How To Fake Beachy Waves When There’s No Vacay In Sight
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There’s something about beachy waves that gets us in the mood for summer. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re an easy vacay ‘do that you can achieve for free, or maybe it’s the not trying too hard, yet sexy AF vibes they give off. Whatever the case, we’re here for them, but we can’t always migrate to a beachside locale to score ‘em. Which is where these celeb stylists come in with their expert advice for faking relaxed, wavy, goddess hair. You’re welcome.
The Curling Iron Combo
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If you have naturally wavy hair, you’re basically in the clear for beachy waves. If you’ve got zero bend in your mane, however, try Beverly Hills-based celebrity stylist Linet K‘s solution for effortlessly tousled tresses.
Step 1: Using the Bio Ionic 1.25 Inch Long Barrel Styler, $140, curl sections of hair holding the iron vertically at a 90-degree angle.
Step 2: Rotate the hair at opposite angles for each section you pick up (example: wave facing forward, versus wave facing the opposite way), but be sure to leave an inch out on the ends. The straight ends paired with waves curled in opposite directions will give you the natural beachy texture you want without being at the beach.
Pro tip: Make sure the waves around the face are curled away from the face to give the hair a natural sun-kissed look. Finish with a texturizing spray like the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Perfect Texture Finishing Spray, $19, for the same touchable texture and fullness.
The Twist and Braid
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When you can’t swing a beach day (damn you, work!), just follow Garnier consulting celebrity stylist Tommy Buckett’s advice for faking it ’til you make it – in the mermaid hair department.
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Step 1: Start with freshly washed damp hair out of the shower and use a curl cream and a beach sea salt spray. A great curl cream that also serves as an air-dry cream is Garnier Curl Nourish Butter Cream, $6, and for salt spray, try Garnier Style Beach Chic Texturizing Spray, $3. After applying both, use a wide-tooth comb to distribute evenly throughout hair.
Step 2: Twist large sections of hair starting at the roots, all the way down to the ends, then create loose braids all over. Just make sure the ends are not secured too tight as that makes a crease. Leave to air dry or catch some zzzs with them in.
Step 3: When dry, shake out the braids and add more sea salt spray and curl cream to make your locks look like they dried in the salty beach air.
The Topknot Trick
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According to Oribe educator Adam Livermore, when you’re not at the beach less is more in terms of products to get beachy waves. And rocking a topknot while you catch Zzzs is an insider hack for scoring covetable sexy-messy locks.
Step 1: If your hair is fairly straight, before you go to bed work a few pumps of Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, $55, into barely-damp mid-lengths and ends.
Step 2: Then, layer a nickel-to-quarter size amount (depending on how much hair you have) of a texturizing cream, like the Oribe Matte Waves Texture Lotion, $42, from the scalp to the ends and whizz it up into a high topknot.
Step 3: When you wake up in the morning, shake out your hair and give it a tussle with Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray, $44.
Pro tip: If your hair has a natural wave, use these types of products, but skip the topknot and go to bed with your damp hair down. When you wake up, give it a light misting of Oribe Mystify Restyling Spray, $22, to release any awkward bends in your waves, spritz on some heat protection, then touch up the messiest 5-6 pieces with a big curling iron.
If your hair needs a little lovin’ make sure you check out our fave hair masks here.
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