The Key to Creating Perfect Beach Waves

Even if the weather outside is frightful, your hair can look like you just stepped off a tropical beach. The key to perfect beach waves--that is, soft, messy waves that look like they were accidentally produced by the sun, sand and salt water--is using the right combination of products and tools to create waves that look natural rather than fussed over. To get messy but perfectly undone-looking beach waves like Luisa of Golden Strokes, just follow these four easy steps:

Step 1: Prep Your Hair

Properly prep your hair by combing the right NuMe hair care product through your hair. NuMe Rise and Prime Hair Primer or a nourishing, lightweight serum like the NuMe White Truffle Serum work wonderfully to protect and prepare your hair for styling.

Natural-looking beach waves don't require a ton of product. A little goes a long way to protect the health of your hair against the damaging effects of heat styling as well as helping your hair hold its curl.

Step 2: Pick the Right Tools

The only tool you need to get perfect beach waves is a curling wand. While a traditional curling iron will work, a clipless curling wand such as the one in the NuMe Curl Jam set can help avoid the lines and bends that traditional curling irons can leave in your hair. Keep in mind that a NuMe 32mm Classic Curling Wand barrel is best to produce waves rather than tight curls.

Step 3: Curl Away!

Once you've prepped your hair, you're ready to begin styling. Divide your hair into four or five sections, making sure to comb through each section to remove any tangles. Apply your heat protector like NuMe Watch Me Werk Thermal Protectant from tip to root and let dry for a couple of seconds.

As you start to curl, remember that the enemy of natural-looking beach waves is perfect uniform curls. Aim for some haphazard lived-in look. Let your locks go with the flow!

Within each section of hair, take random pieces between about one to three inches wide and curl them, alternating the direction of the curls to maximize volume and add to the tousled effect. Wrap each piece around the curling wand and hold for no more than three to four seconds, pulling at the end of each curl as you let it drop to loosen it into a wave. Continue until you've done all of your hair.

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

Using your fingers, comb through your hair to further loosen the curls. Gently tousle your hair to give it the that relaxed, beachy look. At this point, you can use a sea salt spray to add additional texture to your hair and apply NuMe Argan Oil to add luster, or NuMe Not Your Basic End Sealer to finish the ends.

Voila! You've made fun, irresistible beach waves - bikini not required.