How To Get Beach Waves Without Heat?

No one's here to tell you how to do your hair, nor to tell you not to use heat styling tools on your hair. It's your hair, you know it best. But hope you know that using heat styling tools to get beach waves is more likely to stress and damage your hair? And sometimes, the best way to get beach waves is without the heat.

You're thinking, "Won't you need a lot of product or fancy tools for that?". No, darling, you won't. You just need to follow some simple steps, have a little patience, use good products, and watch your hair get that bounce. There are so many ways to get natural beach waves without heat, especially if you’re looking for tips on how to get beach waves without heat overnight. In this guide, we’ll cover the 6 best methods and the products that make them last.

6 Methods to Get Beach Waves Without Heat

1. Overnight Braids

With overnight braids, it is very easy to wake up in the morning with natural beach waves. And you don't need to use any heat styling tool for this. It is so easy to do and gentle on the hair that it doesn't matter if your hair is damaged or bleached; it will give you those effortless beach waves. 

All you need to do is apply a bit of leave-in conditioner on your damp hair, then braid it into two or three sets. Once you're done, you can go to sleep or even watch movies, but don't touch the hair until morning. In the morning, simply loosen the braids and watch your beach waves fall perfectly. 

Hair type tip: This method works best if you have medium to long hair since the braids need enough length to form waves. If you have shorter hair, you might want to try pomade or rollers instead, both great options if you’re aiming for overnight beach waves for short hair.

Quick-fix option: Don’t want to wait overnight? Even leaving your braids in for 1–2 hours during the day can give you soft, relaxed waves, perfect if you’re short on time.

Pro maintenance tip: To make your waves last longer, sleep on a satin pillowcase or wrap your hair in a silk scarf, use a light hairspray to hold the shape, and avoid brushing (just use your fingers to loosen).

2. Headband Wrap Trick

If you've been on TikTok lately, you're more likely to know about using the headband wrap trick to get natural beach waves without heat. And this is a method people are swearing gives volume and loose waves to every type of hair. For this method, you'll need a satin headband and a hair pomade.

You'll start by dampening your hair a bit with water, then applying the pomade just to give your hair a bit of texture, then combing through. Your headband should be close by, cos this is the time you put it on your head and secure it with a clip. If you've done that, then it's time to start twisting. You'll start from the hair near the band and slowly work your way around. You should have something that looks like a loose French braid when you're done, but trust me, in the morning, you'll be ready for the beach.

Hair type tip: This method is especially great for medium to long hair since the length helps wrap around the band smoothly. If your hair is shorter, you can still try it, but using a narrower headband or pairing with pomade will help hold the twist better, making it an easy way to get beach waves without heat for short hair.

Quick-fix option: Don’t want to leave it overnight? Keep the wrap in for 2–3 hours while you get ready, and you’ll still get relaxed, tousled waves, perfect for last-minute plans.

Pro maintenance tip: To keep your waves looking fresh all day, gently finger-comb instead of brushing, and finish with a light spritz of sea salt spray or flexible-hold hairspray. This keeps the shape intact without making your hair stiff.

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3. Scrunch and Plop Your Hair

Some of us are just born lucky. We either have curly, wavy, or a bit of texture in our hair, which makes it easier to get beach waves without heat at home, especially if you start with the scrunch and plop method. If this is you, you just need a scrunchie, shampoo, and a deep conditioning mask. Shampoo and deep conditioner? Yes, darling, this method starts with you washing your hair in the shower.

Once you're done, dry your hair a bit, then apply your favorite leave-in products. Then scrunch the ends of your hair and allow the waves to form on their own. It's time for the plopping, and I'm only going to say it once, so follow it carefully. Take a soft long-sleeve T-shirt, and allow your hair to fall into the center of the shirt, then fold from the bottom up to your neck and tie the sleeves into a knot. Give it one hour at most, and you’ll have a soft, bouncy beach wave without heat.

Hair type tip: This method works best if you already have some natural curl or texture, but even straight hair can benefit with the right curl cream or mousse. For shorter hair, plopping still works, but you may need to secure the fabric snugly to avoid it slipping.

Quick-fix option: If you’re in a rush, you don’t need the full hour—plopping for 20–30 minutes can still give you a gentle wave boost, especially if you follow with a curl mousse or sea salt spray.

Pro maintenance tip: Once you’ve revealed your waves, avoid brushing them out. Instead, finger-comb or gently shake them loose, and finish with a light styling spray to keep them defined and frizz-free all day.

4. Sock Bun

Not all methods to get natural waves without heat are stressful and complicated. At least, not the sock bun method. This method is very easy to do, and you get fuller, bigger, bouncier beach waves with it. What you need is a clean sock.

Cut off the end of the sock and roll it into a donut shape. Dampen your hair a bit and put it into the cock. Next, start twisting and wrapping your hair around it and securing it with bobby pins. And that's it, you can go to sleep. Since it's the overnight sock bun, when you wake up, just undo the bun and your hair will be looking so wavy you'll be shocked you didn't use any heat styling tool.

Hair type tip: The sock bun works best on medium to long hair since shorter lengths may not wrap fully around the donut. If your hair is shorter, try dividing it into two smaller buns for similar results.

Quick-fix option: Don’t want to sleep in it? Keep the sock bun in for just 2–3 hours during the day while you work or relax. You’ll still get loose, casual waves without the overnight wait.

Pro maintenance tip: After taking the bun out, run your fingers through the waves instead of a brush to keep them fluffy. A light spritz of sea salt spray or flexible hairspray will help hold the bounce all day long.

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5. Twist Out

Using the twist-out method to get beach waves without heat is a guaranteed way to get soft, loose waves. It won't give you tighter curls, though, but it will make it look more natural, relaxed, and carefree. So, start by dampening your hair and applying your favorite styling product.

Then divide your hair into sections and start twisting loosely. Once you're done twisting, wrap your hair overnight in a silk scarf or hair bonnet. By morning, you can lose the twist and enjoy your bouncy waves. This method will probably not work for you if your hair is too thin, so if that's the case, it will be better to try another method.

Hair type tip: This method works best for medium to thick hair because the twists hold better and create more defined waves. If your hair is very fine or thin, the waves may not hold as well, so a braid or roller method might be a better fit.

Quick-fix option: If you don’t want to leave twists in overnight, you can keep them in for 2–3 hours while your hair air-dries. The waves will be looser but still give that soft, tousled effect.

Pro maintenance tip: After unraveling, avoid running a brush through your hair, use your fingers to separate the twists instead. To extend the look, lightly mist with a curl refresher spray or sea salt spray and sleep on a satin pillowcase to keep frizz away.

6. Heatless Rollers

Why are you still using heat styling tools to get your waves when you can always use these heatless rollers? You can do it easily, and it works just like a curling iron and even better than some other methods on this list. You just need your rollers; it can be any type or size, it just depends on the kind of wave you want - whether big or small.

You first start by dampening your hair and applying your styling product, then take small sections of the hair and wrap it around the roller. Make sure you use some pins to secure them. Once you're done, you can apply a light hair spray just to help hold the wave, and that's that. Carry it overnight so it can dry properly and gently remove the rollers. Is your hair not soft, natural-looking, and wavy just like I said it would?

Hair type tip: Heatless rollers work for all hair lengths, but they’re especially effective on medium to long hair. If your hair is shorter, opt for smaller rollers to help the waves set better. Thicker hair may need a bit more product to hold the wave.

Quick-fix option: No time to sleep in them? Keep the rollers in for 1–2 hours while blow-drying on a cool setting or letting your hair air-dry. You’ll still get relaxed, bouncy waves without committing overnight.

Pro maintenance tip: Once you take the rollers out, let the curls “set” for 10–15 minutes before finger-combing them loose. A spritz of lightweight hairspray or sea salt spray will add hold without weighing your hair down, keeping the waves fresh all day.

5 Best Hair Products for Beach Waves Without Heat

1. Curl-enhancing Cream

I'm sure you have a leave-in conditioner and probably a gel too, but your curl-enhancing cream is still needed. It is what will make sure your hair is well hydrated and can hold the waves or curls. If your hair is naturally straight, it can be harder to create waves, but with a curl-enhancing cream, you’ll still add bounce and definition. It’s one of the best ways to get beach waves without heat for straight hair.

You can use creams like PATTERN Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Styling Cream or Briogeo Curl Rice Amino + Shea Curl Defining Conditioner to get that beach wave. Just take a small amount and rub it through your damp hair before using any of the methods above. Trust me, it's a total game-changer you didn't know you needed.

2. Curl Mousse

Just like curl-enhancing cream, it's also a good idea to use curl mousse on your hair when you're trying to get beach waves without heat. Curl mousse can help boost and even enhance the waves you get from using the methods above. 

You just need to apply the curl mousse evenly on your hair, then you can decide to scrunch it while waiting for it to dry. For this, I'll recommend either the Briogeo Yuzu + Plum Oil Full Miracle Styling or the Rizos Curls Thickening Treatment Foam. Both of them will give you that soft, bouncy beach wave vibe you're going for.

3. Sea Salt Spray

Do you know that the salt in the ocean water can help enhance your beach waves? But I'm not saying go and pour salt water on your hair, what you need instead is sea salt sprays. They give your hair the same effect without you dipping yourself into the sea.

You just need to spritz some of it on your damp hair and follow any of the methods above. You can use either Rahua Enchanted Island Salt Spray or R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray, and within minutes, your hair is giving that relaxed beach girl vibe. This hair product is very simple to use, and it will create waves that are soft and effortlessly carefree.

4. Hair Pomade

I'm sure you only consider your hair pomade when you want to make sleek, polished hairstyles. But if you want amazing beach waves, especially if you have short hair, then get your hair pomade. It will help your hair look more casual, natural, and full.

Products like this Church California Sun Wax Pomade and Malin + Goetz Hair Pomade will help enhance your waves and give you more texture, thickness, and volume. You just need to rub a small amount on every section before twisting, braiding, or rolling. The waves you get from this hair pomade can last you all day, so you can fully have fun at the beach.

Conclusion

It's always a good idea to get your beach waves without using any heat styling products or tools. If only just to allow your hair to rest from the daily styling and damage it goes through. And the best part is that these heatless waves look so natural, and over time, your hair will start having its own natural curl or wave pattern.

But it's not just about following these methods in this guide; you'll also need to use the right products. The right curl enhancer, the right hair mist, and the right hair pomade can make all the difference for your summer waves. My advice is to try out all the methods and stick to the one that is easier to do and gives you the best waves.