Tousled waves are the epitome of effortless beauty—those beachy, carefree waves that look as if you’ve just stepped off the sand. This natural, voluminous hairstyle is perfect for any occasion, from a casual brunch to a night out. Achieving the perfect tousled waves doesn’t require hours of styling, and with the right technique and products, you can create this look in minutes. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps to achieve the tousled wave look and share the best tips for maintaining it.

What Makes Tousled Waves So Special?

The beauty of tousled waves lies in their relaxed and carefree appearance. They add texture and volume without appearing overly styled or stiff. Unlike sleek, perfectly styled waves or curls, tousled waves look natural and lived-in, making them ideal for a laid-back yet chic look. This hairstyle works for almost any hair type—whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair—by enhancing your hair’s natural texture and adding movement.

The Best Products for Tousled Waves

Achieving the perfect tousled waves begins with the right products. You want to use lightweight styling products that add texture, volume, and a touch of hold without weighing your hair down. Here are some essential products for creating tousled waves:

1. Sea Salt Spray Sea salt spray is a must-have for tousled waves. It mimics the texture of your hair after a day at the beach, adding grip and volume. Sea salt spray gives hair a slightly gritty texture that enhances natural waves and creates that “just-rolled-out-of-bed” look.

2. Texturizing Mousse Mousse provides volume and body, especially for finer hair types. It adds a light, airy texture that helps create tousled waves with movement, without the heaviness of gels or creams.

3. Hair Misting Spray A lightweight misting spray can help set the waves and provide a soft, flexible hold without making your hair feel crunchy or sticky. Opt for a spray that also adds shine to keep your waves looking healthy and vibrant.

4. Curl Cream or Leave-In Conditioner For those with wavy or curly hair, a curl cream or leave-in conditioner is a great base product to help enhance and define your natural texture before you create waves.

5. Dry Shampoo Dry shampoo is perfect for adding volume and texture, especially if your hair feels flat or lifeless. It also helps extend the life of your waves by absorbing oil and refreshing your hair between washes.

Steps to Achieve Tousled Waves

Achieving tousled waves is all about enhancing your hair’s natural texture and adding just the right amount of volume and shape. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get the perfect look:

1. Start with Clean, Damp Hair Begin with freshly washed hair or lightly dampened hair. If your hair is already dry, lightly mist it with water to ensure it’s manageable and ready for styling.

2. Apply a Texturizing Product Apply a sea salt spray or texturizing mousse evenly throughout your hair. Focus on the mid-lengths to ends to avoid weighing down the roots. This will create a rough texture that helps the waves form naturally.

3. Use a Curling Wand or Flat Iron To create soft waves, use a curling wand or flat iron. Take small sections of hair and wrap them around the barrel or clamp of the curling wand, leaving the ends out for a more relaxed look. If you’re using a flat iron, twist your wrist as you pull the flat iron down the length of the hair to create a loose wave.

   Pro Tip: Alternate the direction of the curls (some going towards your face, others away) to add a more natural, beachy feel to your waves.

4. Let Your Hair Cool Once you’ve curled all of your hair, let it cool for a few minutes. This helps set the waves and ensures they hold throughout the day. Don’t touch your hair too much while it’s cooling to prevent frizz.

5. Finger-Comb or Scrunch Your Hair After your hair has cooled, gently run your fingers through the curls or scrunch the hair from the ends up to the roots. This helps break up the curls and transform them into more relaxed, tousled waves. Avoid using a brush, as this can cause frizz and ruin the natural wave.

6. Add Volume at the Roots To add extra volume and lift, lightly tease the roots with a fine-tooth comb or use dry shampoo at the crown. This gives your waves more body and texture.

7. Set the Waves Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray or a light misting spray to set the waves in place without making them stiff. A light spritz will help keep your tousled waves intact all day while maintaining their soft, natural look.

Tips for Maintaining Tousled Waves

1. Refresh the Waves If your waves start to flatten out during the day, use a dry shampoo or texturizing spray to give them a quick refresh. You can also re-curl certain sections with a curling iron for an added touch of volume.

2. Protect Against Humidity Humidity can cause waves to fall flat or turn frizzy. Using an anti-humidity spray or serum can help keep your waves intact, especially on damp or rainy days.

3. Go for Loose Waves To achieve the perfect tousled look, avoid making the curls too tight. The beauty of tousled waves lies in their relaxed, undone appearance, so opt for looser, more natural waves for a more effortless result.

4. Sleep in a Loose Braid If you want to wake up with beautiful waves, try braiding your hair before bed. Once you wake up, simply release the braid and use your fingers to tousle the waves for a relaxed, textured look.

5. Avoid Over-Styling Tousled waves should look natural and carefree, so avoid over-styling or over-curling your hair. The more you manipulate your hair, the more likely it is to lose its natural texture.

Final Thoughts

Tousled waves are the ultimate go-to style for anyone who wants an effortlessly chic look that works for every occasion. By using the right products, applying a few simple techniques, and allowing your natural texture to shine through, you can achieve the perfect beachy, voluminous waves that last all day. Whether you have straight, curly, or wavy hair, tousled waves are versatile and easy to achieve, making them a hairstyle everyone can rock.

FAQ

1. Can I create tousled waves with straight hair? Absolutely! Use a curling wand or flat iron to create the waves, and then scrunch the hair to break up the curls and create a more natural, tousled look.

2. How do I keep my waves from looking too tight? To keep your waves loose and relaxed, use a larger curling wand or flat iron, and avoid wrapping the hair too tightly. Also, finger-combing or scrunching the waves will loosen them up.

3. Can I achieve tousled waves without heat? Yes! If you prefer not to use heat, try braiding your damp hair overnight or using texturizing sprays to enhance your natural texture for an effortless wave.

4. How do I prevent frizz in my tousled waves? Use anti-frizz products like smoothing serums, oils, or light hairspray to keep frizz at bay and maintain your smooth, defined waves.

5. How long do tousled waves last? Tousled waves can last all day if you use the right products and avoid touching your hair too much. Refresh with dry shampoo or a light misting spray as needed.