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Easy. Effortless. Care-free. Those are just some of the words used to describe perfectly beachy waves. But yet replicating that “I just walked out of the ocean” texture at home can feel anything but simple.
And while it will take a little bit of practice, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to recreate the summery look like a total pro. And with wedding, pool party, and barbecue season quickly approaching, this is a look you’ll definitely want in your arsenal. Afterall, nothing complements laid-back, warm-weather staples—think flowy dresses, floaty tops and, of course, bikinis—quite like wavy curls.
To help you out, we asked celebrity hairdresser David Cruz (he’s worked with Coco Rocha, Chrissy Teigen, and Zooey Deschanel) to break down exactly how to achieve your best beachy waves.
Before you begin, you’ll want to consider your hair type—this will determine what you need to do to prep your hair. “For example, if your hair is highly textured, your best bet is to straighten your hair first and then create the waves,” says Cruz. “If you already have a medium wave, you might be better off using a diffuser to bring out your natural texture.” Have hair without lots of natural volume? “Apply a mousse or volumizer and blow dry before you wave it,” Cruz advises. From there, Cruz has a number of ways to get the beach waves you want. Try a few different methods to see which one is best suited to your skill level and hair.
One of the simplest ways to get beach waves (especially if you already have waves) is to use a diffuser, says Cruz. Start by adding a bit of mousse to your hair. Then use a blow dryer with a diffuser as you scrunch strands up towards your scalp, and tousle your hair around with your fingers.
“The great thing about a flat iron is that you can create as large or as small waves as you’d like,” says Cruz. Start pulling 2-inch sections of hair straight out, then gently running the flat iron from root to tip, turning the iron up towards your crown and then down towards your shoulder as you go.
The ultimate dream: Doing your hair before bed and waking up with perfect waves. Before hitting the sack, spritz a lightweight sea salt spray all over damp hair. Part it down the middle and twist the hair away from your face into two “Mickey Mouse” buns (also called space buns) at the top of your head and secure with a soft scrunchie to avoid denting the hair as it dries. “The next morning you should have really gorgeous waves,” says Cruz. Already have wavy hair? These overnight buns can help create smoother, beachier curls.
One of the most common ways to wave hair is with a curling iron. To do this, divide hair into 2-inch sections. Then, wrap each section around the barrel of a curling iron (we love the ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand) two or three times. Be sure to wrap the pieces in front away from your face, then alternate the direction you wrap the rest of your hair to create a little volume. You also want the end of your hair to stick out a bit, so it doesn’t get curled. That’ll create a very natural looking feel, with no specific pattern. “Do what you think looks pretty as you work along,” Cruz suggests.
Similar to space buns, rocking braids while you sleep is an easy way to create waves while you snooze. Apply styling cream to dry or damp hair, part your hair where you normally do and create two large Dutch braids on either side of your head. The next morning, take the braids out, brush through with your fingers and finish with a texturizing spray. Touch up any stray waves or random curls with a curling iron. This method can be particularly good for fine hair that doesn’t hold a curl, as the longer setting process can make waves last.
Want to get a little crafty? Try this little project from Cruz: Take paper towels and tear them into two-inch strips. Mist your hair with water and divide hair into 2” sections. Take the paper towel piece and start at the ends of your hair, rolling the hair around the paper and up towards your scalp. Knot the ends of the paper towel together so that they stay secure against your head. Wear overnight and the next morning, pull the pieces out and lightly spray with hairspray.
Once you master beachy waves, the next trick is learning to make them last. “The great thing about this look is that the more time passes, the more lived in it gets and the better your hair looks,” says Cruz.
To maintain waves over the course of a few days, try sleeping with your hair pulled up in buns or in braids. “It’s a great way to keep the look fresh,” he says. Then, you can add a little dry shampoo each morning to deal with any oil and add texture.
And remember, you’re not going for perfection! The entire point of beachy waves is that it’s a slightly undone, effortless look.
Must-Have Products for Beachy Waves
ColorProof
$31 for 7.5 oz
Dyson
$430
Dyson
$40
T3
$170
Bumble and Bumble
$29 for 4.2 oz
ghd
$199
dae
$26
Virtue
$39 for 5 oz
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