How to Create Beach Waves at Home

Beach waves happen when you enhance your hair's natural texture with salt spray and scrunching, then let it air dry or diffuse on low heat.

Beach waves are just organized bedhead, and the best ones look like you didn't try at all.

1. Start with damp hair. Wash and towel-dry your hair until it's damp but not dripping. Your hair should feel slightly wet to the touch. This is the perfect canvas for waves because the moisture helps hold the texture as it dries.
2. Apply texturizing spray. Spray sea salt or texturizing spray from mid-length to ends, avoiding your roots. The salt creates grip and enhances your hair's natural wave pattern. Don't oversaturate—you want texture, not crunch.
3. Scrunch and twist. Cup sections of hair in your palm and scrunch upward toward your scalp. For extra definition, twist small sections around your finger, then release. This mimics how waves form naturally when hair dries in ocean air.
4. Air dry or diffuse. Let hair air dry completely, or use a diffuser on low heat and low speed. If diffusing, cup sections in the diffuser and pulse the air rather than keeping it constant. This prevents frizz while setting the waves.