10 Ways to Get Beach Waves Without a Curling Iron

Get the Right Cut

First things first: If you want wavy hair, get a haircut that lends itself to the style. Thomas Osborn, TIGI creative director and vice president of education, recommends asking your stylist for a layered cut. "Layering typically releases weight, which helps create movement," he explains. "Point-cutting these layers helps to encourage movement by taking weight out of the ends and allowing the curl to form more easily."

Prep With the Right Products

As soon as you step out of the shower, the journey to natural waves begins. Towel-dry your hair to eliminate excess moisture; to cut drying time, use a microfiber hair towel like Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban. From there, Osborn recommends "cocktailing products together to customize for the specific texture you're working with, but also for the type of wave you want."

"Keep in mind the desired result," he says. "If you want relaxed waves, trade hairspray for a shine spray like IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray; if you want definition, try a texturizing powder or anti-frizz spray."

Section Into Twists

For a very simple and effective way to get beachy waves, celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo, founder, and owner of ARROJO hair salon in NYC, twists damp hair and allows it to dry.

First, apply Garnier Fructis Smooth Air Dry as well as the brand's Texture Tease into damp hair, he suggests. Then grab hair in random sections (about three inches wide) and twist the hair to "look like dreadlocks," he says.

Repeat the action all over your head, twisting each section in different directions. Finish the style by letting the hair air-dry, then raking your fingers through it for a deconstructed look.

Scrunch With Salt Spray

Kim Vo, celebrity stylist and founder of Vo Blow, suggests the ultimate low-fuss, low-tech method for creating waves: "Scrunch up your hair after spraying it" with a salt spray, he says.

"Sea salt is an amazing ingredient for a beach texture," adds Osborn. And don't worry about the scrunch-crunch of the early aughts. The newest salt sprays are meant to avoid overly drying hair, thanks to conditioning ingredients like seaweed extract and glycerin.

Sweep Into a Topknot

If loose waves are your goal, a trusty topknot could provide the simplest solution. If you're already a devotee of the style, you've probably already witnessed the lush volume and sultry waves that seem to magically appear after taking one down. While this tragically always seems to happen right before a much-needed wash, this is how to achieve the same results intentionally.

Apply volumizing mousse to damp hair. Loosely twist the hair in your hand until it resembles a rope-like ponytail. Then spiral the ponytail into a bun or topknot and secure. Let it set and dry for as long as possible. When you're ready, release the curls and finish with a texturizing spray or hair spray for a lived-in look.

Twist Into Buns

For tighter waves, Vo suggests sectioning damp hair into small buns while it dries. "Once you let them all down, you will have lots of waves," he assures us.

Separate your hair into two- to three-inch sections. (The bigger the sections you make, the bigger your resulting waves.) Twirl and twist your hair into tiny buns, securing them close to your scalp with bobby pins, criss-crossing them in an "X" shape for maximum staying power. Stylists love the super-strong Meta Grip Premium Bob Pins.

When hair is dry, take down your buns to reveal gorgeous waves with major body. Set them in place with light-hold setting spray or texture spray like Verb Volume Dry Texture Spray.

Wear a Braid Overnight

Arrojo says his "absolute favorite way" to achieve wavy hair without any heat is to utilize different braiding techniques. "The proper braid, with the proper product, equals the perfect results," he says.

Arrojo starts with slightly damp hair before applying Garnier Fructis Smooth Air Dry from roots to ends. "Decide if you want tight waves or loose waves, and create either a rope braid (for loose waves) or a three-section braid (for tighter waves)," he explains. "Keep your sections clean and tangle-free."

When your hair completely dries, take out the braids and use hair spray for an all-day hold; Arrojo's fave is Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Hairspray.

Roll Into Pin Curls

Arrojo shares another great way to get waves: Set damp hair in large, old-fashioned pin curls. "Prep your hair with a curl-sculpting product," he advises. (Try Amika Curl Corps Enhancing Gel.) "Comb the section of hair you're working with from roots to ends to ensure it is smooth and tangle-free."

"Roll [each section] into a large pin curl, and secure with a small clip," Arrojo continues. "Do this all over, rolling each pin curl in different directions. Once completely dry, take out the pins and use a large wide-tooth comb to break the curls apart into nice, loose waves."

Tie in Rag Curlers

Need a style that sets overnight, allowing you to wake up with full, tight waves that last all day? Try rag curls. "This is such an old-school method," says hairstylist Leysa Carrillo. "My mom would do it on my hair back in Cuba."

First, you need a set of rag curlers. Make your own by cutting an old T-shirt into 15 to 20 strips about one to two inches wide and eight to 10 inches long. (The longer and thicker your hair, the longer and wider your strips should be.) If you'd rather use a store-bought product, try pillow rollers.

"Start with damp hair and section hair in square-like pieces," Carrillo explains. "Grab the rag, start rolling the hair onto the rag from the ends, and tie the rag." When you let down your hair in the morning, you'll have nice, springy coils.

Reach for Old-School Rollers

If you prefer bouncy curls to springy coils, old-school rollers never disappoint. (Plus, they create a glam aesthetic while the hair sets.) Hair rollers come in a variety of widths, so you'll need to experiment with which sizes produce your desired results. Smaller sizes are better for short hair and create a tighter curl while larger diameters will create more volume.

Prep almost-dry hair with a smoothing serum and brush through. Wrap even sections of hair around each roller, ensuring no section extends beyond the width of the roller, while maintaining even tension. Secure each roller in place with a clip and allow to set for a few hours. (The longer the better!) Once you let down the curls, brush through with a wide-tooth comb and finish with a soft-hold hairspray like Amika Fluxus Touchable Hairspray.