Beach waves are loose, slightly messy waves with straight ends, as if the hair had dried naturally after a day at the sea. Here's what sets them apart, who they suit, how to do them and how to make them last.
Beach waves at a glance
- Time: 10 to 20 minutes with heat; overnight without
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best hair length: Chin length or longer
- Holds: 1 to 2 days
What makes them different
They're deliberately imperfect. The waves should bend in different directions and look relaxed, not like uniform curls.
Who they suit
Almost every hair type and length, including bobs and lobs.
How to do them
- With a flat iron or wand: take a section, wrap or bend it away from your face, and leave the last inch straight.
- Alternate the direction of each section.
- Let the waves cool, then shake them out with your fingers.
- Finish with sea salt or texture spray.
Tips
Without heat: braid damp hair in two loose braids, sleep on them, and finish with texture spray. Always use a heat protectant with hot tools.
Variations
- Flat iron waves: an S-bend made by rocking the iron.
- Wand waves: wrapped, with the ends left out.
- Braid waves: the heatless version.
- Beach waves on short hair: one bend in the middle of each section.
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FAQ
What are beach waves?
Beach waves are loose, slightly messy waves with straight ends, as if the hair had dried naturally after a day at the sea.
Who suits beach waves?
Almost every hair type and length, including bobs and lobs.
How long do they take?
10 to 20 minutes with heat; overnight without.
