Mermaid Vibes Only: Your Beach Hair Guide for Waves That Wow

Low effort. High impact. Your shortcut to undone summer beach waves.

Salty air. Tousled waves. That “cool girl who lives by the ocean” energy. You want it. We get it. And yes — you can have it without crunchy curls, heat damage, or $40 texturizing sprays that leave your hair feeling like straw.

Let’s break down exactly how to get the best beachy waves or curls — using the right prep, styling techniques, and hair-friendly products that keep your strands soft, healthy, and hella cute.

We'll also share some beach hair inspo and a few tricks to keep your summer hair healthy.

Low Effort, High Impact Beach Waves

Achieving effortless beach waves doesn't have to be complicated. By following simple steps and using the right products, you can transform your hair into a summer masterpiece. Let's dive into the tools and techniques you'll need.

First Up, The Supplies You'll Want for Beach Waves

For Any Method You Choose Start With Hydrated Hair

Contrary to what most sea salt sprays claim, dried-out hair doesn’t equal beach hair — it equals breakage and frizz. To get soft, lived-in waves, you need moisture and hold.

What to Use:

• Leave-in conditioner: Look for ingredients like aloe, glycerin, or coconut water to lock in moisture.

  
  

• Curl-enhancing cream or light gel: Not for stiffness — for structure. These help waves form and last.

  
  

💡 Pro tip: Apply your products when your hair is soaking wet (like right after a shower). Then blot with a cotton t-shirt or jersey towel to reduce frizz.

What We Recommend:

Camille Rose Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment

Why: Camille Rose is known for clean formulations with plant-based ingredients.

Key ingredients: Coconut water, aloe vera, flaxseed oil, shea butter.

Free from: Sulfates, parabens, silicones, mineral oil.

Camille Rose Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

Key naturals: Argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, UV filters.

Why it's great: Hydrates and defines curls without frizz or crunch. UV protectants help prevent sun damage—perfect for beach days.

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

Next Up: Texturizing Spray Without Drying Out Your Hair

Traditional sea salt sprays can dehydrate your hair. Let’s use DIY treatments or moisturizing texture sprays that give you the texture you want without the damage.

What we Recommend:

DIY Beach Spray That Won’t Dry Your Hair Out:

In a clean empty spray bottle mix:

• 1 cup warm water

• 1 tsp epsom salt (gentler than sea salt)

• ½ tsp coconut or jojoba oil

• A few drops of aloe vera or leave-in conditioner

  
  

L’ange Sea Salt Texturizing Spray

Why we love it: L’ange’s best-selling sea salt spray is a go-to for effortless, beachy texture without leaving your hair feeling stiff, crunchy, or dry. It combines sea salt for enhancing beach waves with sea kelp extract and lightweight moisturizers.

Key ingredients that offset dryness: Sea kelp extract, epsom salt, and lightweight oils and humectants help smooth and seal the cuticle.

L’ange Sea Salt Texturizing Spray

Beach Waves For Straight or Fine Hair (For Super Straight Hair)

What You’ll Need:

• Heat protectant spray

• DIY texturizing spray or sea salt spray (like L’ange Sea Salt Spray)

• Curling iron or wand (¾” to 1” barrel works best for fine hair)

• Flexible hold hairspray or dry texturizing spray (optional)

  
  

✨ Step-by-Step Beach Wave Tutorial For Straight Hair:

Step 1: Prep with Protection

Start with clean, dry hair. Spray on a heat protectant to prevent damage and a light mist of **texturizing spray** to give your hair some grit and hold. Let it dry completely if it’s damp from the product.

Step 2: Curl Away From Your Face

Using your curling iron, wrap 1-inch sections away from your face, starting around the mid-shaft (not at the roots) and leaving the last 1–2 inches out for that beachy, undone look.

✨ Pro tip: Don’t brush your curls right away—let them cool in place for staying power.

Step 3: Cool, Then Break It Up

Once your whole head is curled and cooled, gently run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through your hair to break up the curls into relaxed waves.

Beach Waves for Wavy or Curly Hair: The Scrunch + Plop Method

What You’ll Need:

• Lightweight, hydrating conditioner

• Leave-in conditioner or curl cream

• Sea salt or texturizing spray

• Cotton t-shirt hair towel (like the OOF! HALO Towel)

• Diffuser or air-drying patience

• Finishing oil or gel (optional)

  
  

HALO T-Shirt Hair Towel

Buy Now

✨ Step-by-Step Scrunch + Plop Tutorial for Beach Waves for Naturally Wavy or Curly Hair

Step 1: Cleanse + Condition Gently

Wash hair using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash that won’t strip your curls. Follow with a hydrating conditioner, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.

Tip: Detangle gently with fingers or a wide-tooth comb while the conditioner is in.

Step 2: Rinse and Hydrate

Rinse thoroughly and apply a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to soaking wet hair. This helps seal in moisture and define your natural pattern.

Pro tip for beach waves: Mist with the DIY texturizing spray or a sea salt spray like L’ange Sea Salt Spray before styling for more “beachy” definition.

Step 3: Scrunch to Encourage Waves

Scrunch upward—cup your curls in your hands and squeeze from the ends to the roots. This encourages clumping and wave/curl formation.

Step 4: Time to Plop

Lay out your t-shirt hair towel on a flat surface. Gently lower your head so your curls "accordion" into the fabric, then wrap and secure like a turban.

Plop for 10–30 minutes, depending on your hair type and how defined you want your curls.

Plopping gives you lift at the roots, helps define waves/curls, and reduces frizz by avoiding rough towel drying.

Step 5: Dry the Right Way

After plopping, let hair air dry or diffuse on low heat. Avoid touching your curls while drying to prevent frizz.

No-Heat Beach Waves: The Overnight Four-Braid Method

What You’ll Need:

• Leave-in conditioner and/or curl-enhancing cream

• DIY texturizing spray or sea salt spray (like L’ange Sea Salt Texturizing Spray)

• Hair ties or scrunchies (soft, no metal)

• Satin or silk pillowcase (optional, for less friction)

  
  

✨ Step-by-Step Tutorial: Braiding for Beach Waves:

Step 1: Prep Your Hair

Start with damp hair—not soaking wet but freshly washed or misted with water. Apply a leave-in conditioner and/or curl cream evenly through your hair to hydrate and help waves form naturally.

Step 2: Add Texture

Lightly mist your hair with a texturizing or sea salt spray. This adds grip for more "beachy" definition.

Step 3: Divide Your Hair and Braid

Part your hair down the middle, then split each side into two equal sections—giving you four sections total. Braid each section into a loose braid. The looser the braid, the softer the waves. Tie each braid with a satin or silk scrunchie or hair elastic.

Step 4: Unbraid and Style

In the morning, gently undo the braids. Use your fingers to separate and fluff the waves—no brushing! If needed, spritz a bit more texturizing spray to revive and enhance the beachy texture.

Pro tip: for tighter waves, braid when hair is wetter or add a bit of gel before braiding. For looser waves, braid hair slightly drier.

Summer Hair Care Tips: How to Keep Your Hair Healthy

Wet Your Hair Before Swimming

Before diving into the pool or ocean, give your hair a quick rinse with clean water. Why? Because dry hair acts like a sponge —it’ll soak up chlorinated pool water or salty ocean water faster than pre-wet hair. Rinsing first helps prevent your strands from absorbing as much damaging water.

Bonus move: Apply a bit of leave-in conditioner before swimming for extra protection.

Post-Swim Hair Care

After swimming, rinse your hair as soon as possible to remove chlorine or salt. Depending on how often you swim, use a clarifying shampoo once every week or two.

Use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week to restore hydration and bounce.

Pro tip: Look for treatments with aloe vera or shea butter to soothe and replenish.

Leave-In Conditioner = Summer MVP

When the air is dry and hot, your hair loses moisture fast. A good leave-in conditioner helps detangle, soften, and protect hair from breakage. Look for one that’s lightweight (so it won’t weigh down your summer waves) and contains ingredients like glycerin, aloe, or panthenol. We love Camille Rose Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment.

Beach Wave Hair Inspo

So, we can't celebrate beach waves without a little inspo. Not sure which look you're going for? Here’s some sun-soaked inspiration to help you find your perfect beach wave mood—whether you’re channeling breezy boho or salty surfer girl.