It’s time to step up your hair game with an easy loose wave hair tutorial. Follow these steps to create effortless, beachy waves that last for days. You only need a 1–1.25-inch curling iron, a good hairspray, and a dry shampoo to add volume and hold.
I enjoy creating non-food content as much as recipes—home decor, outfits, and hair tutorials are all fun ways to share ideas. Today I’m showing the method I’ve used since high school to get long-lasting, natural-looking beach waves. I’m not a professional stylist, but I’ve practiced this technique for years and it consistently gives loose, lived-in curls that look polished without being stiff.
Here’s what you need to get my look
Keep your toolkit simple. These basic items will help you create beachy waves quickly:
- Curling iron (1-inch or 1.25-inch barrel depending on hair length)
- Hairspray (a flexible, strong-hold spray works best)
- Dry shampoo for added root lift and texture
When my hair is shorter I prefer a 1-inch barrel; when it’s past shoulder length I use a 1.25-inch. You don’t need an expensive tool—an affordable, reliable curling iron gives excellent results. Choose a heat setting appropriate for your hair type to prevent damage.
Loose wave hair tutorial
Watching a demonstration can help, but here’s the step-by-step written guide you can follow. Read through the whole routine once, then repeat the steps while styling.
- Step 1: Start with dry hair. I find this style holds best when I dry my hair fully before curling. If your hair is naturally curly, drying and then immediately curling helps the waves set better than working on second-day hair or hair that was straightened beforehand.
- Step 2: Section your hair in two by parting down the middle. Work from the bottom layers up toward the crown so you can control each curl and layer the waves naturally.
- Step 3: Take a small section and clamp the curling iron near the ends, leaving about an inch of hair out. Sometimes I smooth the section with the iron first (especially on curlier textures) before wrapping the hair to curl. Leaving the bottom inch out creates that relaxed, undone look rather than a full, uniform curl—this is key to the beachy effect.
- Step 4: Curl each section away from your face. On the right side, curl away from your face; repeat the same direction on the left. Hold the curl for a few seconds, then release. Consistent direction gives a cohesive, face-framing wave.
- Step 5: After finishing one side, mist the curls with a generous spray of hairspray to set them while you move to the other side.
- Step 6: Repeat the curling process on the second side, section by section, then mist again once complete.
- Step 7: Wait about 30 seconds after the final spray, then lightly comb or brush through to soften and loosen the curls into waves. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to keep texture without frizz.
- Step 8: Finish with a final mist of hairspray and add a bit of dry shampoo at the roots for extra lift, texture, and longer-lasting shape.
These waves can last for several days with simple touch-ups. If you need to wear your hair up for a workout, put it in a loose bun and take it down later—often the waves will still look fresh. If they get tangled, lightly brush them out or refresh with a small amount of dry shampoo and a few quick touch-up curls.
I hope you enjoy this loose wave tutorial. It’s a reliable, versatile look that suits casual days and dressed-up occasions alike. With a few key tools and these simple steps, you can create soft, beachy waves that look polished and feel effortless.
FFF Hair Tutorials
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- How to Curl Short Hair with a Flatiron
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