7 Tips For Perfect Beachy Waves

Perfect beach waves are a timeless summer trend but you don't necessarily need to be on a tropical getaway to embrace them. We spoke to the experts to find out the best ways to create effortless textured locks from home whatever the weather this summer.

PREP WITH MOUSSE

"Prepping your hair correctly for a beachy waved summer look is paramount", reveals Craig Taylor, creative director at Hari's Hair Salons. "The hair should not be too clean, as it needs to hold the undone wave, so start to build your hair up with a firm, not too sticky mousse." Bazaar's beauty director, Katy Young, currently loves Redken's Full Effect 04 All-Over Nourishing Mousse, £17.

"To avoid the appearance of greasiness, apply the product slightly away from the roots and comb it through so it distributes evenly", Taylor continues. "Then, if your hair is fine, repeat the process to achieve more body."

ADD TEXTURE

"Whether you rock long layers, a midi, a lob or even a bob, carefree and unstructured beach waves are easily achieved with the right products", says Amy Harris, senior stylist at Duck & Dry. "Use a texture spray, like Duck & Dry's Oomph! Dry Volume and Texture Spray, £14, sparingly applying it from root to ends, before finishing off with a flexible hold hairspray. Remember to gentle tousle, (not scrunch!), each section as you work", Harris advises, as this will encourage extra body and flyaways without weighing down your hair.

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FAKE THE BEACH

"For the ultimate beach wave, sea salt spray is the perfect product to create that textured beachy look", recommends glow&dry stylist Rianna Henry. She uses Bumble and Bumble's Surf Infusion, £23, as it contains "a splash of oil so you can achieve texture with added hydration."

When using salt spray, Taylor suggests "rough drying it into your hair so that you achieve a rougher texture - taking on the feel of hair that has dried after being wet from the sea." The stylist also suggests adding a nod to the wet-look trend by "blow drying smooth any areas you'd prefer to have a little shine... and adding a very small amount of Phyto Sun's After-Sun Oil, £26.50," to the same sections.

AVOID UNIFORMITY

When curling your hair with tongs, "you don't need to twist your hair in the same direction for each section, as you want this look to be naturally wavy and not too uniform", says celebrity stylist and Viviscal brand ambassador Neil Moodie. "Instead, rough dry your hair with your fingers and a hairdryer, before applying any sprays. Then, once dry, take random sections of hair and wrap around a curling iron holding for around 3-5 seconds to curl."

Adam Reed, Ghd's global brand ambassador, agrees suggesting: "for more dishevelled, beachy waves, wrap smaller sections of hair around the Ghd's Creative Curl Wand, £100, and change the direction that you wrap the hair so that the waves differ in direction. Once all hair has been curled, take each section of hair at the end and shake it to open up the wave, before gently misting with hairspray."

SOFTEN YOUR CURLS

"Instead of curling all the way to the ends of your hair, leave the ends straight for the natural, carefree look", suggests Harris. "Once hair is removed from the tong, gently pull each section downwards to soften the curl and repeat this step throughout the whole head."

Then, "break up the waves and all the hair at the roots with your fingers, tipping your head upside down and to each side" as you do so, says Taylor. "If the hair is still feeling soft use some dry shampoo to add further guts to the hair, before continuing to add that undone look with your fingers."

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USE A STRAIGHTENER

"A tong can leave your waves too rounded and polished", says hairdresser Lee Stafford, so another option is to "use your straighteners to create 'S' shaped waves. All you need to do is take one-inch sections of hair, create an 'S' shape with it and tap the straightener over the shape to set it. Alternate this 'S' shape down until you reach the end of the hair for a more natural looking, textured wave."

SLEEP ON IT

One of the simplest ways to get beach-worthy curls is to twist your hair up into buns or plaits before you go to bed, Henry explains. "Section freshly washed, damp hair into four tight space buns, securing with an Invisibobble, £5 for three, to avoid kinks. Leave in overnight and then simply get up, unroll and you will have beautiful beachy waves with minimal effort."

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From: Harper's BAZAAR UK