Let Me Show You How to Get the Perfect Beach Waves... Without Going to the Beach
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Don't shoot me, but I really hate going to the beach.
Sure, spontaneous dalliances on the sand might be fun for some, but if you have my complexion (i.e. you're a fair ranga), a trip to the beach involves a lot of admin.
I need guaranteed shade. Shade that's not on the sand because I don't want to find it in my bodily crevices three weeks later. Do I have enough water to last me for at least an hour? Have I packed face and body sunscreen? There's lots to think about.
Aside from a two-second dip in the ocean, the only other thing I actually like about going to the beach is the way it makes my hair look. See?!
As hard as I've tried (and I'VE TRIED), I've never been able to fully recreate the perfectly tousled, frizz-free beach waves swimming in salt water gives me. Air drying my hair with sea salt spray? Tried it, super frizzy. A straightener and dry texture spray? Nup, flat and gritty. Nothing was quite right, until now.
After watching precisely 1,267 'beach waves tutorials' on YouTube and Instagram, I decided to smoosh together several techniques to come up with what I reckon is the easiest way to achieve iconic Aussie beach hair at home in under 10 minutes.
So, keep scrolling for my step-by-step tutorial on how to get carefree beachy waves, minus sand in your bits. (You can watch it all in the video below!)
How to Get Beach Waves.
Step 1: Give your hair a quick brush to remove any knots.
Step 2: Apply a heat protectant spray to protect your hair against damage from using a heat styling tool. I used the Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray 175ml in my video tutorial because it protects up to 230 degrees and against UV rays, and adds frizz-free moisture.
Step 3: Spray a decent amount of sea salt spray through the lengths of your hair. Here are my favourites:
- O&M Surf Bomb Sea Salt Spray - Smells like you're on a tropical holiday!
- ELEVEN Australia Sea Salt Texture Spray - 200ml - Adds texture and volume, can be used on wet or dry hair.
- Mr. Smith Sea Salt Spray 150ml - Aussie made with a matte, gritty finish.
- Balmain Paris Texturizing Salt Spray 200ml - A luxe option with a signature Balmain spicy fresh floral scent.
Step 4: Tie your hair into a high ponytail, as high as you can get it!
Step 5: Using a curling wand, grab a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the wand. Leave an inch of hair out at the end and hold for around 10 seconds (always wear a heat protection glove).
I used the new Cloud Nine The Texture Wand to get a realistic beach look in my video tutorial because the 35mm tapered ceramic iron creates natural curls that drop into textured waves. Use a wider curling wand or your straightener for larger, softer curls.
Step 6: Repeat this process for each section of hair until the whole ponytail is curled. This will take no longer than five to 10 minutes, even on long, thick hair.
Step 7: Take out the ponytail and break up the waves by combing through the hair with your fingers. You can re-curl the front pieces to better frame your face and add dry shampoo to soak up greasy roots before a final spritz of sea salt spray. Tip your head upside down, scrunch the hair and flip it back.
Voila! Did you just get back from the beach? But you don't look sandy or sweaty or like you have heatstroke?
These curls will hold nicely, and they actually look beachier as they move and drop throughout the day.
And the best bit is, this style is the perfect way to stretch one more day out of greasy hair, without getting a sandy bum crack. Win!
Want more great haircare recommendations? Check out these stories from the Adore Beauty team below!
