HOW TO GET BEACH WAVES NO MATTER YOUR HAIR TYPE
You don’t need to be basking on a balmy beach to emulate beach waves. The ultimate go-to for easy breezy tousled tresses, beach waves can be emulated in a plethora of ways. From natural, no-heat techniques to easy styling tools and products, there are plenty of ways to create those coveted waves from the comfort of your own home.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through multiple methods on how to get beach waves — safely, simply and in a way that works for your hair type and lifestyle.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
How To Create Beach Wave Hair Without Heat - How To Get Beach Waves With A Straightener
- How To Get Beach Waves With A Curler
- How To Get Beach Waves FAQs
HOW TO CREATE BEACH WAVE HAIR WITHOUT HEAT
If you’re wanting to achieve effortless, tousled beach waves without exposing your hair to heat damage, you're in luck. There are plenty of no-heat methods that can give you the same sun-soaked, wind-swept texture. Whether you're looking to air-dry overnight or use simple styling hacks, heat-free waves are not only easy to achieve but also gentler on your locks in the long run. Keep reading for the best techniques on how to get beach waves without plugging in a single tool.
THE SEA SALT SPRAY METHOD
- After washing, towel dry your hair until it's slightly damp.
Spray a generous amount of sea salt spray or texturizing spray throughout your strands to add texture and give you that beachy feel. - Next, scrunch your hair with your hands to encourage waves.
Finally, let your locks air dry or blow-dry them using a diffuser if you want some added volume. Yes, it really is that easy!
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THE OVERNIGHT BRAID WAVES
- Start by lightly dampening your strands with a spray bottle or by towel-drying after a shower. For optimum waves, your hair should be around 80% dry as having it too wet will not give your tresses enough time to dry overnight.
- Apply a lightweight mousse, sea salt spray, or wave cream from mid-lengths to ends to add extra hold and texture.
- Now for the main event. Split your hair into two to four sections based on how intense you want your waves. For soft and subtle waves: divide your hair into two sections and loosely braid your locks starting at the roots. Make sure the braids are not too tight as the looser the braid, the more relaxed the wave will be. For tight and defined waves: divide your hair into four sections and braid tightly all the way from the roots to the ends. The tighter you braid, the more structured the wave will be when you undo it.
Secure your braids with soft scrunchies to avoid creases, then, hit the pillow and let the magic happen overnight. But, if you’re short on time and don’t have time to snooze on your do, allow them to sit for at least four to six hours. - Come morning, gently undo your braids and finger-comb through your hair from root to tip. It’s essential you don’t use a brush here at it can create unwanted frizz.
Complete the look with a light spritz of sea salt spray or a flexible hairspray for hold.
THE HEATLESS HALO HACK
- Start by dampening your lengths with a spray bottle or towel-dry your hair after a shower.
- Follow by placing a soft, stretchy headband around the crown of your head – like a halo.
- Tuck your hair around the headband starting with the front sections. Twist and tuck your tresses over and around the headband until it’s all wrapped up. Remember: the tighter you wrap, the more defined the wave.
- Let your lengths dry completely before taking them out. For best results ensure you’re waiting at least four hours or keep the headband in overnight.
- Carefully unwrap your strands from the headband and finger-comb your waves. Finish with a spritz of texture spray for added volume and hold.
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HOW TO GET BEACH WAVES WITH A STRAIGHTENER
Who says a straightener is just for sleek, straight strands? Not us. With a few simple steps, your flat iron can become your secret tool for how to get beach waves. Giving you more control and versatility to craft soft, tousled waves, this method boosts a natural, sun-kissed finish – sans the plane ticket. Whether you're looking for loose, beachy waves or more defined texture, using a straightener is an easy and efficient way to get that windswept look without the need for extra tools or heat damage. Here's how to get beach waves with just a straightener.
Straightener-enhanced beach waves work best on clean dry hair, so start by washing and drying thoroughly. Once your hair is dry add a bit of texture by applying a dry shampoo or texturizing spray to help hold the waves. Set your straightener to a medium heat (350°F /180°C) – however, if you have fine or damage strands, we suggest opting for a lower temperature to prevent damage. Then, divide your hair into two to four sections. - Now for the fun part — creating the waves! Take one of your small sections and clamp the straightener around the base of the hair, close to your roots. Make sure you hold the straightener at a diagonal angle and clamp down, gently twisting the hot tool to a 180-degree angle away from your face. Hold the twist for a second to set the wave, then slowly pull the straightener down through the hair. As you pull, the hair will naturally form a wave. For a mor natural beach wave, alternate the direction of the twists – AKA on one section, twist away from your face, and on the next, twist towards your face. This alternating pattern creates a more relaxed and tousled wave.
- Repeat the twisting technique with the rest of your sections, working your way around your head. Continue alternating and leave the ends of your hair slightly straight to mimic the undone look of beach waves.
- Now you’ve finished curling all sections, let the waves cool down for a minute before gently running your fingers through your hair to loosen the curls. This step will help break up the waves and create a softer, more natural beachy texture.
To finish off your look, ensure your beach waves hold throughout the day by lightly misting your hairspray over your mane. For extra volume at the roots, flip your hair upside down and spray some dry shampoo or texture spray into the roots before setting the waves.
HOW TO GET BEACH WAVES WITH A CURLER
Using a curler or waver is one of the quickest and most reliable for how to get beach waves that last. Whether you're going for loose, laid-back texture or more defined bends, a curler can help you achieve waves that mimic the look of a day spent by the sea. Here’s exactly how to do it.
- Before you start curling, make sure your hair is clean and dry. Beach waves look best on hair that has some texture, so if your hair is freshly washed use a sea salt spray or texturizing mousse to give your hair more grip and body.
- Next, separate your hair into three to four even sections using clips.
- Set your curling or waver tool to the right temperature – between 350°F/175°C and 400°F/200°C and start curling. To do this take around one inch of hair and wrap you strands around the curler, leaving around one to two inches of the hair at the end. Always curl away from your face for a natural beachy look.
- Hold your curl for 5-10 seconds depending on your hair type. Fine hair requires less time, while thicker hair may need a little more heat. Then, gentle release the curl from the barrel and let it cool slightly in your hand before releasing it fully to help it set.
- In the same way to how you get beach waves with your straighteners for a natural texture, alternate the direction of the curls as you work through your hair – curling one section away from your face and the other towards your face.
- Work your way through the rest of your sections, continuing to alternate the direction of the curls. As you move toward the back of your head, you can switch to larger sections or use a larger barrel if you prefer a looser wave. Our top tip? Don’t curl every single strand. Leave some pieces slightly straight for a more natural beachy texture.
- Once you’ve finished curling, allow the hair to cool completely before touching them. This helps the curls set and hold their shape longer.
- After this, gently run your fingers through the curls or use a wide-tooth comb to separate the waves. Avoid using a brush, as it can make the waves frizzy.
- And to finish off? Lightly mist your hair with a sea salt spray or texture spray to enhance the beachy look and provide more volume before using a flexible hairspray to lock in your waves.
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HOW TO GET BEACH WAVES FAQS
Do pin curls work on straight hair?
Yes, pin curls absolutely work on straight hair! They’re an excellent way for creating heat-free curls and can be done on a variety of hair types. Pin curls create defined curls or waves by rolling sections of hair and securing them with bobby pins. The heat from styling (if you use it) or the time you leave the curls in helps set the shape, giving your hair a different texture than its natural straight form.
What's the easiest way to get beach waves?
The easiest way to create beach waves is the sea salt spray method, as this requires little time, products and effort.
Why won't my hair hold beach waves?
There are several reasons why your hair might not be holding beach waves, even after styling. A case in point? If you have fine, straight hair, it may be harder for waves to hold because your strands don’t have much texture or natural grip. To avoid this always use a texturizing spray or sea salt spray to add some texture before styling. What’s more, humidity, rain, or extremely dry air can cause waves to fall out or frizz up. With that in mind, we suggest using an anti-humidity spray or a light hairspray to boost hold and keep your waves intact throughout the day. Other reasons as to why your beach waves may not hold include: your hair being too clean, over-brushing and not using enough heat.
With so many methods at your fingertips, how to get beach waves has never been easier. Whether you opt for heat-free techniques or treasured tools, there is a method to fit every routine, leaving you with sun-kissed waves that last all day.
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
