6 Expert Tips For Creating Beachy Waves

Like any hair look, everything starts with the right foundations, says celebrity hairstylist, brand and salon owner Larry King. “To create that effortless Bondi Beach wave look, I’d start with a light trim to freshen up the ends” he suggests. “Then we’d work in some soft, vertical layers throughout the hair to create a shattered, airy texture that gives beautiful movement and flow.” A grown-out fringe, he adds, will “instantly freshen and brighten up the face”, adding to that ‘cool girl’ finish. To enhance any cut, Larry also uses a tool like the Dyson Corrale, to create loose S-waves for that laidback, beachy texture.

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

George Northwood, who’s known for perfecting the cool-girl, laidback look on clients like Alexa Chung, says this look is all about ‘barely-there hair’. “Many people want the opposite to big, bouncy curls… it’s like no make-up make-up for the hair” he says. 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 (like his Undone Wave Holding Spray) will ensure the style stays put and add some heat protection, but using a light touch will help you 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 also 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 expert stylist and CEO of Hershesons 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, he says. On wet hair he suggests misting a product like Hersheson’s 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.

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 taking down frizz and looking polished. Larry King also suggests flipping the hair over to boost volume, running his Social Life 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 when and as you need.