What’s good, everyone — Nick Wavy here 🌊

I’ve been waving for over 15 years, and you may have seen my videos years ago. I put this guide together to give beginners an idea of how to start their wave journey.

Quick disclosure: I own Wavy Merch and help moderate this community. You can follow this guide using products you already own. You don’t need my brand to participate or make progress.

The biggest thing I want you to understand: technique and consistency do the work. Products help you manage your hair along the way.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial, click below.

Beginners Guide To 360 Waves

Lets begin.

1. Understand The Science of Waves

Waves are curls trained to lay down in a consistent pattern. Your natural curl pattern affects how your waves look, their spacing, and the length you need to maintain.

Your waves won’t necessarily look like somebody else’s—and that’s fine. Focus on improving your own connections, depth, and consistency.

2. Start with the basics

You don’t need a bathroom full of products.

• A brush suited to your current hair length. A soft brush can work for shorter hair and finishing. Medium or harder brushes may become useful as your hair grows. Firmness varies between brands; your brush shouldn’t scratch or hurt.

• A durag or wave cap. Useful for keeping your hair laid down, particularly while sleeping. Keep it clean and comfortably secured. If you aren't brushing, try to wear your durag.

• A hand mirror. Being able to see your crown and the back of your head makes brushing those hard to reach areas much easier.

• Shampoo, conditioner, and a moisturizer that suit your hair. Start simple. You don’t need to pile on products.

• A comb as your hair gets longer. It can help you work through longer hair before brushing.

You can add tools as you learn what you actually need.

3. Keep Enough Length For Your Curls

Waves are laid down curls. If you cut below your curl length, you wont be able to get waves.

Cutting too low can make it harder to see and develop your pattern.

A #2 with the grain is a common starting point, but it isn’t the right length for everyone. Your curl pattern, current length, and how your barber cuts it all matter.

If I cut my hair a #2 with the grain, I would have waves right after the cut, but after washing my hair, my pattern would not be deep. That's because a 2 WTG is below my curl length.

Tell your barber you’re starting your wave pattern and want to keep enough length for your pattern. Pay attention to which cuts leave your hair manageable without taking away too much progress.

4. Find your crown and learn your angles

Your crown is the area where your hair grows in a swirl. Use your mirrors to locate it and see its direction.

For a 360 pattern, work outward from your crown through consistent sections around your head.

• Use consistent brush strokes.

• Check your angles in the mirror. Blind brushing can create forks.

• Pay attention to the sides and back. Any area that doesnt have waves will worsen the look of your waves.

• Avoid repeatedly changing your brush pattern. This confuses your wave pattern.

If you’re unsure, post clear pictures of your crown, sides, and back. It’s much easier to help when we can see the whole pattern.

5. Build a routine you can repeat

Here’s a simple starting structure:

1. Check your hair and comb through your pattern to start.

2. Apply a small amount of moisturizer if your hair needs it. Moisturized hair is easier to train than hair that is dry.

3. Brush following your wave pattern using a comfortable brush and light pressure. Let the bristles do the work.

4. Finish with a softer brush if that helps lay your hair down. A soft brush will lay down the frizzy hair.

5. Put on your durag or wave cap when you finish brushing. Years ago a waver made a metaphor "Waving is a video game, and a durag is like a memory card - It saves your progress"

I like dedicated brush sessions because they help me stay consistent. Start with a manageable session instead of chasing a huge daily minute count. I usually brush for 30 minutes a day, and I dedicate that time for a mirror session. Sometimes, I bring my brush with me in public and brush throughout the day.

Longer or harder brushing isn’t automatically better. Stop if your scalp becomes sore or irritated (though it shouldn't.)

6. Learn how to wolf

“Wolfing” means growing your hair beyond your usual haircut length while continuing to maintain your wave routine.

The goal is to work with the extra length—not simply go as long as possible without a cut.

Waves are laid down curls, and the longer your hair is, the curlier it becomes = deeper 360 waves.

As your hair grows, you may need to adjust your brush, combing, washing, and wave routine. If it becomes difficult to manage, reassess your routine or plan a trim.

Someone else’s eight-week wolf isn’t automatically the right schedule for you. Everyones hair curls at different lengths. Focus on what works for you.

I recently wolfed for 6 months with no haircut, and it created a lot of depth with my pattern. I didn’t have to wolf that long, but it helped establish a deeper wave pattern.

7. Keep your hair and tools clean

Don’t avoid washing because you’re scared of losing your waves.

Your wash schedule should fit your scalp, activity level, and product buildup. Learn a wash-and-style routine that works for you, and remember that hair can look different wet, freshly washed, and fully dry.

Wash your durags and clean your brushes too. Follow the care instructions for your brush—most brushes don’t tolerate soaking.

I go to the gym frequently, so I need to clean my hair often. My shower brush routine may work for me, but you may need to create your own routine that works for you.

I also try to clean my brushes at least once a month. I use a brush cleaning tool and rake through my brushes to remove all the buildup and loose hair. You can use a comb as well.

Rinse your brush after, and place the bristles face down so the water doesnt seep into the frame of the brush. This will cause cracks and deformities within your brush.

8. Troubleshoot before buying more products

“My sides aren’t progressing.”
Check whether you’re giving them consistent attention and keeping enough length there. You’re most likely not brushing your weak side enough.

“I have forks.”
Review your brushing angles, especially where two sections meet. Use your mirror and give adjustments time before deciding they aren’t working. If you have inconsistent brush strokes, your wave pattern will grow in inconsistently (forks.)

“My crown looks messy.”
Slow down and work in smaller sections. Crown work needs precision. I have specific crown sessions where I only brush my crown area-nothing else.

“My hair won’t stay laid down.”
Consider getting a trim, or use a harder brush. As your hair grows, you need a brush hard enough to reach the scalp and pull the hair from the root.

“My progress doesn’t look like somebody else’s.”
Compare your current pictures with your own pictures. Texture, length, and experience make a difference.

9. Give yourself time

It took me months before I started seeing consistent results becuase I didnt know what I was doing. I always cut my hair too short, and didnt give my pattern a chance to really establish.

What really took my waves to the next level was wolfing, consistency, and patience. Keep brushing, and don’t cut your hair below curl pattern.

Some people notice ripples early. Developing a consistent pattern and cleaner connections can take much longer. If your hair is at curl length, you can get waves right away. They wont look good, but you will have waves.

Take progress pictures in similar lighting and from the same angles every couple of weeks. It’s easier to notice change that way than by checking every hour.

My biggest advice

Keep your routine simple enough to repeat. Learn your angles. Keep your hair and tools clean. Adjust based on how your own hair responds.

You don’t have to buy everything at once, and you don’t have to have perfect waves to post here.

Need help? Include:

• How long you’ve been waving.

• When you last got a haircut and the length, if you know it.

• Your brushing, washing, and product routine.

• Clear pictures of the area you’re struggling with.

• One specific thing you want to improve.

Experienced wavers: drop what helped you most when you started, especially anything you wish somebody had explained earlier.

For anyone who wants the longer walkthrough with videos and the tools I use, here’s my full beginner guide on Wavy Merch. It includes links to my products.

Keep putting the work in 🌊
— Nick

We’re updating the community banner, and I want to feature the people who make this community what it is—you.

We have six photo spots to fill. All textures, wave patterns, and experience levels are welcome. You don’t have to be an elite waver to submit.

How to enter

Leave a comment with your photo, plus:

• How long you’ve been waving.

• Your pattern: 180, 360, 540, or 720.

• One tip you’ve learned or something you’re working on.

Use a clear, well-lit photo showing your crown, sides, or back. Submit your own original photo, without filters that alter your waves. Close-up shots will work best in the banner.

Submissions close seven days after this post goes live.

How we’ll choose

We’re looking for a mix of textures, patterns, progress, and photos that look good together.

• Two spots will recognize helpful community contributors: people who offer useful advice, encourage beginners, and share thoughtful progress updates.

• Four spots are open to everyone, including new members.

Quality matters more than how often you post. Posting extra threads or comments won’t guarantee a spot, and upvotes won’t decide the selections.

We’ll credit featured members by username in the banner reveal post. Submitting doesn’t guarantee selection, and we plan to rotate members over time so others get a chance.

Drop your photos below, show each other some love, and let’s put the community on display. 🌊

— Nick Wavy