Wavy hair is often a double-edged sword for the modern man. It offers incredible natural volume but can quickly become unruly without the right cut.
Finding a balance between structure and movement is the key to a great look. You want a style that highlights your waves rather than fighting them.
Managing the natural flow requires a strategic approach to grooming. The right cut reduces bulk while allowing your hair’s natural texture to take center stage.
In this guide, we explore the best ways to tame your mane. These 15 styles offer versatility for every face shape and professional environment.
The modern quiff is a staple for men who want to emphasize height and volume. By keeping the sides shorter, you draw all the attention to the wavy texture on top.
This style controls natural flow by directing the hair upward and slightly back. It prevents the waves from falling over the forehead, keeping your look clean and intentional throughout the day.
To maintain this look, use a medium-hold pomade or a sea salt spray. Apply the product to damp hair and use your fingers to shape the waves for a natural finish.
The Bro Flow is the ultimate “low-effort” style for men with medium-length hair. It allows the waves to tuck behind the ears, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated silhouette.
This cut works with your natural growth patterns rather than against them. By letting the hair settle into its own weight, you minimize the “poofiness” often associated with shorter wavy cuts.
Maintenance is simple, requiring only a light leave-in conditioner to prevent frizz. It is the perfect choice for men who prefer a rugged, outdoorsy aesthetic that still looks groomed.
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An undercut provides a sharp contrast between the skin-faded sides and the voluminous wavy top. This disconnection makes the hair on top much easier to manage and style.
By removing the bulk from the sides and back, the natural flow of your waves is confined to the crown. This prevents the “mushroom” shape that many wavy-haired men struggle with.
Style this by blowing the hair back with a diffuser attachment on your dryer. This helps define the waves without blowing them out into a frizzy mess.
For the professional man, the side part offers a timeless and structured appearance. Waves add a layer of modern texture to a traditionally stiff and flat hairstyle.
The part creates a “stop” in the hair’s movement, giving you a clear direction for styling. It allows you to control the flow by pinning the waves down on one side while letting them bloom on the other.
Use a water-based wax to get a bit of shine without making the hair feel crunchy. This keeps the hair looking healthy and prevents the waves from separating too much.
If you prefer a shorter length, the taper fade is an excellent way to keep waves under control. It keeps the neckline and sideburns crisp while leaving just enough length on top to show texture.
The gradual blend of the fade helps transition the natural flow of the hair into the skin. This prevents any awkward “winging” of the hair around the ears as it grows out.
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This is a high-utility cut for active men or those in corporate environments. It requires minimal daily styling—just a touch of matte clay to add definition to the top.
The wavy pompadour is a bold choice that utilizes the natural bounce of your hair to create a massive profile. It is a more relaxed version of the 1950s classic.
Because wavy hair has its own internal support, a pompadour often lasts longer than it would on straight hair. The waves lock into each other, providing a natural structural integrity.
To achieve this, use a round brush while blow-drying to lift the roots. Finish with a high-hold spray to ensure the “flow” stays swept back and away from your face.
The fringe is perfect for men with high foreheads or those who want a more youthful, edgy look. It lets the waves fall forward naturally across the brow.
This style is excellent for controlling flow because it doesn’t fight gravity. Instead of trying to force the hair up, you let it settle into a textured, layered forward motion.
Ask your barber for plenty of “point cutting” to remove weight from the ends. This ensures the fringe looks light and airy rather than heavy and blocky.
When your waves reach shoulder length, the man bun becomes your best friend for total control. It gathers all the natural movement into a single, tidy point at the back of the head.
This style is perfect for windy days or high-intensity activities where you need your hair out of your face. It showcases the texture of the hair pulled back while hiding any unruly ends.
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Ensure you don’t tie the hair too tightly, as this can lead to breakage. Use a fabric hair tie and apply a bit of hair oil to keep the bun looking sleek and healthy.
The slick back is usually associated with straight hair, but waves give it a much more interesting, three-dimensional look. It offers a “Wall Street” vibe with a bit more personality.
Using a matte product allows the waves to stay in place without looking greasy. It tames the natural flow by forcing it into a singular backward direction while maintaining the hair’s natural ridges.
Work the product through your hair using your palms rather than a comb. Using a comb can straighten the waves, whereas hands help preserve the natural “S” shape of the strands.
The Caesar cut is a short, horizontally cut fringe that works surprisingly well with wavy hair. It provides a tight, controlled frame for the face.
Because the hair is kept short, the waves appear more like ripples or deep texture. This is one of the easiest ways to control flow because there isn’t enough length for the hair to misbehave.
This is an ideal low-maintenance cut for men who want a “wake up and go” routine. A tiny amount of styling cream is all you need to keep the texture looking sharp.
The shag is a retro-inspired look that has made a major comeback. It relies on heavy layering to manage the volume and flow of very thick, wavy hair.
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This style is best worn with a “lived-in” look. Use a sea salt spray on dry hair and scrunch it with your hands to enhance the piecey, rock-star aesthetic.
A hard part involves a shaved line that clearly separates the top of the hair from the sides. It adds a level of geometric precision to the natural chaos of wavy hair.
This clear boundary makes it much easier to style your hair in the morning. It acts as a guide, showing you exactly where the flow should start and where it should stop.
This style requires regular trips to the barber to keep the shaved part looking clean. It is a high-contrast look that suits men with strong jawlines and thick hair.
Surf hair is all about embracing the sun-kissed, salt-dried texture of the beach. It is a medium-length style that looks best when it’s a little bit messy.
The control here comes from the “clumping” of the waves. By using the right products, you can encourage the hair to form distinct wavy sections rather than one large frizzy cloud.
Use a sea salt spray and let the hair air-dry whenever possible. This is the most “authentic” way to wear wavy hair, as it highlights the natural flow without any artificial structure.
The French crop is a modern favorite because it is incredibly easy to maintain. Pairing it with a skin fade creates a sharp, masculine silhouette that emphasizes the wavy texture on top.
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This style controls the natural flow by keeping the hair very short on the sides and back. The hair on top is pushed forward, creating a consistent and predictable shape every day.
It’s an excellent choice for men who are starting to see some thinning, as the texture of the waves helps to mask the scalp while providing a dense look.
This is a more aggressive version of the standard quiff. The “disconnection” refers to the lack of a fade between the long hair on top and the very short hair on the sides.
It offers maximum control because there is no middle ground where the hair can get unruly. The waves are strictly confined to the top of the head, making them much easier to direct.
To style, use a blow dryer to push the hair up and over. The disconnection creates a “shelf” effect that makes the wavy texture look deliberate and highly stylized.
What is the best product for controlling wavy hair?
For most men, a sea salt spray or a matte clay is the best choice. Sea salt spray enhances the natural “S” shape of the waves without adding weight, while matte clay provides the hold needed to direct the flow without a greasy finish. Avoid heavy gels, as they can make wavy hair look crunchy and thin.
How often should a man with wavy hair wash his hair?
Men with wavy hair should aim to wash their hair 2 to 3 times a week. Wavy hair tends to be drier than straight hair because the scalp’s natural oils have a harder time traveling down the coiled hair shaft. Over-washing strips these oils away, leading to frizz and an uncontrollable natural flow.
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How can I stop my wavy hair from getting frizzy?
The best way to stop frizz is to keep the hair hydrated. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and a high-quality conditioner every time you wash. Additionally, applying a small amount of leave-in conditioner or hair oil while the hair is still damp will seal the cuticle and prevent moisture from causing the hair to swell.
Is it better to have short or long hair if I have waves?
Both can work, but they offer different types of control. Short hair is easier to manage daily and prevents the hair from becoming too “big.” Long hair uses the weight of the strands to pull the waves down, which can actually make the hair flatter and more manageable once it passes a certain length.
Should I use a comb or my fingers to style my waves?
You should almost always use your fingers. A comb or brush can break up the natural clumps of your waves, leading to a “puffy” or frizzy appearance. Using your fingers allows you to guide the natural flow of the hair while keeping the wavy patterns intact for a more defined and masculine look.
What should I ask my barber for to manage thick waves?
Ask your barber for “internal weight removal” or “texturizing.” This involves using thinning shears or point-cutting techniques to remove the bulk from the middle of the hair without shortening the overall length. This allows the waves to sit flatter against the head and makes styling significantly easier.