Sexy, salty, and wavy – sea salt sprays transform your hair into surfy locks as you bum by the beach. It makes you camera-ready so you’ll look good on your souvenir shots. The tousled look has been a craze for beach-goers because of the mellow and sultry feel that gives a carefree vibe. For this post, I reviewed the best sea salt spray for fine hair. that you can stash in your travel bag for your next beach weekend this is suitable for men and women of all gender.
Here are my top picks for sea salt sprays in a nutshell:
What is sea salt spray?
The traditional sea salt spray uses real salt mixed with various oils and other moisturizing ingredients. This formula gives texture to the hair for a cascading and a beautifully messy look. It also adds volume to the hair, which is similar to the effect of being soaked in salty water. Personally, sea salt spray is my favorite hair product next to shampoo.
Nowadays, some sea salt formulas use Epsom salt in place of the typical salt. However, since sea salt sprays can dry your hair, there are salt-free versions that use natural extracts to provide the same effect. They are still referred to as ‘sea salt sprays’ although they no longer use salts.
Sea salt sprays shouldn’t be confused with sugar sprays. Unlike sea salt sprays, sugar sprays use what else but sugar. It creates soft waves without the crunch and stiffness.
One thing that makes sea salt sprays appealing is it can turn flat and stick-straight hair into light and voluminous tresses. But just like any product, sea salt sprays shouldn’t be overused, and you should rinse it off your hair to prevent dryness and brittleness. You should also watch out for sprays that cause too much stiffness to the point that you’ll have the ‘helmet hair’.
How to use sea salt spray for beachy waves
Sea salt sprays can both be your friend and enemy, depending on how you harness its potential. To ensure that you will have the beachy, crunchy waves, here’s how you should apply the product:
Step 1. Wet your hair first
Before you bombard your head with the spray, make sure that your hair is wet first. Just damp wet and not dripping.
Once damp, comb your hair to remove the tangles. It’s important to remove the knots, or the sea salt spray will just make it worse. Besides, the tangles will result in a style that’s more in the messier side than the naturally wavy side.
Step 2. Shake, shake, shake
Before you spritz away, make sure that you shake the bottle of sea salt spray carefully. The salts will settle at the bottom, and if you don’t shake, your hair won’t get even ingredients.
Step 3. Apply the sea salt spray
Start spraying on the mid-length areas of your hair. Focus on the roots as well, so your hair will have more volume instead of the flat look at the crown. You don’t have to apply a lot on the tips since it can dry fast and get damaged.
Based on my experience, I recommend spraying in sections so you can style accordingly. Also, apply a small amount and work your way from it. Besides, you wouldn’t want a very crunchy and stiff hair.
Step 4. Style away
Once your hair is all covered with sea salt spray, the next step is styling. Take a small portion of your hair then crunch it up by twisting. Just like curling your hair, the more twists, the wavier it gets. If you love the messy look, just scrunch and tousle your hair. After that, spray a small amount to your hair to lock in the curls.
Step 5. Blow-dry, if possible
If you brought a dryer to the beach, you could blow dry your salty hair to finish the styling. Use the diffuser mode, so it mimics the heat of the sea. It will also prevent your hair from being burned and dried out. If you don’t have a blow dryer, just let your hair dry through the sea breeze
Additional tips
Guys can use it too! Sea salt sprays aren’t just for the ladies; guys can also use it to achieve the curly and salty hair. It’s an excellent product for dudes with thick and long hair.
Use some dry shampoo. If you want to add volume to your hair, I suggest using dry shampoo on the roots. You can spritz sea salt spray on the rest. This will also reduce the drying effect of sea salt sprays on your scalp.
Never towel-dry. If you’re taking the excess moisture out of your hair, never towel-dry. The rubbing motion will only cause frizz and tangles. The result is messy and stiff hair.
Don’t over-apply. Using too much sea salt spray will make your hair too cakey. It’s not natural-looking, not to mention that it will dry your scalp and hair like crazy.
Considerations when buying a sea salt spray
Before you get a bottle of sea salt spray, you must consider the following points first:
Look for a moisturizing formula
Sea salt sprays can cause dryness, so try to look for one infused with moisturizing ingredients. Various essential oils and natural extracts will help reduce the side effects of the product. Even if the product has moisturizing ingredients, it’s not an excuse to overuse the spray.
Consider your hair type
One of the things you should consider is the type of your hair. Some sea salt sprays are formulated for thinner hair or thicker hair. You can also find a formula made for brittle or damaged hair.
Trust reviews
When it comes to hair products, I always look for reviews. The first-hand account of other users gives me an idea if it would work well on my hair.
Check the price
Lastly, consider the price of the sea salt spray. There are a lot of dirt-cheap products nowadays, but I suggest investing your money on an excellent formula. Below, I reviewed five of my favorite sea salt sprays that give the best bang for the buck.
5 Best Sea Salt Sprays for Fine Hair & Beachy Waves
OUR TOP PICK: ORIBE Wave and Shine Spray
One of my go-to sea salt sprays for my beach vacations is the ORIBE Wave and Shine Spray. It costs more than other options, but I’m willing to spend extra for this formula. It’s a cruelty-free, vegetarian, sulfate-free, and color/keratin-safe spray.
This is a salt-free formula, which is perfect for those who get dry hair easily. Still, it gives a nice crunch and curl upon application. My favorite part is that this spray is infused with a lot of natural extracts like safflower seed oil, calendula, lychee, watermelon, and more. With this, the spray also has a naturally refreshing smell, which sets the mood for your beach getaway.
- Year-round beach-inspired waves without salty stiffness
- Adds moisture and shine
- Light hold
- Specially designed nozzle sprays into the hair to create a wavy, piece texture
- Sodium Chloride free
I also like the addition of hydrolyzed wheat protein, which helps heal hair damage. However, if you have very thin hair, I don’t think this is the right choice for you.
Unlike other sea salt sprays I’ve used before, this one produces touchable waves without the uncomfortable stiffness. ORIBE also leaves a mild shine to the hair, which makes it stand out even more. It doesn’t make thick hair too huge, is something I used to struggle with when applying sea salt sprays.
You can also use this spray on both wet and dry hair. Just make sure that you shake it well because the ingredients will settle at the bottom.
Pros
Salt-free
Keratin and color-friendly
The scent smells like a dream
Cons
Not for very thin hair
RUNNERS-UP
Awapuhi Wild Ginger Sea Salt Spray
Another sea salt spray that I swear by is the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Spray. It gives a nice tousled look, and you can also use it for volume and texture. It’s a tad cheaper than ORIBE, but the results are close.
The star of this formula is the Awapuhi extract. Awapuhi is a ginger variety that has a very tropical and floral smell. It’s a popular shampoo base not just for the smell, but also for its moisturizing benefits.
- Ideal for All Hair Types, especially Fine to Medium
Moreover, this formula is free from sodium chloride, so it doesn’t dry the scalp. Instead, it uses a mixture of keratin, natural extracts, and other alternatives. It also has KeraTriplex that helps repair damaged hair by penetrating deep into the cuticle. If you suffer from hair fall when using sea salt sprays, this is the right choice for you.
This is suitable for all hair types and will produce surf-like curls. Moderation is also key to prevent any adverse side effects while using this product. Anyway, the Awapuhi Spray is very gentle to the hair and scalp.
Lastly, the extra treat here is the natural scent. It has a mango scent mixed with ginger, lemon, green tea, bergamot, wood, spice, musk, and jasmine. Even if it’s loaded with scent, it’s not overpowering.
Pros
Heavenly scent
Suitable for all hair types
Balances moisture well
Cons
It gives less shine
Bumble and bumble Surf Spray
Bumble and bumble isn’t a strange brand to me as I’ve used several of their hair products before. One of my favorites is the Surf Spray. It gives the perfect wind-swept and beachy waves without feeling too stiff or dry. It has a matte finish too, which looks natural.
However, this uses saltwater, so you should watch out if you have brittle hair. For me, who has fine hair, I haven’t encountered issues with this spray. As long as it’s applied properly, and with moderation, it will not ruin your hair. Besides, Bumble and bumble specified that Surf Spray isn’t for frizzy and extremely coarse tresses.
This formula has a mineral build, too, which helps in holding the volume and waves of your hair. Overall, it works for almost all types of healthy hair. It’s also volumizing, which will help a lot of your extremely fine and thin hair.
Another thing that I like is that this formula is cruelty-free and free of mineral oils, parabens, and phthalates. It’s infused with kelp and seaweed extracts, which balances the harshness of saltwater.
Although this isn’t a big deal, I just want to say that I love the bottle and spray design of this product.
Pros
Holds hair volume really well
Gives natural beachy waves
Doesn’t get too stiff
Cons
Not for those with extremely frizzy hair since it’s saltwater-based
Davines Sea Salt Spray
If you prefer the classic sea salt spray, I recommend this one from Davines. It uses sodium chloride, sea salt, and potassium sorbate to give you the most sought-after beachy waves. This has a matte finish and very volumizing. In my experience, a little goes a long way with Davines Sea Salt Spray.
For those with stick-straight hair, this is the perfect sea salt spray. It gives a lot of volume with a good hold. Despite that, this spray doesn’t make your hair too crunchy and stiff.
- Adds beachy texture
- Creates natural-looking volume
- Enhances natural waves
Although the label says you can spray it on dry hair, I recommend using it on damp hair instead. This will give you more control over the direction of the waves before the spray dries. You can also blow-dry this after application to lock in the wavy style.
Moreover, I like that it has a finer mist than other sea salt sprays. It makes the application more even and less thick. One spray per section would be enough – using too much will give you helmet hair.
It has a very mild scent, so mild that it’s barely discernable. It’s not a big deal since I always prioritize the result over the extras like fragrance.
Pros
Volumizing and holds really well
A little goes a long way
Mild scent
Cons
Not for dry hair application, unlike what the brand says
R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray
Lastly, I recommend the R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray. This is salt-based but packed with moisturizing extracts that balances the harshness of sodium chloride. Upon application, this product will swell your hair shaft to achieve volume. And in all fairness to this product, it holds the curls pretty long. I’ve tried using this at home without washing my hair for two days, and it still looked good.
What I like the most about R+Co Rockaway is its vegan and cruelty-free formula. These characteristics just show how much attention and effort is put on its production. For me, that’s always a big plus on any hair product.
- Create a bigger, edgier hairstyle in practically no time with rockaway salt spray...
- Suitable for all hair types
- This texturizing hair Spray is boosted with Cranesbill to help swell the hair shaft...
R+Co Rockaway is also free of mineral oil, paraben, sulfates, and petrolatum. Instead, it has Cranesbill, Yellow Plant, Balm Mint, and Sage extracts to nourish the hair naturally. On top of that, the formula is infused with Vitamin C to repair damages and to moisturize the scalp.
Moreover, this salt spray is suitable for both men and women. It leaves a rough and sexy tousled hair that looks like you’ve just stepped out of the sand.
Some users complain that the smell is quite too strong. But once you’re on a windy beach, you’ll barely smell it.
Pros
Holds volume for long
Cruelty-free formula
Natural extracts added
Cons
The packaging can make use of improvements
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use sea salt sprays every day?
A: Salt-based sprays should never be used daily. It will dry your hair fast, especially if your tresses are already damage. You should cleanse and moisturize your hair after each use. Also, I don’t recommend leaving sea salt sprays overnight, as it will draw more moisture out of your hair.
Q: Are sea salt sprays safe to use on thin hair?
A: Sea salt sprays add volume on thin hair if used well. However, if your hair is thin due to damage, you should consider a salt-free formula instead. This way, you can reduce the dryness that this product may cause.
Q: Does sea salt spray give you curls?
A: Sea salt sprays give your hair waves rather than curls. Anyway, those with thicker hair can make prominent curls with the right application of the product. No matter how much you want to achieve curls, you should never over-apply the product.
Q: Can I use sea salt sprays if I’m naturally curly?
A: Yes! If you’re naturally curly, you can apply the spray evenly on dry hair. It prevents your curls from getting flat, especially on high-humidity conditions.
Q: Will sea salt sprays cause my hair to fall off?
A: Sea salt sprays are relatively safe to use from time to time. If you’re afraid that it will cause hair fall, it pays to check the ingredients and if it’s suitable for your hair type.
Final words
The best sea salt spray for fine hair will let you achieve the sexy and tousled look at the beach. Just make sure that you get the right formula so your hair will not dry up or sustain damages. The five sprays I reviewed here are some of the best options, depending on your hair type.
What do you think of my favorite sea salt sprays? Share your thoughts below!