How to Get the Best Beach Waves – OLAPLEX Inc.

Key Takeaways

• Beach waves are achievable for almost every hair type. Whether your hair is naturally wavy, straight, curly, or coily, there are styling techniques and approaches that can help create a relaxed, beach-inspired look.
• Healthy hair is the foundation of great beach waves. Hydration, damage repair, proper haircuts, and frizz control can enhance natural texture and improve the overall appearance and longevity of waves.
• There are multiple paths to beach waves, with or without heat. From curling wands and flat irons to overnight braids and headband techniques, the best method depends on your hair type, styling preferences, and desired level of heat exposure.

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How to Get the Best Beach Waves

Effortless-looking beach waves rarely happen by accident. The best results usually start with healthy hair, an understanding of your natural texture, and the right styling method for the look you want.

Ahead, we’ll cover how to bring out your natural wave pattern, how to create beach waves with heat, how to try heatless methods, and how to help keep the style soft, touchable, and frizz-controlled.

What Are Beach Waves?

Beach waves are loose, tousled waves that often form soft “S” shapes with relaxed texture and movement.

The term “beach waves” comes from the effortless texture associated with salty sea air and soft ripples on the ocean.

That’s why you think of surfers, celebrities, and all-around beach bombshells.

Wondering if beach waves are only for the summer?

Nope! Even when the temperature drops, this year-round style still looks effortless and timeless.

Before You Look for Beach Wave Methods, You Might Already Have Natural Wave Potential

The truth about beach waves is that they can sometimes come naturally when you understand your true hair type and texture, especially if you have wavy hair types 2A–2C.

Many people don’t know they have wavy hair. Often, their natural waves are obscured by damage, frizz, or a hair care routine that does not support their texture.

You might have wavy hair if:

• Your hair forms slight waves when it is damp
• You experience frizz or poofiness, especially when dry brushing, also known as the “cloud effect”
• Your hair seems straight, but it has uneven bends through the mid-lengths
• Your hair doesn’t seem entirely straight, but it also doesn’t have defined curls

If that sounds familiar, your journey to effortless beach waves may not start with a curling iron. It may start with uncovering and enhancing the natural texture you already have.

Healthy, hydrated hair is often better able to reveal its natural wave pattern, making proper hair care just as important as styling techniques when you're trying to achieve the perfect beachy look.

Learn how to find your hair type and texture here.

How to Bring Out Your Natural Beach Waves

If you believe you might have wavy hair, consider these tips to bring out your best beach waves.

• Start with a good haircut. The right haircut can help reveal your wavy hair texture. A stylist can assess damage, trim damaged ends, and recommend a shape that brings out your beachy waves. Texture and layers can add movement, while bobs, lobs, shags, and butterfly haircuts can bring these patterns to life.
• Treat damage at the bond level. After you get the weight cut off, consider using a bond-building treatment like Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment regularly in your routine. By helping repair and strengthen hair from within, it can support healthier-looking strands that are better able to reveal their natural texture, enhance softness, and reduce frizz that may be masking your wave pattern.
• Hydrate! Dryness can make waves look flat or frizzy. Incorporate hydrating masks regularly, like Rich Hydration Mask.
• Don’t brush dry. When your hair is wet, gently comb it or use a wet-hair brush.
• Use a styler designed to bring out waves. On wet hair, apply a styler like Nº.10 Bond Shaper™ Curl Defining Gel to bring out these styles and help control frizz. Then, follow up by diffusing your hair on low heat.
• Consider the Curly Girl Method. It might sound like it is for curly hair, but this is great for wavy textures, too! Check out our guide to the Curly Girl Method.

How to Get Beach Waves for Non-Wavy Types (With Heat)

Want to know how to get beach wave hair? For non-wavy hair types, we’re going to share different ways you can capture the style of the beach… no matter how far inland you may be!

Note: The techniques below are best suited for straight to wavy hair types. If you have naturally curly hair (3A-3C), you'll often get more predictable beach-wave results by starting with a stretched or smoothed base.

When straightening curly hair to prep for beach waves, always use a heat protectant beforehand, then use another heat protectant prior to any of the following heat methods. Good products to consider include OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ and OLAPLEX º.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist

OLAPLEX º.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist.

Beach Wave Hair Method #1: Curling Wand

Need relaxed, textured curls but don’t have a lot of time? A curling wand is a quick and easy solution for natural waves. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Start with dry, clean hair (straight or slightly wavy), or straightened curls.
• Apply a heat protectant that protects up to 450°F to the mid-lengths and ends, like OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ or OLAPLEX º.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist.
• Divide your hair into several large sections.
• Wrap 1-inch sections loosely around a 1-inch curling wand, leaving the last 1-2 inches uncurled.
• Alternate the direction of each curl for a more natural, lived-in look.
• Allow the waves to cool, then gently run your fingers through them.
• Finish with a few drops of OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ for shine and separation.
• Keep curls in place with Shape Set™ Hair Spray for flexible, long-lasting hold and frizz control.

Pro Tip: The less uniform the waves are, the more natural your beach waves will look.

Beach Wave Hair Method #2: Flat Iron

For short to medium-length hair, a flat iron can create loose, authentic-looking beach waves while keeping the ends relaxed and modern. Just follow these steps:

• Apply a heat protectant of your choice.
• Divide your hair into medium-sized sections.
• Clamp the flat iron a few inches below the roots, twist it slightly, and glide it down the hair shaft.
• Alternate directions as you work through each section.
• Leave the ends slightly straighter for that effortless beachy finish.
• Finger-comb the waves and finish with Shape Set™ Hair Spray for long-lasting hold.

Pro Tip: Moving the iron slowly creates a stronger wave, while moving faster creates a softer bend.

How to Get Beach Waves (Without Heat or Minimal Heat)

Not too keen on heat-based styling tools? Not to worry. Beautiful beachy waves can still be yours with less heat-related stress on your hair.

Beach Wave Hair Method #3: Overnight Braids

The overnight braids approach takes a little more time than using a wand or flat iron, but the waves form while you sleep—no heat required.

• Start with slightly damp hair. You can either let freshly washed hair air-dry until it's nearly dry or lightly mist dry hair with water.
• Apply Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum throughout your hair to help enhance definition and reduce frizz as your waves take shape.
• Divide your hair into two or more sections and create loose braids. Avoid braiding too tightly, as this can leave hair looking crimped rather than creating soft, natural-looking waves.
• Secure the ends with small elastics. If your hair is naturally very straight, lightly mist the braids with Shape Set™ Hair Spray to help the waves last longer with a flexible, brushable finish.
• Leave the braids in overnight.
• In the morning, gently unravel each braid from the bottom up. Avoid brushing or aggressively running your fingers through the hair, which can create frizz.
• Lightly shake out the waves and separate them with your fingers for a relaxed, beachy finish.
• Finish with OLAPLEX º.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist or OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ to keep frizz in check.

Beach Wave Hair Method #4: Headband

The headband method is another heatless way to create waves without braiding. All you need is a fabric headband, some elastics, and a little prep time.

• Start with dry, clean hair.
• Part your hair down the middle into two sections and brush out any tangles.
• Place a headband around the crown of your head.
• Lightly dampen one section of hair from about ear level to the ends.
• Twist the damp section and tuck it over and through the headband.
• Continue twisting, wrapping, and tucking the hair around the headband until you reach the ends.
• Repeat on the other side.
• Mist with Shape Set™ Hair Spray for buildable hold and frizz control, then let your hair dry completely.
• Once dry, gently unwrap your hair and remove the headband.
• Finish with a small amount of OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ or a spritz of OLAPLEX º.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist for shine and frizz control.

For different wave patterns, experiment with scrunchies or hair ties before unraveling, while avoiding tight wraps that can cause tangles.

Keep Beach Waves in Shape with Shape Set™ Hair Spray

There are many ways to create beach waves sans sand. Whichever method you choose, the right finishing product can help keep the shape soft, touchable, and frizz-controlled.

Beach waves look best when they still feel effortless. Shape Set™ Hair Spray helps extend shape and control frizz while maintaining a soft, brushable finish.

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More Questions About Beach Waves

Can coily hair types achieve beach waves?

While naturally coily hair may not form classic beach waves, it can achieve a beach wave-inspired look or looser, beachy texture. Techniques like stretching, braiding, twisting, or heat styling can help create a softer wave effect, with results depending on your curl pattern, hair length, and styling method.

How do you get beach waves without damage?

Think low tension, low heat, and lots of patience. Heatless methods like overnight braids or the headband method are the gentlest options, and if you do use hot tools, reach for heat protectant first and avoid going over the same section repeatedly.

What is the secret to making beach waves last?

The real trick is letting the shape set before you touch it. Let waves fully cool or dry, then finish with Shape Set™ Hair Spray for buildable hold and frizz control that still feels soft and brushable. The next day, refresh roots with Nº.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, and sleep with hair in a loose, low ponytail secured with a scrunchie to help preserve the shape.

Why won’t my hair hold beach waves?

If your waves fall flat fast, a few things could be happening: your hair may be too clean, weighed down by product, not fully dry, or naturally resistant to holding shape. Try using lighter prep products, working in smaller sections, letting the hair fully cool or dry, and finishing with flexible hold instead of anything stiff.