Summer’s calling, and so is the dream of holiday hair—you know, that perfectly imperfect wave that screams, “I’ve just been frolicking in the ocean for a week,” even if you’ve barely made it past your local lido. Even if a beachy vacation isn’t on your calendar (tragic, we know), you can absolutely fake it ‘til you make it with this season’s biggest hair vibe.
Welcome to the era of holiday hair—the ultimate low-maintenance, high-impact style that’s sticking around until pumpkin spice season.
What Exactly Is Holiday Hair?
Think relaxed, tousled, beachy waves with zero stress and even less zhuzhing. It’s the sweet spot between “I woke up like this” and “I’ve had a sun-soaked week somewhere fabulous.”
The look is all about loose movement, soft texture, and that lived-in finish that makes it look like you just naturally have effortless, goddess-level hair. It pairs perfectly with floaty dresses, oversized sunnies, and a slightly smug smile.
The goal? Waves that are a little bit wild, a little bit polished, and completely irresistible. The less effort it looks like you’ve put in, the better.
How to Get Holiday Hair Without, You Know, Going on Holiday
Good news: nailing holiday hair doesn’t involve booking a flight or even stepping near saltwater. Here’s the no-fuss, no-stress way to get the look:
1. Rough Dry Like a Pro
Skip the nozzle on your hairdryer and give your locks a good rough-dry. The less polished, the better. Fight the urge to smooth things out—we’re aiming for windswept goddess, not prom queen perfection.
Tool Pick: Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex Professional Hair Dryer
2. Enhance That Texture
Spritz your hair with a texture-boosting spray to coax out those natural bends and waves. If you’re blessed with poker-straight strands, don’t panic—this will give you the extra oomph you need.
Product Pick: Ouai Wave Spray
3. Wave It Out
Grab a mermaid waver or a wide-barrelled tong and work through big sections of hair, starting a couple of inches down from the roots. For longer hair, you might need to move down and clamp again. Remember: bigger sections = looser, more relaxed waves.
Tool Pick: GHD Curve
4. Break It Up
Immediately after waving, run a wide-toothed comb or your fingers through your hair while it’s still warm. Trust us—this step keeps things soft, not stiff.
5. Tuck and Cool
Here’s a pro move: tuck your waves behind your ears while they’re cooling. When you flip them back later, you’ll get that effortless, face-framing volume without even trying.
6. Finish with a Creme
Smooth on a touch of lightweight styling cream to keep frizz at bay and give your waves that dreamy, lived-in finish. Less crunchy, more ‘just stepped off a yacht.’
Product Pick: Malin + Goetz Sage Styling Cream
At The Salon? Here’s What to Ask For
Heading to the salon? Keep it simple. Ask your stylist for an effortless, loose wave—something that looks like it air-dried naturally after a dip in the sea. No tight curls, no over-styling. Think “chic mermaid” not “pageant hair.”
Holiday hair is the ultimate summer cheat code. It’s easy, it’s sexy, and it’s so in right now that you’ll be riding the wave (pun absolutely intended) straight through to fall. So stash the heavy styling tools, grab your salt spray, and get ready to look like you’ve been living your best, sun-drenched life—even if your actual vacation plans involve little more than a deck chair and an Aperol spritz.
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