The Merwave Wavy Hair Kit is a UK-based hair care system specifically formulated for naturally wavy hair, typically types 2A to 2C. The kit is designed as a five-step routine to cleanse, hydrate, and enhance wave definition without weighing hair down. According to the brand’s information, the products are free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, and are cruelty-free. The system has been used by over 130,000 women, with the brand emphasising a mission to help individuals embrace their natural waves.
The kit includes five products: a cleanse shampoo, a repair conditioner, a feed treatment, a cast foam, and a protect gel. The routine involves cleansing, conditioning, applying an optional leave-in treatment, styling with foam, sealing with gel, and drying before scrunching out the cast for soft, defined waves. The brand states that the products are lightweight and designed not to weigh down fine waves.
Understanding the Merwave Brand and Product Philosophy
Merwave was created by Abi Reid, who believed her own hair was straight, unmanageable, and frizzy for 30 years. She found that most products on the market were designed for curly hair, often loaded with heavy butters and oils that were too heavy for wavy hair. This led to the development of a range of lightweight, nourishing products specifically for wavy hair.
The brand’s mission is to help women break free from societal ideas of perfection and embrace their naturally wavy hair. It promotes an effortless, imperfect look that gives confidence, regardless of age or occasion. The Merwave range is intended to achieve this transformation.
Product Kit Composition and Usage Instructions
The Merwave Wavy Hair Kit is a curated set of five lightweight, Curly Girl Method-approved products designed specifically for wavy hair. The kit includes:
- Cleanse Shampoo & Repair Conditioner: Formulated with jojoba oil and glycerin.
- Feed Treatment: A leave-in protein and moisture booster.
- Cast Foam: A polymer-enhanced, lightweight mousse.
- Protect Gel: A flexible, non-crunchy hold gel.
The brand emphasises breathable texture, frizz control, and long-lasting wave definition without heavy waxes or silicones. The routine is simplified into five steps:
- Cleanse: Start with the Cleanse shampoo. Massage it into the scalp to remove buildup. It is sulfate-free and cleanses roots without drying out ends. Rinse thoroughly.
- Repair: Apply Repair conditioner from root to tip until hair feels slippery. Detangle with fingers or a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in. Leave for 2–3 minutes, then rinse out.
- Feed (Optional): If hair feels weak or limp, apply a small amount of Feed Treatment through mid-lengths and ends. It is protein-rich and helps strengthen waves. It is a leave-in product.
- Style with Foam: Flip soaking wet hair upside down and scrunch in the Cast Foam. Focus on small sections to help waves form evenly.
- Set with Gel: Scrunch in the Protect Gel to seal the waves and hold the shape. It creates a light cast that locks everything in place while drying.
- Dry: Air dry, plop with a cotton t-shirt, or diffuse on low heat. It is key not to touch hair while drying to avoid frizz and maintain wave shape.
- Scrunch Out the Crunch: Once fully dry, gently scrunch to break the gel cast and reveal soft, defined waves.
Availability and Purchase Information for UK Consumers
The Merwave Wavy Hair Kit is available for purchase through the brand’s official website and select UK retailers. The kit typically sells for approximately £70–85 GBP. The brand notes that over 120,000 kits have been sold, with about 4,700 five-star reviews on its official site. Another source mentions over 3,200 five-star reviews.
Regarding shipping, the brand offers free UK shipping on orders over £45. For international orders, shipping costs can be additional, and the price may be considered high, especially with shipping outside the UK.
Promotional Offers and Discount Programmes
A key promotional offer identified in the source material is a membership discount. Through a specific merchant platform, members receive a 15% saving on their first purchase. This offer includes 15% off the first purchase, lightweight products that awaken waves, over 3,200 five-star reviews, custom wavy hair support in a member's group, and free UK shipping on orders over £45.
There is no explicit mention of a free sample kit or a free trial programme in the provided source data. The sources discuss purchasing the full kit, with one mentioning the inclusion of a free deep mask with the kit purchase. Another source mentions a free digital guide for beginners that comes with the kit.
User Experiences and Reviews
User reviews of the Merwave Wavy Hair Kit are mixed but generally positive for those with fine or wavy hair. Some users have reported transformative results, with soft, defined waves and improved frizz control. One postpartum user with 2B-2C hair described the initial use as "crunchy" but noted that after scrunching out the cast, the waves were defined and soft, and the system helped manage hormonal hair changes.
However, there are cautions. Some reviewers call the ads misleading and say the products under-deliver for coarse or thick hair. Feedback about breakage has been noted, warranting caution for those with hair prone to breakage. It is generally recommended for fine or wavy hair, and those with coarse or thick hair are advised to tread carefully or start with a single product.
The gel can feel sticky if over-applied, and the products may run out quickly for those with long or thick hair. The system requires experimentation and is not a one-and-done solution. For those on a budget or who do not want to commit to international shipping, alternatives such as Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Line, Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls + Flaxseed Line, and Giovanni Hair Gel are suggested as affordable options available on Amazon.
Eligibility and Suitability
The Merwave Wavy Hair Kit is specifically designed for naturally wavy or curly hair, particularly types 2A to 2C. It is formulated for fine, wavy hair that needs volume and moisture without heavy products. It is free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, and is cruelty-free. The products are intended to avoid weighing down fine waves.
There are no stated geographic restrictions for purchase within the UK, as the brand is UK-based and offers free UK shipping on orders over £45. The membership discount programme is available through a specific merchant platform, likely requiring sign-up.
Comparison with Alternatives
Several alternatives to the Merwave Wavy Hair Kit are mentioned in the reviews:
- Only Curls Starter Kits: A potential alternative for wavy hair.
- Curlsmith Gel and Mousse: Another brand offering products for wavy and curly hair.
- Boucleme Styling Bundle: A styling bundle option.
- Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Line: Highlighted as a budget-friendly, Curly Girl Method-approved alternative available on Amazon.
- Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls + Flaxseed Line: Noted as great for waves and available on Amazon.
- Giovanni Hair Gel: Cited as a great medium-hold gel without crunch, available on Amazon.
These alternatives are suggested for those on a budget, seeking international shipping alternatives, or looking for specific product attributes like protein options, which the Merwave kit lacks for high-porosity hair.
Safety and Formulation
All Merwave products are free of sulphates, silicones, and parabens, and are cruelty-free. No irritation, buildup, or drying effects were reported in the user reviews provided. The formulas are designed to be gentle and suitable for regular use.
Conclusion
The Merwave Wavy Hair Kit is a purchasable hair care system for UK consumers with wavy hair (2A-2C), available via the brand’s official site and UK retailers for approximately £70–85. A membership discount offering 15% off the first purchase is available through a merchant platform, which also includes free UK shipping on orders over £45. While the kit includes a free deep mask and a digital guide, there is no evidence in the provided sources of a free sample kit or no-cost trial programme. User experiences are generally positive for fine, wavy hair, but caution is advised for coarse or thick hair types due to potential under-delivery and breakage reports. Several affordable alternatives are available for consumers seeking different price points or formulations.