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How to get Beachy Waves Hair Without Sea Salt

How to Get Beachy Waves Hair Without Salt

I know many people love beachy waves hair, but don’t know how to achieve them without using salt, which can strip the hair of color and dry it out. So I’m going to tell you how I achieved beachy waves when I had long hair. Yes, you read correctly. A long time ago, in a land far, far away, I used to have long hair. I had long hair down to about my waist. I used to do elaborate braids and styles with my hair – french braid, dutch braid, french roll, chignon, twists. I practiced on my Barbie dolls to learn how to braid hair and then learned to do it on myself. Ahem, anyway, onto beachy waves hair.

My Many Different Hair Styles
Some of my many different hair styles and colors.

Start by using a moisture mask on your hair regularly. You want to make sure your hair is as moisturized and healthy as possible. I have no idea what I used as a teenager, probably Herbal Essence or Pantene, but right now I would recommend using DermOrganic Intensive Hair Repair Masque with Argan Oil. This is my favorite hair masque and because I color my hair and I typically like to alternate using this masque with a protein masque. Sadly, right now I can’t find a cruelty-free protein hair masque to replace my Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus, so I’ve been doing without. If anyone knows of an alternative, please let me know!

Wash and dry your hair about halfway. You can read about the specific shampoos and conditioners that I recommend in my How to Take Care of Brightly Colored Hair post. While most people will tell you to use a sea salt spray after it’s halfway dry, do not do this! If you have colored hair, like I do, it can take away your color. It can also dry out your hair, which you want to avoid! So instead, use a styling mousse like DermOrganic Volume Foam or a thickening cream like Marc Anthony Instantly Thick Hair Thickening Cream.

Next, you’re going to want to apply rollers. In the past, I used Hot Rollers all over my hair, but now I have Conair Self Holding Rollers (because you can use these to style wigs, too) that can be used on longer hair. Another type of roller that I have not tried but looks promising are Soft Pillow Rollers. So after you’ve got the styling product of your choice in, put in the rollers. At this point you may want to spritz with a bit of hair spray or skip it. I skip it here because I do it later. I would recommend wrapping your hair with a hair wrap if you can’t stand the feeling of rollers in your hair. When I used to use smaller sponge rollers they would drive me crazy.

Then, sleep on your hair overnight. Wake up, take off the hair wrap, pull out the rollers, brush your hair or use a large tooth comb and voilà! Beachy waves! Lightly mist with a bit of hair spray and you’re good to go. Right now I’m using DermOrganic Fast Dry Shaping Spray plus Hold.

Double Dutch Braid
Double Dutch Braid (image credit)

Alternately, if you do not like rollers, don’t want to buy rollers, don’t want to sleep on rollers, etc you can try braiding after you apply your Volume Foam or Thickening Cream.  Divide your hair into two sides – your left side and your right side. Loosely dutch braid (french braid on the outside) each side of your hair all the way to your ends. Again, I would recommend using a hair wrap to keep your hair mostly in place as you sleep, especially if you toss and turn. In the morning, take out the braid, run a brush or large tooth comb through your hair, lightly mist with hairspray and have fun!

Have you ever wanted beachy waves? How did you achieve that style?

11 Comments

  1. Great tips. I really don’t like using sea salt sprays so I really love these ideas! Hopefully my hair will be long enough to have nice beachy waves for the summer!

  2. I tried doing braids to give my hair wave last spring, and I ended up with a huge crimped mess. It made me sad. Thankfully, my hair does have some natural wave in it already, so I’ve learned to work with what I have. When I want something more curly (and I have enough time) I grab my new curling wand.

  3. I have long hair (waist length) and even though I have a lot of it, it is very fine. Sometimes when I take out the braids, I end up with crimped hair. A great way to create beachy waves with braids over night is to use a scarf in your braid to make the waves bigger instead of crimpy! What I do is take a long scarf and pin it in the middle to the top of my head. I divide my hair into two sections, and pull one section (including the scarf hanging on that side) into a ponytail to keep out of the way. I take one section and divide it into two. The scarf serves as the third section. Then you just french braid it as usual!

  4. Great post! I just sent it to my daughter….she just got her hair color-treated and we wanted to try to do “beachy waves” for her upcoming prom. We’re going to use a wand instead of curlers (she is quite low-maintenance…I’m lucky to get to work on her that day as it is! lol).
    I also told her to read all your tips about hair care to make it last as long as possible–I told her she would probably need to get it done again before graduation and she gave me “a look” ROFL told you she was not high-maintenance 😉
    LOVE all your hair looks! I’d love to have long hair again, but ah well. I adore your hair short! (Getting my lopped off in a few weeks!)

  5. That Dutch braid is GORGEOUS. I am a failure at anything but normal braids but I am in LOVE with this!!!

  6. The Marc Anthony Beach Waves spray works really well for this, too. I got it from your giveaway last year. It even gives the hair some volume, too.

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