Whether you’re a beach bum or shade seeker, it’s easy to get an ocean-kissed beach wave hairstyle year-round—even if you don’t live anywhere near a coastline. Picking the right styling technique for your hair type and investing in salon-quality products can help give your mane that enviable tousled texture, no swimming required.
We tapped Jeremy Taylor, a L'Oréal Professionnel artist based in sunny Orange County, to advise us on how to get beach waves. “Living in southern California, perfecting the beach wave style is a must,” he emphasizes. Ahead, Taylor gave us a few pointers on upping your beach wave hair game using some of his favorite methods. We’ve also rounded up 15 beach wave looks to help take your style to the next level. Keep scrolling for the scoop.
What Are Beach Waves?
Beach waves are a hairstyle reminiscent of the gritty, tousled texture that your hair may have after exposure to wind or saltwater. They’re loose, relaxed, and slightly disheveled.
Taylor explains that, unlike most styles, beach wave hair looks better as the hours go by—so the messier, the better. He says you can also add to the summery effect by heading to the salon and asking your colorist for lived-in hair color (undone blonde or beach bum brunette, anyone?) or sunkissed babylights. These coloring methods can make it seem like you’ve spent time out in the sun rather than in your hairdresser’s chair.
How To Make Beach Waves: 5 Methods We Love
There are so many ways to achieve beach waves, but the best approach for you ultimately depends on your hair type and personal preference. If you’re unsure where to start, we’re breaking down five of our go-to techniques below.
Scrunching
Scrunching is an easy way to get beach-wave hair if your strands already have a bit of a natural bend to them. First, you’ll want to prep your mane with a wave-enhancing system like Matrix A Curl Can Dream Weightless Moisture Shampoo and A Curl Can Dream Weightless Moisture Conditioner to ensure you get the most out of your texture. This duo, which is specifically designed for wavy hair types 2A-2C, helps provide lightweight moisture for enhanced pattern definition.
After washing your hair, spritz Matrix’s A Curl Can Dream Scrunch N' Go Defining Spray from the mid-lengths to ends of damp, towel-dried hair. Then, take a section of hair in your hand and gently scrunch it up toward your scalp to help coax out your waves. Repeat this throughout your head, then let your hair air dry or hit it with a diffuser (the spray also boasts heat-protection abilities).
Curling iron
Curling irons give you lots of control over the shape and size of your beach waves, making them a popular option for getting the look. While there are different techniques you can try, Taylor has a preferred method. “I like to alternate waving the hair forward and backward while maintaining the iron in a vertical position throughout the process,” he explains. “I always leave about an inch to an inch-and-a-half off the end of the hair out so that I have a wave, not a curl.”
Flat iron
If you want to get beach waves on short hair, a flat iron may be your best bet. Its plates will work better with your length than a curling wand barrel. You’ll be able to grab your hair at the roots (without slipping) to create small waves or bends.
First, apply a heat protectant, like Redken’s Low Hold Thermal Spray, to hair before styling. Then, grab your straightener, point it toward your roots, and clamp down on a one-inch section. Next, wrap your hair around your flat iron and twist the tool backward, so it's at a vertical angle. Then, drag the iron down through your hair and release it to form the first wave. Once you’ve styled all of your hair, gently break up your waves with your fingertips.
Braids
It doesn’t get much easier than weaving some classic braids and waking up to the beach waves of your dreams. Three-strand braids are best for those with straight to wavy hair since they can help give hair added texture and dimension as it dries.
First, dampen your locks with a leave-in like Biolage Professional’s All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray to help add moisture and keep frizz at bay (the latter is key if you plan on sleeping in your braids). Then, divide your hair into several sections and use one to make a braid. Repeat this with each section. Keep in mind, bigger braided sections yield wider waves, while tighter, smaller sections produce a more crimped look. Leave your braids in your hair until they feel dry to the touch, then remove and tousle with your fingers. A few spritzes of Redken Beach Spray can help intensify the beachy texture without adding any crunch.
Braid-outs
Those with textured hair can try a braid-out to achieve undone beach waves. This method helps stretch out curls and coils while they’re still damp for long-lasting, wavy definition. We recommend applying Mizani’s True Textures Curl Define Pudding to strands beforehand to help define and elongate extra curly to extremely tight texture types. Once your strands are prepped, head over to our article, How To Do a Braid-Out Hairstyle in 5 Steps, for a complete tutorial on this natural hairstyle.
Tip: Some curl patterns may respond better to braid-outs than others. If they don’t seem to work well for your hair, a heated technique may be the way to go.
15 Beach Wave Hair Ideas To Try Now
Now that you know how to do beach waves, you can make the style your own. Consider one of these ‘dos the next time you want to step out looking like a beach babe.
Good hair day by @cynthiaglam
Messy Half-Up Beach Wave Ponytail
A classic half-up hairstyle is a great way to show off your beachy length while keeping your hair from falling in your face. Just gather your strands into a half ponytail at the crown of your head (leave some face-framing tendrils out) before gently loosening the pony to create a more lived-in look. Work a leave-in treatment like Biolage Professional All-In-One Multi-Benefit Oil throughout your ends to fend off frizz and enhance shine.
Good hair day by @beauty_by_amandaa
Beach Wave Perm
The beach wave perm is just one of the many types of perms available in the salon these days. The service entails using larger rods to create long-lasting bends in your hair (for up to six months) and is ideal for those with long, thick, or pin-straight strands looking for texture and volume. Just keep in mind that perms can be potentially damaging, so pros often advise against them if you also bleach or color your hair.
Good hair day by @lovelorenaa
Half-Up Heart Bun
Heart-shaped accents aren’t just reserved for Valentine’s Day: They’re a playful way to add visual interest to your hairstyle any time of year. To create the heart, pull half of your hair into a bun, then tuck a bobby pin into the top of your bun and down into its base. Gently fan out the sides and bottom of your bun to create a soft V-shape.
Short and Shaggy Beach Waves
Mullets are making a major comeback, and we’re not mad about it. The modern version of this high-low haircut is softer and shaggier than past variants, making it an excellent option for showing off your beachy texture—natural or otherwise.
Good hair day by @glamjessxo
Claw Clipped Beach Waves
Nothing screams laid-back quite like a beach wave-claw clip combination. This versatile hair accessory makes it easy to keep your beach waves out of your face while on the go. All claw clips aren’t created equal, however, so be sure to get the right size based on how long and thick your hair is.
Good hair day by @tiptopknot
Side-Parted Beach Waves
If beach wave hair is your go-to look, changing how you part your hair can transform your usual style in seconds. Switching your part (like going from a middle to a side part) can help create instant body at the top of your head since it forces your roots to lay in a new direction. Use a volumizing hairspray, like Pureology’s Style + Protect Instant Levitation Mist, to help enhance the effect.
Good hair day by @l.c_hair
French Bob With Beach Waves
Demure, confident, and bold are three words we’d use to describe the French girl bob. The chin-grazing cut is typically on the blunter side with a full fringe, but the addition of tousled beach waves can help give the style some softness.
Good hair day by @noa_teomi
Barely-There Tousled Beach Waves
Those with fine, straight hair can still coax some beachy texture out of their strands. The key is to mist hair generously with a sea salt spray before lightly scrunching hair upward. If your locks get a bit frizzy, like pictured above, that’s totally fine—it actually adds to the windswept vibe.
Good hair day by @weddinghairbydebbie
Half-Braid Beach Wave Ponytail
One of the (many) pros of beach waves is that they’re the perfect canvas to create updos—the texture gives your hair some grip, so your updos will hold up better. This half-braided pony is a particularly great style to try. It combines the laid-back feel of undone braids with the elegance of a wavy ponytail.
Good hair day by @hairby_risa
Scarf-Wrapped Beach Wave Ponytail
Here’s a quick fix for second or third-day beach wave hair: Wrap a vibrant, patterned scarf around the base of your ponytail for a touch of bohemian flair. Bonus points if the fabric is made of silk, which is known to be gentle on your strands. If greasy roots attempt to steal the show, give them a few bursts of Redken’s Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to help eliminate excess oil and refresh your hair.
Good hair day by @sorayahstyles
Beach Wave Pixie Cut
Pixie cuts aren’t for the faint of heart, but they can make a bold, impactful statement if you have the confidence to go short. Have your stylist add lots of choppy layers to the top and sides of your head to help create a tousled and beachy finish.
Good hair day by @baileyroseking
Long Beach Waves With Side Braid Accent
A side braid is a great way to add visual interest to a simple beach wave style. Plus, it can be a convenient styling solution. Use a quick braid to help control your hair if you’re in the process of growing out your bangs or transitioning out of shorter, face-framing layers.
Good hair day by @annette_updo_artist
Bubble Braided Beach Waves
For hair that looks full of dimension, throw your strands into a messy, side-swept bubble braid. This Y2K-inspired style involves dividing hair into small sections and gently fanning them out to create the appearance of “bubbles.” You can execute the style in minutes if you have a few elastics on hand. Learn more about the trending look in our guide, How To Bubble Braid Your Hair in 5 Easy Steps.
Good hair day by @gregoryrussellhair
Beach Waves With Wispy Bangs
We love how straighter, wispy bangs create an alluring contrast against tousled beach waves. Clip your length back, then use a round brush and blow dryer to style your fringe straight (be sure to apply heat protectant first). Run a fine-toothed comb through your bangs once cool, and finish with a few spritzes of Matrix’s High Amplify Proforma Texturizing Spray to help lock in your style and add shine.
Good hair day by @dontemitchellhair
Wet Look Beach Waves
You’ll really look fresh out of the ocean if you opt for wet-look beach waves. Reach for a shine-enhancing hair gel to recreate that glistening, mermaid-inspired finish, or saturate your hair with a nourishing hair mask to give your mane extra TLC.
Next Up: Curly Hair vs. Wavy Hair: What’s the Difference?
Header photo credits (middle to right): @tiptopknot and @lovelorenaa
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