Summer is officially here and mermaid hair (AKA beach waves) is set to reign supreme this season, alongside soft glam makeup. But unfortunately, those Insta-worthy waves aren’t actually a result of the ocean water. Perfectly tousled tresses require a bit of time and TLC.
And thankfully, we’ve found the perfect hair hacks to cheat your way to effortlessly styled beach waves. From wave wands to curly hair essentials, here are four easy ways to create beachy locks that will rival even JLo’s picture-perfect mane.
How to create easy beach waves
With a wave wand
A wave wand, for beach waves? Groundbreaking. But seriously, if we could choose one heat tool for summer, a wave wand would be our pick. It’s the ultimate time-saving tool and delivers delightfully disheveled bends in minutes. Mermaid hair, here we come.
Mermade Hair PRO Waver 32mm, $89 at Adore Beauty
With a curler
For the perfect undone finish, a wide-barrel curling iron is the way to go. Our go-to? The Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler Curl & Wave wand. It comes with three different barrels so you can tailor your waves to suit your mood, and features ionic technology to help protect hair health. And don’t forget to prep with a good heat spray to protect your strands as you style.
Remington 3 in 1 Multistyler Curl & Wave, $49 at The Good Guys
Overnight beach waves
Want to create beachy mermaid waves without the potential heat damage? A heatless curler is set to become your beauty BFF – at least for the summer.
All it takes is a heatless curl roller (or you can use a bathrobe belt), a couple of scrunchies and a restful night’s sleep to create perfectly sculpted beach waves. This method takes ‘I woke up like this’ vibes to a whole new level.
Heatless Hair Roller, $4.50 at Kmart
Salt spray beach waves
The other secret weapon for beach waves? Your summer styling product kit. And our most reached for summer hair product is without a doubt a good sea salt spray. Salt sprays are your shortcut to undone and tousled tresses, minus the sand and dry-straw feeling that can often occur from the real thing.
All you need is a quick spritz onto damp hair, then scrunch or twist your strands and watch the mermaid waves fall into place as they dry. If you’ve previously experienced too much ‘crunch’ from the product, we urge you to try again, because the sea salt sprays on the market now are pretty magical. You can also use a salt spray to hold heat-curled waves in place and add an extra beachy finish.
Here are our favourite sea salt sprays for natural, soft waves.
Justice Professional Sea Salt Spray
For finer and flatter hair types, the JUSTICE Professional Sea Salt Spray will boost volume and increase hair thickness by adding natural movement from the roots down. If your hair tends to go frizzy from the sea, this spray is formulated with resins and polymers to create body and texture, minus the frizz.
Read more JUSTICE Professional Sea Salt Spray reviews.
$19.95 at JUSTICE Professional
KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray
If your hair struggles to hold a wave, the KMS sea salt spray will keep that ‘just out of the ocean’ look lasting all day. Thanks to the innovative formula using a PVP setting polymer, this spray will provide support and maintain hold within the hair.
Read more KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray reviews.
$24.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty
John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea-Salt Spray
Zhoosh your ‘do and create carefree tousled waves from root to tip with this lightweight spray. A few spritzes onto wet or dry hair will help to transform flat, lifeless hair into fuller, bouncier locks.
Read more John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea-Salt Spray reviews.
$18 at Woolworths
Schwarzkopf Extra Care Keratin Sea Salt Spray
Think vacation hair that will cost you way less than an airfare. Formulated with keratin for added shine and nourishment, this spray is perfect for all hair types and will create instant natural movement without the stiff, crunchy feel.
Have you tried this product? Leave your Schwarzkopf Extra Care Keratin Sea Salt Spray review.
$10.25 at Chemist Warehouse
muk haircare Beach muk Sea Salt Spray
Perfect for naturally straight hair, this spray separates and defines individual curls while adding natural body and texture from the root to tip. The oil-free formula is finished with a refreshing cantaloupe smell for the full tropical experience.
Read more Beach muk Sea Salt Spray reviews.
$25.95 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Main image credit: @beyonce
Have you used a sea salt spray before? How was the result?
Somehow I’m lucky enough to have the beach look without doing a thing haha.
The heatless hair roller looks good.
The Salt spray beach waves sounds good if it can give fine flat hair more body, volumn and thickness.
All very helpful idea’s! Easier if you have curly hair. 🙂
I used a sea salt spray from another brand, but stopped when I read the ingredients list. I’m a bit fussy about what I put on my hair.
Must try the heatless hair roller.
It looks really interesting and it’s so cheap to try.
That sea salt spray is great value. Great finds 🙂
My hair is curly – so I do not think this product would work for me.
Sea Salt Spray sounds interesting
Some great Products for Mermaid Hair and Beach Curls not really interested in doing this but great for the people who love them.
Wow, cannot believe that the cheap $4.50 KMart product works. It doesn’t need any energy either so that saves again.
Maybe it’s painful to sleep in.
We finally tried the Kmart heat roller and it works!
I tried John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves Sea-Salt Spray. It was fantastic.
I plait my long hair before bed, which gives me a wave.
Never tried sea salt spray, but I will get the Kmart curler.
This picture would be one of the most attractive girls I have seen in a long time on the beautyheaven site.
The model is stunning
Such a pretty hair style
Well, it’s being very cool and good to know some important things about beachy waves for the hair that how to protect your hair in salty water and climate. for hair loss you can visit restoration hair FUE center Islamabad for treatment.
Sea salt spray .. interesting, never used it before
I love this look, but simply don’t have the skills to achieve it.
The kmart one is a good price
I haven’t tried this type of product before, I have naturally curly hair.
My natural hair dries like this but I wish it was less frizzy!
looks very pretty