I’ll admit, getting 360 waves on the top of my head wasn’t as tough as I thought. But when it came to getting waves on the sides, things got tricky. The sides of your head have different hair growth patterns, making it harder to train, and like many wavers out there, I struggled with it for a while. However, through trial, error, and a solid routine, I finally cracked the code. In this article, I’m sharing my personal journey and insights into how you can get perfect waves on the sides, along with some tips to keep them spinning.
Step 1: Understand Your Hair Growth Pattern
The first thing I learned was that understanding how your hair grows on the sides is crucial. Unlike the top of your head, where hair usually grows forward, the hair on the sides can grow in different directions:
- For most men, hair on the sides grows downward or at a diagonal angle.
- On the back corners, the growth direction can vary greatly, which can make brushing tricky.
Before you even start brushing, I recommend using your hand to feel the diren your hair naturally grows on the sides. This will help you figure out the proper brushing technique to train the waves correctly.
Tip: Patience is key here. Don’t rush the process—mastering the sides takes time.
Step 2: Invest in a Medium Bristle Brush
When I started working on getting waves on the sides, I realized quickly that the type of brush I was using mattered a lot. For the sides, a medium bristle brush is ideal. It provides enough tension to train your hair, without being too harsh on your scalp.
- Medium brushes are perfect for hair lengths between short and medium.
- Once your hair grows longer, switch to a hard brush to really penetrate the hair and lay it down.
One thing that helped me tremendously was using the Kosher Wave Brush. It has just the right amount of pull and control to tame the stubborn sides.
Want to get waves faster? Check out Kosher Wave’s premium brushes to make sure you’re using the right tools for the job.
Step 3: Master the Brushing Technique for the Sides
Here’s where things get real. When you’re brushing the top, you probably brush straight forward. But when it comes to the sides, you need to be strategic with how you angle your brush. Here’s what worked for me:
- Front sides: Start brushing downward at a 45-degree angle toward your chin. This angle helps train the hair to form waves that connect smoothly with the top.
- Back sides: Brush downward and slightly toward the back of your neck. This part took me a while to get right because the hair grows in a slightly different direction.
- Corners: The corners between the top and sides are the hardest to master. I spent extra time focusing on these spots, using the brush at varying angles until I found what worked best for my hair growth pattern.
I would recommend brushing for at least 20-30 minutes a day, with focus on the sides, until the pattern starts to develop.
Tip: Always brush consistently in the same direction to train your hair properly. If you change directions too often, it can mess up the wave pattern.
Step 4: Keep the Sides Moisturized
The sides of your hair are often exposed more than the top, especially when you wear hats or sleep on your sides. Keeping them moisturized is key to training them properly. I made the mistake early on of only focusing on moisturizing the top of my head, and as a result, my sides were dry and the waves didn’t form well.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Moisturizer: A lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer worked best for my sides. I used Kosher Wave’s Hair Conditioning Spray to keep my hair soft and hydrated.
- Pomade: I found that a light pomade helped lay the hair down on the sides, especially after brushing sessions.
- Natural oils: Adding a small amount of coconut or argan oil added extra shine and kept my hair from drying out, which is crucial for maintaining waves.
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Step 5: Wolfing to Deepen Waves on the Sides
If you’re serious about getting waves, wolfing is a technique you can’t skip. Wolfing means growing your hair out for a longer period—typically 4-8 weeks—without cutting it. The longer hair allows your waves to develop and deepen.
During the wolfing stage, it’s critical to brush the sides just as much as the top:
- Hard brush: As your hair grows longer, you’ll need to switch to a hard brush to ensure the hair on the sides lays down.
- Extra brushing: I found that I had to brush the sides more frequently than the top during wolfing to keep them in check.
Don’t be afraid to dedicate more time to the sides, especially during wolfing. They’re usually the most stubborn part, but they will eventually lay down with enough attention.
Call to Action: Ready to wolf? Make sure you have the right brush. Check out Kosher Wave’s hard bristle brush designed for deeper waves.
Step 6: Wear a Durag Religiously
Wearing a durag at night (and sometimes during the day) is non-negotiable if you want your waves to stay in place, especially on the sides. The durag compresses your hair and helps keep your waves locked in while you sleep or go about your day.
Here’s how to wear it:
- Tightly tie the durag: Make sure your durag is snug, but not too tight. You want it to compress your hair without causing discomfort.
- Wear it consistently: I made sure to wear my durag after every brushing session, and overnight to lock in the waves.
- Compression cap: I also wore a compression cap over my durag for extra compression during the wolfing phase.
Tip: Keep your durag on for at least 30 minutes after brushing to set the wave pattern on the sides.
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Method to Get Waves on the Side Faster
I know you’re probably wondering how to speed up the process of getting waves on the sides. While patience is key, here are a few things I found that helped me get waves faster on the sides:
- Brush more often: The sides can be more stubborn than the top, so I spent extra time brushing the sides throughout the day. An additional 10 minutes of brushing just on the sides made a big difference.
- Use a mirror: It’s easy to miss spots, especially on the back and sides. I started using a hand mirror to see how well the sides were progressing, making sure I wasn’t neglecting any areas.
- Wear a durag: After every brushing session, I immediately put on a durag to lock in the wave pattern and prevent frizz. I noticed faster results when I kept my durag on longer, especially overnight.
- Moisturize daily: Don’t let your sides dry out. Keeping them hydrated will make the waves form faster and easier.
Step 7: How Long Will It Take to Get Waves on the Sides?
Let’s talk about timing. You’re probably wondering, "How long will it take to get waves on the sides?" Well, here’s the thing: it varies depending on your hair texture and how consistently you brush.
In my experience:
- 2-4 weeks: You’ll start seeing progress, but your waves on the sides might not be fully formed yet.
- 4-8 weeks: With consistent brushing, moisturizing, and wolfing, you should see deep waves forming on the sides by this time.
- Maintenance: Once the waves are in place, continue brushing and wearing your durag to keep them sharp.
Tip: Stick with it. The sides can take longer to wave up than the top, but with the right routine, you’ll get there.
Final Thoughts: Consistency is the Key to Waves on the Sides
Getting 360 waves on the sides takes a bit more work than the top, but with the right routine, tools, and dedication, you’ll get them spinning. It’s all about understanding your hair growth, mastering your brushing technique, and keeping your hair moisturized. The journey can be long, but trust me, the results are worth it.