How to Get Effortless Beach Waves with a Curling Wand?

Beach waves are the look everyone wants and no one wants to look like they tried for: soft, tousled, slightly undone waves that fall like you've just come back from a windswept afternoon by the sea. The secret is that they're far easier to get than tight, polished curls — because "effortless" is literally the goal, a few loose sections and the right technique are all you need.

This tutorial shows you exactly how to get beachy waves with a curling wand: the right barrel size and heat, a simple step-by-step method, and the finishing tricks that turn neat curls into that lived-in, undone texture.

What Makes Waves "Beachy" (vs Curls)?

Beach waves and curls are made the same way, but they're not the same look. Understanding the difference is what stops you from accidentally creating tight ringlets when you wanted soft movement.

• Curls are more defined and uniform, a consistent spiral from root to tip.
• Beach waves are looser, softer and irregular. They bend in a relaxed "S" shape, sit lower down the hair (not right up at the root), and have their ends left out for that undone finish.

The beachy effect comes from three things working together: a larger, looser curl, texture rather than polish, and imperfection — waves that don't all match. Get those three right and you have beach waves, whatever your hair length.

Best Barrel Size and Heat for Beach Waves

Barrel size: go large. A 32mm barrel is the sweet spot for most people, and 38mm or larger gives even looser, more relaxed waves — ideal for long hair. Smaller barrels create curls that are too tight to read as "beachy." If you're unsure which size suits your hair length, our curling wand barrel sizes guide breaks it down.

Heat: a medium setting is all you need — roughly 150–180°C (300–355°F) for normal hair, lower for fine hair. You're not setting a tight curl, so there's no need to go high, and lower heat keeps your hair healthier. Check our curling wand temperature guide for the exact setting for your hair type.

New to wands entirely? Run through the basic wrap-and-hold method in our how to use a curling wand guide first, then come back for the beachy variation below.

How to Get Beach Waves with a Curling Wand?

1. Start with dry, prepped hair. Brush through and mist with heat protectant. Beach waves work best on hair with a bit of texture, so day-old hair or a light texture spray beforehand actually helps.
2. Set a medium heat and let the wand warm up. Match the temperature to your hair type — you don't need it high.
3. Take larger sections. Use sections around 3–4cm wide, bigger than you would for defined curls. Larger sections give looser, softer waves.
4. Wrap loosely, and leave the ends out. Wrap each section around the barrel, but stop about 3–4cm from the ends and leave them straight. Straight ends are the signature of a beach wave — they stop the look from turning into ringlets.
5. Hold briefly, then release. Hold each section for around 6–10 seconds — less than you would for a tight curl. You want a gentle bend, not a firm coil.
6. Alternate the direction of every section (this is the key trick — see below).
7. Let the waves cool completely. Don't touch them while warm. Cooling is what makes the shape last.
8. Rough them up and add texture (covered below), then set with a light spray.

The Alternating-Direction Trick

This is the single technique that separates real beach waves from "curled hair." Instead of wrapping every section the same way, alternate the direction as you go — wrap one section away from your face, the next toward your face, and so on around your head.

Why it works: when every curl spins the same way, they stack up into a uniform, styled look. When you alternate, adjacent waves bend in opposite directions and break each other up, creating the irregular, natural "S" pattern that reads as effortless. It also stops your waves from clumping into one big curl on each side.

Don't overthink it, a rough alternating pattern is enough. A little inconsistency is exactly what you want here.

How to Rough up and Set for Texture

Straight off the wand, your waves will look a touch too neat. The finishing stage is where they become beachy:

1. Let everything cool fully first. Roughing up warm waves just drops them.
2. Rake your fingers through — not a brush. Gently pull your fingers through the waves to loosen and separate them. A brush destroys the texture; fingers open the waves into a softer shape.
3. Scrunch for extra texture. Tip your head, gather the mid-lengths and ends in your hands and scrunch upward to encourage movement and volume.
4. Add a sea salt or texture spray. This is what gives that gritty, matte, "just left the beach" feel. Mist it through the mid-lengths and ends, then scrunch again.
5. Set with a light, flexible hairspray. Hold it at a distance so the waves keep their movement — you want touchable, not crunchy.

If you want more volume, flip your head upside down and shake out the waves with your fingers before you spray.

How to Make Your Beach Waves Last?

Beach waves are meant to look relaxed, but "relaxed" shouldn't mean "gone by lunchtime." A few habits keep them going:

• Let each wave cool before touching it, the biggest factor in longevity.
• Prep with the right products so the shape has something to grip.
• Use a texture or salt spray, which holds a soft wave better than nothing at all.
• Don't over-brush, refresh with fingers, not a brush.

For the full breakdown of why waves drop and how to keep them in all day (including overnight tricks), see our guide on how to make your curls last.

Get the wand for effortless waves

Soft, beachy waves start with the right barrel — a larger size, ideally with adjustable heat so you can keep it moderate. Get that right and the technique above takes minutes.

Get the wand that nails soft waves, shop Kor Hair curling tools and pick a larger barrel for effortless beach waves.

FAQs

What size curling wand is best for beach waves?

A 32mm barrel is ideal for most people, and 38mm or larger gives even looser, more relaxed waves. Larger barrels create the soft, loose bends that make waves look beachy rather than tightly curled.

How do you make beach waves look natural?

Alternate the direction of each section, leave the ends out straight, take larger sections, and finger-rake and scrunch the waves once they've cooled. A texture or sea salt spray adds the final undone finish.

What temperature should I use for beach waves?

A medium setting is enough — around 150–180°C (300–355°F) for normal hair, and lower for fine hair. You're creating a loose bend, not a tight curl, so there's no need for high heat.

Why do my beach waves fall out?

Usually because the waves were touched before they cooled, or there wasn't enough product to hold the shape. Let each wave cool fully, use a texture or salt spray, and refresh with your fingers rather than a brush.