The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · OUAI
$30 · 6 fl oz
A water-based spray with film-forming polymers that coat strands to hold a wavy shape without a crunchy feel.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
Not Your Mother's
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Wave Spray (Texturizing Wave Spray) into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
Film-formers and polymers (Pvp, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer) give hold, set and heat or humidity resistance.
Humectants (Propanediol, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin) pull in water and keep the hair feeling soft.
Oils and butters (Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate) soften the hair and seal in moisture.
Hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids (Hydrolyzed Rice Protein) are added to coat and temporarily fill rough spots on the hair surface.
Optional
78 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total ~$8.79
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
Not Your Mother's
Why it is close. Shares OUAI's PVP and maltodextrin/VP copolymer, but a curl foam.
Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Why it is close. Shares OUAI's exact core polymers; foam format.
Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Why it is close. Beach Babe is a sea-salt spray. Wave Spray has no salt in its INCI (PVP-led). Same effect, different chemistry.
Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Not Your Mother's
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Not Your Mother's
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
A dermatology review of hair cosmetics explains what shampoos, conditioners and styling products do to the hair shaft and what they cannot do.
Gavazzoni 2015 · Int J TrichologyWater / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, Pvp, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin/Vp Copolymer, Glycerin, Panthenol, Momordica Cochinchinensis Seed Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum / Fragrance, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Red 33 (Ci 17200)
We split Wave Spray (Texturizing Wave Spray) into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 78 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam by Not Your Mother's is our closest single-product match at 78 out of 100 for ~$8.79 (8 fl oz). It shares PVP, maltodextrin/VP copolymer, polysorbate 20.
Wave Spray (Texturizing Wave Spray) costs $30 for 6 fl oz. The closest dupe costs ~$8.79, a saving of about $21.21. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Beach texture. See our methodology for how we score.
Olaplex · bond-repair
$10.99our build, 1 partOriginal $34, build $10.99.
Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · conditioner
~$18.78our build, 2 partsOriginal $34, build ~$18.78.
Neutrogena + Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · dry-shampoo
~$17.98our build, 2 partsOriginal $30, build ~$17.98.
Not Your Mother's