Body Wave Wig
Look and feel
Body wave forms large, loose S-shaped waves that add volume without tight curls. It flatters most face shapes and is the classic choice when you want movement without much styling.
How it looks at each length
Body wave loses only about an inch or two to the wave, so it still shows most of its length. At 16 inches (41 cm) the waves start near the cheekbones and end in a soft flip at the shoulders. From 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 cm) you get the classic look: big, even S-curves falling to the chest or mid-back. From 26 to 32 inches (66 to 81 cm) the weight stretches the waves near the crown, so the root lies smoother and the movement gathers toward the ends, down to the waist.
Which density to choose
Waves spread the hair out, so body wave looks fuller than straight at the same density. 150% gives soft, airy waves that look like your own hair at 16 to 20 inches. 180% is the balanced choice: defined waves with fullness at the ends. 200% keeps long lengths full down to the tips. 250% and 300% create big, glam volume with waves stacked on each other, heavier on the head and slower to dry.
How to style it
Wear it as it is, pin one side back for a glam part, or straighten it; the wave returns after washing.
- Glam side part: flip the hair over to one side, pin the short side behind the ear and let the waves fall over one shoulder.
- Soft blowout: blow-dry with a large round brush for a smooth, bouncy finish that keeps the wave only at the ends.
- Half-up claw clip: twist the top section back, secure it with a claw clip and leave the waves loose down the back.
- Low bun with face-framing waves: gather the back into a loose low bun and pull out two wavy pieces at the front.
- Undone texture: mist a texturizing spray over dry waves and scrunch upward with your hands for a lived-in, beachy finish.
Care tips
Scrunch in a leave-in conditioner after washing and let it air-dry to keep the waves soft and defined.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Brushing the waves when dry with a paddle brush: they turn into a frizzy, shapeless blowout. Detangle when damp with conditioner, using your fingers and a wide-tooth comb.
- Letting it dry in a bun, in a bag or lying flat: the waves set with dents and kinks. Dry it on a stand, hanging loose.
- Piling on heavy oil or cream: the waves clump into stringy ropes and lose their bounce. A light leave-in and a small amount of mousse are enough.
How it compares
Body wave is the loosest of the waves: big, smooth S-curves with the least shrinkage, easy to smooth out and to straighten. Loose deep wave has rounder, springier waves with clear definition and a little more volume. Water wave has smaller, less regular ripples with a wet, beachy look and needs more moisture. Choose body wave for soft movement and easy styling, loose deep wave for defined waves and water wave for texture that reads almost curly.
Questions about these wigs
What is a body wave wig?
A body wave wig has large, loose S-shaped waves from root to tip, looser than loose deep wave, water wave or deep wave. The wave is set into the hair before the wig is made, so it returns every time you wash it and let it air-dry. It adds volume and movement without reading as curly, and it is one of the easiest textures to wear either wavy or straight.
Can you straighten a body wave wig?
Yes, and it straightens more easily than any tighter wave. Blow-dry it with a paddle brush first, then give each thin section one pass of the flat iron at moderate heat, up to about 180 °C (350 °F), with a heat protectant. It stays straight until you wash it; after washing and air-drying, the body wave comes back. Frequent high heat, though, loosens the wave for good.
How do you curl a body wave wig?
Follow the natural wave with a large barrel. At moderate heat and with a protectant, wrap sections around a large curling iron or wand in the direction the wave already turns, then let each curl cool before you separate it with your fingers. For a heatless set, put damp sections on big rollers or pin them in large curls and let them dry completely.
How do you style a body wave wig?
Decide first between definition and volume. For defined waves, scrunch a little mousse into damp hair and let it dry without touching it. For volume, blow-dry the roots and rake your fingers through the dry waves. Then pick the part: middle for symmetry, a deep side part for glam, or a half-up clip to show the length. Finish with a light shine spray rather than oil.
How do you revamp a body wave wig?
Wash it and let the wave reset. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup, deep-condition the lengths, then comb it through while wet and scrunch in a light leave-in. Let it air-dry on a stand without touching it, and the body wave comes back. If the tips look thin or frayed, trim them, and refresh flat front pieces with a large-barrel curling iron.
How do you wash a body wave wig?
Finger-detangle it first, then wash it downward. Run lukewarm water down the hair and stroke shampoo through without scrubbing. Condition the lengths and comb them with a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in, then rinse with cool water. Blot it with a towel, scrunch in a light leave-in and let it air-dry on a stand so the waves set evenly.
How do you take care of a body wave wig?
Refresh it instead of rewashing it. Between washes, mist it with water and a little leave-in and scrunch the waves back up. Sleep with it in a loose braid or under a satin bonnet, keep products light so they do not build up, and store it on a stand. Give it a full wash when a spritz no longer brings the waves back or product starts to build up.
What does a Body Wave wig look like?
Body wave forms large, loose S-shaped waves that add volume without tight curls.
Who is Body Wave best for?
It flatters most face shapes and is the classic choice when you want movement without much styling.