16 hours ago
3
E! Illustration/Amy Sussman/Getty Images for amfAR/Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com/ShutterstocBFA.com / BACKGRID
Every summer seems to bring back one signature beauty look: effortless, tousled beachy waves. And in 2026, the relaxed hairstyle is officially everywhere again.
Defined by soft bends, airy texture and an intentionally undone finish, beachy waves have become a warm-weather beauty staple thanks to their balance of polish and ease. While the trend feels timeless now, its roots go back decades.
The look first gained popularity in the late ’90s and early 2000s, when surf-inspired beauty and laid-back California style started dominating pop culture. Sun-kissed highlights, bronzed skin and windswept texture quickly became the ultimate cool-girl aesthetic.
By the mid-2000s, celebrities like Gisele Bündchen helped elevate beachy waves into a glamorous signature look. Her loose, voluminous texture inspired countless salon appointments and marked a shift away from overly polished curls.
The trend only grew throughout the 2010s, fueled by stars including Blake Lively and Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, whose perfectly imperfect hair became synonymous with off-duty glamour.
Now, summer 2026 is ushering in a more relaxed version of the trend. Instead of heavily styled curls, today’s beachy waves focus on natural movement, flatter roots and touchable texture, as seen on Kaia Gerber, Zara Larsson, and Shay Mitchell.
Social media has also helped evolve the look, with heatless styling tutorials and sea salt sprays replacing ultra-structured curling routines. Part of the trend’s staying power comes from its versatility. Beachy waves work across hair lengths, textures and aesthetics while still feeling casual and wearable. And as beauty trends continue leaning toward effortless styling, it’s no surprise the iconic summer hairstyle keeps making waves.
What Are Beachy Waves?
Beachy waves are soft, tousled waves designed to look effortless, textured, and slightly undone, like you’ve spent the day by the ocean.
The hairstyle is known for its natural movement, airy volume, and relaxed finish, making it one of the most wearable summer hair trends year after year. In 2026, beachy waves are leaning even softer and more touchable, with flatter roots, less crunch, and a more lived-in texture.
How To Get Beachy Waves
Getting effortless beachy waves at home is easier than ever—especially with today’s salt-free texture sprays and heatless styling methods.
IGK Rich Kid Cream
IGK Rich kid coconut oil-infused gel-cream is the foundation in creating the hydrated, lived-in, undone hair of right now. Inspired by the international jet set kids, Rich Kid's curl cream moisturizing properties give you the hair you've always wanted.
Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray
Get beach-to-bombshell hair—tousled, touchable waves with sun-kissed shine—without the salty stiffness. This moisturizing glamour spray uses rich extracts and exotic oils for lush repair and sultry texture.
OUAI Wave Spray
OUAI Wave Spray uses rice protein instead of sea salt, making it less drying for fine hair. With over 5K near-perfect reviews, people love OUAI's wave spray, saying: "It makes my hair look thicker, controls frizz, and looks tasseled in a good way."
Mane Jumbo Waver
This triple-barrel iron delivers a natural-looking bend, beachy texture, or glam waves for whatever mood you’re in. Thanks to the ceramic and nano-coated barrel, you're left with smooth, shiny, lasting results.
Sun Bum Sea Spray
The Sun Bum sea spray delivers UV protection, while giving your locks a textured and volumized look like you just went to the beach. Infused with Hawaiian black lava sea salt and sea kelp, reviewers say it's "easily one of the best" sprays they've used.
Dae Hibiscus Wave Spray
The Dae Wave Spray is formulated with hibiscus flower extract, prickly pear seed oil, and moringa leaf extract to leave your hair moisturized, conditioned, and looking beach-perfect (a.k.a. voluminous and textured).
IGK BEACH CLUB Volumizing Texture Spray
IGK Beach Club creates effortless waves, instant volume, and tousled definition while keeping your hair soft and touchable. Made without salt, this wave spray promises not to leave your hair dry, stiff, or crunchy.
The Beachwaver Co. B1 Rotating Curling Iron
Need beachy waves? If your hair needs a little more than a spray, the Beachwaver is a necessity. It's a ceramic, rotating curling iron that promises quick (and easy) salon-quality curls and waves.
Pacifica Salty Waves Beach Hair Balm
Not a fan of sprays? Pacifica's Hair Balm is infused with sea algae, kelp, banana extract, chia seeds, jojoba, and passion fruit oils to give your hair that coveted tousled beachy waves while hydrating, protecting, nourishing, and de-frizzing your locks.
Bumble & Bumble Surf Sea Salt Spray
Infused with seaweed and kelp extracts, this OG sea salt spray by Bumble & Bumble delivers matte beachy waves and texture. Plus, the scent features an intoxicatingly refreshing marine and citrus notes.
Looking for more beach must-haves? Shop the best Korean sunscreens!
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
English (US) ·