Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Doris Jean
Beachy waves may look simple and effortless, but creating those perfect waves is not so simple. So, the main question arises – how can I get those picture-worthy beachy waves?
Curling irons and other styling appliances may not always provide you with the natural wavy tresses you desire. We looked all over the internet and came up with ten simple tips to make your hair naturally wavy.
Whether you’re experienced with heat styling equipment or not, we’ve got you covered. Scroll down to choose your favorite tips and style and start flaunting those gorgeous locks!
But First, The Basics
Whatever method you use, there are a few hair care routine essentials you must master in order to achieve the finest results.
Choosing The Appropriate Shampoo
Washing curly hair too often can remove away the natural oils that keep it lustrous and healthy-looking. Cleanse your hair with a cleansing shampoo that removes oil and build-up from the scalp while keeping the strands of your hair healthy and nourished.
Use The Right Conditioner
Search for a rich, curl-defining conditioner that contains nourishing oils and other hydrating ingredients such as glycerin. After shampooing your hair, use this curl-enhancing, moisture-rich conditioner.
Pro tip: To soften and untangle your curls, use conditioner both before and after shampooing.
Tips to Make Your Hair Wavy
Now that you’ve mastered the fundamentals, it’s time to go wavy!
Flat Iron Method
- Start by sprinkling dry shampoo into your hair’s roots.
- Hold the top half of your hair and section it off.
- Curl the lower part of the loose hair at the bottom with a flat iron.
- Repeat the previous procedure by unclipping the top hair.
- To add texture to your waves, spritz on some sea salt spray and twist your hair with your hands.
- Spritz them with hairspray to keep your waves from falling during the day.
Curling Wand
Curling wands are ideal for producing beautiful, uneven waves. This is because a wand preserves the natural texture of the hair. This look is achieved by leaving a few inches of hair unstyled at the tips.
- Start by spraying a heat protectant and then brushing through dried hair with hairspray.
- Grab vertical pieces of hair using a 1-inch barrel curling wand and wrap around, leaving two inches of hair out to prevent hair from seeming over-styled.
- As you continue, switch directions and end with a sea salt wave spray and a light hairspray.
- Triple Barrel Waver: Go ahead, play with your hair; This triple barrel waver, with outer barrels at 5/8” and the inner barrel at 1/2”, creates gorgeous continuous waves to switch up your everyday style
- Styling Control: Features 30 heat settings for every hair type and a Turbo Boost that adds up to a 27 degrees F burst of heat for difficult to style spots; Auto Off feature included.Single voltage
- Smooth, Shiny Waves: This styling waver features Double Ceramic barrels with a higher ceramic content to deliver instant and consistent heat, fast styling and long lasting waves. If cleaning becomes necessary, disconnect the waver from the power source, allow it to cool and wipe exterior with a cloth
- Innovative Styling Tools: From curling irons and wands to flat irons, hot air brushes, auto curlers and more; Conair makes high quality styling tools for all hair types
- Conair Hair Care: Since 1959, we have made innovative small appliances, hair styling tools, and more; Our hair care line includes high quality hair dryers, brushes, styling tools, and hair accessories
- 5 Interchangeable Barrels: This dual-voltage wand curling iron has 5 barrels that can be assembled into a thermal hair brush, a 3 barrel curling iron, a 0.5" small curling iron, a 1 inch curling iron and a 1 1/4 inch curling iron for long hair to create various hairstyles
- Thermal round brush & crimper hair tool: Wavytalk thermal brush promotes long-lasting styling results, keeping hair looking polished and well-styled for extended periods. The triple-barrel curling iron is suitable for all hair types, making it easy to create natural curls
- Heating up quickly & two temperature settings: Heating up instantly within 30 seconds, this curling wand is made of high-end Ceramic & PTC Technology, which helps to smooth the hair. And it features two temperature settings tailored to different hair types - 356°F and 410°F
- Easy to use: Assemble: Make sure the button and the icon on the barrel are on the same side, then insert the barrel into the handle to lock it in place. Disassemble: Pull the barrel directly off the handle while keep pressing the button
- Ideal choices for travel and gift: Dual voltage enhanced the security of the curling wand for worldwide use. The Safety Stand, Heat Protective Glove and Anti-scald Insulated Wand Tip provide heat protection security. This curling wand set is a both functional and aesthetically pleasing present for yourself/families/friends
Bun Method
If you prefer a low-maintenance hairstyle, you’re probably already familiar with the air-dry method. It also helps to make waves: with a few correctly positioned buns, you can achieve a Southern girl appearance without the use of heat.
Simply twist your hair into two buns on both sides of the ears, pin them in place, and wait until they’re dry.
Before you begin making the buns, add a styling product designed to boost your air-dried hairs when your hair is damp to enhance the bends.
Bantu Knots
This method necessitates the creation of Bantu knots, a traditional African hairdo. They look wonderful on their own, but they’re also great for creating waves quickly.
- Apply a little styling product to slightly damp hair to help the knots stay in place.
- Now, with your fingers, twist small parts of your hair until they coil over themselves and start to move towards your head.
- Wrap the knotted hair around the base of the coil after that.
- Tie the knot on your head with a band or bobby pin.
Use The ‘Twist and Squeeze’ Method
Admit it, we’re all guilty of rough towel drying our hair, but the vigorous motion can break natural curls and create an ugly frizz halo. The far softer ‘press and twist’ procedure, according to the expert, would retain curls and create volume.
Rather than stroking your hair back and forth, grab your towel and push and twist it. When you rub your hair aggressively to dry it, it pushes the hair cuticles higher, causing frizz.
Pin Method
Pin curls are one of the most traditional methods for creating wavy hair. Since the 1920s, this strategy has been used. Of course, it has evolved over the previous century or so, but the basic principle has remained the same.
Only a few tools are required for this wavy hair technique. Bobby pins, a blow dryer, a leave-in conditioner, and hair oil are all you’ll need.
- Begin by dampening your hair. Then, from the mid-lengths to the ends, apply a leave-in conditioner.
- Next, divide your hair into 1.5-inch wide portions.
- Twist the hair from the ends to the root with your fingers and tie it to your head with hairpins for each area.
- Starting with the front pieces and working your way backward is the most efficient method.
- Continue doing so until you’ve pinned all of your hair. To set the curls, either let it air dry or use a blow dryer.
- You can even sleep on your hair wrapped in a silk or satin scarf to ensure that it dries completely.
- Smooth the pin curls with your fingers after removing them. Shake your hair out from the roots with your hands underneath it. This will cause hair to fall out in a more natural manner.
- Using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, gently brush out your hair. This will help you acquire the form you want without stretching the curl. Then, to smooth the hair, apply hair oil.
Braid Method
When it comes to beauty sleep, you can even get beach waves as you sleep. Before you prep, your hair for bedtime, avoid using hot tools and wait until it is 90% dry.
Start by letting the front sections of your hair out, then flip your head over as if you were going to construct a high ponytail on top of your head, separate it into three equal parts, and braid as usual.
Don’t make it too firm, as this will prevent volume; instead, allow an inch and a half of space at the bottom and fasten it with an elastic. Gently undo the braid in the morning and shake out the hair from the roots.
Do A French Braid
If you know how to make a French braid, this is definitely one of the simplest ways to acquire wavy hair overnight. When your hair is still damp, make a French braid down the back of the head and bind it with a hair tie. Then, loosen the braid in the morning and simply comb your hair out for beach waves to die for!
Fishtail Braid
The fishtail braid technique provides the cutest waves in the easiest way possible, and it’s maybe the easiest style out there. So, what exactly do you have to do? Simply braid your hair in a fishtail pattern. And you’re done!
This braid is perfect for sleeping in. Open your braid the next morning and toss out your hair to release your waves.
Pencil/Straw Method
Curling your hair with a pencil or straw reduces the length of your hair, but the end result is stunning. This is also the most cost-effective way.
- Make a section in your hair.
- Wrap the hair strands around the straw or pencil and curl them.
- To keep them in place, use hair ties or elastics.
- Curl the strands with a flat iron and then release them to make lovely ringlets.
- To get the ideal wavy hair, run your fingers over your tresses to loosen them.
Sea Salt Spray
- LIGHT HOLD/NATURAL FINISH - Our Sea Salt Spray gives your hair an all-natural finish and a light hold. Use as a standalone styler for an effortless beachy hair feel. Use as a pre-styler to provide the perfect base for additional stylers if more hold is needed.
- PERFECTLY TOUSLED WAVES - From shoulder-length flow to an increased volume undercut, our Sea Salt Spray is the natural answer for waves. Use as a texturizer or pre-styler to elevate your morning ritual.
- INCREASE VOLUME + TEXTURE - A mix of ingredients including mediterranean sea salt and kelp extract soothe your hair follicles while delivering the volume, lift, and hold you need. Sea Salt Spray adds grit and texture to enhance your natural waves.
- WHAT TO EXPECT - Just because it's 6oz doesn't mean you should overdo it. This is a texturizing product and applying more than needed will start to soak up more oils in the hair than desired. Stick to 5-7 pumps and you'll be good-to-go. Style with your fingers or add a blow-dryer to achieve the desired look.
- YOUR NEW FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCT. GUARANTEED. FREE RETURNS - As a small homegrown company, we're only as strong as the community that backs us. Whether you're a long-time customer or someone just starting to get their hair right, let us know if your product doesn't live up to expectations and we'll make it right.
- In a spray bottle, mix the sea salt and warm water and shake until all of the salt has dissolved.
- Melt the coconut oil in a separate basin, then blend it with the leave-in conditioner and pour it into the spray container.
- If you’re going to use essential oils, add them in now, give the bottle another shake, and you’ve got yourself an incredibly cheap and easy-to-make sea salt spray!
- You can also use sea salt spray as a stand-alone way to achieve your desired waves.
- Dry your hair with a microfibre towel or t-shirt, spritzing some sea salt spray from mid-length to tip, then scrunching it up in your hands for more loose and less-defined waves.
- Leave it to air dry.
- Then carefully comb through your dry hair with your fingers until you achieve the desired wave style.
- You can blow-dry it if you want it to dry faster, but the waves are nicer, and it’s much healthier for your hair’s health if you let it dry naturally.
Do’s And Don’ts for Wavy Hair
Do’s
- Trim your hair on a regular basis to avoid split ends.
- Replace your shampoo with one that is sulfate-free or has a creamy consistency. This ensures that your hair does not lose too much moisture and that the pH balance is maintained.
- Use conditioners: Conditioning your wavy locks is a terrific way to hydrate them. Only a quarter-sized amount is required, and it should be worked into your hair from tip to root.
- Detangle your hair while it’s still wet with conditioner. Remove the knots simply with a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Start at the bottom and work your way up to the roots to detangle. This will also aid in the penetration of the conditioner into the strands. Rinse your hair with cool water after 3 minutes.
- To damp hair, use a tiny amount of serum or a mix of serum and curl cream. This will add moisture to the strands and give you lustrous curls without the frizz.
- Using a mousse or foam to tame flyaways and keep wavy hair patterns is a good idea. Use three pumps of foam to damp hair and distribute evenly. To add volume to your hair, cup it at the tips, scrunch it up, and squeeze it towards the roots.
Don’ts
- Don’t wash your hair regularly: For a clean scalp and natural shine, wait 2-4 days between washes. Use a leave-in conditioner in between to keep your wavy hair looking fresh and alive.
- Use only a small amount of shampoo: Too much of it depletes the hair’s natural oils. Shampoos that are devoid of sulfates and parabens should be used.
- When the hair is totally dry, avoid brushing or combing it as much as possible. Regardless of how much product you use to repair it, there will be a lot of frizz.
- If you don’t have a curl diffuser, don’t use your hairdryer. Blast drying is not recommended for curly hair. A diffuser adds bounce to your hair while also enhancing the curl pattern.
- Avoid using too much heat on your hair. Curly hair naturally becomes dry and frizzy. Heat styling your hair too much will exacerbate the problem, making it brittle and weak.
- Don’t totally rinse away the conditioner. To help lock in moisture, apply a small amount of conditioner to the bottom locks of hair. It also keeps your hair smooth while drying and creates bouncy, well-defined waves.
- Rubbing your hair with a dry towel can make it frizzy and cause damage. To remove extra water, cup the towel in your palm and gently squeeze it.
Products for Wavy Hair
In Summary
1. Use the correct shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair clean and nourished for the finest results.
2. Make sure your hair is dry or damp – not wet – for the best results.
3. Use the correct styling products to keep those waves in place. The 1-2 combo of mousse and a smidgeon of hairspray will hold those curls in place without sacrificing the natural look.
4. A curl-defining serum will provide natural gloss and hydration to your waves while also keeping them from frizz.
So, that’s all! Our top tips for the most effective techniques to get wavy hair. So, what are you waiting for now that you know how to get wavy hair? Try these out and share which wavy hair methods worked best for you in the comments section below.
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