Beachy Hair Is My Entire Personality—7 Salt Sprays I've Tested That Create Tousled Texture Without the Crunch
Not all salt sprays are created equal—our beauty editor has tested the best ones that leave waves and curls with a beachy look without the stiffness.
We might be nearing the end of summer, but the heatwaves aren't letting up just yet. And the last thing I want to do during this sweltering hot weather is to get my hairdryer out. So, I've taken to abandoning my hair tools altogether, and instead letting my hair air-dry. I have naturally wavy hair, and I've always loved how a day at the beach or a dip in the ocean magically enhances my waves. I'm lucky enough to live by the coast; however, I long to recreate that salty, tousled texture when I'm working from home or commuting into London. And that's where salt sprays come in. They're great for enhancing your natural texture or giving a piecey texture to curls or waves created with a curling wand or hair waver.
What Are Salt Sprays?
If you too crave that beachy look, then salt sprays are the key to achieving that effortless look—no day at the beach or hair waver required. "Natural sea salt enhances and defines soft, tousled texture, " says celebrity hairstylist and founder Sam McKnight MBE. "When misted into dry or wet hair, salt sprays define existing texture and enhance and accentuate waves and curls," he says.
How to Use Salt Sprays
Salt sprays work for most hair types; however, they will only work on hair with existing texture, such as waves or curls. "They won’t create texture that isn’t there already. It enhances, accentuates and defines natural texture," says McKnight.
"If hair has a natural wave or curl, go straight in and mist into wet hair, let it dry naturally. Alternatively, you can mist onto dry hair in even sections. Just scrunch with your fingers and let it air dry or diffuse slightly for added body," he says. To keep it feeling beachy—not crunchy—McKnight advises sectioning your hair first. "[The] best way is to separate hair in sections and mist from roots to ends. Be careful not to saturate the [dry] hair; it should still feel dry," he says.
I've spent my summer testing the best salt sprays around to find the ones that deserve a spot in your hair care routine. Scroll ahead for the ones that are like a beach day in a bottle.
The Best Salt Sprays
- Best Overall: Hair by Sam Mcknight Sundaze Sea Spray
- Best for Waves: Ouai Wave Spray
- Best for Curls: Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Salt Spray
- Best Luxury Salt Spray: Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray
- Best Affordable Salt Spray: Schwarzkopf Got2b Hair Texture Salt Spray Beach Matt
1. Hair by Sam Mcknight Sundaze Sea Spray
Pros
- Enhances waves and curls without crunchiness
- Shields hair from UV damage
Cons
- Not for you if you want an unfragranced salt spray
Sundaze Sea Spray has been my go-to this summer for a number of reasons. Firstly, it enhances hair texture without the dreaded stickiness you can get with some salt sprays. However, it also contains UV protection to shield your hair from the sun, making it a great one to throw in your bag for beach days to prevent damage or colour fade. A couple of spritzes on wet hair go a long way to boost waves and curls whilst adding a tousled texture, so go easy. You can also use it on dry hair if you want to refresh the texture further. It also comes in a miniature size, which is perfect for holidays or to keep on the go.
2. Ouai Wave Spray
Pros
- Smells amazing (it has Ouai's Melrose Place fragrance)
- Chic packaging
Cons
- Rose fragrance might not be for everyone
You know how wavy hair is enhanced by a dip in the sea? This is that salt-kissed effect in a bottle. A couple of spritzes through damp or dry hair before scrunching enhance waves without any crunchiness whilst boosting volume and hold. It can also be used on straight hair if you want to enhance curls created with a curling wand. This is one of my favourites I reach for when I want to air-dry my hair whilst enhancing my waves without any heat. Oh, and it smells incredible with its rosy scent.
3. Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Salt Spray
You might already know and love Bumble and Bumble's original salt spray, which remains a total hair icon since it launched in the 2000s. But if you have thick lengths or curly hair, you might prefer the more nourishing formula that the Surf Infusion Salt Spray offers. It has a salt-in-oil formula that gives thicker or curlier hair extra hydration. You shake the bi-phase formula together and mist through your lengths, and you're left with non-sticky, tousled texture and plenty of volume and shine, too. You can even mist it over dry lengths and twist to enhance waves, and it also contains UV protection, making it a great one to use over the summer months.
Pros
- Ideal for thicker hair or curly hair textures
Cons
- May be too heavy for fine hair
4. Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray
If you want a salt spray that doesn't leave the typical stiff texture or matte look to your hair, then allow me to point you in the direction of Oribe's Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray. It's an aerosol spray, so it lightly coats your hair without feeling heavy or stiff, and you can use it on damp or dry hair to enhance your natural texture without weighing your lengths down. However, it's also a great one to add piecey texture to heat-styled curls or waves to enhance the beachy texture. It also smells so luxurious, too.
Pros
- Aerosol mist doesn't feel heavy or sticky
- Can be used on damp or dry hair
- Lightly coats hair to enhance waves—ideal for fine hair
Cons
- More expensive than most
- Those with thicker hair may prefer a more nourishing option
5. Hershesons Air Dry Spray With UV Protection
On days when I just can't face blowdrying my hair, I reach for this air-dry spray to help enhance my natural texture as I let my hair dry naturally. It's not technically a salt spray, as it doesn't contain any salt. However, if you want to achieve a slightly beachier, air-dried look without the rigidity that some salt sprays have, then this is a lighter option that will still allow you to run a hairbrush through your hair without it feeling stiff. It helps to enhance your hair's natural texture whilst smoothing frizz, and also has UV protection so you can mist it liberally over your hair to protect it under the sun.
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Helps to enhance natural texture
- UV protection
Cons
- Effect is less beachy and more air-dried
6. JVN Air Dry Volumizing Wave Spray
If you have fine or flat hair and find most salt sprays to be too heavy or sticky, I'd recommend trying this one. This spray is like a bottled version of JVN's iconic air-dry cream and helps to enhance your hair's natural texture and boost volume without weighing down your hair. It remains touchably soft and brushable, so there's no risk of any crunchiness with this one. A little goes a long way, so use a light touch.
Pros
- Ideal for fine hair
- Enhances waves and curls
- Non-sticky
Cons
- May not be enough for very thick or curly hair
7. Schwarzkopf Got2b Hair Texture Salt Spray Beach Matt
This affordable option is a good choice that comes in at under £10. However, a little goes a long way, and it may be too heavy for those with very fine hair. It helps to enhance waves and curls, whilst giving that beachy, dishevelled texture with a matte finish and lasting hold. A few light spritzes are all you need on damp or dry hair to unlock a tousled texture.
Pros
- Long-lasting hold
- Affordable
Cons
- Matte finish can leave hair looking dull
- May be too heavy for fine hair
How We Tested
I've spent the past couple of months testing the best salt sprays around. I tested each one on my wavy hair to see how well it enhanced my natural texture, and noted how it left my hair feeling. I also tested them all on both damp and dry hair to find the best formulas for achieving that coveted beachy texture.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
