The Best Wavy Hairstyles for Men to Try in 2022 and Beyond

Wavy hair and curly hair are similar, but they're not exactly the same. Waves are not as tightly curved as curls or coils, although with styling, wavy hair can be made curly and curly hair can be made wavy. However you achieve them, waves have a stunning texture and are versatile, pairing well with all face shapes and aesthetics.

For those with wavy hair or seeking to create a wavy look, finding the best styling method can be a demanding task. Some men have very thick hair and dense curls, or they may have frizz and flyaways that change with the weather. With the right haircut and products, however, men of all hair types and textures can both look and feel put together. Take for example, Entourage’s Adrian Grenier, who looks dapper with well-conditioned, shiny waves, or Timothée Chalamet, who styles his natural curls in longer waves to add more dimension. Even Snoop Dogg has tried out the wavy texture.

Los Angeles stylist Samantha Lepre tells us that the wavy or "shag" look originated from hairstylist Paul McGregor for Jane Fonda in the 1970s. “Many actors and musicians during the 1970s and 1980s rocked a shag, such as Farrah Fawcett, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Steven Tyler,” she says. “In the 1990s, Jennifer Aniston made ‘The Rachel’ shag hairstyle a trend.” New York-based stylist Mark Alan Esparza adds that wavy or shag hair has been on trend more recently via social media. “I’ve been seeing a lot of what is seemingly called ‘TikTok boy hair,’ which is cut short on the sides and back with clippers and left long on top with a considerable amount of weight in the front,” he says. “This is a popular style with those who have massive amounts of waves or curls over the forehead.”

According to our experts, there are no hard rules that should prevent anyone from going for a wavy hairstyle, but there are some considerations. Esparza explains that while wavy hair can look good on any face shape, it needs a cut that complements the wearer's bone structure. Lepre agrees about length, but also recommends graduating layers “so the crown of the head's hair does not get flat or weighed down. The shag complements every face shape, although you need to consider the type of bang relative to your face framing.”

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and create a wavy look, what exactly should you expect from your stylist? Esparza says that “a hairstylist should always look at the shape and density of the client's hair before deciding what technique is going to work best for them.” Lepre adds that communication is key. “I would recommend being specific with the density of layers you would like,” she says. “The less dense your layers are, the more blended they will be and the easier it will be to grow out.”

As for how to style your wavy hair, Lepre suggests air-drying or using a blow dryer on cool with a diffuser, then combing back the waves and applying hairspray close to the roots before moving the waves into their final position. Of course, feel free to add, remove, or change some steps depending on what works best for your own style.

Ready for some inspiration? See 10 of the best wavy hairstyles for men ahead, along with plenty of expert tips to create your best texture ever.