Attractive Beach Wear Hairstyles And How To Style Them
The beach offers a multitude of pleasuresthe warmth of the sun on your face, the invigorating scent of sea salt, and the calming background noise of waves crashing. Beyond these sensory delights, there are also beauty perks to a day at the beach, as it bathes your skin in vitamin D and leaves you with that coveted beach waves hairstyle: relaxed, textured, and effortlessly chic. Unfortunately, not everyone can spend every morning basking on the shore for the sake of perfect waves. However, the good news is that you can recreate those stunning beach waves in the comfort of your home. It may require a bit more product than your usual routine and, in some cases, a combination of different products. Continue reading to glean insights from our experts on the appropriate tools, products, and techniques needed to achieve that coveted beach-inspired hairstyle at home.
Defining Beach Waves
Authentic beach hair differs from the popular images often associated with the hashtag. It's more about the delightful surprise you experience after emerging from saltwater, running your fingers through your hair, with traces of leftover suntan lotion. If your hair possesses any natural waves, you'll likely discover that it looks exceptionally good with less deliberate styling for a change. The combination of sun heat and salty beach air mimics the effects of a natural blowout, offering a style that stands in stark contrast to the sleek, straight, liquid hair trend that has gained popularity. You can use it in different settings, including matching it with business professional workwear.
Subtle, Effortless Beach Waves
Achieve a natural, just-off-the-ocean appearance with these barely-there, lived-in beach waves. Here's what you'll need:
- Volumizing hair spray
- Waving wand
Instructions:
Begin by generously misting damp hair with a thickening volume spray such as Cucinello Beauty Arouse Thickening Volume Spray ($48, cucinellobeauty.com) or Oribe Volumista Mist for Volume ($44, amazon.com).
Flip your head over and use a blow dryer to dry hair approximately 80 percent, then flip your head back over and section off a U-shape from the points of recession to the crown, clipping away the rest.
With a large waving wand, take random 1-inch sections and wrap them around the wand in a stretched-out coil. Alternate directions forward and back as you work your way around the head.
Drop the top section down, create a short center part (about 2 inches), and continue using the waving wand on approximately six 1-inch sections, leaving the ends out for a more natural look. Let the top of the section fall straight back to enhance the beachy volume.
Finish with a light mist of thickening volume spray all over and gently scrunch the hair to break up the waves. Head to the game day in style.
Flat-Iron Beach Waves Using a Bending Technique
This method produces a subtle wave, perfect for achieving a slight bend in your hair. Gather the following:
- Flat-iron hair straightener
- Dry texturizer
Instructions:
Begin with dry hair and section it off, working with 1-inch sections at a time.
Starting at the root, use a flat iron to bend the hair first in one direction, then the other. Rotate your wrist under and up as you move down the hair shaft until you reach the ends.
Conclude the process by shaking out the waves with your fingers and applying a dry texturizer, such as Unite Hair Texturiza Spray ($35, amazon.com).
Creating Beach Waves on Curly or Textured Hair
Achieving natural-looking, beachy waves on curly or textured hair involves incorporating various texturescombining curls, waves, and strategically placed braided sections. Experiment with a mix of techniques that complement your natural hair pattern. Here's what you require:
- Curl sculpting cream
- Waving wand
- Curling iron
- Deep waver
Instructions:
Begin with dry hair and apply a quarter-sized amount of curl sculpting cream evenly throughout, such as Cucinello Beauty Money $hot Curl & Style Manipulator ($34, cucinellobeauty.com) or R+Co Turntable Curl Defining Crme ($34, randco.com).
Utilize a waving wand, curling iron, and deep waver to work with chunks of hair. Alternate between tools and placementsposition some waves higher and introduce curls only at the midshaft.
Incorporate a few smaller braids around the hairline to replicate the tighter wave patterns typically found around the nape of the neck, temples, and sideburns.
Give your hair a light mist of dry spray at the roots, then undo the braids.
Finish the look by scrunching a dime-sized amount of the same curl sculpting cream into the hair to blend textures seamlessly. Rock it with some designer sunglasses.
Beach Waves Using the Twirling Technique
Achieve natural-looking beach waves without a curling iron or hair dryer. Here's what you need:
- Dry texturizing spray
- Small hairclips
- Misting spray bottle (for water)
- Diffuser and hair dryer (optional)
- Styling hairspray (optional)
Instructions:
Start with day-old, dry hair, and spray the roots with a dry texturizing spray.
Beginning at your part and rotating around, lightly mist the hair with water to slightly dampen it without soaking. Take 1-inch chunks and twist them until they resemble loose ropes.
Use small clips to secure the ends of each twist to its own base until the next section is revealed. Continue misting each new section with water and repeating the twists using both larger and smaller sections.
Once all sections are done, spray your entire head generously with dry spray and allow the hair to set until each section feels dry to the touch.
Optionally, speed up the process with a diffuser and hairdryer set to low speed and high heat.
Remove all clips, dropping sections from the nape of the neck moving up to the part.
Flip your head over and shake out the twists by massaging your scalp with your fingertips and running your hands through the hair, stopping mid-shaft.
Finish by flipping your hair back over and lightly misting it with a workable hairspray like DesignME Hold.Me Three Way Hair Spray ($19, amazon.com) or Sachajuan Moulding Spray ($30, amazon.com).
Conclusion
Achieving those coveted effortless beach waves doesn't have to be reserved for days spent seaside. With the right tools, products, and techniques, you can recreate this laid-back, sun-kissed look right at home. Whether you opt for the barely-there, lived-in waves, experiment with flat-iron beach waves using a bending technique, or embrace the natural beauty of beach waves on curly or textured hair, the key lies in embracing the natural movement and texture of your hair.