Beach hair is essentially the opposite of dull, lifeless hair. It’s got volume, texture, definition. It looks effortless—artfully suspended in perfect form without any effort whatsoever.
Except if you haven’t been to the beach – in which case, you have to work hard for it.
So what is Beach Hair?
This is the highly texturized state your hair takes when you’ve emerged from the sea. The salty water makes it look fuller and feel thicker, and you get to enjoy the best hair day you’ve had in months.
If you have wavy or curly hair then your hair movement is accentuated when going for the beachy look. To mimic that texture, volume, and definition, you will need a few products at home.
It takes just a few minutes’ time, practise and some zhoooshing.
Here’s how to pull it off, and how to look as if you just rolled in from Mount Maunganui or better yet, Fiji!
Use Dry Shampoo for Volume and Definition
On the days you don’t shampoo, you can soak up the excess oil with a dry shampoo powder or spray. It gives you a texturized, somewhat gritty and defined finish.
You need to target the roots of your hair to make this work. That’s where the oil is mostly collected. It won’t do you any good to spray the ends of your hair. In fact, this will only dry it out unnecessarily, giving a matte dry look
If you have longer hair, you’ll find that it’s more buoyant after a dry shampoo application. Same with medium hair, though the effect is that the hair stands up more, since it’s not heavy enough to lay itself down. VIP or Volume In Powder from Kerastase and Morning after Dust by L’Oreal, both dissolve any oil or sebum control and add texture or grit to the hair.
Texturize It with Paste
Paste is the most versatile hair product, in that you can apply it wet or dry, to short or long styles—plus it’s re-workable throughout the day. Basically, it’s the least fussy, and it rinses out clean at the end of the day. Deviation paste or Density Material by L’Oreal are both magnificent for helping create this beach hair look on shorter hair.
Paste is also the best product for achieving a texturized style. The emphasis there is on “style”, since I’m referring to the fact that you are making an effort to control and tame the hair, even if the end result is intentionally messy. It can take a little practise to perfect however we are happy to show you the ‘how’
Blow Dry Hair For Volume
A great blow dry does two things for your hair: First, it gives you extra volume. Secondly, the heat locks in whatever styling product you use and magnifies its power. So, if you apply a product such as L’incroyable by Kerastase and comb it through your hair, this locks the product into your hair. The same happens with L’Oreal’s Volume Lift or Kerastase Densifique and your stylist will direct which product best works for you. When you apply the product to your towel-dried hair, just encourage it into place with your fingers or a comb, and gently lift the hairs as you air it out from beneath. If you continue texturizing it by hand as you dry, this locks the hairs into their designated direction, and you’ll have a layered, medium-to-high-hold style all day long.
Comb It, Then Mess It Up
Sometimes your hair refuses to stay styled unless you use a comb. But usually, when you use a comb, you also compromise on texture and volume.
No worries—keep the comb. If you follow the above principles, you can still get the wavy texture of your dreams:
Just tousle the hair with your fingers while you blow dry the deviation paste into place. Just separate it with your fingers, mess it up with your fingertips, and you should enjoy a texturized, “effortless” style that doesn’t shift back over your forehead by the day’s end.
Having a style session with your stylist will benefit you as she will show you and step you through these techniques so that you can achieve this look effortlessly yourself.
How to get overnight beach hair
On shoulder length or longer hair
You can recreate a soft beach wave yourself before you go to you sleep,- by following these simple steps.
- Wash and condition your hair and towel dry. Try NOT to rub, choosing instead to squeeze the moisture from the hair working from the ends of your hair, scrunching up to into the roots
- Spread a golf ball size texturising mousse (we like L’Oreal Tech Ni Art range – full Volume Lift or Volume Extra) through your mid-lengths and ends, using your fingers to comb it through. Try to avoid using a comb at this stage as this separates each hair strand and can cause the hair to appear solid and dense. Materialiste by Kerastase is a spray gel which gives you a flexible hold at the same time as helping create those waves.
- Separate your hair into sections, braid and then secure using a hair tie. For bigger, looser beach waves, just do two braids, but for tighter beach waves, create multiple braids. In the morning, release the braids and using only your fingers,- unravel and shake out the curls.
- If your hair is fluffy or too big use a smoothing serum like Kerastase Elixir oil. Apply one (for fine hair) to two (for medium to coarse) drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together so you have an even distribution of product over your entire hands.
- Apply to your hair from your ends up to the roots, this is really easy if you bend over with your head upside down as you will have complete control and can ‘see’ the waves forming as you go.
- Once you are satisfied with your placement, secure with hairspray. We love the Techni Art Fix Design as this is a non-aerosol and allows you to adjust and move the hair as you spray. It also allows you to create a temporary kink by spraying into the hair and scrunching your hair ends to roots, as you would scrunching up a piece of paper.
You can also ask your stylist to show you how and you too can enjoy that carefree beach hair!