For all our ocean souls out there — those who dream of feeling the salty spray on their skin, hearing the gentle crash of waves, and sinking their toes into warm, golden sand — we know that beachy waves are the ultimate hair goal. That effortless, tousled look that whispers of sun-drenched days, endless horizons, and carefree coastal adventures. But what if you could bring that gorgeous, sun-kissed beach vibe home with you anytime you want?

We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re longing to channel your inner mermaid or just want that perfect blend of texture, volume, and natural movement, our step-by-step tutorial will guide you through creating the most stunning beach waves — no matter your hair type. From prepping your strands to finishing touches that hold your style all day, we’ll help you master those effortlessly undone, beautifully tousled waves that look like you’ve just stepped off the shore.

So grab your favourite styling tools, a little sea salt spray, and get ready to transform your hair into the ultimate beach-ready mane. Let’s dive in and make every day feel like a sun-kissed seaside escape!

Start by making sure your hair is damp — but not soaking wet. The ideal level of moisture is just enough to feel fresh and slightly damp to the touch, which helps your styling products absorb better and work their magic. If your hair is too wet, it can take longer to dry and may dilute the effect of the sea salt spray, so aim for that perfect balance.

Once your hair is at the right level of dampness, it’s time to add texture and that signature beachy grit. Hold your sea salt spray about six to eight inches away from your head and spritz a fine, even mist all over your hair. Make sure to distribute it thoroughly from roots to ends, focusing especially on the mid-lengths and tips where you want to enhance natural waves and texture.

For a product we absolutely swear by, try the Sea Salt Hair Mist by Summer Salt Body. It’s lightweight, non-drying, and infused with nourishing ingredients that not only add that irresistible sea-sprayed texture but also leave your hair feeling soft and healthy. Plus, it smells like a day at the beach — fresh, clean, and just a little bit salty.

If you have a diffuser attachment for your hairdryer, this is the perfect time to bring it out and put it to good use. A diffuser helps to gently dry your hair while enhancing your natural texture and waves without causing frizz or disrupting the shape you’re aiming for. Start by setting your hairdryer to a low or medium heat setting to avoid heat damage, then slowly move the diffuser around your head, focusing on the roots to add lift and volume.

As you dry, you can either scrunch your hair with your hands to encourage those tousled, beachy waves or use a round brush if you want to create a bit more bounce and lift. Scrunching helps to enhance the natural wave pattern and creates that effortless, lived-in texture that’s synonymous with sun-kissed beach hair. On the other hand, using a round brush while drying can smooth out your hair a bit while adding volume and movement, giving your waves a soft, polished finish.

Dry your hair completely with the diffuser, but be gentle — the goal is to maintain the natural, undone look of beach waves, so avoid over-drying or rough handling. If you don’t have a diffuser, don’t worry! You can still achieve great results by drying your hair on a low heat setting while scrunching with your hands or simply letting it air-dry for a more relaxed finish.

Begin your styling journey at the nape of your neck, where the waves naturally start to cascade. Take small sections of hair — about 3 centimeters wide works perfectly — to ensure each strand gets the attention it deserves. Working in manageable sections allows you to create defined, uniform waves without overwhelming your styling tool or missing any spots.

Carefully wrap each 3cm section around your curling wand or straightening iron, holding it just long enough to set the wave but not so long that it causes heat damage. For a more relaxed, natural beach wave effect, consider alternating the direction you wrap each section — this adds movement and prevents the curls from looking too uniform or structured.

We’re huge fans of the Muk Curl Stick for this step. Its sleek design and ideal barrel size make it incredibly easy to create those effortless, tousled waves that look like you’ve just come back from the shore. Plus, it heats up quickly and provides consistent heat, ensuring your waves hold their shape without extra fuss. The Muk Curl Stick’s smooth surface also helps protect your hair from snagging or damage, making it a top pick for achieving salon-worthy beach waves at home.

To create those effortlessly natural and textured beach waves, it’s important to alternate the direction of each curl as you work your way around your head. Starting at the nape, wrap the first section of hair away from your face, then for the next section, curl it toward your face. This back-and-forth motion prevents your waves from clumping together or looking too uniform and creates a soft, lived-in texture that feels relaxed and modern.

Continue this alternating pattern until you reach the sections of hair framing your face. Here, switch things up slightly by curling the hair away from your face on both sides. This technique opens up your features, giving you a flattering, face-framing effect that enhances your natural bone structure and adds a touch of polished sophistication to your beachy waves.

By varying the curl direction in this way, your hair will have movement, volume, and a touch of playful imperfection — the signature hallmarks of the perfect sun-kissed wave. This method also helps prevent your curls from tangling and keeps them looking fresh and bouncy for longer.

Finally, it’s time to soften those curls and bring your beach waves to life by gently combing them out. The best way to achieve that effortlessly undone, natural look is by using your fingers instead of a brush or comb. Running your fingers through your hair helps separate the curls without disrupting their texture or causing unwanted frizz, preserving that perfectly tousled, lived-in vibe.

Start at the ends and work your way up, gently loosening and breaking apart the curls until they flow together in soft, relaxed waves. This finger-combing technique encourages movement and volume, giving your hair that signature beachy bounce that looks like you’ve just spent the day by the ocean breeze. It’s a subtle but powerful step that transforms structured curls into soft, touchable waves that feel light, airy, and full of life.

If you want to add a bit more texture, you can lightly scrunch your hair after finger-combing, or spritz a little more sea salt spray for extra hold and grit. The key is to keep everything feeling casual and effortless — no stiff curls or overly styled finishes here! This final step seals the deal, making your sun-kissed beach waves look natural, relaxed, and completely gorgeous.