Mermaid waves are all about volume and a carefree look, perfect for summer outings. You can achieve this by curling your hair in large sections and letting them fall loosely. For a more relaxed vibe, try bohemian beach waves, which feature soft, tousled curls that look effortless. To get this look, use a sea salt spray on damp hair and scrunch it as it dries.
This style mimics the natural waves you get from a day at the beach, and you can create it by braiding your damp hair and letting it dry overnight. If you prefer a more intricate style, braided beach waves can add texture and interest to your hair. Simply braid sections of your hair before curling the rest for a unique twist.
Use a curling wand on random sections of hair and finish with a light hairspray for hold. For a trendy look, consider messy beach waves with hair accessories like clips or headbands, adding a playful touch.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into 21 wavy beach hairstyles to make you a surf siren.
Mermaid Waves
It’s often best to style your hair a day after washing it, as this helps the waves hold better. Begin by sectioning your hair into manageable parts, usually the bottom half first. Use a curling iron or a curling wand, holding it vertically.
Next, continue curling the remaining sections of hair, making sure to alternate the direction in which you wrap the hair around the iron. This means you can curl some pieces away from your face and others towards it. This variation adds dimension to your waves, making them look more natural and beachy.
This step helps keep your mermaid waves looking fresh and defined throughout the day. Don’t forget to experiment with different products to see which ones work best for your hair type. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create stunning mermaid waves that look effortless and beautiful.
Bohemian Beach Waves
After washing, let your hair air dry until it’s about 80% dry. This helps maintain volume and texture. Once it’s damp, apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from damage. Then, blow-dry your hair while scrunching small sections with your hands to encourage natural waves.
Next, use a curling iron or wand to create loose curls. Take 1-2 inch sections of hair and wrap them around the iron, leaving the last 2-3 inches uncurled. This technique helps achieve that relaxed, bohemian style.
Finally, finish your look with a salt spray or texture spray to add volume and hold. Spray it lightly at the roots and along the lengths of your hair, then scrunch again to enhance the waves. To lock everything in place, use a light-hold hairspray. This entire process is quick and should take about 10 minutes, making it easy to achieve beautiful beach waves that last for days with just a little refreshing each morning.
Vintage-Inspired Waves
Divide your hair into sections, about two inches wide, and curl each section away from your face. Secure the curls with pin curl clips to help them hold their shape. Once you’ve curled all your hair, let the curls cool for about 10-15 minutes.
This will help to loosen the curls and create soft waves. To add volume, tease the roots of your hair lightly. Next, define where you want your part to be and shape the waves by brushing them into S-shaped ridges.
Finally, finish your hairstyle by securing everything with hairspray. Make sure to use a lightweight spray that allows for movement while keeping your waves intact. You can also add some shine with a little pomade to smooth out any flyaways. With practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful vintage-inspired waves that are perfect for any occasion.
Surfer Girl Waves
This is important because it helps create that loose, beachy texture without damaging your hair. First, apply a leave-in conditioner to protect your hair from the salt and sun. Then, use a volumizing spray at the roots and blow-dry your hair upside down to give it some lift.
Next, after letting the pin curl cool, remove the bobby pin and flip your hair to one side to create a side part. This will give you that signature swoop look. You can also enhance the waves by twisting sections of your hair away from your face and letting them unravel slightly for a more natural appearance.
If you want to keep your hair healthy while achieving this style, remember to rinse your hair with fresh water before jumping into the ocean. This helps prevent your hair from absorbing too much saltwater, which can dry it out. Regularly using hair oils or leave-in treatments will also keep your hair nourished and looking great, even after a day at the beach.
Braided Beach Waves
Begin with clean, dry hair, as this makes it easier to work with. You can create beach waves by braiding your hair while it’s slightly damp or using a texturizing spray for added grip. A simple three-strand braid is a great starting point. To do this, divide your hair into three equal sections and cross the outer sections over the middle one repeatedly until you reach the end.
Once you’ve mastered the basic braid, you can create the beach wave effect. After braiding your hair, leave it in for several hours or overnight. When you take out the braid, you’ll have soft waves. For added texture, use a sea salt spray or a light mousse before braiding.
Finally, to keep your braided beach waves looking fresh, consider finishing with a light hairspray. This will help hold the waves without making them stiff. You can also experiment with different types of braids, like fishtail or Dutch braids, to see which style you like best. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to try different techniques and have fun with your hair! With time, you’ll find the braided beach waves that suit your style perfectly.
Sleek Waves with Deep Side Part
Make sure your hair is clean and dry, as this will help the style hold better. Apply a heat protectant spray to prevent damage from styling tools. For added volume, use a root lifter or dry shampoo at the roots. Then, part your hair deeply to one side.
A one-inch curling iron or a deep waver works well for this style. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the curling iron, but leave the ends out for a more relaxed look. Curl away from your face for the front sections, and alternate the direction of the curls as you move to the back. This technique adds texture and dimension to your waves.
Use a texture spray to enhance the waves and add volume. If you want a shiny finish, apply a light serum to the ends of your hair. To keep everything in place, use a light hairspray, especially around the front where you want to maintain that sleek look. With these steps, you’ll have beautiful sleek waves with a deep side part that are perfect for any occasion!
Voluminous Mermaid Waves
It’s best to style your hair a day after washing it, as slightly dirty hair holds waves better than freshly washed hair. You can use a heat protectant spray to keep your hair safe from damage. If you have a curling iron or a special hair waver, that will work perfectly. For a more natural look, you can also use a flat iron by wrapping sections of hair around it, alternating the direction for a more relaxed wave effect.
Take a 1-2 inch section of hair and wrap it around the curling iron or waver, holding it for a few seconds. Make sure to alternate the direction of the curls to create a more natural wave pattern. After curling each section, let the curls cool before you touch them; this helps them hold their shape better.
A light texture spray can help enhance the waves and give them a beachy feel. If you want extra volume, you can tease the roots a bit. Remember, the key to mermaid waves is to keep them looking effortless and a little messy, so don’t worry about making everything perfect. With practice, you’ll be able to achieve those beautiful, voluminous waves that look like you just stepped out of the ocean!
Effortless Beachy Waves
One popular method is to create waves without any heat. Start by twisting your damp hair into two buns at the nape of your neck and secure them with pins. Let your hair air dry, and when you take the buns out, you’ll have soft, wavy hair. For added volume, apply a curl-enhancing mousse before you twist your hair.
First, make sure your hair is straight and dry. Take small sections of hair, wrap them around the curling iron, but leave the last inch uncurled to create that relaxed beachy look. Alternate the direction of the curls for a more natural appearance. Once you’re done curling, use a texturizing spray to add volume and a light-hold hairspray to keep your waves in place without making them stiff.
Braid your slightly damp hair into several loose braids before going to bed. In the morning, simply undo the braids for beautiful, natural waves. If you’re short on time, you can also braid dry hair and use a flat iron to gently press the braids for a few seconds, then let them cool before unbraiding. This method is easy and can be done overnight, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Cascading Mermaid Waves
It’s best to do this style on slightly dirty hair, as it holds the waves better. You can apply some dry shampoo to your roots if needed. If you prefer a heatless method, wash your hair the night before and let it dry a bit, so it’s not soaking wet.
This will create the waves overnight as your hair dries. When you’re ready to style your hair with heat, using a curling wand can help achieve those beautiful waves. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the curling wand, starting from the bottom and moving upwards.
Finally, to finish off your mermaid waves, use a light hairspray or a frizz control product to keep your waves looking smooth and defined. You might also want to add some volume at the roots by teasing your hair slightly. This gives your waves a fuller appearance and makes them look even more stunning. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create gorgeous cascading mermaid waves that look effortless and beautiful!
Loose Waves with Scrunched Ends
Wash your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner to keep it moisturized. While your hair is still damp, use a mousse or styling foam to add volume and texture. This will help create the waves and scrunched look.
Take sections of hair and wrap them around the wand, holding for a few seconds before releasing. For a more natural look, alternate the direction of the curls. Once you’ve curled all your hair, gently run your fingers through the waves to loosen them up.
You can do this by gathering sections of hair in your hands and squeezing them upwards. To keep the style in place, finish with a light-hold hairspray. This will help maintain the waves without making your hair feel stiff. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the look that works best for you!
Soft Waves with Face-Framing Tendrils
These layers are cut to highlight your facial features, such as your cheekbones and jawline, making your face look more defined and youthful. For a flattering look, the layers should begin around your chin or cheekbone and gradually taper down. This technique works well for all hair types, but it’s particularly effective for wavy hair, as it enhances the natural movement and texture of the waves.
Use a round brush while blow-drying to create volume at the roots and smooth out the mid-lengths and ends. For added texture, consider using a curling wand or a flat iron to create loose waves. Wrap sections of hair around the barrel, holding for a few seconds before releasing.
A volumizing mousse or spray can add body to your hair, while a smoothing serum will help control frizz and add shine. To enhance the separation of your layers, use a texturizing spray or paste, applying it lightly through the ends of your hair. A light hold hairspray can help maintain your style without making it stiff. With these steps, you’ll achieve soft waves with face-framing tendrils that enhance your natural beauty.
Undone Waves with Sea Salt Texture
Start by washing your hair and letting it air dry until it’s about 80% dry. This is important because it helps maintain the hair’s natural texture. Once your hair is nearly dry, spray a heat protectant to shield it from heat damage. Then, use a blow dryer while scrunching your hair with your hands to create soft waves.
Take a curling iron and curl small sections of your hair, but leave the last couple of inches uncurled. This technique keeps the ends looking more relaxed and natural. After curling, apply a sea salt spray to give your hair texture and volume.
Finally, to keep your style in place, finish with a light-hold hairspray. This will help your waves last longer without making them stiff. If you want to refresh your waves on the following days, just spritz some sea salt spray and a bit of hairspray to revive the look. With these steps, you can easily master the undone waves style, perfect for any casual outing or summer day!
Messy Beach Waves with Hair Accessories
Wash your hair the night before to give it a natural texture by the morning. This helps your hair look shiny and less frizzy. In the morning, apply a root lifter to the crown of your head to add volume, then dry just the roots while letting the rest air dry. This technique minimizes heat damage and helps create that relaxed, beachy look.
A one-inch barrel is ideal for achieving those loose, beachy curls. Take small sections of hair and curl them away from your face, alternating the direction for a more natural look. After curling, let the waves cool for a bit, then gently brush them out with a round brush to soften the curls and add more volume. For an extra touch, use a texturizing spray to enhance the waves and give them a beachy feel.
Hair accessories like headbands, clips, or scrunchies can add a fun twist to your look. You can pull back some hair with a cute clip or wrap a headband around your waves for a more polished appearance. These accessories not only enhance your hairstyle but also help keep your hair in place, making it easier to maintain your beachy vibe throughout the day. With these tips, you’ll be rocking messy beach waves with confidence!
Sleek Beach Waves with Deep Side Part
Begin with clean, dry hair that’s straightened if necessary. This helps the waves look smooth and polished. You can use a flat iron or a curling iron to create the waves. For a curling iron, take small sections of hair, wrap them around the barrel, and leave the ends out for a relaxed look.
Next, focus on the products that will enhance your waves. Use a heat protectant spray before styling to keep your hair safe from heat damage. After curling, apply a texture spray or mousse to add volume and hold to your waves. A shine serum can also be used on the ends to reduce frizz and give your hair a sleek finish.
Use a comb to create a clean part on one side of your head, which adds a touch of sophistication to the relaxed waves. You can also tuck one side behind your ear for a chic look. If you want to keep your waves looking fresh, consider doing a half-up style or a messy bun on the second day. This will help you maintain that effortless beachy vibe while keeping your hair looking stylish.
Tousled Waves with Braid
First, wash and towel dry your hair, then apply a bit of keratin oil to make it smooth and shiny. Let your hair air dry for about 5-10 minutes. The next step is to create two French braids. If you’re unsure how to do a French braid, remember that you take three sections of hair and cross the outer sections under the middle one, adding more hair as you go.
This helps set the waves and adds shine. For the best results, let the braids dry completely. You can even sleep with them in overnight! When you wake up, carefully undo the braids.
This hairstyle is great because it looks effortlessly stylish and works for any occasion. Plus, it’s low-maintenance—your waves can look even better on the second or third day! To keep your waves looking fresh, use dry shampoo at your roots to absorb any oil. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful tousled waves with braids that look like you just stepped off the beach.
Undone Waves with Messy Texture
Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo the night before to keep it healthy and shiny. When your hair is damp, apply a volumizing mousse to add some lift. After that, let your hair air dry or use a blow dryer with a paddle brush to smooth it out. This step is crucial because it sets a good foundation for the waves you’ll create later.
Use a flat iron to create the waves, starting from the lower sections of your hair. Take small sections and hold the flat iron vertically, twisting it away from your face as you pull it down. This technique helps create soft waves instead of tight curls. Remember to alternate the direction of the waves for a more natural look.
Use a light hairspray to hold the waves without making them stiff. For an even more undone look, you can run your fingers through your hair or apply a bit of beach spray or pomade to add texture. This will give your hair that “just woke up” vibe, making it look stylish yet casual. With a little practice, you’ll master this hairstyle in no time!
Tousled Boho Waves
Begin by teasing the top of your hair with a teasing brush to create volume. Take small sections of hair and use a curling iron or straightener to create loose curls. When curling, leave the ends of the hair straight for that relaxed, beachy look.
Curl some sections away from your face and others towards it. This mix will add texture and depth to your waves, making them look more natural. After curling, gently separate the curls with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to achieve that tousled effect.
Start with a few braids near your face and pin them back, allowing some strands to fall freely. This adds a playful touch to your look. Remember, the key to achieving beautiful tousled boho waves is to keep it loose and relaxed, so don’t worry about making everything perfect. Embrace the messiness for a fun and carefree hairstyle.
Loose Waves with Beachy Bends
It’s best to begin with straight hair, as this makes it easier to create those relaxed waves. If your hair has curls or waves, use a flat iron to smooth it out a bit. You don’t need to make it perfectly straight; just reduce the texture so that the waves can form better. Once your hair is prepped, you can choose whether to use heat tools or go for a heatless method, depending on your preference and the time you have.
This gives that effortless, beachy look instead of tight curls. Alternate the direction you curl each section—some away from your face and some towards it. This technique creates a more natural, tousled appearance. After curling, run your fingers through your hair to break up the curls and add volume.
When you wake up, simply undo the braids for soft, natural waves. You can also twist sections of hair around a thick headband or a bathrobe belt and secure them overnight. This way, you can achieve the beachy look without any heat damage. Remember to use some styling products to enhance the texture and volume, making your waves look even more effortless and chic.
Soft Waves with Babylights
Wash it with a good quality shampoo and conditioner to keep it clean and hydrated. After towel-drying, apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from damage when you use styling tools. If your hair is naturally straight, consider using a curling wand or a flat iron to create those soft waves.
To get this look, you can either visit a salon or try it at home if you’re comfortable. If you go to a salon, ask your stylist for babylights and show them a picture of what you want. If you’re doing it yourself, use a highlighting kit and apply the color with a fine-toothed comb to create thin, delicate strands.
You can also use a texturizing spray for added volume and a beachy feel. Remember to regularly use hair masks or oils to keep your hair healthy and shiny, as this will make your waves and highlights look even better. With practice, you’ll master this trendy hairstyle!
Effortless Beachy Waves with Highlights
Begin with clean, dry hair and apply a heat protectant to shield it from styling tools. If you want to avoid heat, you can create waves by braiding slightly damp hair into a few loose braids and letting it dry overnight. For a quicker method, twist your hair into buns and secure them with pins while it air-dries.
With a curling iron, take one-inch sections of hair and wrap them around the barrel, leaving the last inch straight for that relaxed look. Alternate the direction of the curls to make it look more natural. If you’re using a flat iron, clamp down on a section of hair and twist it while pulling it through to create soft waves.
Choose a shade that complements your base color and ask for a balayage technique, which gives a sun-kissed look. This technique adds dimension and makes your waves pop. To maintain your highlights, use color-safe shampoos and conditioners, and consider a shine serum for extra gloss. With these tips, you’ll achieve that effortless beachy wave look that’s perfect for any occasion.
Undone Waves with Texture
Begin with clean, towel-dried hair and apply a volumizing mousse or spray to give your hair some lift and texture. This step is crucial because it helps create the bouncy, carefree look associated with undone waves. After applying the products, let your hair air dry or blow-dry it gently with a paddle brush to smooth it out. The goal here is to have a good base before you start styling.
Using a flat iron or curling iron, start curling your hair in different directions to avoid uniformity. For each section, twist the iron away from your face, and leave the ends out for a more relaxed look. This technique gives your waves a natural, beachy vibe.
Avoid using a brush, as this can make the waves look too neat. To maintain the style, finish off with a light hairspray to hold the waves in place without making them stiff. If you want to add even more texture, you can apply a bit of beach spray or texturizing spray to the ends. This will give your hair that effortlessly cool look that is perfect for any casual outing.
Q&As for wavy beach hairstyles
Q: How can I create mermaid waves for any occasion?
A: To get mermaid waves, start by using a curling iron to create loose curls. Then, gently brush them out to soften the look. Finish with a light hairspray to hold the waves in place.
Q: What are some tips for achieving bohemian beach waves?
A: For bohemian beach waves, use a sea salt spray on damp hair and scrunch it with your hands. Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser to enhance the texture. This gives your hair a relaxed, natural look.
Q: How do I style vintage-inspired waves?
A: To achieve vintage-inspired waves, use a curling iron with a small barrel to create tight curls. Pin each curl and let them cool before releasing. Brush them out gently for a smooth, classic wave pattern.
Q: What is the best way to get surfer girl waves?
A: Surfer girl waves can be achieved by braiding damp hair and leaving it to dry naturally. Once dry, undo the braids and use your fingers to separate the waves for a carefree, beachy look.
Q: How can I make sleek waves with a deep side part?
A: To create sleek waves with a deep side part, use a flat iron to create soft waves. Part your hair deeply to one side and apply a smoothing serum to add shine and control frizz.