Are you dreaming of tousled, beachy waves that look like you just came back from a sun-soaked vacation?
From balayage and ombre highlights, to tousled locks and curls – beachy waves are perfect for adding texture, volume and definition to any hairstyle.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive hair products and trips to the salon – achieving the perfect beachy waves is easy and can be done at home without breaking the bank!
Whether you’re on vacation or simply looking for an easy everyday style that will help turn heads wherever you go; here’s how to get beachy waves at home today using things you already have at home!
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Table of Contents
- How do you get beachy waves?
- How to get beachy waves – 5 easy methods
- Method#1: Plait or braid your hair and sleep on it
- Method #2.Use a head band.
- Method #3. Use socks!
- Method #4 Using hair straighteners or flat irons.
- Method #5 Using hair wavers.
- TOP PICK!
- Toni & Guy Deep Barrel Hair Waver.
- Beach waves FAQs
- What are the different types of beach waves?
- Are beach waves bad for colored hair?
- Will beachy waves suit me?
- How do I look after my hair waves?
- Parting words.
How do you get beachy waves?
Styling your hair into those loose boho-chic body waves we’re after can be done in a few easy ways.
There are five methods you can use to get those beachy goddess vibes:
- Plait or braid your hair and sleep on it.
- Use a head band.
- Use socks!
- Using hair straighteners or flat irons.
- Using a heated deep hair waver.
Let’s find out more about what they are all about, how to do each one and the pros and cons of them all!
How to get beachy waves – 5 easy methods
Who doesn’t love the effortless, sun-kissed look of beach waves?
The tousled waves create a relaxed and casual vibe that can be worn on any occasion. It can be tricky to achieve that perfect beach wave without spending too much time styling and using too many hair products.
But here we share five easy and quick methods to style beach waves that you can try at home.
Whether you have long hair or short hair, straight or curly, these tips will help you achieve the perfect beach wave that you’ve always wanted. Let’s dive in!
Method#1: Plait or braid your hair and sleep on it
Best for: All hair types
The most common way you’ll know to get the look is by braiding your hair and sleeping on it.
For this, we recommend spritzing your slightly damp hair with some texturizing sea salt spray. This will give it texture and volume for natural, tousled waves.
What to do:
To create the ‘plait and sleep’ waves, simply divide your hair into three parts and plait each section. Secure the ends and go to bed.
Voila! You’ll wake up with effortless and defined waves. The longer the plaits are left in, the better defined the waves will be!
Pros
Plait or braid your hair and sleep on it.
- Cheap. You probably have everything you need at home already. You can do it TONIGHT! If the feeling takes you.
Cons
Plait or braid your hair and sleep on it.
- Sleeping with plaited, slightly damp hair is not for everyone.
Method #2.Use a head band.
Best for: Fine hair
For those who want a little more control over their beach waves, a headband is a great way to go.
This is another overnight trick using a headband to create a more defined, curlier look.
What to do:
Apply some nourishing hair serum then just loop slightly damp hair around a headband placed horizontally like a crown on your head!
Leave your hair wound around the headband overnight, leave your hair to air dry, then simply take the headband off in the morning and free your curls.
Pros
Using a head band.
- Uses no heat!
Cons
Using a head band.
- Won’t work well on thick hair
Method #3. Use socks!
Best for: Finer hair and looser waves.
Yes, you read that right! This crazy sounding trend for waving hair using a pair of socks went viral with ‘How to’ films popping up all over Tik Tok.
We’re yet to try it as it looks fiddly to do and also…socks in your hair right?! The Coloured Hair Care jury is out on that.
What to do:
Take a pair of clean socks and roll them into doughnut shapes.
Section your hair, and wrap each section around the socks.
Tie the ends, sleep on it and unravel the socks in the morning. The curls will come out loose and natural-looking waves.
Pros
Using socks
- It does work!
Cons
Using socks
- You have less control over the waves – you’ll only know the result after hours of having your hair tied up.
Method #4 Using hair straighteners or flat irons.
Best for: Creating a variety of wavy hair looks.
Ah, our friends the flat irons!
We have long known that the best straighteners are not just for straightening hair and this new trend is where they prove their multiple talents.
The easiest way to get perfect beachy waves at home starts with heat tools like a curling wand or an even better option–a flat iron!
What to do:
You can create unstructured, high-volume, tousled waves by wrapping dry hair around the barrel of your straighteners and twisting it back and forth to create the waves.
Twist the iron, pull it down the hair, release, and repeat the process till the ends. Remember to gently loosen the curls with your fingers for natural-looking beachy waves.
Or you can go for more flowing waves that cascade down the lengths of your hair for a more chilled and relaxed vibe.
After styling, you can brush out the waves using a quality, natural bristle paddle brush and finish with a good shine spray.
Pros
Using straighteners
- Quick to do, gives a professional wavy finish.
- You have control over the waves you create as you do them.
- It’s versatile, you can create many wavy looks.
- It lasts, the heat helps to set the hair wave style for longer.
Cons
Using straighteners
- Using straighteners can help to fade your hair color.
- It can be tricky to master the hair waving techniques.
- So you might not end up with the waves you want!
Method #5 Using hair wavers.
Best for: Thick hair and effortless waves that last.
Hair wavers are the latest hair styling tool to hit our beauty making collection.
They ain’t pretty, but these innovative stylers use multiple barrels to mould your hair into gorgeous flowing waves. Different wavers have various barrel shapes to create either tight, loose, or S-shaped waves.
Using a hair waver is easy because making waves in our hair is what they were made to do. The beauty of the hair wavers is that they do all the hard work for you.
What to do:
You use them a lot like straighteners where you work on sections of your hair one by one, from root to tip.
But with the wavers, you have to clamp them down on your hair for 20 seconds or so at intervals to create the beachy waves all the way down the length of your hair.
Watch out! These get very hot, but you can adjust the temperature if your hair is finer to protect your colour. Thicker hair will need the heat.
The best thing about using hair wavers is that your hair waves style will stay in for longer. You can wave your hair for a night out and it’ll still be there the next night too. Perfect.
Pros
Using a hair waver
- It’s cheaper than a straightening iron.
- The waves last.
- It’s quick and easy to do.
- It has adjustable setting for styles and temperatures.
Cons
Using a hair waver
- It gets very hot!
- Be careful, or you’ll damage your hair.
TOP PICK!
Toni & Guy Deep Barrel Hair Waver.
Best for: Thick hair and effortless waves that last.
Using the Toni&Guy waver is easy. The beauty of these is that they do all the hard work for you.
You can adjust the temperature if your hair is finer to protect your colour. Thicker hair will need the heat. Best of all, because the waves created are really deep, they last. With a generous spritz of hairspray, they held fast for a few days. These are the best for us.
Pros
- Easy to use – no effort required.
- Creates natural-looking waves.
- Heats up quickly, convenient for rushed mornings.
- Adjustable temperature for different hair types.
- Deep and long-lasting waves.
- Efficient process – clamping for 20 seconds.
- Works with bigger hair sections.
- Results can last for a few days with hairspray.
Cons
- Learning curve – may take a couple of tries to master.
- Limited temperature adjustment.
Check out the Best hair wavers for beachy waves at home.
Beach waves FAQs
What are the different types of beach waves?
Beach waves are the perfect blend of cool and relaxed texture that can be worn in loose waves or more defined.
It’s different from curly hair in that the waves run down the length of your hair to create an outrageously sexy style.
Whether you choose long body waves or a more structured look, the hair wave style is completely versatile for any hair type length, thickness, texture or color of your hair.
Check out the latest wavy hair looks for ideas and inspiration.
Are beach waves bad for colored hair?
Waving your hair risks fading your color because you typically need to use heated styling tools like curling wands, straighteners or hair wavers to achieve the look.
Heat damages the color pigments in your hair and can make them fade faster.
Always, always use a heat protection spray before, during and after you style with heated tools.
Will beachy waves suit me?
The great news is that the soft tendrils of hair that create the look frame every face and compliment every kind of complexion, so there is sure to be a style you can pull off and make your own.
Loose waves are versatile and universally flattering.
They can look fabulous on any length of hair, short hair or long hair (with exception of the pixie cut!) and add natural texture and volume, no matter what condition your hair is in.
This is the perfect style for those days you’re running late, or just want to look effortlessly epic. It’s also a great option if your hair isn’t feeling its best and needs some extra TLC!
How do I look after my hair waves?
Body waves should last from 1-2 days. And more if you’re lucky.
When you’ve finished styling, make sure you set the style with a strong, conditioning hairspray.
And always remember to follow our guidance on How to look after coloured hair and keep it luscious for longer.
Parting words.
So – while wavy hair may seem like a difficult, time-consuming task to do on your own at home, it’s actually pretty simple and easy to do with a bit of practice.
If you’re looking for something new this summer that doesn’t have too much work involved or if you want to shake up your look without having to spend hours in front of the mirror, give the style a go!
