Why Use a Straightener for Waves?

It might seem counterintuitive to use a straightening tool to create waves, but it's actually one of the best-kept secrets of professional stylists. Straighteners give you more control than curling wands, allow you to customise the size of your waves, and work brilliantly for creating that lived-in, casual beach wave look.

Once you learn the technique, it becomes second nature — and you won't need a second tool in your kit.

What You'll Need

  • A hair straightener (a rounded barrel helps, but any will work)
  • Heat protectant spray
  • Hair clips or sectioning clips
  • A wide-tooth comb or paddle brush
  • Lightweight texturising spray or sea salt spray (optional, for finish)

Step-by-Step: The Beach Wave Technique

  1. Prep your hair. Start with clean, completely dry hair. Brush out all tangles. Apply a heat protectant spray from mid-lengths to ends and allow it to absorb for 30 seconds.
  2. Set the right temperature. Beach waves look best when created at a slightly lower temperature than you'd use for straightening. This helps the wave hold without making it look overly crisp. Aim for 170–185°C for fine hair, or 185–200°C for thicker hair.
  3. Section your hair. Divide your hair into three or four horizontal sections, clipping the upper sections out of the way. Working from the bottom up gives you the neatest result.
  4. Create the S-wave motion. Take a 2–3cm section of hair. Clamp the straightener about 5–7cm from the roots. Instead of pulling straight down, rotate the straightener away from your face 180 degrees, then glide it slowly downward. When you reach the mid-point of the strand, rotate it toward your face and continue to the ends. This creates a gentle S-curve.
  5. Alternate the direction. For the next section, rotate toward your face first, then away. Alternating directions creates a more natural, less uniform wave pattern.
  6. Don't rush the glide. Move slowly — about 2–3 seconds per inch of hair. Too fast and the wave won't form; too slow and you risk heat damage.
  7. Leave the ends straight. For authentic beach waves, stop the twisting motion about 3–4cm before the ends and let those last inches fall naturally. This gives a relaxed, undone finish.
  8. Let cool before touching. Allow the waves to cool completely — at least 5 minutes — before running your fingers through them. Cooling locks the shape in.
  9. Finish and set. Once cool, gently scrunch the hair with your fingers or a light mist of sea salt spray. Avoid heavy products that will weigh the waves down.

Pro Tips for Better Results

  • Smaller sections = tighter waves. Larger sections = looser, more relaxed waves. Adjust based on the look you want.
  • Skip the roots. Starting the straightener at the roots creates an unnatural kink. Begin a few centimetres down for a more natural result.
  • Use a light-hold hairspray after styling if your waves tend to drop quickly.
  • Practice on small sections first to get the wrist-rotation motion comfortable before doing your whole head.

How Long Will the Waves Last?

On most hair types, beach waves created with a straightener last a full day. Hair that is very fine or naturally slippery may need a light-hold product to extend the style. Sleeping with hair loosely braided can also help preserve waves overnight.