Beach waves are a timeless, effortlessly chic hairstyle that adds texture, volume, and a relaxed vibe to any look. Whether you’re heading to the beach or want to infuse your daily style with a carefree touch, beach waves on medium-length hair are both versatile and flattering. This guide will walk you through the best techniques, tools, and products for styling beach waves on medium hair, ensuring you achieve the perfect texture every time.
Why Choose Beach Waves for Medium Hair?
Flattering for All Face Shapes
One of the main reasons beach waves are so popular is their ability to complement all face shapes. Whether you have a round, square, oval, or heart-shaped face, the tousled texture of beach waves softens your features, creating a balanced, natural look. For medium-length hair, the waves provide an ideal balance of volume and softness without being overwhelming.
Natural-Looking Texture
Medium-length hair offers the perfect canvas for beach waves. The waves can add a relaxed, undone look that still feels polished. The key to achieving this style is using the right techniques and products to enhance your hair’s natural texture.
Low-Maintenance Styling
Beach waves are known for their effortless vibe, and this extends to their maintenance. Unlike sleek, straight styles or intricate curls, beach waves require minimal upkeep. Even if they loosen throughout the day, they still look great—giving you that fresh-out-of-the-ocean, just-got-out-of-bed look.
Tools You Will Need for Beach Waves on Medium Hair
Flat Iron or Curling Iron
To achieve beach waves, you’ll need a tool that creates loose curls or waves. Both flat irons and curling irons are great for this, depending on the type of wave you want to create. A flat iron can create soft, S-shaped waves, while a curling iron gives more defined, classic waves. Both options work well on medium hair lengths, so the choice depends on the texture you’re aiming for.
Texturizing Spray or Sea Salt Spray
For beach waves, the key is texture. Texturizing sprays or sea salt sprays are designed to add body and volume while giving your hair that tousled, windswept effect. These products help create a matte finish, mimicking the natural texture your hair would have after a day at the beach.
Hair Mousse or Volumizing Foam
Mousse is an excellent product for adding body and volume to your hair. When applied to damp hair before styling, mousse enhances the texture of your waves and helps them hold longer. It provides lift at the roots, giving your hair more movement.
Hairspray
A light hairspray is essential to keep your beach waves in place without making them stiff. Opt for a flexible hold hairspray that lets your waves move naturally but still ensures they stay intact all day.
Heat Protectant Spray
Whenever you’re using heat styling tools like flat irons or curling irons, it’s important to protect your hair from damage. Heat protectant sprays create a barrier that prevents heat from directly affecting your hair, helping to maintain its shine and strength.
A Complete Guide to Effortless Texture and Volume
Step 1: Start with Clean, Dry Hair
For the best results, begin with clean, dry hair. Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo to add body and texture right from the start. After washing, apply a conditioner to keep your hair hydrated, but avoid applying it to your roots to prevent your hair from becoming flat.
Once your hair is towel-dried, apply a heat protectant spray. This step is essential, as it creates a barrier between your hair and the styling tools, keeping your strands healthy and shiny.
Step 2: Apply Mousse for Extra Volume
After applying the heat protectant, work a generous amount of mousse or volumizing foam into your damp hair. Start at the roots and work your way down to the ends, ensuring even coverage. The mousse adds texture and gives your beach waves more volume and lasting hold.
For fine hair, use a lightweight mousse to avoid weighing your hair down. For thicker hair, a slightly heavier mousse will help control frizz and add structure.
Step 3: Section Your Hair
To ensure you create uniform waves, section your hair into 3-4 manageable sections. Clip the top layers of your hair up to work with the bottom layers first. This method helps you focus on smaller portions of hair at a time, leading to more consistent waves.
Step 4: Heat Your Styling Tool
Whether you’re using a flat iron or a curling iron, make sure it’s heated to the appropriate temperature for your hair type. For fine hair, set the temperature to around 300-350°F. For thicker or coarser hair, you can increase the temperature to 375-400°F. Allow the tool to fully heat up before you begin styling.
Step 5: Begin Curling Your Hair
Using a Flat Iron:
- Take a small section of hair and clamp the flat iron about 1-2 inches from the roots.
- Twist the flat iron 180 degrees away from your face, pulling it down through the length of your hair in a smooth motion.
- For looser waves, don’t hold the iron in place for too long—just a few seconds will do.
- Release the hair from the iron and allow it to cool in your hand for a few seconds to set the wave.
Using a Curling Iron:
- Hold a curling iron with a barrel size of 1-1.5 inches (a medium barrel is ideal for medium hair).
- Wrap a small section of hair around the barrel of the curling iron, starting a few inches from the root.
- Hold for 5-10 seconds, depending on your hair’s texture.
- Gently release the curl, and allow it to cool in your hand for a few seconds to set.
Step 6: Alternate the Direction of Your Curls
For a natural, beachy look, alternate the direction of your curls. For example, curl one section away from your face, and then the next section towards your face. This technique creates texture and prevents the curls from clumping together.
Step 7: Tousle and Finger Comb the Curls
Once all sections of hair have been curled, gently run your fingers through your waves. This step breaks up the curls and gives them a more lived-in, undone look. Avoid using a comb or brush, as this can make the waves frizzy and unnatural. Just use your fingers for the best beachy texture.
Step 8: Apply Texturizing or Sea Salt Spray
To enhance the beachy effect, spray a generous amount of texturizing spray or sea salt spray throughout your hair. Focus on the mid-lengths to the ends, as this is where most of the texture should be. The spray adds a matte finish, giving your waves that sun-kissed, sea-breeze texture.
Step 9: Finish with Hairspray
Finally, lock in your waves with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray. A light hairspray will keep your beach waves in place all day while still allowing them to move naturally. If you prefer a more defined wave, you can opt for a medium-hold hairspray, but avoid using anything too heavy, as it may weigh down the texture.
Step 10: Shake It Out
Give your hair a final shake to ensure the waves are relaxed and not too structured. The less you touch your hair, the better your waves will look—so after this step, try to avoid running your fingers through them too much.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Styling Beach Waves on Medium Hair
Using Too Large of Sections
When creating beach waves, using sections that are too large can result in waves that look less defined. Smaller sections allow the wave to form better and ensures more consistent texture throughout the hair.
Not Using the Right Heat Protection
Skipping the heat protectant step can lead to damaged hair, especially with frequent styling. Always use a heat protectant to safeguard your hair from damage and keep it looking healthy.
Over-Curling the Hair
One of the keys to beach waves is the relaxed, effortless look. Over-curling the hair or leaving the flat iron or curling iron on for too long can create tight curls that look out of place. Keep the curls loose and natural by reducing the heat time.
Too Much Product
While texturizing spray and sea salt spray are essential for achieving beach waves, using too much product can weigh the hair down. Start with a small amount and build as needed for texture and volume.
Alternative Techniques for Creating Beach Waves on Medium Hair
Using Braids
A no-heat alternative to achieve beach waves is to braid your damp hair overnight. The tighter the braid, the more defined the waves. For looser waves, opt for a loose braid and allow it to dry completely before undoing it.
Using a Curling Headband
Curling headbands are another great no-heat option. Simply wrap your damp hair around the headband and leave it in overnight. In the morning, you’ll be left with soft, beachy waves without any heat damage.
Conclusion
Creating beach waves on medium hair is simple, versatile, and perfect for a laid-back, natural look. By using the right techniques, tools, and products, you can achieve soft, voluminous waves that last all day. Whether you’re using a flat iron, curling iron, or a no-heat method, beach waves offer a chic, beachy vibe that is always in style.
By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to create gorgeous beach waves every time, with minimal effort and maximum style. Remember, the key is to keep the waves relaxed, textured, and undone—so embrace the natural look, and enjoy your beautiful beachy hair!
