Imagine untying your durag in the morning, and getting a glimpse of that curly mess. It’s shocking, right?
Right now, African-American youths are choosing multiple styles, from the range of 180 waves, 360 waves, 540 waves, and 720 waves.180 and 360 waves are the most popular though. But the most trending one is the 180 waves, which is a combination of an army cut with waves on the top.
We gathered a team of experts and crafted a thorough guide on how to get 180 waves in the shortest time frame and with only the essential products. You don’t have to spend on expensive hair cream, high-quality brushes, or shampoo. Just get the right kind the first time.
After a few weeks, when you see the waves appearing, it will all be worth it. Even if you have straight hair, so let’s dig into it.
See also:
How to Get 180 Waves
To get 180 waves you need a hair care routine that involves certain shampoos/conditioners, wearing a durag, and brushing your hair very often with a short bristle brush. Brushing direction is very important as it determines the direction the waves form. Brushing the top of your head only is advised for 180 waves.
To be honest with you, not all the hair textures are the same, some are coarser than usual, and developing a wave pattern might take longer than usual. Some hairs are dry and need moisturizer. But on average, the routine to get the waves are the same.
You have to focus on some daily maneuvers, and eventually, your hair will respond. Our experts divided the routine into several phases. These stages are not that hard to follow and are kept super easy to stick with. Let’s start with the basics.
Phase 1: Prepare the Hair and Get the Tools
Take care of Scalp & Hair Follicles
Start with taking care of your scalp health and hair follicles. You need to prepare healthy hair and a dandruff-free scalp. Use any good anti-dandruff shampoo and a quality conditioner to wash the hair. Doing it at least once a week, twice would be better. Washing with hot water will help to soften the hair and smoothen it a little bit. A good massage on the scalp would be a cherry on the top every time before washing the hair.
Get a Haircut
If you want a waving in your hair, a brushing angle is a must, and that means it’s time to go to your favorite barber. Give your barber clear instructions that you need to comb your hair daily to a certain brushing angle, so that they can trim your hair in a measured way. Another thing is you need to pick a hairstyle because you are doing a 180 wave. Choose to fade both sides with regular length, and trim the whole head properly.
If you give yourself your own haircuts then we recommend you check out our buying guide on three-way mirrors. Getting one of these is a game changer for all the home barbers out there.
Buy These Products
Listen! These products are a must to own if you want to get and maintain 180 waves.
Brushes
Any waving brush is suitable for waving although we suggest you use these particular brushes that are given below. If you have coarse hair, check out our review list of wave brushes for coarse hair.
- A double-sided boar-bristle brush,
- A medium-hard crown or
- A long steel brush.
- TORINO PRO #350 - Is a True Texture Medium Wave brush! Unlike Our Competitors, I Use 100% Boar in my Mediums; NO NYLON BRISTLES EVER! The ULTIMATE Workhorse, The TP350 is for ALL Stages of Waving, From Fresh Cut to the Wolfing Stage. The CURVE Contours to the Shape of Your Head for Better Grip, Better Pull & More Coverage Which Means Faster Results! The POINTY TIP Isolates the Crown of Your Hair (Swirl or Beehive) for Better Development. Softer than TP520, Firmer than TP490. NOT FOR Long Hair.
Shampoo & Conditioner
Buy any wave shampoo or conditioner that will make your hair softer and clean. You can find it online-just order a pair.
- CURLY HAIR SHAMPOO: Sulfate free shampoo for color treated hair or chemically treated hair. Deeply cleanse while smoothing hair with moisturizing coconut oil and silk proteins. Your hair will look healthy and shiny.
Hair Moisturizer
Too much brushing always takes a toll on your hair, so the most loving care you can show to your hair follicles is giving them a little touch of a moisturizer or hair lotion. There is a conception among old wavers of sticking with pomades only. But pomade has a dangerous element called petroleum, which can be bad for hair growth.
Find a moisturizer that is natural and free from toxic elements.
- Rich Emollient Blend Of The Finest Natural Butters and Organic Oils.
A Durag
A durag is a necessary headcover that will help your hair to be in position overnight. Silky smooth satin durag is comfortable and sustains more moisture. Also, repel less breakage. Velvet durag is a trend now; you can try it too.
- 【Our Durag - Elite Waver's Choice！】 - Our durag is the most popular rags in Amazon, cumulative sales of 100,000 sets. Quality has been tested by time and so many customers, it deserves your trust.
Phase 2: Start the Brushing Process
Prepare yourself to numb your hands with a brush. It is the time when you spend lots of time brushing your hair. This is the phase where you try flattening your hair, and those who have coarse hair are going to endure more stinging. So get yourself ready to put some effort into brushing your hair daily!
Know the Brushing Angles
You need to follow certain brushing angles to get the wave. Always brush from the back to the front. To get a healthy and re-formed wave, strictly follow the angles. Tell your barber, not to trim the hair against these lines ever.
Brushing Routine
As you are now mentally prepared to sacrifice a good chunk of time brushing, let’s start the brushing routine as soon as possible. The brushing will go as described below-
- At first brush 20-30 minutes on a simple day, and gradually increase the time to 40-60 minutes twice a day. It will be better if you do it watching a Netflix show or TV.
- Make sure that you are focusing on the brushing angles.
- You can make sure of the angles by standing in front of a mirror for the first few days.
- Listening to podcasts and brushing is a good idea. That way, you can track your time.
- It is easy to get 180 waves than 360 waves because people usually brush on the top, and to get a 180 wave, you only have to brush the top.
If you follow this routine regularly for 3 to 4 weeks, eventually, it will start showing the results.
Phase 2: Use of Durag and Be Hydrated
Use the Durag
We told you earlier what Durag is; now it’s time to put it on for every day and every week 24/7. Durag will make your hair feel silky rather than hard. To keep your hair flat! The durag/wave cap helps to keep your hair flat and will make it feel silky instead of hard. The only rule on how to wear durag is; to use it when you are not brushing, simple! If you can’t use it everywhere for work or something, at least wear it before going to sleep.
Hydration
Keep your body and hair both hydrated during this period. Use moisturizer or hair lotion whenever it feels dry hair. Drink ample water during a day of hard work, at least 2 liters of water a day.
Follow our guide on important hair care tips for black men specifically to learn even more about keeping you healthy as possible.
Phase 3: Hair Trimming
Trimming Routine
Rule number 1; don’t go to the barber too soon. In waving time, your hair needs time to grow and train to be flattened. The recommended time to see your barber is after 4 weeks. The waving process will be disrupted if you visit the barber too often, and all your hard work will be in vain. Making sure your barber doesn’t cut your hair too low if he makes progress is a lost cause. This will result in losing your momentum as well. Just do the regular fade. 10 Best Clippers for Black Men
You may like to know:
Final Words
If you try these tips and routines of how to get 180 waves properly, a twinkly wave will be your new hairstyle. Just make sure that you are carefully following the steps. In no time, everyone will start asking you how you get the wave so fast, what are the recipes?
Just show them this routine, and that’s all; they will owe you forever. Best of luck on your new 180 waves, and feel free to get more inquiries. We will provide you with any aid possible.
Um I’m 12 and my parents won’t let me get em