Who doesn’t love the look of effortless beach waves? It’s my favorite hairstyle because it’s easy (even for the most hair challenged), flattering and looks good for pretty much any occasion. While creating beachy waves in the summer can be a bit easier after a day at the beach and a swim in the ocean, it’s a look I like to recreate year round, so here’s a quick and easy tutorial. Scroll down to the bottom for the full video.
Easy Beach Waves for Short Hair Tutorial
Step one. prep hair
I almost never blow dry my hair so I like to wash it the night before and let it air dry. When my hair is damp I spray Rahua Hydration Detangler all over and comb through. I find it works much better on damp hair (vs spraying it on dried hair). Once my hair is completely dry I use Captain Blankenship Dry Shampoo on my roots for some volume and texture.
STEP TWO. curl one inch sections
I heat the iron to 365 and once it’s hot, I take 1 inch sections starting at the back of my hair and wrap around the curling wand away from the face leaving about an inch of hair off the wand at the ends. Hold hair on the wand for around 10 seconds (this really varies depending on your hair type and how easily it holds a curl).
STEP THREE. repeat on both sides from back to front
Curl your hair in sections alternating between the top and bottom layers (if your hair is really thick it can help to section your hair in two and clip up the top while you curl the bottom). Repeat from back to front on both sides.
step four. add texture and light hold with salt spray
Divide hair in sections and spray sea salt spray at the roots and lightly around the face.
Best Products For Creating Beach Waves
Heat Protectant
It’s so important to use something to protect your hair when using a curling wand or any hot tools. Rahua Hydration Detangler (use code JESSANNKIRBY15 for 15% off) is one of my favorites because it’s non-toxic, helps condition hair and eliminate frizz, and it protects your color thanks to a natural UV protectant morete oil. I find it works best on damp hair. I spray it in sections and then brush it through.
dry shampoo
I use Captain Blankenship Dry Shampoo (clean beauty brand) on my roots for some volume and texture. It’s actually better to use dry shampoo on clean hair because it will absorb oils better than waiting until your hair is oily after a few days.
sea salt spray
I like to use texturizing sprays when I do beach waves to make them look a little more natural and undone. One of my favorite clean brands is Innersense I Create Waves Spray (use code JESSANNKIRBY15 for 15% off). It gives just the right amount of beachy texture without being sticky or drying.
kristin ess wand / t3 curling wand
I alternate between my t3 wand and the Kristin Ess wand but it’s pretty hard to beat at $60. The barrel size is also perfect for beach waves especially on shorter hair. I set it to 365 degrees for beach waves. My hair holds a curl easily so I don’t need to leave the wand on for long, but this will depend on your hair type.
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My favorite style . Doing mine right now ! It looks great xo