Wet and wavy weaves and wigs are sold on one promise: spray it with water and the wave comes back. The problem is that water dries in twenty minutes and takes the definition with it, and by week two the hair is frizzy, tangled at the nape and flat on top. Bonfi started in 1995 because women in beauty supply stores were asking for something better than a spray bottle of water. Here is the routine that works.
Morning: revive the wave in three minutes
- Finger-separate the hair from the ends up. Do not brush dry wet and wavy hair; a brush pulls the wave straight and creates frizz.
- Mist Tangle Free Leave-In Conditioner over the whole head until the hair is damp. Unlike water, the leave-in carries emollients and vitamins A and E that stay in the fiber after it dries.
- Scrunch upward with both hands to reactivate the curl pattern.
- For a defined, glossy wet look, rake a small amount of Liquid Sculpting Wet Gel through the lengths with your fingers. For a softer, fuller look, use Curl & Wave Mousse instead.
- Air dry. If you must use a diffuser, keep it on cool.
Evening: protect the wave while you sleep
Most wet and wavy damage happens on the pillow. Gather the hair loosely at the crown in a pineapple, mist the nape with leave-in, and sleep in a satin bonnet or on a satin pillowcase. In the morning, take the hair down and start the morning routine above. Skip the bonnet and you will spend the morning detangling instead.
Every two to three days: detangle and reseal
Work in sections with a wide-tooth comb from the ends up, after misting each section with Frizz-Free Detangling Spray. Finish with a light coat of Oil-Free Wig Shine to smooth the surface and bring back the reflection. The oil-free formula matters here because oil weighs down a wave pattern and attracts lint.
Wash day, every 7 to 10 days
- Detangle first while the hair is dry and misted with leave-in. Never wash tangled hair.
- Wash with Curl Moisture Shampoo, squeezing the lather down the lengths instead of rubbing.
- Follow with Curl Moisture Conditioner for three to five minutes, comb through with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in, and rinse cool.
- Squeeze out water with a t-shirt, not a towel. Do not wring.
- Apply leave-in and gel or mousse to soaking-wet hair and let it air dry fully before touching it.
Every month: deep treatment
Human hair wet and wavy weaves benefit from a deep treatment such as the Argan & Coconut Oil Hair Mask once a month to restore moisture the water-and-dry cycle strips out. Skip the mask on synthetic wet and wavy; use the leave-in and mousse only.
The three mistakes that ruin a wet and wavy install
- Using plain water every morning. It evaporates, takes moisture with it and leaves the hair drier each day.
- Brushing dry. It straightens the wave and breaks the fiber.
- Oil-based sheen sprays. They make the wave clump, look greasy and collect dust.
Everything above in one box
The Curl Kit Bundle covers definition and hold, and the Shiny Bundle covers moisture, detangling and shine. Both ship free over $45.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same routine on a wet and wavy wig? Yes. Do the morning routine on a stand so you are not pulling on the cap, and detangle from the ends up.
How long does a wet and wavy weave last with this routine? Human hair installs typically hold their pattern for 6 to 8 weeks. Synthetic wet and wavy wigs last 4 to 6 weeks of daily wear.
Gel or mousse? Gel for a defined, glossy, wet-look wave. Mousse for volume and a soft, dry-look wave. Many people use gel on wash day and mousse on the days between.
