How to create beach waves at home
Master the laidback surfer girl look in just a few simple steps
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The beach wave is hardly a groundbreaking hairstyle. In fact, it’s been around for years. A laidback style characterised by loose, natural-looking curls, which has been rocked by everyone from Beyonce, Sienna Miller, and Blake Lively, to Gigi Hadid and, most recently, Aimee Lou Wood in The White Lotus, it’s timeless, simple and effortlessly chic. No wonder the low-key tousled wave continues to be a must-try every summer.
Mimicking a day spent on a sun-soaked, salty shore, beachy waves bring a bohemian, free-spirited edge to your look and, according to celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Gustav Fouche, “Creating beachy waves at home is actually pretty simple.” From curlers and straighteners to heatless methods, like leave-in products and good old-fashioned braiding, we’ve got the experts’ guide on how to achieve the holiday hair look at home (no dip in the ocean or salon required).
Gennaro Dell Aquilla, founder of GA Salons, says: “Effortless beachy waves are all about the right preparation, a light touch, and letting your hair’s natural movement shine. Always start with clean, well-conditioned hair – I like a lightweight, nourishing product so it stays soft but not weighed down.” Fouche adds: “The key is to start with hair that’s about 80 per cent damp. Depending on how tight or loose you want your waves, there are a couple of techniques you can use.”
Overnight braiding
A simple starting point for achieving beach waves is by plaiting your hair into three-strand braids (pigtails) and leaving them in overnight. Come morning, undo and let your natural-looking waves roll out. Aquilla explains this easy method in more detail: “After washing and towel-drying hair until just damp, add a light leave-in or texture spray, braid into two or more loose plaits, and sleep on it. In the morning, simply undo, shake out with your fingers, and finish with a touch of salt spray for extra ‘sea breeze’ texture.”
Fouche advises: “The tighter you make the braids or the smaller you weave each section, the more defined the curls will be. If you want a softer, more natural wave, try using a rope braid instead. For this, twist two sections of hair in opposite directions and then rope them together. This creates a more relaxed texture.”
Once the braids are undone, it’s best to apply a hairspray, light-hold wax or leave-in conditioner to hold the loose locks in place. Fouche prefers using a small amount of conditioner, and suggests rubbing it between your hands and scrunching it into the hair: “This gives the waves a nice, textured finish. If you like, you can also spritz some sea salt spray for added beachy texture.”
Heatless products
Another low-maintenance but highly effective method for creating beach waves is incorporating a sea salt spray into your styling. Instantly adding texture for that just-out-of-the-sea feel, simply spray generously into your locks immediately after washing.
Aquilla explains: “It gives you that grip and texture you get after a swim in the sea… Spritz onto damp hair from mid-lengths to ends, scrunch with your hands, and either let it air dry for that soft, windswept look or use a diffuser for more definition.” A simple technique that delivers impactful results every time this works especially well for those who already have a natural wave or curl to their hair.
Another heat-free option Fouche recommends is a hair roller – the traditional, old-school kind that you simply wrap your hair around and leave to set in place, no heat required. He adds: “For longer hair, you can achieve the same effect with a rope braid, which will give you those soft, beachy waves without any heat styling.”
Heated devices
If you’re short on time, without a night’s sleep available to let the curls develop over a few hours, but still want to achieve luscious beach waves, using a heated device is another good option. This is also particularly good for those with naturally straight hair as the curls should hold for longer. The key here is to ensure you use a heat protector first to prepare your tresses for the higher temperatures and minimise damage.
If choosing a heated wand or electric curlers, wrap sections of your hair around the tongs, hold and let the curls unravel. For bigger, bouncier curls, wrap the strands of hair more tightly around the wand. For a non-uniform, more natural-looking just-got-back-from-the-sea look, Aquilla recommends you “alternate curl directions and leave the last two-three centimetres straight so the look feels modern and relaxed.” Repeat across your entire head then run your fingers through to loosen the curls and spritz with hairspray to set them in place.
Hair straighteners, despite their name, can also be used to create beach waves at home. Simply clamp strands of hair between the tongs and curl away from your face, pulling the straighteners down to the ends of your hair. Mist with a spray for a longer-lasting hold.
Read more: What to pack for a coastal getaway
