Beachy Waves Hair Tutorial

IMG_0175IMG_0088 IMG_0094

When it comes to summer beauty, I love to add more beach waves in my hair routine as opposed to perfect curls. As much as perfect curls feel like “me” when I step outside in humidity I look a bit more like a poodle who’s hair has seen better days. The frizz, the stickiness and the curls just don’t mix! And if you can’t beat your enemies….join ’em! So I like to incorporate beachy waves! It’s a way to stay true to my style while allowing it to fit the season. Another great thing about beachy waves is they last so long and look great slept on. I’ll style them Monday and not have to wash my hair until Thursday and rarely touch up throughout the week. If you want to lower the amount of heat you apply on your hair, this is your BFF hair style.

IMG_0097

I start with air dried hair, or second day hair. In these photos I have air dried hair that I used this curl defining cream and slept on it! Before I start I always use this Caviar heat protectant. It protects hair up to 450 degress and doesn’t make hair wet or sticky like a lot of heat protectants.

IMG_0099 IMG_0101 IMG_0102 IMG_0103

If you have wavy hair like I do, you know how difficult it is to find a curl cream. There are creams that leave you with crunchy hair, creams that leave you with knotted hair and creams that leave you wondering, “If I wanted to look frizzy I would have skipped the $28 price tag and sat outside in the rain.” One of my go-to curl creams for YEARS changed their formula. And I’m still bitter. I look up reviews and everyone is so angry about it so why haven’t they gone back to the old formula?! So I have been on a quest to find a dupe and here we have it! The Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream gives you curls, but keeps you frizz free. I put it in wet hair and let it air dry, but I also apply it to dry hair to give it a little workability before I curl. I also think it helps my styled curls last for days!

IMG_0105 IMG_0108 IMG_0112 IMG_0121 IMG_0131 IMG_0137 IMG_0139 IMG_0143

Here comes the trick! I only curl the top layer of my hair. Remember the Olsen Twins circa 2003? They had those beachy waves and I just didn’t understand why my hair wasn’t a glossy dirty blonde that looked like I stepped out of the WONDERFUL movie “Holiday In The Sun.” Life isn’t fair, Katey. That’s why. Teachable moments in life brought to you by the Olsen Twins.

But anyways, in keeping up with them like any good preteen, I read that their hair dresser used a different technique on every strand of hair. One strand would be curled. One crimped. One straightened. And the process repeated again. This allowed for texture and body. So I apply this trick to my hair, sans crimper…. #yourewelcome #thatwouldhavebeenbad

My hair doesn’t air dry perfectly, and that’s the point! If you hair air dries straight and fine, even with the cream just apply what I do next all over, still skipping a few strands! If you have silky straight, Barbie-esque hair maybe try sleeping in braids so you don’t have to curl the bottom! But if you have waves or some natural body, the top layer works! I take my T3 curling iron treat it like a wand and just wrap pieces and layers around the iron part. I don’t use the clamp so that it doesn’t get too smooth! Then if I see a few pieces underneath I want to touch up, I can! The whole point is to not wand or curl your entire head of hair because that looks planned and this is supposed to look like you left the beach! If you have fine hair, I also suggest this texture spray!

Because my hair is wavy the ends are straight so I don’t have to mess with them, but if you have curly hair and the ends curl, just take your straightener to the bottom ends [1 inch from the end of your hair!] and straighten them out!

IMG_0148 IMG_0151 IMG_0155

So now that I’ve only curled the top layer to hide the frizz and make it look “styled” I add in the miracle product. Drybar Triple Sec is a 3-in-1 texturizer that also works as a dry shampoo. What I love about this is that you can really work it in. Sometimes with texturizers I have to be careful and use just a bit or I can look like I stuck my finger in an electric socket and my hair isn’t “flexible.” This still allows your hair to be flexible and moveable, which gives you those tousled Victoria Secret waves.

IMG_0159

Spray all over and then rub the bottom strands together. Grab your hair about two inches towards the bottom and rub your fingers back and forth. This gives natural volume and texture and adds to the tousled look. This is a trick I stole from the VS Fashion Show that their stylists use!

IMG_0161 IMG_0162 IMG_0170

Lately, I’ve been using the Featherweight Luxe 2i dryer by T3 and this bad boy seriously helps with frizz! It blow drys your hair so stinkin’ smooth but one of my favorite factors is their cool shot. It dries your hair 75% faster and generates ions to help your hair become healthier. But this cool shot, is insane. Every single dryer now has a cool shot and it’s to set your style. However, it’s never done anything for me! Something about this makes me feel like I honestly see the cuticle seal [which is what happens with the cool shot]. I take the dryer after I rub my strands together and do the cool shot on the top layer and I honestly think this helps and allows the style to last 3-4 days without touch ups. IMG_0171 IMG_0175 IMG_0176IMG_0181

Then you’re finished! I also love this style because it takes me 8 minutes max to complete it! With curling it can take upwards of 20-30 minutes, so you don’t have to spend your entire morning sweating in the bathroom! All the products are linked below and feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

Shop3

Choker: Sold Out, Similar | Lipstick: Invite Intrigue| Top: Urban Outfitters [Almost Exact] | Jeans: AG | Curling Iron: T3 | Blow Dryer: T3 [c/o] | Triple Sec: Nordstrom | Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream: Nordstrom | Heat Protectant: Nordstrom

Photography by: Angie Garcia

XOXOKatey-2

Leave a Note

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

15 Comments

  1. Morgan wrote:

    I have thick, curly/wavy long hair and have never found a curl creme I love .. I will definitely be trying the Morrocan oil one out! With my already thick and textured hair would you still recommend the Triple Sec product? Or is there finishing spray better suited for my hair type? Thanks!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

    Published 22 Jun 16Reply
    • Katey wrote:

      Hi Morgan!

      I have pretty textured hair and I think the Triple Sec would be great for you! The Oribe texturizer makes my hair “bigger” and while I love it, I think that would be too much for your hair! I like to say that the Triple Sec makes my texture more “piece-y” and boho as opposed to just big!

      xo,

      Katey

      Published 23 Jun 16Reply
  2. Katie wrote:

    I love the idea of only curling the top layer of hair. My hair is odd and the bottom half is naturally pretty curly and the top half does this odd flip-wave-straight thing. So curling only the top half would save time and keep it looking more natural. Thanks, Katey!

    Katie // thosebakergirls.com

    Published 22 Jun 16Reply
  3. I LOVE that you base your hairstyle on the Olsen Twins in 2003. Seriously, that was their PRIME. I love it. I am also obsessed with your dog. She is adorable. I need one of her.

    Published 22 Jun 16Reply
  4. Rachel wrote:

    Moroccan Oil products are amazing! Their hair mask is life changing. I’m looking to invest in a new hairdryer. Would you say the T3 is worth the $$? You mentioned that you have “lately” been using it…do you use anything else? I need something to help with frizz and the overall health of my hair. Thanks for the tutorial. Your hair looks amaze btw! Killin’ those beach waves.

    Published 22 Jun 16Reply
    • Katey wrote:

      Hi Rachel!

      That’s the only blow dryer I currently use! It is pricier, but I can tell a huge difference in the health of my hair so I think it’s worth it! I love it for frizz and my hair honestly feels so soft after! I’m going to be doing a “frizz post” soon sharing all my hair products!

      xoxo,

      Katey

      Published 22 Jun 16Reply
  5. Kimberly wrote:

    Hi Katey! Do you prefer the dry bar texturizer over the one oribe makes? I just received the oribe after reading all the hype…

    Thanks! Love this post so much, and love your hair!! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Xo- Kimberly

    (insta: lymelady)

    Published 23 Jun 16Reply
    • Katey wrote:

      Hi Kimberly!

      Ahh it’s so hard to compare the two! I love the Oribe for texture and volume because it honestly gets my hair SO big. I love the Triple Sec for a more “piece-y” look whereas the Oribe just makes it big all over. I’m not sure if that makes sense! But I hope that helps!

      xo,

      Katey

      Published 23 Jun 16Reply
  6. Hannah wrote:

    Hi Katie!

    Do you use anything on your hair before the curl defining cream? Like It’s a 10? Also do you brush through your hair or just towel dry it and kind of scrunch it up with the cream?

    Published 27 Jun 16Reply
  7. petite wig wrote:

    Love your blog.. and your hair its so gorgeous. Thank you for sharing the products you are using as well as the styling tools. I’ve been using argan oil and it really gives shine and smooth to my hair.

    Published 17 Jul 16Reply
  8. Do you sleep with your hair up or down? My curls/waves always look funny no matter what I do after I style it.

    Published 12 Jan 17Reply
    • Katey wrote:

      I sleep with my hair down! But the trick is to use a silk pillow case! 🙂

      I have some on my blog!

      Xo,

      Katey

      Published 12 Jan 17Reply
      • Ashley (ashes_mcg) wrote:

        thank you!!

        Published 12 Jan 17Reply
  9. Hi Katey,
    I absolutely love your tutorials. I do have a question. I recently purchased a Remington Wet2Style 1 1/4” clipped hot air curling iron. Do you think this tool will work to achieve the style you demonstrated in this tutorial. The whole “Olson twins look” is exactly what I’m trying to achieve. I have thick long wavy hair. The second part of my question is, I was thinking about getting that awesome blunt cut you described recently getting…will this beachy wave look work with that cut?
    Thanking you in advance for your great and helpful advice, And btw, you’re gorgeous!
    Debra

    Published 26 Feb 21Reply
    • Katey wrote:

      Hi Debra!

      Thank you so much! 🙂 Oh yes- I totally think that curling iron should work- you’ll have to let me know! 🙂 Yes! I still can get a great beachy look with a blunt cut- I almost think it makes it “piecier” and look even better beachy. Thank you so much!! xx, Katey

      Published 01 Mar 21Reply