After last weekend’s warm weather and with Memorial Day around the corner, we’re excited to officially welcome you to summer! Well - almost, but it definitely has us thinking about cookouts, time outdoors and beach days. Last year we shared tips for keeping hair healthy in the summer and thirty easy ways to look sexy at the beach.
In celebration of the start upcoming start to summer, today we’ll be sharing our favorite ways to create easy & beachy waves to rock all summer long. Let’s dive in!
Heatless Waves
Nothing screams boho beach babe like wavy, textured, care-free looking hair. Achieving this look is simple with the right techniques and products.
Overnight braids
A simple technique with great results, braiding your hair and adding a little product will help you achieve next-day beach waves. Depending on the texture and thickness of your hair, there are a few tips to help you achieve this took.
Start by adding a light hold mousse like Shu Uemura Kaze Curl and Wave Defining Mousse and lightly dry or allow your hair to mostly air dry before braiding. After brushing, braid your hair in a style that works for your hair. For more volume, opt for a french braids from the top of the head through length. For looser, less voluminous braids, opt for a single low braid.
To achieve a beachy look, tie your braid about an inch from ends and pull to loosen. Spritz with hairspray before bed. If you’re looking for tighter waves, leave the braid tight and braid to ends. It’s important to note the volume and length of your hair will affect outcome; for thinner ends, hair will be much kinkier opposed to thicker hair. When you remove the braids, run your fingers through your hair and add a hydrating product like Kérastase Huile Sirene Hair Oil Mist to add moisture and softness to ends. For more root volume, use a texturizing volume spray to build extra height like Shu Uemura Wata Wave Dry Texturizing Spray.
Keep in mind that every hair type is different, so it may take a few tries to achieve your desired look. If you’d prefer a non-braided approach, overnight satin curlers and twisted-and-pinned buns can also give you great next-day waves!
Wet-to-waves scrunching
If you’re looking for a faster approach, the right products can give you voluminous, air-dried waves. The Soleil Mermaid Beach Waves Hair Care Set will help to protect your hair from harmful UV rays while adding moisture. After shampoo and conditioner, towel dry your hair and brush with a wet brush or large tooth comb. For hair prone to frizz, start with Kérastase Creme UV Sublime Hair Cream, working through midshaft to ends. Apply Soleil Huile Hair Oil Mist to ends for a crunchless, soft wave.
Gather wet hair into hands and ‘scrunch’ up to the root, repeating the motion around your head. Depending on your hair thickness and texture, you may have tighter waves or need to repeat the process to achieve your desired look. For more texture, add a product with a little hold like Redken Fashion Waves 07 Sea Salt Spray.
With-Heat Waves
Deep Waver
While air dried or overnight looks may be more effortless, they’re also time consuming to achieve your desired look. A fast alternative is the use of a deep waver, a heat tool that produces larger, more voluminous waves. Start by adding a heat protectant like Kérastase L’incroyable Blowdry Re-shapeable Heat Lotion to towel dried hair and rough dry. In sections, use the heat waver to crimp your hair, slowly working your way down the length of the hair section and aligning the waver so the waves are continuous by aligning the end of the last crimp with the beginning of the next.
Hair can be waved from the root to the ends, however keep in mind if you have naturally voluminous hair this technique will add extra volume. Temperature of the waver also has a big effect on results; higher temperatures will result in kinkier hair depending on your texture and thickness. Finish your look with some hairspray for hold.
Big Loose Curls
Another simple way to achieve beachy waves is with the help of a large barrel curling iron, we recommend 1.5 - 2 inches. After heat protection and rough or air drying, work in sections to wrap hair around the curling iron leaving 1-2 inches at the end out of the curler. Curling wands work best for this technique, however if you’re using a clamp-hold curling iron keep the ends angled down and wrapped around the iron to avoid accidental crimps.
Once complete, run hands through hair and finish with a texturizing product.
Swim friendly styles & hair care
Keep in mind that when your hair hits water, it absorbs things like salt and chlorine as well. Always wet your hair with clean, fresh water before swimming to avoid drying out your locks.
Post-swim waves
After swimming, if possible rinse hair with fresh water to remove salt or chlorine buildup. Gently brush through wet hair with a wet brush or wide tooth comb to work out tangles, applying a detangler if needed. Once hair is brushed, apply a moisturizing product like Kérastase Soleil Hair Mist to the ends to lock in moisture and help with waves. Give hair a little scrunch if needed, or let air dry for very loose, light waves.
Protective Summer Hair Products
To avoid frizz and keep hair soft in the summer months, make sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Our favorite option that offers an extra layer of protection is the Kérastase Soleil Sun Protection Hair Set. The Bain Après Soleil Shampoo removes residue of chlorine, salt and sand while nourishing hair and restoring smoothness. The Masque Après Soleil Hair Mask revitalizes after-sun hair, providing nourishment and restoring shine, and the Crème UV Sublime Hair Creme protects hair while reducing frizz and preventing hair breakage.
Available at Tease Hair Boutique
Use Scalp Sunscreen
It’s easy to forget about, but our scalps can get sunburnt too - especially when wearing parted or braided hairstyles when out in the sun. A powdered scalp sunscreen like this one will help prevent burns while adding body to your hair!
Bottom Line
With the right tools and products, beachy waves are a simple way to achieve beach babe vibes with little to no use of heat. Methods take practice and will differ by hair type, but with practices you’ll be a pro in no time. If you’re unsure which products work best for your hair, talk to your Tease Hair Boutique stylist for a recommendation!