How To Create Effortless Beachy Waves

All styles, including beachy waves, start with the right foundation, according to celebrity hair stylist Larry King. “To create that effortless Bondi Beach wave look, I’d start with a light trim to freshen up the ends” he says. “Then we’d work in some soft, vertical layers throughout the hair to create a shattered, airy texture that gives beautiful movement and flow.” For a cool-girl finish, try pairing it with a grown-out fringe which has the power to “freshen and brighten up the face.”

Before you start styling, it’s important to prep the hair properly. Adam Livermore, global educator at Oribe suggests starting with a primer like the Run-Through Detangling Primer. After that, a texture lotion will enhance the waves, whether you’re diffusing or letting them air dry. Larry King’s My Nanna’s Mousse is his go-to product for adding volume. “I apply it before a blow-dry, which gives the hair natural bounce and lift,” he explains. 

Hair stylist George Northwood, best known for perfecting the cool-girl, laidback look on clients like Alexa Chung, says the key to nailing this look is all about ‘barely-there’ hair. “Many people want the opposite of big, bouncy curls – think of it as ‘no make-up make-up’ for your hair.” Taking a more undone approach to achieve those nonchalant California waves at home starts with a gentle rough dry or air dry. “Make sure your hair doesn’t look too smooth and has some natural bends to it,” George says. A few spritzes of a good quality holding spray will ensure the style stays put and add heat protection, but a light touch will help avoid weighing things down. The next step is to grab a curling tong but to use it without precision. “To add subtle waves, tong random sections or use a flat iron in a zig-zag motion to achieve that understated texture that looks really natural.” 

Adam has one simple rule he always follows: “Never blow dry your hair straight before you curl it, as it will always make your curls or waves drop.” Instead, rough dry the hair, to bring out some of its natural texture before adding shape with your styling tools and texturising products.

Whether you’re short on time or not, air drying can be the best (and easiest) way to achieve a natural-looking finish, says hair stylist Luke Hersheson. “Air drying can work for everyone but the effect it has on the hair varies from person to person. It’s literally like dialling up your hair’s individuality.” Many of us have a hint of wave that comes out naturally and by arming yourself with a few tips and tricks, you can identify and enhance your hair’s natural movement. On wet hair he recommends misting a product like Hershesons’ Air Dry Spray through the mid-lengths and ends, twisting and scrunching to help form natural waves, without any heat. With no salt (which can dry the hair out) or stickiness, it forms a weightless veil, locking in moisture whilst adding definition and texture. If you have a fringe, he suggests fixing it in place with dent-free clips to help set the style in place without smoothing it out too much with tools.

“If you're in a rush and can't let the actual beach do its thing, then the fastest and most authentic manual method is the 'S' wave,” explains hair stylist Halley Brisker. “This is created by taking a straightening iron and creating an ‘S’-style bend, beginning from the root and working all the way to the tip. This is the best wave type to mimic the undone feel of the beachy wave.”

According to Halley, the key to the perfect beachy wave finish is good separation. “If you don't break up and tousle the movement properly you can end up with something that feels much more groomed instead,” he explains. “The new OLAPLEX o.7 Shine Serum Oil Mist has all the best properties of the classic No.7 Bonding Oil while combining a bi-phase serum formula with a diffusion spray, allowing you to pump in the perfect separation for a lived-in finish.”

Although you’ll want to use as little as possible when creating your style, it's important – especially if you have hair that tends to drop – to lock your waves in with well-formulated products. George Northwood’s Undone Moisturising Cream applied throughout the lengths and ends, for example, will add texture and definition, giving the hair that beachy appearance while still minimising frizz. Larry King also suggests flipping the hair over to boost volume and running a cream through to hold the waves and add a little shine. To keep things tousled through the day, you can keep a texturising spray on hand, spritzing and scrunching as and when you need.

Follow @ADAM_LIVERMORE, @GEORGENORTHWOOD, @HALLEYBRISKER, @LARRYKINGHAIR & @LUKEHERSHESON