Help me go wavy please

[ClareBaldingsHair]

I have been growing out an inverted/graduated mumsy bob for a year now so it is just below my shoulders with kind of shaggy layers.

My hair is quite thick, not bad condition. Highlighted so the top layers are a bit lighter/in slightly poorer condition.

If I let it dry naturally it has quite a nice natural wave to it but here is my issue... the only time I can wash it (due to kids/work) is the evening. When I wake up the next day, well, I just look like a stringy straggly mess. If I brush it the wave just disappears. What to do?

I have tried Boots curl creme on damp hair but that just seemed to make the straggles crispy/even stragglier the next day.

I have considered salt spray but not being a fan of the straggly look I'm not sure that will be 'me'. I am hoping to acheive more of a groomed/shiney look (but with zero/very little effort)

Thank you so much. I will attempt to post pics of the back of my head if nec

Wash your hair in the evening so its nice and wavy and then before you go to sleep put it in plaits - they will help keep the wave in :-) so in the morning undo the plaits and voila - a natural wave!

Thank you - what sort of plaits though?

It's not quite long enough for under the ear type/one at the back plaits, the top layers get left out.

I have tried 2 french plaits but again it wasn't quite long enough so the top layer was not wavy at all but the bottom layer waved like mad, it was not good.

Can you not wash it in the evening and then dampen it in the morning ?

Either plait it (but you'll look like a wally because you'll have to have three on the top of your head and three underneath to avoid the flatness on top) or use bendy rollers. I use bendy rollers since its a nicer curl. Wash hair, dry hair until almost dry spritz lightly with curl spray and the take a section and wrap it around the bendy roller. fold in the ends. Go to sleep. wake up with curls (apart from on the bit where you've pulled out the curler in the night because its annoying to sleep on).

Rags are more comfortable to sleep in but harder to do.

can you wash it and put it in a soft scrunchie overnight? twisted into a bun my hair goes wavy overnight in one.

Some great ideas thank you. I hadn't thought of dampening in the morning or using a scrunchie

atticus to be honest I can't be arsed with rollers but could you describe the 3 x 3 plait thing a little more please? Do I just do a 'halo' section then divide each bit into 3? I think the waves may be too tight as I'm not sure my hair is quite thick enough for this but will give it a try

Blow dry with a diffuser. Not the way that people used to - there is a new way that works well, apparently. I let mine air dry and then straighten the roots, but I am a sahm so can get away with having wet hair for 2 hours in the morning.I will find you a youtube link.

If you Google "pixiecurl method" you will find videos and written instructions for drying you're hair with a diffuser.

I would wet hair in the morning and go from there.

I get my waves by washing my hair in the morning, putting a bit off scrunching jelly on my hair when it is very very wet, plopping it in a microfiber towel and letting it air dry. I use salt spray in between washes.

split your hair into three sections: right, back and left.

Take the left section and spilt into two pieces a top piece and a bottom piece, Plait each piece so that you have a top plait and a bottom plait.

Repeat for back section and right section.

You end up with six plaits, three along the top and three along the bottom.

Washing it and using lots of conditioner, wrapping in towel and going to bed. Then in the morning giving it a brisk brush with one of those 'open brushes - Air Brushes some of them are called. I find it gives a nice kink to hair that sounds similar to you - though my hairdresser says my hair is 'curly not wavy'.

If you want 'product' then you could try Aveda Be Curly. It has a nice smell too. Quite expensive, but a little goes far.

Just to come back and update, I've spend the last 2 nights sleeping with my hair in a twisted bun (using a pair of pants in the absence of a scrunchie) and it's worked really well so thank you! It's not straggly at all and it keeps the wave better.

I will go on and try the other techniques mentioned

Basket do you mean go to sleep with a towel on your head?!