How To Create Waves In Medium Length Hair

Beach waves, a.k.a. those tousled curls that kind of look like—just maybe—you hopped out the ocean, and you hair air-dried into a perfect cross between polished and casual, are having a real moment right now.

It's a look that just screams effortlessly chic. And it suits just about every cut—from short bobs to medium-length locks, and tresses that go right down to your tush. Beach waves work on a multitude of different hair types, too. They breathe volume into limp, thin strands and tame and defrizz thicker, coarser hair.

The problem? If you've ever tried to give yourself beachy waves with a curling wand or flat iron, you know that recreating the style is not exactly a walk in the park. Overdo it, and you'll end up with big, bouncy curls that don't have the same natural vibe you're going for. And—hang on—how in the world do you twist your wrist just so?

There's a definite science to it, but luckily, with the right products and technique, anyone can get beach waves at home. Here, professional stylist Gina Rivera, founder of Phenix Salons, shows us how to master beautiful beachy waves.

First, prep your strands.

Start by prepping your wet hair with a volumizing mousse. Put a quarter-sized dollop in your hands (a bit less if your hair is short), then use your fingertips to massage the product into the roots of your hair. Allow your hair to air dry.

Then, split hair into sections.

Section hair horizontally, from bottom to top, pinning the rest of your hair up and out of the way as you go. For finer hair, split into three sections total; for thicker hair, split into four sections total.

Now, the hard part: executing those beachy waves...

With the bottom section of hair down and the rest pinned up, use a curling iron or a flatiron to create waves on that first section of hair. No matter which tool you use, it's important to style small one- to two-inch pieces of hair at a time in each section.

If you have thinner hair...

Those with finer hair should use a smaller barrel iron, approximately one inch in diameter, styling smaller one-inch pieces at a time.

If you have thicker hair...

Those with thicker hair should start with at least a 1.5-inch barrel curling iron, styling larger two-inch pieces at a time.

Note: The same rule applies to flat irons—the thicker the hair, the easier it is to use a wider, larger iron.

Place the iron a few inches down the hair shaft.

For perfect beachy waves, avoid starting at the scalp. Instead, start styling the hair a few inches down the hair shaft, depending on the length. For shorter hair, start a bit higher; for longer hair, a bit lower.

Twist the hair.

Twist the hair around the styling tool, leaving an inch or two out at the end of your strands. As you curl each piece, alternate the direction you're twisting. First, style one strand counter-clockwise towards the face, then style one strand clockwise away from the face.

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Repeat until every section of hair is curled. This creates that more natural "I woke up like this" look.

Let curls cool.

After a few minutes, once curls are cool to the touch, gently run your fingers through the hair. To create more volume, run your fingers through the hair from underneath, rather than over top—and avoid using a comb or a brush.

Finish things off with setting spray.

To keep curls in place longer, finish the style with a setting spray. A few spritzes throughout the hair should do the trick.

Try these products to get the perfect beach wave.

Volumizing Mousse

Moroccanoil sephora.com

$28.00

A lightweight argan-oil based formula that infuses strands with nourishing vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants to help hair hold its shape longer.

Bender Digital Curling Iron

Drybar amazon.com

$149.00

A 1.25-inch curling iron is a happy medium for both fine and thick hair. And the digital display allows for custom heat styling, based on hair type.

Classic 1-inch Flat Iron

With the right flick of the wrist (simply roll your wrist until you can't go any further), it's just as easy to create beach waves with a flat iron.

Ocean Mist Spray

SACHAJUAN amazon.com

$28.00

To lock the look, simply spray this onto cooled curls. It adds grip, volume, and texture.

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