When I first started my 360 wave journey, like most wavers, my primary focus was on getting the top and sides spinning. But as I quickly learned, getting waves on the back of your head is a whole different ballgame. The hair at the back has a different growth pattern, and without the right technique and consistency, it can be one of the hardest areas to train. After plenty of trial and error, I figured out what worked for me, and now I want to share my journey and tips with you.
This guide will walk you through how to get 360 waves on the back of your head using the right brushing techniques, products, and care routines. By the end, you’ll have the tools to make the back of your head wave up just as perfectly as the rest!
Step 1: Understanding Your Hair Growth Pattern
The first step to getting waves on the back is understanding the growth pattern of your hair in that area. For most people, the hair at the back grows downward toward the neck, but the crown area can sometimes have a spiral growth pattern, which adds another layer of complexity.
- Back of the crown: The crown can be tricky, as the hair grows in a swirl, so getting waves here requires extra attention.
- Lower back of the head: This area tends to grow straight down, which is why you need to brush in the right direction to train it.
Before starting, I recommend using your fingers to feel the natural growth direction. This will help you figure out the best way to brush and get the waves to form evenly.
Step 2: Get the Right Brush for the Back
When I first started working on my waves, I quickly realized the importance of using the right brush. The back of your head can be more resistant to waves than the top, so you need a brush that gives you enough tension to lay the hair down.
- Medium bristle brush: If your hair is short to medium-length, a medium bristle brush will give you enough pull without being too harsh.
- Hard bristle brush: When your hair grows longer, especially during wolfing, switch to a hard brush. The extra firmness will help you lay down the longer hair at the back.
One thing I highly recommend is using a mirror to ensure you’re brushing the back correctly. A handheld mirror allows you to see what you’re doing when brushing the back, so you won’t miss any spots.
Want to get waves on the back faster? Check out Kosher Wave’s premium medium and hard bristle brushes to make sure you’re using the right tools.
Step 3: Brushing Technique for Waves on the Back
Brushing the back of your head requires a slightly different technique than brushing the top or sides. Here’s what worked best for me:
- Upper back (near the crown): Brush downward but at a slight angle. This ensures the hair follows the natural growth pattern and starts laying down to form waves.
- Lower back (toward the neck): Brush straight down toward your neck. This area is often neglected, so spend extra time making sure you’re brushing thoroughly and evenly.
Consistency is key. I brushed the back of my head for at least 20-30 minutes a day, broken into smaller sessions. The more consistently you brush in the same direction, the faster the waves will form.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush the process. Focus on each section of the back, and you’ll soon see the results.
Step 4: Moisturizing the Back of Your Head
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was not giving enough attention to moisturizing the back of my head. The hair at the back tends to dry out more quickly because it’s often rubbing against clothing like collars or hoodies. Dry hair is harder to train, so keeping it moisturized is crucial for forming waves.
Here’s what I used to keep the back of my head hydrated:
- Moisturizer: A non-greasy moisturizer helps to keep the hair soft and manageable. Kosher Wave’s Hair Conditioning Spray worked wonders for me.
- Pomade: Applying a light pomade after brushing helps to lay the hair down and lock in the wave pattern.
- Natural oils: Products like coconut oil or castor oil gave my hair extra shine and nourishment, preventing it from becoming dry.
Keeping the back of your head moisturized is just as important as brushing. Without moisture, your waves won’t lay down properly, and you’ll have trouble getting the back to wave up like the top and sides.
Looking for the best moisturizer to keep your waves hydrated? Check out Kosher Wave’s Hair Conditioning Spray and pomades to maintain smooth, defined waves.
Step 5: Wolfing for Deeper Waves on the Back
Wolfing is a vital part of the 360 wave process, especially for the back of your head. Wolfing means letting your hair grow out for 4-8 weeks without cutting it. This allows the wave pattern to deepen and become more defined.
During wolfing, here’s how I maintained my waves on the back:
- Switch to a hard brush: As your hair grows longer, a hard bristle brush is essential for getting through the thicker hair and keeping the waves laid down.
- Extra brushing sessions: I found that the back of my head needed more frequent brushing during wolfing to keep the waves from losing their form.
Wolfing takes patience, but it’s a crucial step if you want deep, well-defined waves all around your head, especially at the back.
Ready to wolf? Make sure you have the right tools. Shop Kosher Wave’s hard bristle brushes designed for deeper waves today!
Step 6: Lock in Your Waves with a Durag
A durag is your best friend when it comes to maintaining waves, especially on the back of your head. Wearing a durag after brushing helps compress your hair, keeping the waves in place while you sleep or go about your day.
Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Tie it snugly: Make sure your durag is tight enough to compress your hair without being uncomfortable.
- Wear it overnight: Wearing your durag overnight will help keep the waves at the back intact.
- Add a compression cap: For extra compression during wolfing, I sometimes wore a compression cap over my durag to ensure my waves stayed tight.
How Long Will It Take to Get Waves on the Back?
You’re probably wondering, “How long will it take to get waves on the back of my head?” While this varies from person to person, most wavers start seeing results in 2-4 weeks. However, it may take 4-8 weeks to see fully developed, deep waves.
Here’s a rough timeline based on my experience:
- Week 2: You’ll likely see the beginning of waves, but they may not be fully connected.
- Week 4: With consistent brushing and wearing a durag, the waves will start to become more defined.
- Week 8: After wolfing and continued care, you should have deep waves on the back that match the rest of your head.
Pro Tip: Don’t get discouraged if the back takes longer. Keep brushing and moisturizing, and the waves will come!
Final Thoughts: Consistency is Key to Waves on the Back
Getting 360 waves on the back of your head is all about consistency and patience. With the right brushing technique, moisturizing routine, and the use of a durag, you can achieve smooth, well-defined waves on the back of your head just like the top and sides.
Stick to the process, and soon you’ll have a complete 360 wave pattern that’s spinning from every angle.
Ready to complete your wave journey? Shop Kosher Wave’s premium wave brushes, moisturizers today and get those waves spinning all around!