Her evidence? A frizz-halo, kinks after letting it air dry, and waves after being at the beach. The result? Shocking.
Before and after results using the Merwave 5-Step wavy hair kit(Image: Eve Rowlands)
When you’ve got curly or wavy hair, finding the right products to get the best out of it can feel like a never-ending marathon – one that requires effort and money. Although for those who are just discovering they have textured, wavy hair – as opposed to frizzy, knotty, flicky ‘straight’ locks – knowing where to begin can feel like a minefield.
Thankfully, viral hair-care brand Merwave is helping users make the most of their natural locks, supporting their journey toward nourished, defined waves with its lightweight products. Offering a five-step routine (spotted in the Love Island villa recently), the Merwave Wavy Hair Kit washes, conditions, nourishes, boosts, and delivers ample hold for a gorgeously beachy, frizz-free finish.
Costing £65 but worth £85, I was keen to test out the 5-step kit on not only my curly hair (which is a mix of 2C and 2B curls and waves and is a short bob), but also a friend of mine’s longer tresses, who was convinced her long ‘straight’ hair was actually wavy. Her evidence? A frizz-halo, kinks after letting it air dry, and waves after being at the beach. The result? Shocking.
Merwave sets itself apart by designing its five-step routine specifically for wavy textures rather than tight, heavy curls. Founder Abi Reid spent years assuming her hair was just unmanageably frizzy, only to realise those flicked-out ends were secret signs of natural waves.
Spotting a major gap in the market – where most products were packed with thick butters that flattened more lightweight textured hair – she said: “Merwave was born from a passion to create what I wasn’t able to find anywhere else – lightweight, nourishing products specifically formulated for wavy hair. I wanted to help people break free from society’s idea of perfection and embrace their real hair, real texture, and the confidence that comes with it.”
Distinguishing between wavy and curly hair comes down to pattern: waves form a loose S-shape starting mid-strand, whereas curls spring into spirals, ringlets, or corkscrews directly from the scalp. To target these lighter textures, Merwave’s full routine features five individual steps – Cleanse Shampoo, Repair Conditioner, Wave Cream, Cast Foam, and Protect Gel – each priced at £17 individually, reports Mirror.
The routine comes in gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing, wave-contoured bottles that feature clear 1-to-5 numbering to keep the routine foolproof. Steps one and two (shampoo and conditioner) open with a fresh, fruity scent and a jojoba oil- and avocado extract-rich formula that cleanses without stripping natural moisture.
While the conditioner offers slightly less instant silky-smoothness than most heavy-duty detanglers I’ve tried like Curlsmith’s Essential Moisture ( £22 ), Only Curls All Curl Conditioner ( £18 ), or Taylored’s Moisture Conditioner ( £18 ), gently brushing it through before rinsing worked wonders at leaving hair exceptionally smooth and ready for styling.
The third step introduces the lightweight, watery Wave Cream, which uses pracaxi oil and flaxseed extract to seal in hydration for a smooth, frizz-free finish. Because it lacks the heavy thickness of standard curl creams, it defines natural waves easily – avoiding that stiff, crunchy, or greasy feel entirely.
Scrunching the cream into damp strands instantly brought hidden waves to life. Squeezing away excess moisture with a plush microfiber towel gave the shape an extra boost of definition. While the first three steps provide a solid foundation, pairing the Cast Foam with the Protect Gel delivers the best hold, in my experience. The foam tames frizz without adding crunch, while the gel seals everything in place.
One thing that surprised me was that the gel scoops out quite firm, rather than watery as typical. But warming it between hands softens the texture completely and makes it easy to apply to hair.
Once diffused, the hair stayed soft and springy rather than setting into a stiff, greasy and messy style. While some strands had a slight crunch (which could just mean a bit too much product went in), scrunching out that crunch with her hands softened it in seconds and even had her partner remarking that the final look resembled an Australian surfer.
The main drawback is the time and commitment needed to complete a five-step routine every wash day. It’s not really ideal for those short on time in the mornings, so it’s better reserved for days when extra time allows for a proper pampering ritual.
Keep in mind that years of heat styling can delay instant gratification – but don’t give up. Because straighteners disrupt the hair’s natural hydrogen bonds, damaged waves often require a few treatments to regain full definition. Adding a deep-conditioning mask once or twice a week provides the structural moisture needed to revive limp strands much faster.
Shop the Wavy Hair Starter Kit here for £65.
