, How I got 360 Waves and Kept them Spinning and the Show off your 360 Waves page where you post a picture of your waves and get a chance to starring in a 360WaveProcess YouTube video.

Hairstyles for black men have been around for generations. From conk to afro to cornrows, one consistently popular hairstyle we’ve seen for shorter hair has been waves. But getting waves is not an easy task.

Many men complain that this is impossible to achieve with their hair type. Let’s address this issue first. The texture of your hair depends on genetics as well as the products you use to treat your scalp and condition your hair. Hydration is key and will determine how easily your hair can adopt the wave style.

Whether you have coarse, tight curls or a looser curl pattern, you can get 360 waves! All you need is patience, a few simple steps, and the right products and tools.

What products you need to get 360 waves

As said, how you take care of your scalp and hair is really important. This is how every wave journey begins with the right shampoo and conditioner. Most products on the shelf use drying alcohols, which — while they provide a deep cleanse — strip your hair and scalp of the natural oils that promote healthy growth. So you should make sure that the products you use add as much moisture as possible.

After that, you’ll need a few handy things on the way to 360-degree waves.

Hand Mirror: You need this along with your bathroom mirror to see the back of your head and hard-to-reach places while cleaning.

Brush: A soft brush or double-ended brush, preferably natural boar bristles.

Comb: This will help in ways your brush can’t. Find a comb that resembles a barber comb or rat tail comb. As you grow your hair out, the comb will be necessary to even out your wave pattern and treat problem areas like crotches. Growing your hair out during the waving process is commonly referred to as wolfing and has many benefits as it helps you set your wave patterns and form those signature 360 ​​connections.

Moisturizer/leave-in conditioner: Again, hydration is key. You need a moisturizer to soften your hair while you brush and train your waves. Even with a soft brush, rubbing dry or brittle hair can cause damage and breakage. So you always want to make sure you have a layer of moisture when brushing in your waves.

Pomade: You want to seal in the moisture you created with the leave-in, set your hair, and add some shine to really make your waves pop. Avoid thick, greasy pomades as they can clog pores and cause breakouts on the scalp and skin. It’s best to use a water-based pomade that rinses out easily without sacrificing hold.

Durag/Wave Cap: You need this to lay your hair down while you sleep. Depending on how long you let your hair grow out (some guys “wolf” it for weeks or even months), you’ll need extra compression. You can use two wave caps overnight or, which is most popular, one wave cap over your durag. Using silk or satin durags will also help seal in moisture.

How long should my hair be to get 360 waves?

You want to start with a low, even haircut that’s at least 1 1/2 inches long. Having some length is really important since your hair is just starting to frizz. As you brush, you’re essentially brushing those curls into what will become your wave pattern.

Because of the type of curl pattern you have, some guys may have thin tight waves while others may have a wider wave pattern.

As you grow your hair and have a consistent hair care and brushing routine, you will start to see more definition. As we’ve said before, your comb will come in handy during this process to guide the formation of your connections and to address problem areas like bifurcations.

The longer you let your hair or wolf grow out, the better your results will be as you have more time to set your wave pattern.

How often should I wash my hair?

We recommend washing your hair three times a week and conditioning your hair daily, leaving the conditioner on for up to two minutes before rinsing it out.

As you wash, you may choose to brush in the shower to further train your waves while your hair is at its best moisturized. This will help your pattern set and you’ll see faster results as you continue to grow your hair.

How long should I brush my hair to get 360 degree waves?

You should brush at least twice a day, starting from the crown of your head and going in the direction of your hair growth. The duration depends on what you have available in your daily routine. A brushing session can last anywhere from five to thirty minutes, depending on the waver. The key is to be consistent when brushing and to make as many brush strokes as possible.

For an even wave pattern, be sure to brush all around using the hand mirror as a guide. After just two weeks of consistent brushing, you should start to see some waves.

When should I get my first haircut?

You need to find a barber you trust to cut your hair in the direction your waves are growing. Depending on how long you can manage to curl and compress your hair, you should be able to get a haircut in about 4 weeks after starting the process.

Remember that consistent care of your hair and scalp and a daily brushing routine are key to faster results. Use this step-by-step guide to get defined 360 degree waves.

Adapted with permission from Kado of Elite Spins.

Last week we talked about hard brushes and when (and why) to use them. If you missed it, you can catch up here. This week we cover medium hairbrushes. After speaking to wavers in the community, most would agree that regardless of the texture of your hair, you should have a medium hairbrush in your wave rotation. Just like hard brushes, medium hair brushes come in different shapes and sizes. Again, we’ll break them down into three parts: bristle composition, pros and cons, so you can make better decisions about the tools you use to style your hair.

bristles

Most medium-sized brushes are made from 100% boar bristles. When you feel the bristles they should feel firm, but not as firm as reinforced boar bristles. Some brands also offer a mix of boar and flex bristles.

advantages

The main benefit of using medium brushes is versatility. There are some medium brushes that are tougher than others; This gives you the opportunity to replace your hard brush with your hardest medium brush. Medium brushes are also less stressful on the hair and scalp than hard brushes, so you can brush for longer periods of time if you want without damaging your hair or wave pattern. Depending on your texture, you can also use medium brushes as a shower brush, but I would only recommend this to those with low haircuts and those who might have a problem with thinning hair. This way you can protect the follicle and not pull your hair like you would with a stiff brush.

Disadvantages

Since this texture varies from person to person, this could go either way. Once you start grinding, you’ll find that over time your medium brush feels like a soft brush on your scalp. This is a clear sign that you may need a hard brush or a harder medium brush to do its job in your rotation. When you have more hair, the effectiveness of your medium-sized brush used as a shower brush also decreases. This is where using a synthetic bristle brush could come into play.

Understanding how medium brushes work is key to building the right twist that suits your texture. You will likely spend more time with your medium and soft brushes than your hard brush. It’s always good to remember that the brushes you put the most work into are the brushes that will make or break your progress.

We’re starting to see submissions for #WaverWednesday on Instagram, you guys look great out there, keep up the good work! Next week we’ll talk about soft brushes and prepare you to decide what the best rotation is for you. See you next week and remember: keep those brushes moving!

-Kado

Kado is the founder of Elite Spins, a digital community for the undecided to share product reviews, methods and tips. Connect with him personally on Instagram and follow the Elite Spins page.

This article was co-authored by Courtney Foster. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Board-Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based in New York City. Courtney directs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman and East/West Magazine. She received her cosmetology license from New York State after training at Empire Beauty School – Manhattan. This article has been viewed 2,332,549 times.

Article overview

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If you want to get 360 waves, wash your hair with wave shampoo and conditioner and then apply lotion and pomade to your hair as soon as you get out of the shower. Use a hand brush to brush your hair down the front, sides, and back, then place a stocking cap securely over your hair to hold the wave in place. The cap should be snug but not too tight and you should leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Over time, your hair will form waves more easily as you exercise it. To learn more about the hair tools and products needed to achieve this look, read on!