Okay, so I’ve always been a huge fan of that beach waves look. You know, the kind of hair that looks like you just spent a day chilling by the ocean, even if you’re miles away from the nearest beach. I’ve tried so many ways to get those perfect waves, but it’s always been a struggle. Salt sprays, braiding my hair before bed, you name it.

Finally, I decided to go the curling iron route. I did some digging online and found that lots of people recommend a 1 to 1.5-inch barrel for beach waves. It makes sense, you need something that size to get those loose, effortless-looking curls.
I ended up getting this Paul Mitchell 3-in-1 curling iron. They were having a sale, and it seemed like a good deal. It’s got three different barrel sizes, which is cool, but I mostly just use the 1-inch one for my waves.
My Routine
- Prep: I always start with freshly washed and dried hair. I use a heat protectant spray because, well, I don’t want to fry my hair.
- Sectioning: Then, I section my hair into three parts: top, middle, and bottom. This just makes it easier to manage.
- Curling: I take about 1-inch sections of hair and wrap them around the barrel, away from my face. I only hold it for a few seconds, like 5-7, because I don’t want super tight curls.
- Repeat: I just repeat this process all over my head, alternating the direction of the curls here and there to make it look more natural.
- Cool Down: Once I’m done, I let my hair cool down completely. This helps set the curls.
- Shake it Out: I flip my head upside down and give my hair a good shake. Then, I run my fingers through it to break up the curls and make them look more loose and beachy.
- Finishing Touch: Sometimes, I’ll use a tiny bit of texturizing spray to add some volume and hold.
It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but now I can do my whole head in like 20 minutes. It’s become my go-to hairstyle, especially in the summer. I just love how it looks, and it’s actually pretty easy to do once you get the technique down. I highly recommend it to anyone,who is also in love with that wavy, just-back-from-the-beach vibe.
I know there are tons of different curling irons out there, like that high tide deep waver and the jumbo waver, but for me, this regular old 1-inch curling iron works like a charm.
Getting these waves isn’t rocket science. It’s just about finding the right tool and practicing a bit. And honestly, who doesn’t love having effortless, beachy hair all year round?