We may be a lot further from the beach than we wanted to be this summer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t channel our inner mermaids and achieve the ultimate waves of our dreams. The secret? A bottle of Mother Nature’s finest…
Salt sprays are essentially pimped up hairsprays that contain water, sea salt, and a whole host of hair-loving ingredients that create texture, enhance waves, and give your locks the added oomph they need.
Keep reading to unlock the secret to natural, beachy waves.
Dampen Your Hair
For an effortless beachy vibe, damp hair tends to work best. Start by combing through with a brush to remove tangles and separate the hair follicles to help the hair to fall naturally.
Shake It Up
When using a salt spray, it’s super important to shake before use. The reason? Salt sprays are made up of minerals and salts that need to be mixed together in order to work properly. So get shaking.
Spritz
Separate your hair into loose sections and start spritzing. We’d recommend focusing on the roots and mid lengths as salt sprays dehydrate the hair and the tips are more likely to dry out and become damaged.
The amount of product you use varies depending on your hair type and the look you’re trying to achieve. If you’re after a soft, tussled look then a spritz or two per section should do, but if you’re into a more voluminous, curly vibe, then you may need to double up your dose. Don’t be afraid to experiment to figure out what best suits your hair best.
Scrunch
Now for the fun part – time to scrunch, twist, and twirl your tresses. The more you style, the wavier your hair will go, so approach with caution if you want a more laid-back look.
Mix With Conditioner
Want beachy waves without the crunchy texture? Try mixing your salt spray in with some leave-in conditioner or your favourite hair serum. Cocktailing products is a great way to make them bespoke to your hair type, and the nourishing ingredients in your conditioner or serum will keep some moisture locked in to prevent the salt from drying your hair out too much.
Use A Hairdryer
We like to let our tresses dry naturally for a low key, minimal maintenance look, but if you want more volume, blast your hair on a medium to hot heat in the direction that you want it to fall then use your hands to style it out.
Before Bed
For more controlled waves and curls, try plaiting your hair or tying it up in small buns (major Princess Leila vibes coming your way) and spritzing some salt spray over the top before bed. Remove in the morning and brush out if needed for a wavy look that stays in place all day long.