Hair How To: Beachy Waves the Natural Way
Soft, undone ‘beachy’ hair waves are a way for all hair lengths and types to enjoy a more relaxed summer style.It’s so popular, it’s one of the most popular search terms for hair on Google, but that’s often because it’s not always the easiest to get right. Too much product can turn undone waves into a straggly mess. Not enough and hair can go fluffy.
Then there’s the ‘with heat or without heat’ question for getting your curls.
Much like the no-makeup makeup look, this look is more involved than it appears. Getting it right means choosing which effect you want and then allocating the right amount of time accordingly.
Beachy waves can either be boho glossy shimmering falls of waves or simple and deconstructed; think Holly Willoughby’s tousled bob.
If you want the shimmering fall, you need three things: heat, product, and time. If you want the bob, it can be done with much more ease. If you want to use a heatless method, you will have to put a bit more work in, but there is far less damage to your hair
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the Suvarna ‘expert guide’ to getting beachy waves for your hair the natural way.
Boho glam waves (the heat method - allocate about an hour)
1. CLEAN Firstly, give your hair a good clarify with a natural shampoo. It’s absolutely vital that this one doesn’t have any sulfates or SleS, as they’ll strip the hair of the natural oils you need for texture. Use the It's Pure Clarifying Treatment for the best organic clarifier.
DO NOT towel dry your hair – wrap it and pat it. It takes longer but protects the curl and doesn’t damage the hair.
2. PREP Spritz a little leave in conditioner through the ends. You could try the Logona Argan Oil Leave In Treatment. Again, make sure it’s silicone free as that will weigh the hair down instead of creating movement. This will help fight frizz and build that ‘shine’ that you want to achieve.
3. DRY the hair to roughly three quarters dry with your hair dryer on low, then scrunch through a firm hold mousse. This is important because the ingredients in your mousse are diluted if the hair is too wet – it simply won’t work.
Make sure it doesn’t have a high alcohol percentage (very drying) then move on to styling.
4. STYLE If you have naturally curly hair, congratulations, this is an easier job for you. Use a large round brush (natural bristles) and pull the hair down. Angle your hair dryer onto the hair from above the smooth cuticles and pull out your curl, turning the brush round at the bottom.
If your hair is straight, or fine, instead lift it at the root and using the same approach with the hairdryer, flip the hair back and forth at the root to create lift and movement.
5. DEFINE your curls with tongs. Firstly, always prep your hair with a heat protective spray. Then work section by section, using a mid-size barrel no hotter then 180 degrees.
Wrap the hair round the barrel from root to ends, then turn the barrel horizontal, release the curl and just hold it for a second until it cools.
Keep your sections to an inch max and no smaller then half an inch or the curl will be too tight.
6. BREAK the hair up with your fingers, then SPRITZ with a natural hair spray, like the Eco Cosmetics Spray, to break the curls. Finish with a dash of oil for shine and voila – you’re good to go!
Lazy and Natural Beachy Waves (The No Heat Method – Overnight)
Less heat styling means less damage BUT it does take a little longer to get the curl into your hair.
1. CLEAN Firstly, give your hair a good clarify with a natural shampoo. It’s absolutely vital that this one doesn’t have any sulfates or SleS, as they’ll strip the hair of the natural oils you need for texture. Use the It's Pure Clarifying Treatment for the best organic clarifier.
DO NOT towel dry your hair – wrap it and pat it. It takes longer but protects the curl and doesn’t damage the hair.
2. PREP Spritz or rub a little leave in conditioner through the ends; the Odylique Conditioner is perfect for this. Again, make sure it’s silicone free as that will weigh the hair down instead of creating movement. This will help fight frizz and build that ‘shine’ that you want to achieve.
3. WORK a gel, like the Eco Cosmetics Gel, through your hair whilst soaking wet, then plait the hair into 6 – 10 plaits (depending on the thickness of your hair). Any fewer and the curls look too neat. Sleep on it, then pull them out in the morning.
4. BREAK the hair up with your fingers, then SPRITZ with a natural hair spray to break the curls. You can also add a little sea salt to a mix of water and gel (two parts water to one part gel) to create a simple, DIY sea salt spray.