You’ve probably seen the Pinterest boards. Those effortlessly tousled, slightly gritty, perfectly imperfect strands that look like they just spent four hours at Malibu. But here is the annoying reality for most of us: you try it at home, and you end up with "George Washington wig" vibes or crunchy, straw-like ends that won’t move. It sucks. Honestly, beach waves medium length hair is the hardest style to get right because it sits in that "in-between" zone where if you curl too much, you look like a pageant queen, and if you curl too little, you just look like you forgot to brush your hair.
Medium length—think collarbone to just above the bust—is actually the sweet spot for texture. It has enough weight to hold a shape but enough lightness to keep the volume. If you're struggling, it’s usually not your hair's fault. It's the technique. Most people are using the wrong tool or, more likely, they're holding the iron at the wrong angle.
The flat iron trick nobody tells you
Stop using a traditional curling iron if you want that modern, flat-wave look. Seriously. A curling iron with a clip creates a round, bouncy curl. That is the opposite of a beach wave. For beach waves medium length hair, you want a flat iron with rounded edges.
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The secret is the "S" wave technique. Instead of wrapping the hair around the iron, you’re basically feeding the hair through the plates in a rhythmic motion. You clamp a section, twist your wrist forward, slide down an inch, twist your wrist backward, and slide down another inch. It looks like an accordion. It feels clunky at first. You will probably drop the iron once. But once you get the rhythm, it creates a wave that looks like it grew out of your head that way.
Why the ends are the most important part
If you want to know if someone knows what they’re doing with hair, look at their ends. For a true beachy texture, you must leave the last inch or two of your hair completely straight. Don't curl them. Don't even think about it. If the ends are curled under, it’s a glam look. If the ends are straight, it’s a beach look. It’s that simple.
Texture sprays vs. Sea salt sprays
This is where things get controversial. Professional stylists like Jen Atkin—who basically invented the modern "cool girl" hair for the Kardashians—often pivot away from heavy salt sprays. Why? Because salt is a desiccant. It sucks the moisture out of your hair. If you have bleached or colored hair, salt spray can turn your mane into a bird’s nest in about twenty minutes.
Instead, look for a "dry texture spray." These use zeolite or starch to add grit without the dehydration. Brands like Oribe (the Gold Lust line is iconic but pricey) or Kristin Ess have mastered this. You want to spray it from underneath. Flip your head over. Spray. Shake. Flip back. If you spray it only on the top layer, you’re just weighing down the hair. You need that grit at the root and the mid-shaft to keep the waves from collapsing into a flat mess by lunchtime.
The "Overnight" lie
We’ve all seen the "braid your hair at night for perfect waves" tutorials. Let’s be real: that only works if you have a specific hair texture. For most people, braiding damp hair results in weird crimps and frizzy ends. If you want heatless beach waves medium length hair, you’re better off using the "bathrobe tie" method. It’s a bit ridiculous looking, but it works because it creates a larger, smoother loop than a braid.
The Science of Hold: Why your waves fall flat
Hair stays in the shape it cools in. This is a fundamental law of hair styling that most people ignore. If you curl a section and then immediately drop it and run your fingers through it while it’s still hot, you are basically erasing your work.
You have to let it cool.
- Take your section.
- Apply heat (not too much—keep it under 350 degrees if you can).
- Drop the curl into your palm.
- Let it sit there for five seconds.
- Then let it go.
If you have very fine hair, you might even need to pin the curls to your head while they cool. It’s a pain. It takes an extra ten minutes. But would you rather spend 20 minutes on hair that lasts all day or 10 minutes on hair that lasts until you walk out the front door?
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Don't be afraid of the "crunch"
There is a stage in the process where your hair will look bad. It will look like stiff, crunchy ringlets. This is the "scary" phase. Most people panic here and start brushing. Wait. Let the product dry. Let the hair cool. Only once the hair is 100% cold should you take a wide-tooth comb or just your fingers and break it up.
Finding the right parting
Most people think beach waves have to be a middle part. While that's the "it girl" standard right now, a deep side part can actually give medium-length hair way more volume. If your hair is feeling a bit flat or thin, flip your part to the opposite side of where you usually wear it. It forces the roots to stand up. It’s an instant lift without any extra product.
Common mistakes that ruin the look
- Using too much oil: You want shine, sure, but oil weighs hair down. If you use a heavy serum, your waves will turn into limp strings. Stick to a tiny drop of lightweight oil only on the very tips.
- Curling everything in the same direction: If you curl every piece away from your face, they will eventually clump together into one giant "mega-curl." To get that messy, beachy look, you need to alternate. One section away from the face, the next section toward the face. This creates "friction" between the curls, which keeps them separated and voluminous.
- The "Iron Grip": Don't squeeze the flat iron too hard. You want it to glide. If you see steam, your hair is either damp (bad) or you're frying it.
The Reality of Professional Results
Look, even the best stylists acknowledge that the "effortless" look takes a lot of effort. Most of those celebrity photos you see involve hidden extensions. Extensions aren't just for length; they provide a "structure" that natural hair often lacks. If your beach waves medium length hair feels a bit thin, you don't need a full head of extensions. A few "filler" pieces on the sides can make the waves look three times as thick.
Also, humidity is the enemy. If you live in a place like Florida or Houston, you need a sealant. Something like Color Wow Dream Coat acts like a raincoat for your hair. It’s a polymer that shuts down the cuticle so moisture can’t get in and wreck your waves. It’s one of the few products that actually lives up to the viral hype.
Next Steps for Perfect Waves:
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Start with a "rough dry." Don't use a brush when you blow-dry. Just use your hands to get 80% of the moisture out. This keeps the natural texture in the hair, which gives the waves something to "grab" onto. Once dry, apply a heat protectant. Take sections no wider than two inches—any wider and the heat won't penetrate the center of the hair. Focus on the mid-shaft, leave the ends straight, and let every single curl cool completely before you even think about touching it. If you’re using a wand, hold it vertically for a looser wave or horizontally for more volume at the root. Finally, finish with a blast of cool air from your dryer to set everything in place.