Styling Thick Wavy Hair Made Simple by This Blogger

Get smooth, frizz-free results on thick, wavy hair using minimal products and the proper technique.

If you’ve ever found yourself envying someone else’s luscious locks, thinking “I wish I had hair like hers!” you might want to reconsider. Thick wavy hair, while often admired for its volume and texture, can be quite a challenge to manage. It’s a classic case of the grass always being greener on the other side.

While the internet is overflowing with tips for making thin hair appear fuller, the tribulations of thick hair are often overlooked. Sure, some might love the natural volume, but thick hair can be overwhelming and a real handful to style. It tends to frizz, especially in humid conditions, and tangles easily, making combing a daily battle. Achieving a sleek look can be difficult, and the inconsistent waves can make a uniform style seem like a distant dream.

Ale Arriaga, a Venezuelan chemist, MPH, and medical researcher living in NYC, who is also the proud owner of waist-length thick, wavy hair, has taken to Instagram to share her secrets to taming her mane. Her insights are a game-changer for anyone struggling with similar hair woes. In her video, she addresses the frustrations of many: “I get so many comments of people saying that no matter what product they use, their wavy, thick hair always looks frizzy,” she explains.

Ale’s method is refreshingly straightforward and doesn’t rely on a bunch of expensive products. “It’s NOT about the products you are using. You need to learn how to style it,” she insists. She starts with clean, air-dried, brushed hair. The first step is to tackle the kinks near the roots using a thermal brush. “The trick here is to go kind of slow,” she advises. The slower you go, the smoother the result.

Once her roots are sleek, Ale moves on to the rest of her hair. She divides it into two sections, securing each with a silk scrunchie behind the ears. After applying a heat protectant, she uses a thin straightening iron to curl thin sections of her hair with a simple technique: “clamp, twist, and slide.” She flips each curled section to the back, keeping it out of the way as she works through the rest of her hair.

The transformation is undeniable. Ale demonstrates the stark contrast between her styled and unstyled hair, and the results are nothing short of stunning. The styled section is sleek, polished, and picture-perfect. Finally, she removes the scrunchies, letting her hair cascade in smooth, elegant waves over her shoulders.

Despite some commenters’ concerns about potential heat damage, Ale’s hair appears healthy and vibrant. Her video has sparked a debate: Is it worth risking damage to achieve such a polished look? For many, the answer is a resounding yes. Her video has certainly inspired many to rethink their approach to managing thick hair. With her easy-to-follow steps and impressive results, Ale Arriaga has proven that with the right technique, even the wildest of manes can be tamed.

Browse our Hairstyles and Haircuts for Thick Hair section for beautiful cuts tailored for thick hair.

Featured images via @alexandrarriaga.