These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (2024)

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (1)

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Wavy hair might be one of the most versatile hair types, but it can still be challenging. Yes, you can choose to wear it straight or use curl-boosting products for an extra oomph of texture, but there are so few products actually created for wavy hair. I have curls that can become waves or spirals, depending on my mood (and energy levels), so I think I can relate. Here to help with the wavy hair woes are two incredible hair experts, Brad Mondo, hairstylist, founder, and creative director of XMONDO, and Ceremonia’s Product Development Manager, Mateo Acosta Medina.

Here, they break down how to properly style wavy hair.

What are some common issues people with wavy hair have when styling?

“Everyone’s waves are different, and finding the best routine for your hair type takes trial and error,” says Mondo. “Weather plays a huge role in how your hair will look day-to-day and can be one of the biggest challenges in achieving the perfect waves. Frizz is one of the most common issues that arise from the weather.” Along with frizz, breakage is widespread when trying to style wavy hair, says Medina. “This is due to the structural appearance of the hair shaft that protrudes from the follicle—the shape makes it more vulnerable and resistant to grooming.” When the hair is damaged, the result can be dullness. “Another issue can be lack of shine if cuticles are damaged, possibly due to heat damage or dryness. The more lifted the cuticles are, the less shiny they appear because they will reflect less light. Finally, dryness can become an issue when styling wavy hair due to denser fibers, therefore reducing the ability of the hair to absorb moisture,” says Medina.

What are products everyone with wavy hair should be using?

“Hydration and hold are essential for wavy hair,” says Mondo. “If your hair is dry, your waves will not form to the best of their ability.” Adding hydration starts in the shower by incorporating hydrating shampoos and conditioners, like Mondo’s new Wavetech Wave System products. Adding hydration also helps combat damage and breakage, which increases flyaways and frizz. “For those suffering from breakage or dry strands—and those who have to detangle and groom extensively—consider incorporating moisturizers, such as conditioners and leave-in conditioners to increase strands’ lubricity and lower the chances of breakage,” adds Medina. “To combat a lack of shine, lipid-rich treatments help lock in moisture and active ingredients smooth down the cuticles to create the appearance of shinier hair.” This includes nourishing hair oils, boosting shine, reducing frizz, and hydrating frazzled strands.

Here, find 19 incredible wave-boosting products to nourish, boost, and protect your wavy hair.

1

Best For Second Day Hair

XMONDO Wavetech Wave Revival Mist

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (8)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (9)Lightweight
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (10)Some dislike the scent

If your hair starts to go a little limp a few days post-wash, this spritz can bring back bounce and curl to your strands. It can also be used as part of your styling routine, to protect your hair from humidity and reverse damage.

2

Best For Lightweight Hydration

Ceremonia Guava Leave In Conditioner

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (11)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (12)Prevents damage
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (13)May not be suited for very dry hair

For hydration that doesn't weigh down your waves or curls, this lightweight leave-in conditioner is a dream. Not only does it smell like the best tropical vacation, but just a few drops of this can give your hair some much-needed nourishment.

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3

Best For Air Dry Styling

JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (14)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (15)Adds texture
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (16)Some may dislike the scent

Lazy girl hair has a new hero product. This cream adds hydration and a slight bit of hold to wavy hair to give it body and nourishment, without disrupting a wave pattern. All you have to do is wash your hair, scrunch this in, and you’re good to go.

4

Best Wave Spray

OUAI Wave Spray

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (17)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (18)Adds texture
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (19)Pricey

A wave spray minus the sticky salt, this product adds texture to make your wavy hair voluminous, with extra curls. Simply spritz, scrunch, and watch your hair become perfectly beachy.

5

Best For Frizzy Curls

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Take Charge Curl-Boosting Mousse

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (20)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (21)Affordable
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (22)Can weigh down fine hair

The old adage says, frizz is just a curl waiting to happen. This mousse can give your wavy hair the boost it needs to become curlier, minus any flyaways. There’s no crunchy, sticky residue–just more volume.

6

Best For Defining Curls

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (23)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (24)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (25)Pricey

If you want to add some more definition to your hair, a hydrating cream might be the way to go. Formulated for dry, frizzy hair, this cream will make sure you get the most out of your texture.

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7

Best For Dull Hair

Aveda be curly Curl Enhancer

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (26)

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (27)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (28)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (29)Some may dislike the scent

To add some gloss and shine back into dull strands, this cream uses natural extracts for smooth, frizz-free hair. It’s designed to work with your hair’s natural texture, not against it, so you can be assured that your waves won’t be weighed down.

8

Best For Very Dry Hair

SheaMoisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (30)

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (31)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (32)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (33)May not be suited for fine hair

A must-have for many curly girls, this cream is packed with hydrating ingredients for extremely parched, damaged hair. A tiny amount will go a long way, but the end result is nourished, hydrated hair.

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9

Best For Hold

Boucléme Curl Defining Gel

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (34)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (35)Lightweight
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (36)Some may dislike the scent

If your waves look amazing right after wash day, but start to go limp and frizzy soon after, it’s time to invest in a gel. This version is serum-like and incredibly lightweight, so you’ll have no crunch at all. The results are waves that actually stay wavy, even through humidity and rain.

10

Best For Damaged Hair

Better Not Younger No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (37)

This spray has a dual purpose, both protecting your hair if you decide to occasionally heat style, and reducing frizz on a day-to-day basis. With a combination of hydrating argan oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E, your hair will thank you for adding this to your routine.

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11

Best For Frizzy Hair

Briogeo Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Leave–In Defining Cream

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (38)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (39)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (40)Can clump with other styling products

Frizz is a battle that can seem never-ending, but this cream makes it easier than ever to combat. With amino acids and avocado oil, a small dollop of this can help smooth and enhance your hair’s texture.

12

Best For Added Texture

STMNT Fiber Pomade

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (41)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (42)Adds texture
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (43)Scent may be too strong for some

Considered a must-have for shorter styles, even long locks can reap the benefits of a pomade. This product adds texture to hair that needs an extra oomph. Plus, it smells beautiful, so everyone will want to know what you’re wearing.

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13

Best For Encouraging Curls

Ouidad VitalCurl+ Soft Defining Mousse

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (44)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (45)Curl-enhancing
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (46)Need to break the cast when hair is dry

If your hair texture is somewhere in between wavy and curly, a hair mousse can bridge the distance and give you consistent, spiraling curls. Scrunch in a few handfuls for frizz-free, incredibly soft hair.

14

Best For An Investment

Oribe Curl Control Silkening Creme

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (47)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (48)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (49)Pricey

For all wavy or curly hair types, this nurturing cream banishes frizz and leaves you with silky soft hair. It uses a combination of argan, coconut, and avocado oil to add much-needed hydration to your hair.

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15

Best For Flyaways

Rizos Curls Nourish Oil

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (50)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (51)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (52)May not be suited for oily hair

Wavy hair can be prone to flyaways, but this oil tames them in an instant. With a combination of hydrating and nourishing oils, this product can be used in so many ways, either as a scalp treatment, a body oil, or to sleek down any frizz.

16

Best For Quick Styling

Hairstory Leave In Conditioning Balm

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (53)

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Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (54)Hydrating
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (55)Pricey

For a one-product wonder, this balm hydrates, defines, and nourishes wavy and curly hair. Don't overthink it–just rake a little but through your hair for low-maintenance upkeep.

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17

Best For Hair Prep

Virtue Smooth Conditioner

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (56)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (57)Reduces frizz
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (58)Pricey

A good hair day starts in the shower. This product contains natural extracts and keratin to strengthen, smooth, and repair damaged hair. That means less frizz when you're styling, so you can enjoy beachy waves minus the flyaways.

18

Best For All Hair Types

Sachajuan Styling Cream

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (59)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (60)Reduces frizz
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (61)Pricey

If you’re not sure where your hair type lands in the complicated charts, this easy-to-use cream was made for you. Designed for straight hair, waves, curls, or anything in between, it uses a combination of natural extracts and panthenol to either boost or smooth your texture, whichever you prefer.

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19

Best All-In-One

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (62)

Pros
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (63)Multiple benefits
Cons
  • These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (64)Pricey

There’s no need to layer ten products when you have this in your arsenal. It reduces frizz, adds hydration, and adds volume to your hair. Basically, it’s a dream come true for anyone who gets overwhelmed in the hair section of Sephora.

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (65)

Tatjana Freund

Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor

Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.

These 19 Products Make Beach Waves Look Easy (2024)
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