1. Prep Your Hair
The curlier your hair, the easier it is to attain waves. With that being said, the health of your hair is also an important factor in the preparation stage. You should ensure that your hair is maintained and healthy in the weeks leading up to beginning the wave process. Why does this matter? Well, it matters a lot. Successful waves start with healthy hair, while hair length and texture are also important factors. Typically, hair length that is at least 1 ½ inches long is optimal, and having curly hair is a bonus: If your hair is long enough to curl, then it is long enough to wave! On the other hand, if your hair is too long, it would be a good idea to go to the barber. Ask to get a razor-style cut or “Caesar” cut, with a grain-equipped 1⁄3 inch guard. If you have done these things, congratulations! Your hair is prepped and ready to begin step 2.
2. Brushing & Wave Maintenance Behaviors
Sticking to a waving routine and brushing your hair regularly is the holy grail to 360 waves. The hair will need to be trained and rearranged daily, so it will be your responsibility to set aside time for that to happen. The first step (which comes before the hair product and moisturizer) is to ensure the hair is clean and dry. Washing your hair with a wave-specific shampoo and conditioner is ideal, however regular shampoo (or soap) will do. After washing, it’s time to bring out the hair moisturizer and pomade! A little goes a long way, so make sure you’re using just enough to cover your hair, and not so much that your brush is drowning in it. Next, brush your hair down and out starting from the crown and brushing down the back until you reach your neck. You also will want to brush the hair on the top of your head forward, towards your face, and brush the hair on the sides of your head forward, but down in the direction of your chin. The idea is to brush radially and outward from the crown of your head until you make it all the way around(360). Pro tip: Use a mirror to check the back section of your head so that you are not blind brushing. This will help you brush more evenly so that your waves are cultivated in the front as well as the back. Now that you’ve got the maintenance and brushing down, you’re ready for step 3!
3. Durags & Consistent Cuts
Durags are vital to any and all waving process, including 360 waves. After brushing your hair, it is time to tie the durag on your head to help hold the wave in place. Tie the durag tight enough to hold, but not too tight, and leave it on for approximately 30 minutes after brushing as well as to bed. Make sure you get a high quality durag that is made of moisture-locking material, such as the Veeta Superior Silky Durag or Velvet Durag. The better the durag, the better the wave pattern, so don’t settle for anything less than the best and shop durags from Veeta. Over the course of several weeks spent maintaining, brushing and styling your hair, waves will begin to develop. In order to get this process going in the right direction, you will need to get regular barber cuts. Go to the barber every 2-4 weeks, making sure to not cut so much off that the curls can’t develop. Talk to your barber about your 360 wave process to ensure that you’re on the same page. Trust me, the last thing you want is for your hair to get cut “against the grain,” or against the direction you’ve been combing it.
4. Wolfing Technique
Another styling technique that can be used to train your waves is something called “Wolfing”. Wolfing is when you grow out your hair before cutting it, which usually takes 4-6 weeks but can take double that time. The goal is to train your hair to lay down at the root, which adds depth to the waves since the hair is allowed to grow longer. While the hair is growing out, combing and styling processes cease so that the hair becomes matted. Once the hair is matted together, it must be kept in a durag for a few weeks before it can be shaved into 360 waves. This technique is harder to manage and requires patience, however, the reward of perfect 360 waves is worth the wait.
5. The “Rinse, Lather, Brush & Repeat” Process
You’ve probably heard of the familiar phrase, “lather, rinse & repeat”, a fairly ironic way of saying that something must be done over and over again. For 360 waves, the phrase of fit is “wash, lather, brush & repeat”, meaning you must upkeep the wave processes to reap the desired results. Brush your hair a minimum of five times on each side, at least three times daily. Don’t overwash your hair and instead rinse it with warm water to make your hair more pliable while your 360 waves are developing. On a weekly basis, wash your hair with wave shampoo and conditioner. Keep repeating this 360 wave process and brushing several times a day, and your 360 wave should be completed after several months.
Some pro tips on achieving the ultimate 360 waves: First, you can dampen a clean hand towel, throw it in the microwave for a few seconds, and then wrap the warm, damp towel around your head to help soften your waves before brushing. Another thing to keep in mind while developing and training your waves is keeping your hair hydrated. Keep things moist up there by using a high quality durag, and don’t hesitate to dampen your durag with water before putting it on. Furthermore, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This will help keep your waves maintained and healthy.