Achieving Timeless Beach Waves: A Step-by-Step Guide with Wella’s Best Products
Trends come and go, but signature looks like beach waves remain timeless. Relatively easy to achieve and can be worn by short strands and long hair alike.
Whether you live by the sea or simply want a hairstyle that looks like you do, beach waves are the go-to option.
The best thing about beachy waves is that there are so many styles that fall into this category, allowing you to make the look your own.
Whether you’re loyal to your curling iron or prefer heatless hairstyles, there’s a method for everyone.
1. USE AN UPLIFTING SHAMPOO
If you’ve been blessed with wavy locks, lather up using the Nutricurls Shampoo For Wavy Hair. It’s lightweight and sulphate-free, helping to define their natural curves.
For born-with-it curls, keep coils intact using the Nutricurls Micellar Shampoo For Curls, which combines delicate washing with anti-frizz ingredients to enhance existing texture.
Meanwhile, give straight hair a pick-me-up with INVIGO Volume Boost Bodifying Shampoo; a lift-enhancing cleanser that creates the perfect canvas for tousled styles.
2. OPT FOR LIGHTWEIGHT CONDITIONERS
If your ends have been lightened, your strands will also need a dose of care. So, how do you nourish colored locks without weighing down would-be waves? The secret is in a lightweight conditioner that helps to nurture lengths. Our go-to is the INVIGO Volume Boost Crystal Mask or, for wavy or curly hair, the Nutricurls Detangling Conditioner For Waves & Curls. Smooth through with a wide-toothed comb, then rinse thoroughly.
3. MIX AND MATCH STYLING ESSENTIALS
Don’t be afraid to cocktail your stylers. Once just-washed hair has been towel-dried, layer in volumizing products, starting with the lightest formulas first.
Work EIMI Root Shoot into the root area, mist and scrunch Ocean Spritz through the mid-lengths and ends, then massage a pump of Perfect Me over the top. You’ll have volume, texture and smoothness in one look.
4. DRY, CURL AND LOOSEN
Blow-dry your locks using a paddle brush and a hairdryer. Lift the roots as you go to boost volume, pointing the dryer nozzle downwards to smooth the cuticle.
Then, when hair is 100% dry, wrap sections of hair around the curling Iron. Start around two inches down from the root, and leave an inch free at the ends for an undone feel. Once you’ve created ringlets through every section of hair, use fingertips to loosen, ruffle and tousle from root to tip.
Hairdryers, flat irons and curling irons can all lead to heat damaged hair. Today's heat tools are designed to have as little impact on hair condition as possible, but the outer layer of strands can still become over processed without the right protection.
The Fix:
If you’re not ready to hang up the heat styling tools, make sure you’re using the correct heat protectant. Different hair types are better suited to certain formulas, and the idea is to choose one that doesn't weigh your locks down.
For curls that are in good condition but prone to product build-up, reach for EIMI Thermal Image. The light mist boosts shine while safeguarding strands from heat up to 220 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, drier curls in need of moisture will benefit from layering in Elements Renewing Leave-In Spray; a nourishing mist that shields your hair from heat-induced dehydration.
Other tips
On hair with natural movement, all it takes is a dose of a texturizing spray and a curling iron.
Our picks? EIMI Ocean Spritz salt spray misted and scrunched through damp mid-lengths to ends, followed by the Curl Wand tong teased through random, air-dried sections of hair. Add more salt spray as needed.
Blot wet hair with a towel, then mist EIMI Sugar Lift or EIMI Ocean Spritz from root to tip and lightly blowdry using a diffuser, while twisting sections around fingers to encourage movement. For a stronger wave, wrap random sections around a curling iron and set with EIMI Stay Firm.