I love working with my curly and wavy haired clients. Cutting and styling this hair type sparks so much joy for me. And, as a Davines stylist and educator, I’ve got a few go-to styling products when working with waves and curls. In this post, I’ll share with you my favorites and explain why and when I use each one. Whether you like a cream, a mousse, a gel, or a leave-in; I’ve got you covered.
Here’s the list of my top 7 favorite Davines styling products for curly and wavy hair. (You can purchase any of them in my salon studio in Garner or you can order from my online store here.)
OI All in One Milk
If ever I was stranded on a desert island and only allowed one hair product, the OI All in One Milk would be that product. A hydrating hair milk for reducing frizz, it’s basically a multi-tasking leave-in treatment that controls frizz, hydrates, protects, and softens, leaving hair shiny and silky. This hydrating milk conditioning spray tames and detangles for a smooth, naturally shiny look. Formulated with Roucou oil, rich in beta-carotene and natural antioxidants, it also contains deeply moisturizing provitamin B5 and a functional amino complex that provides resistance to stress and heat protection. It works for all hair types and I absolutely love it.
Not only is it a top selling item for Davines, but also for my salon. It has a nice, gender-neutral scent which anyone can appreciate and is easy to use thanks to the spray pump. (Tip: Shake well before using!)
I love it for both curly and wavy hair as a leave-in conditioner, detangler & thermal protectant. I feel like it’s works great with fine, medium & thick hair (as long as you remember to shake well before using). It’s super lightweight and doesn’t way the hair down, and I love it as a prep/primer before layering on other products. Some of my clients use this as a stand alone styling aid when they want soft definition and touchable waves or curls and aren’t worried about a strong curl cast.
More Inside This is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse
If you like a nicely defined curl or wave pattern that isn’t too crunchy, I do recommend the More Inside This is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse. It’s also great for adding hydration and keeping frizz at bay. It works beautifully whether you air dry or defuse. Initially, the lightweight mousse creates a beautiful curl cast but it’s not to stiff or crunchy and can easily be broken up or scrunched to loosen and soften. This is a favorite among many of my clients and I like it for both medium to thick hair textures.
Bonus: This mousse is paraben-free!
(Tip: I like to use OI All in One Milk to break the curl cast by spraying it on my hair or hands and then scrunching. Works like a dream and keeps everything moisturized and frizz-free.)
More Inside This is a Curl Building Serum
More Inside This is a Curl Building Serum is definitely a regularly used item on my salon backbar. It’s a leave-in serum that helps create bouncy, defined curls without weighing down your hair. So it’s an option for fine, medium & thick hair. The serum smooths curls as well and is resistant to frizz and humidity — something my clients in Wisconsin and North Carolina definitely need in the summer.
The curl cast is on the softer side and is easily broken up with light scrunching. I have indecisive hair — sometimes it’s curly and sometimes it’s wavy and I alternate between the serum and a couple of other Davines styling products (which I’ll get to in a moment). When I want more definition and a stronger cast that’s still touchable and easily broken up, this is what I use.
More Inside This is a Curl Gel Oil
When my curly and coily clients want a strong, crisp curl cast and super well-defined curls or coils, More Inside This is a Curl Gel Oil is my go-to. The curl cast is clean & shiny and the gel-oil blend works beautifully to give the best of both worlds. So you get anti-frizz, hydration and a strong hold. I prefer this for my medium to thick haired clients and for those with a true curl pattern or strong natural coil.
I generally don’t use it on my wavy haired clients and it’s not my go to for someone who wants soft, touchable hair with a no-product feel.
More Inside This is a Sea Salt Spray
If you feel like a mermaid trapped on land or love a sea salt spray for your waves … or you have wavy-curly/indecisive hair like me, More Inside This is a Sea Salt Spray may be a great option. A little bit goes a long way. A quick, light spritz all over and you’re living your best beachy mermaid life. The look and feel is just like if you’d played in the ocean all day. There’s a matte finish with a textural vibe so you can achieve tousled, full-bodied waves.
Tip: When I say a little bit goes a long way, I REALLY mean it. Spray too much or get too heavy handed and you’re going to look more like a bedraggled sea wench than a mystical mermaid. So, mist lightly and at a distance from your hair strands!
Bonus: There are no parabens in this spray.
This is one I keep at home as well and I love priming with Oi All in One Milk before layering over the Sea Salt Spray.
Authentic Moisturizing Balm
Where has this been all my life? Um, literally right in front of me. I don’t know why I never thought to use a balm for my wave-curls but now I have and I love it and I’m sharing my secret with my fine to medium haired wavy and curly hair clients.
Nik, a balm for hair? Sure! Why the heck not? Authentic Moisturizing balm is nourishing, hydrating and protective for your hair AND skin. (Seriously, you can also use it as a lotion. I’m not joking.) After I get out of the shower, I apply this magical cream onto my mid-lengths to ends and brush through, then scrunch and plop. And I love it.
Once my hair is dry (I typically air dry), I have soft, touchable waves that feel wonderfully hydrated. Okay, the balm technically isn’t magic but ever since I started using it on my hair for my wavy-curly routine, it feels magical. The curl/wave cast isn’t super strong but that’s okay because I typically end up putting my hair in a bun, chignon or braid for work or at home after Day 1. And I love that it doesn’t feel like I have product in my hair.
Bonus: It contains 98% natural origin ingredients and organically grown safflower oil.
More Inside This is an Oil Non Oil
And, finally, to complete my list, I present to you More Inside This is an Oil Non Oil. If you like your hair products to have minimal scent, or if you like barely any product in your waves or curls, or you need something to help break up your curl cast and give your curls the perfect finishing touch … this is just the ticket.
It’s insanely lightweight and doesn’t look or feel greasy. The Oil Non Oil has the perfect amount of slip on your fingertips and palms so the risk of over-applying to your hair is minimized and it’s incredibly easy to evenly distribute onto your strands. You can apply it to wet or dry hair. You can use it by itself (I have some curly and wavy haired gals who love this all on its own), layer it over another curl product, or use it as a touch up if your hair starts to feel dry, frizzy or static-y.
Want to experience one of these products for yourself? Book a session with me at my salon studio, Brush & Bashful by clicking here. I keep these products on my retail shelves as well and you can also shop via my store in person or online.
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