Let’s face it—beach waves are one of those iconic hair looks that never goes out of style. Whether you’re heading to the beach, a casual brunch, or a night out, the relaxed, tousled waves add that perfect amount of texture and volume to your hair. While heat tools might seem like the easiest way to achieve them, I’ve discovered a few tricks that let me skip the excess heat and still get those gorgeous waves with shine and bounce.
So, let’s dive into the ultimate guide for creating beachy waves that are low-maintenance yet chic. Trust me, it’s easier than it sounds.
Step 1: Start with a Solid Foundation
The key to good beach waves starts before you even think about using a curling iron or flat iron. For me, it all starts with healthy, hydrated hair. I love giving my hair a break from heat as much as possible, and air-drying it has become my go-to when I want to keep my strands shiny and fresh. However, before I let my hair dry naturally, I always make sure to apply a good styling product to prep and tame frizz. A lightweight mousse or curl cream works wonders to enhance natural waves and prevent flyaways.
If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, try skipping the blow-dryer altogether and let your hair dry naturally for a few hours. If you can, allow your hair to dry to about 90-100% before touching it with any heat tool. Just a quick note—never, and I mean never, apply hot tools to wet hair! It’s a surefire way to cause serious damage to your strands.
Step 2: Massage and Scrunch
Once I’ve applied my styling product, I like to treat my hair to a little TLC. I’ll twist my hair into ringlets with my fingers (no need for perfection here—just a casual twist). After that, I gently scrunch my hair with a towel, focusing on the ends. This helps to lock in that natural texture without weighing the hair down.
One trick I swear by is giving your scalp some love. I always take a minute to gently massage my scalp as I scrunch, which not only feels amazing but also boosts circulation and encourages healthy hair growth. Treat your hair care routine as self-care, because it’s all about nourishing your strands from root to tip!
Step 3: Air Dry or Diffuse
At this point, it’s all about time. If you’ve got the luxury of it, let your hair air dry, and you’ll get soft, natural waves that look beachy and effortless. If you’re in a hurry (which, let’s be real, I often am), I’ll use a blow-dryer with a diffuser attachment on a medium setting. This speeds up the process while still keeping the texture intact. I find diffusing on low heat helps boost natural curls without creating too much frizz.
Step 4: Add Heat Protectant and Define the Waves
Once my hair is fully dry, I go in with another coat of heat protectant before grabbing my styling tools. I’ve found that heat protectant is a must—whether you’re using a flat iron, curling wand, or anything in between. It helps shield your strands from damage while ensuring your waves last longer.
Now comes the fun part: adding some definition. For beach waves, I like to focus the heat on the midsection of my hair rather than the ends. The trick to beach waves is leaving the tips of your hair untouched. This helps avoid that overly curled, “banana curl” look. Simply run your flat iron or curling wand through the middle of each section of hair, leaving the ends free and loose. It’s all about that undone, lived-in vibe!
Step 5: Let the Waves Set and Finish with a Texturizing Spray
Once I’ve waved all of my hair, I let it sit for a few minutes before brushing or finger-combing through the waves. This allows the curls to cool and set, making them hold their shape longer. Then, I like to give my hair a good spritz of texturizing spray or sea salt spray to add a little extra body and texture. This step gives that sun-kissed, beachy volume and a touch of grit—just the right balance of tousled and chic.
I always finish up by lightly brushing through the waves with my fingers, not a comb or brush, to maintain that relaxed, natural look. The less you fuss with it, the better it looks.
Step 6: Lock It In with Shine
After all the work I put into creating the perfect beach waves, I always want to make sure they stay looking fresh. That’s where shine spray or hair oils like Moroccan oil come in. These are perfect for sealing any loose pieces that might have missed the heat styling. Plus, they add a beautiful, healthy shine that helps your waves look glossy and smooth rather than dull.
I love applying a light mist of shine spray all over my hair, but especially to the ends. It keeps the waves looking soft and polished while adding just enough hydration to keep my hair from looking frizzy or dry.
A Final Tip: Keep It Simple
The best part about creating beach waves is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. The more imperfect and lived-in your hair looks, the better the waves are. It’s all about embracing the natural texture of your hair and enhancing it with the right products. No need for precision or too much fussing—just go with the flow (literally).
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! That’s my secret to effortless beach waves that look fresh, chic, and most importantly, natural. Whether you let your hair air dry, use a diffuser, or pull out the curling iron, the goal is always to create soft, flowing waves that have that breezy, just-walked-off-the-beach vibe.
Do you have your own beach wave technique or favorite product? I’d love to hear how you achieve the perfect wave in the comments! And as always, don’t forget to check out some of my favorite hair products below to give your waves that extra love they deserve.
