Summer is here, and this is the year you’re going to maximize on that timeless beachy look while minimizing the effort you put into it. So how do you do that? The following tips will get you there and beyond.

How to create the best beach waves ever

The real trick to getting the best beachy waves in your hair isn’t so much in the technique, but rather related to the type of hair you have. If you don’t understand your hair, then you are miles away from knowing how to coax it into a beachy curl. 

♦ Fine hair. This type needs a little help to create and hold beachy waves. Start with one or two-day-old hair that has a little dirt and a little oil to help hold the curl. If you still need some help, spritz your hair with a little dry shampoo or comb mousse through dry hair to give it some “sticking” power. 

♦ Natural hair. This type works best when a little curl cream is combed through dry, brushed out hair, and then the strands are twisted around bobby pins or fabric ties and left to air dry. You might want to sleep on them overnight.

♦ Dry hair. This type needs moisture to hold any curl without damage. Make sure you’re nourishing it with a Hair La Vie Mask, and then use a heat protectant if you’re going to use a curling wand. You’ll also want to be extra careful when in the sun. All of your products should contain UV protection.

♦ Curly hair. This type is halfway there, right? Um, unfortunately not. Your natural curl is probably going to fight soft, gentle beach waves, but Hair La Vie's Nº 77 Leave-In Conditioner can go a long way toward helping your hair behave. If that’s not enough, try using a bit of Hair La Vie's Organic Moroccan oil in patches to add shine and hold.

Tips for creating unique beach wave looks

Now that you’ve learned a bit about how to approach your hair specifically, it’s time to determine which technique you’re going to use. 

♦ Combine products. A little salt spray, a little oil, and maybe some dry shampoo, and you’ve got a whole arsenal at your disposal that actually works well together. Experiment with mix and match techniques to find the products that work best.

♦ Salt spray. Bring the beach to your hair with a salt spray. You can buy a premade one or try mixing one up yourself. Just remember that salt dries out your hair, so adding moisture is key to keeping your hair healthy.

♦ Flat iron. Skip the rod and go right to the flat iron for even easier beach waves. Just remember to use a heat protectant.

♦ Sleep on it. Twist your damp hair into little buns and sleep on it for an easy morning beach look.

♦ Change your curl. Don’t set your waves in all one direction. A more natural beach wave is created by using curling irons or rods with different barrel shapes and changing the direction of the curl.

♦ Never scrunch. The urge when coaxing beach curls is to scrunch, but this creates a clump and not the loose waves you want. Instead of scrunching, wait until your hair is dry and/or curled, and then just tousle the ends with your fingers.

Get beach-perfect hair health

Whether your beachy waves are coaxed by the sun, salt, and sand, the way Mother Nature intended, or with products, heat, and twisting, your tresses are stressed by the beachy look. It appears effortless, but there’s a toll on your hair. 

To support the beachy look you like while maintaining the health of your hair, turn to Hair La Vie’s Renewing Growth Treatment. Designed to promote stronger, fuller-looking hair, this treatment will help you get that beachy look without all the  damage. 

Final thoughts

Beachy waves don’t often start at the beach, most of them begin in your bathroom and have a lot of products working behind the scenes. Armed with that knowledge, you can achieve your own sun-kissed style by learning a bit about your hair and how best to train it to twist.

Practice different techniques, and try using different product combinations until you come up with a few looks you like. Sometimes you may want a looser look, and other times, a tighter curl captures your mood. Using mix and match products and tools is a fantastic way to create a very natural look. 

The most important part of beach curls, natural or faux, is maintaining the health of your hair. The beachy look is taxing and dries out your hair. Adding moisture and nutrients will help your hair stay healthy, lush, and luxurious, which is the perfect way to show off soft beach waves.