“Alternatively, if your hair is naturally quite curly, pull the hair down while drying to loosen the wave out,” adds Paul. Once almost dry, “smooth hair over with a large round brush, (like the Tourmaline Blowout Brush from WetBrush), says Hollie Rose.
“Next, section the hair into one-inch sections (roughly 4-5 sections, depending on your hair thickness) and using a curling wand, begin to wrap the hair around the wand, at least two inches down from your roots,” says Holly Rose, in order to avoid poodle curls.
Wand-wise, she recommends a medium barrel like BaByliss PRO Titanium Expression Conical Wand, or GHD’s Wave Wand. For tighter waves, use a small wand, and for looser waves, go for a larger one. Whichever you choose, “don’t be too perfect or precious with it,” warns Paul Windle, top hair stylist and founder of Windle Salon. “You want that undone feel.”
“Wrap the hair away from the face (this opens up the face and looks more relaxed),” says Hollie Rose. As for the most important step? “Never curl the ends. They need to be left straight, since beach waves should have a slightly undone, effortless look,” she says. “So, don’t wrap the ends of the hair around the wand.” Instead, leave a good 5 centimetres at the bottom.
To emphasise that undone feel even further, break up the waves with your fingers or a large wide-tooth comb and spritz in a sea salt spray of your choice.
If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, a salt spray will just help to enhance your natural texture, cutting down on drying time. Finally, “finish with a mist of shine spray (my secret weapon is Kevin Murphy Shimmer Shine) to add the perfect sun-kissed glow to those waves,” adds Hollie Rose.