31 Long Wavy Haircuts Ideas For 2026

Some days, your long, wavy hair looks great. Some days it falls flat at the top and blows out at the bottom, making you wonder why waves can’t act the same way twice.

You remedy one problem, but another one comes up: frizz, mass, triangle form, inconsistent curl patterns, or layers that spoil everything.

In this article, I will show you 31 amazing Long Wavy Haircut ideas for women you can try right away in 2026.

How To Choose The Right Wavy Cut For Your Face Shape?

To get the perfect long wavy cut, you need to recognize where your face requires balance. Put waves lower if your face feels wide.

If it feels sharp or lengthy, raise the softness. Longer face-framing layers make round faces look thinner. Curves around the jaw are good for square faces.

People with heart-shaped faces need waves close to their chins. Almost anything looks well on oval faces.

When you put your waves in the right spot for your face shape, your haircut looks better right away and is easier to take care of.

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Soft Layered Waves

A little lift at the crown goes a long way when you want waves that feel full but never heavy. 

If your hair tends to fall flat on top, these soft, blended layers are great since the shorter sections add height without making it frizzy.

To get this look, ask for lengthy layers that start around your cheekbones and then dry your hair with curl cream. It looks great on faces that are round or heart-shaped.

Glossy Deep Waves

Rich, oversized waves like these work beautifully when you want a polished look without heavy styling. 

The lengthy curtain bangs keep the waves away from the face and make the area around the cheeks gentle.

To get the same look, ask for very lengthy layers with weight at the ends so the waves stay smooth and not puffy.

Natural Defined Layers

A more defined wave pattern like this shines when you give the hair room to move. Light, strategic layers help the curls separate instead of clumping into heavy sections. 

This cut works best if your waves get tighter while they’re wet. To get this look, ask for long layers that are focused around the middle of the hair and keep the ends blunt.

Using a leave-in conditioner and scrunching your hair can make the form come out easily.

Mid-Length Shape

Soft waves like these look their best when the haircut keeps things simple. A few gentle layers around the mid-lengths stop the hair from forming a triangle shape.

While still preserving the whole length. This is a good option for people who want to move without sacrificing density.

To get the look again, ask for modest shaping that starts below the chin, and let your waves air-dry with a light curl cream for a natural look.

 Soft Curtain Layers

A curtain-style layer works wonders when you want movement around your face without losing length. 

The soft swoop opens up the cheekbones and gives your waves a natural flow that looks stylish even when you don’t put in a lot of effort.

Tell your hairdresser that you want long, blended pieces that frame your face and start about your lips. You also want gentle layers in the middle of your hair.

Face-Framing Waves

A gentle face frame like this works perfectly when you want softness around the cheeks without taking away length. 

The waves start low enough to make the look elegant yet still add movement to the middle.

Ask for face-framing layers that start about the chin and merge into long length.

Long Soft Layers

A breezy, lightweight look like this shines when you want movement without sacrificing fullness. 

The long layers begin just below the cheekbones, which gives your waves freedom to spread out while keeping the ends thick.

This is especially good for fine hair that gets flat when you layer it too much. To get it back, ask for delicate pieces that frame your face and long layers that flow smoothly.

Layered Waves

Soft bangs like these shift attention toward the eyes and help balance fuller cheeks. The waves start low, keeping the style smooth on top, adding movement through the lengths. 

If you want to frame your face without cutting your hair short, this is a good way to do it. To get the look again, ask for bangs that are light and fade into long layers.

A quick blow-dry on the bangs and letting the rest of the hair air-dry into waves keeps things simple and natural.

Blowout Waves

Full, swooping layers like these are great when you want maximum movement without losing length. 

The layers are cut such that they flop outward, which gives the hair a soft blowout look that looks great around the face. 

This style works best if your waves get looser when you brush them out. To get it back, ask for lengthy, rounded layers and a face frame that starts at the lips.

Wavy Shag

Soft volume around the crown gives this wavy shag its easy, lived-in shape, especially when paired with a full fringe. 

The bangs make a longer face look shorter and bring emphasis to the eyes. The layers maintain the waves light and separate.

To get it back, ask for sliced layers on top and a textured fringe that goes over the eyebrows. Use a style cream to keep the movement natural while air-drying.

 Textured Shag

Layers that drop from the cheekbones create an easy lift through the top, which helps long hair avoid that heavy, dragged-down look. 

The textured face frame makes the area around the eyes softer, and the longer lengths let the ends roam about a lot.

If you want to copy it, ask for a shag-inspired cut with light carving around the face and lengthy, blended layers.

Face-Frame Waves

Effortless waves like these work best and the layering stays soft and low. The facial structure begins at jowls, which enables waves stretch out instead of causing top.

This shape looks good on practically every face, especially if you want to move around without having to style it too much.

Ask for lengthy, blended layers and a soft framing around your face to get the look again.

Long Natural Waves

Loose, defined waves like these shine when the cut keeps most of the weight through the bottom. 

The shape stays simple, so the natural pattern can do its job without a lot of layers. This is good for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time on their hair.

For a simple, daily look, let your hair air dry with curl cream, crimp it softly, and let the waves fall how they desire.

Blended Waves

Endless length like this stands out best when the layers stay minimal and seamless. The waves fall in wide, gentle parts because the cut preserves weight at the ends.

This style is good for people who want long hair without a lot of weight at the bottom. Ask for light shaping on the inside and a soft frame around the face to get it back.

Use a large-barrel wand or curl cream to keep those waves smooth and flowing while they dry.

Full Fringe Waves

Full bangs shift the focus straight to the eyes and balance the long length beautifully. Waves stay loose and flowing because the cut keeps the weight through the ends. 

This style is great if you want your forehead to be soft but your hair to move a lot below.

To get the look again, ask for a blunt fringe with face-framing that is softly blended. Use a wide-barrel wand or air-dry to keep the waves relaxed.

Soft Glam Waves

Soft, bouncy waves like these work perfectly when you want lift around the face without committing to heavy layers. 

The front pieces curve out, which makes the face look brighter right away. This works well for round and heart-shaped faces.

To get this look again, ask for lengthy layers that start below the chin and mix in with the rest of the hair.

Soft Crimped Waves

Soft, crimp-like waves give long hair an easy, beachy texture without needing heavy layers. The shape stays simple, letting the pattern carry the whole look. 

If you want movement but still want a full, one-length base, this is a good choice. If you want it back, ask for a little layering and drink enough of water to keep the waves crisp.

A wide-plate waver or braiding damp hair before bed helps you preserve this look with very little work.

Wispy Shag Waves

Loose, wispy layers around the face give this cut its soft, romantic shape. The fringe breaks up the forehead and long lengths keep plenty of movement through the ends. 

This is a good way to add volume to the top without losing length overall. If you want to copy it, ask for a shag-style cut with bangs that are airy and layers that get thinner.

Light mousse or curl cream helps the waves fall in natural, independent sections.

Big Glam Waves

Full, blown-out waves make this cut perfect when you want maximum drama without losing softness.

The volume is high toward the crown, which helps round or heart-shaped faces look better.

To get the look back, apply large-barrel curls, brush them out for a light finish, add a light volumizing spray to preserve the movement without making anything heavy.

Soft Blended Waves

Lived-in waves like these work well when you want movement without a styled-looking finish. 

The main section keeps everything in equilibrium, while the small parts that frame the face make the jawline look softer.

This cut is good for hectic days since the texture appears better as it settles. To get the same look, ask for lengthy layers with light shaping around the face.

Sculpted Waves

Feathered layers around the cheeks and collarbone give this cut its soft, swooping shape.

It’s great if you want your waves to look full without feeling heavy at the ends. The fringe on the curtain makes the face look more open by lifting it in the middle.

To get it back, ask for long, rounded layers and a curtain bang that blends in. To make that smooth bend in the middle, use a round brush or a big wand.

Face-Framed Waves

Lifted layers around the cheeks and chin give this style its bright, open feel. The waves start high enough to shape the face without collapsing near the roots.

That helps keep the whole look light. If you want movement that yet looks sophisticated, this is a perfect pick.

To get the look again, ask for delicate face-framing and lengthy layers. Then, curl only the mid-lengths and brush them out for a light, blended finish.

Soft Ombre Waves

The gentle shift from warm roots into brighter ends gives these long waves a melted, sun-lit look.

If you want dimension without having to go to the salon often, this works nicely because the darker top grows out readily.

The free waves make everything look natural instead of too groomed. To get the look back, ask for delicate layers and a blended ombre. 

Platinum Flow Waves

Bright, even blonde paired with long cascading waves gives this style a clean, high-impact finish. 

The ends do most of the moving, while the center part keeps everything looking smooth up top. This makes the length look planned instead of heavy.

This is a good way to have a polished finish that still feels soft. To get the look back, ask for lengthy layers and modest framing around the face. 

Glossy Waves

Defined S-shaped waves give this look a luxe, sculpted feel, especially with the deep, glossy black color. 

The waves are lower in the middle, which maintains the style clean and makes the length look sleek instead than vast.

To make it again, use a big wand or barrel, chill each curl, and then gently brush it out to make smooth, even curves.

Soft Curtain Layers

Light, cascading layers around the face give this cut a sweet, lifted shape that works well for softer features. 

The waves start in the middle, which keeps the style simple and doesn’t make the top look too crowded.

If you want a feminine look that is still comfortable to wear every day, this is the best option. To get the same look, ask for long layers with a soft curtain fringe. 

Icy Ripple Waves

Cool-toned blonde paired with soft, rippling waves gives this style a light, ethereal feel.

The texture starts high enough to give your hair some movement without making it look too thick, which is perfect if your hair tends to fall flat.

To do it again, take a medium wand and curl the hair in different directions. Then, lightly brush over the waves to keep them smooth and distinct.

Full Bombshell Layers

Big, lifted layers give this look its signature bombshell volume, especially around the mid-lengths and ends. 

The delicate face-framing keeps the fullness from hiding your features, which is perfect if you desire dramatic shape without sharp lines.

The movement stays structured in this design, which makes it great for events or pictures. To get the look again, ask for a lot of layers and a round-brush blowout. 

Curly Lift Layers

Soft shaping around the cheeks and forehead helps these curls pop without adding extra width. 

The length keeps the coils in shape, while the layers stop them from piling up too much at the bottom.

This is great if you want a lot of loudness yet still feel in control. To get the look back, ask for a light face frame and curl-friendly layers.

Mega Volume Waves

When you want long hair to look full from root to end, this layered blowout shape is one of the easiest ways to get it.

The rounded layers in the mid-lengths look great, and they give the waves height instead of width. It works great for people with long hair that tends to go flat.

To get the look again, ask for stacked layers in the front and a rounded blowout. Then, let each section cool so that the volume stays.

Soft Fringe Waves

Blunt, eye-grazing bangs add just enough edge to balance the softness of these long waves. 

The layers start low, which makes the length seem voluminous without the ends losing their shape.

This is a great way to frame your face without having to have a middle part. To get this look again, ask for a straight-across fringe with long, blended layers.

 FAQs

How often should I trim long wavy hair?

Every 10 to 12 weeks, trim your waves to maintain them healthy and stop the ends from stretching out or becoming stringy.

Long wavy cuts keep their shape better when the bottom is clean, so even a simple dusting helps them flow.

What products make long waves last longer?

A flexible-hold spray or a light mousse or curl cream helps waves form evenly. Keeps the shape without making the hair rigid.

Concentrate on the mid-lengths and ends to keep roots smooth and natural.