Summer is here, so it’s only appropriate to style your hair with beach waves! Getting that sexy look is easier than you think. Everyone has their preferences on techniques and tools, but prepping the hair is the most important step. Here are some tips and techniques to effortlessly get those tousled beach wave curls that are timelessly stylish.

Prepping The Hair

• Apply Mousse - The hair should not be too clean when trying to achieve the beach wave hairstyle. Give your hair some body by using firm but not too sticky mousse.
• Texturize the Hair - Spritz the hair with a texture spray to add volume, hold, and texture.
• Use Sea Salt Spray - It gives the hair a slightly gritty texture like what saltwater from the beach does to your hair.

Tips on Techniques

Flat Iron - It has become a versatile tool when it comes to styling the hair. Below are various techniques to create beach wave curls with the flat iron.

• S-Shape Technique - With this method, you will work with one-inch section and create and s-shape. Clamp over the section with the flat iron to set it. For a more natural look, alternate the s-shape as you work down the hair.
  

• Pull and Twist -

  Clamp a section of your hair into the straight iron. Twist your wrist away from the face and hang on to the bottom tip of your hair. Start pulling the flat iron down, making sure that the hair continues to wrap around it as you slide down the strand of hair.

• Braid and Clamp - Depending on how big you want your waves, section the hair and braid it. Clamp the braid with the flat iron and run it through several times to add heat and set the waves. Unbraid and separate.

• Twist and Clamp - This method is similar to the braid and clamp method. Section the hair down the middle. With one section, separate into two strands and twist.  Then twist the two separate strands together. Run the flat iron through several times to create the beach waves. Untwist and separate.

Heatless Beach Waves - Here are some techniques that don’t require any heat! These techniques work best on damp hair and allowed to air-dry overnight. This can also be done in the morning as well by letting it air dry while putting on makeup. If you need to speed up the process though, blow drying it will work too.

• Headband Technique - Dampen the hair and place a wide, stretchy headband around your head. Part the hair down the middle. Start with one section near your ears and twist it. Wrap the twisted hair around the headband down towards the nape of the neck. Set the curls by letting it air dry and then gently unwrap the twisted hair and style!

• Bun Method - Start with damp hair. Section the hair into four parts. Take each section, twist while wrapping it into a bun. Pin into place and let air dry. Mist the hair with a holding spray and then undo the buns.

• Braid Method - Start with damp hair. Part the hair down the middle into two sections. On one parted side, grab a small section starting at the top of the head and separate it into two strands. Cross one strand over the other, going away from the face. As you make your way down, add a little hair to each strand from the hairline and the parted section before crossing the strands again. Continue to repeat steps until the end. Let air dry, undo the braid, and style. This two-strand braiding gives a softer look than the traditional three-strand braid.