How to Get Beachy Hair When You're Nowhere Near a Beach
Getting beachy waves in your hair doesn't require a two week holiday somewhere exotic, although that would be lovely. It's easy to fake that surfer chic look at home. And yes, it is really easy to achieve if you have naturally wavy hair but even if your hair is super curly or dead straight you can still inject some beachy vibes into your strands.
How to Style Beachy Waves
Beachy Waves on Straight Hair
If your hair is straight (whether natural or treated) then the easiest way to get beach waves into your hair is to wash it before you go to bed, section towel-dried hair into pigtails and French plait them from just above the ear, securing with a hairband and leaving an inch of hair out at the ends. Sleep on a silk pillowcase (to limit frizz) and in the morning gently unravel your plaits, rake through with your fingers and shake your strands. Use a little texturising or wave spray to get that beachy texture.
Not great with plaits or your hair is already washed and dried? Tong your hair instead. Make sure to brush your hair and remove any tangles and mist with a heat protector. Next, pull your hair into a half-up topknot and starting at the front, take a section of the hair that's loose and wrap around your tong in a clockwise direction, leaving an inch out at the end (this helps it look really natural). For the section next to that wrap the hair anti-clockwise.
For each section alternate the direction you wrap the hair - this gives a more natural finished look. Also, you don't need to be too precise with the sections, if some are larger or smaller it will only help make it look more natural. Once the underneath section is complete, let the topknot out and continue the process this all over the head, leaving every section to cool.
For the sections right at the front of your head, be sure to wrap the hair away from the face. Once you've finished and your hair has cooled, rake your fingers gently through the curls to loosen them and mist with a texture spray.
Beachy Waves on Wavy or Curly Hair
Got naturally wavy or super curly hair? Simply douse your wet hair with leave-in conditioner, cream or hair oil and leave to air-dry. As it's drying, take sections of your hair and twist it around your fingers to eke out the wave or curl. If you have seriously curly or afro-textured hair, then check out this handy YouTube tutorial which shows you how to use bantu knots to create beachy waves.
The Best Products for Beachy Waves
Frizz-Fighting Shampoo
Beachy hair has texture, yes, but you don't want frizz. Eliminate it in the shower with this frizz-fighting, strand-nourishing shampoo.
Living Proof Frizz Shampoo, €26
Leave-In Conditioner
If your hair is naturally wavy, super curly or prone to frizz be sure to douse it in leave-in conditioner like this one from Ouai before you dry it.
Ouai Leave In Conditioner, €23
Root Lifting Spray
Got fine hair? Use a lifting spray like this one from Josh Rosebrook to give your hair oomph at the roots.
Wave Sprays
Infused with rice protein this spray helps your hair hold a wave without drying it out as some salt-based wave sprays can. This is ideal for fine to medium hair, expect a chic, shiny, wavy finish.
Using a clever combination of wheat protein and polymers this creates a wavy, piecey texture that holds. If your hair is slightly thicker look to this spray to help you create that coveted beachy texture with tons of shine and no salty stiffness.
Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray, €39
Up next, Kendall Jenner's hairstylist reveals the secret to thicker-looking hair.
