What Is Balayage Hair Color: Your Guide to Highlight Trends
What Is Balayage Hair Color: Your Guide to Highlight Trends
That perfectly messy, “I just got back from a yacht in Ibiza” hair is the dream, right? But since most of us aren’t actually hopping off a yacht, a good beach wave spray is the next best thing. It’s the one-step secret to looking effortlessly cool.
I’m not kidding when I say I’ve spritzed, scrunched, and tested my way through dozens of sea salt spray hair formulas to find the ones that actually work. Some left my hair feeling like literal straw, while others gave me the soft, piece-y waves of my dreams. These are the absolute best I found for 2026.

Okay, at $46, this is a splurge, but OMG, it feels like one. Oribe just gets it. This spray gives you that authentic, just-out-of-the-ocean texture without a hint of stiffness. My hair felt moisturized and had this incredible volume right from the roots.
It’s packed with safflower seed oil and hydrolyzed wheat protein, so it’s actually conditioning while it styles. And it has UV protection, which is a non-negotiable for me. The result is super soft, lived-in waves that look expensive.
The Downside: The hold is pretty light, so if your hair is stubborn, you might need a touch-up by the end of the day.

This $37 bottle is a legit icon for a reason. If you want that classic, matte, piece-y beach look, this is your girl. It uses Epsom salt and seaweed extract to mimic that salty air grit without making your hair feel like a bird’s nest.
I love this for my fine hair because it adds texture and body that doesn’t just fall flat in an hour. It’s the original and, honestly, still one of the best for that authentic, surfer-girl vibe.
The Downside: It’s a little pricey for the size of the bottle, and I go through it fast.

For just $8, this drugstore find is an absolute steal. It delivers tousled, matte waves that seriously compete with the expensive brands. A few spritzes on damp hair and a quick scrunch is all it takes for no-heat styling.
It uses Dead Sea salt and sea kelp for that perfect texture and even has UV protection. It smells like a tropical vacation and gives my hair that perfectly undone look without feeling sticky or crunchy like a hairspray.
The Downside: If your hair is super thick or already dry, this can feel a little bit drying.

Sun Bum knows sun protection, so of course, their $18 sea salt hair spray has built-in UV blockers. It’s formulated with Hawaiian black lava sea salt and kelp to give you lightweight, non-sticky waves and fight off humidity. A must-have for summer.
I have naturally straight hair, and this gave me believable beachy texture without weighing it down. It’s perfect for creating that effortless, “I woke up like this” style.
The Downside: The classic Sun Bum scent is pretty distinct—you’ll either love it or you won’t.
This $30 spray is a game-changer because it’s completely salt-free. Instead, it uses rice protein to add volume and texture, so it’s amazing for anyone with dry, color-treated, or frizz-prone hair. No dryness here!
The texture it gives is more of a bouncy, full-bodied wave rather than a gritty, beachy one. And the signature Ouai floral scent is absolutely divine. My hair felt so soft and looked incredibly healthy after using this.
The Downside: That gorgeous scent is strong, which could be a little much if you’re sensitive to fragrance.
At $25, this is another brilliant salt-free option for my dry-haired friends. It uses coconut sugar to create texture, plus banana and aloe to hydrate. It’s the perfect thing to spritz on after a swim to keep your hair from feeling like straw.
I tested this for a week, and my waves were so plump and shiny. It smells like a smoothie, and it really does make your hair feel softer and look healthier. It’s a great curl refresher, too.
The Downside: The nozzle sprays more like a stream than a fine mist, so you have to be careful with your application.

This $32 spray is amazing for boosting volume in fine hair. It uses cranesbill and yarrow plant extract to make your hair feel thicker and fuller while giving it that classic gritty texture. It’s totally safe for color-treated hair, too.
I got so many compliments when I used this. My waves looked effortlessly cool, like I’d just spent the day at Rockaway Beach. It has a really unique, fresh scent that I’m obsessed with.
The Downside: It can feel a little stiff if you spray too much, so start with a light hand.
For $30, this spray from sustainable brand Davines gives you the most authentic ocean-hair grit. It uses a blend of three different salts to build texture that looks and feels totally natural. I love scrunching this into towel-dried hair.
It creates separation and body without any of that dreaded crunch. My hair still felt touchable, but with a definite matte, lived-in finish. Plus, the packaging is chic AF.
The Downside: The vanilla scent is pretty sweet and might be too strong for some people.

If you have thick hair that struggles to hold a style, you need this $29 spray. It’s a powerful texturizer that gives all-day volume and that perfectly tousled, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. And yes, it has UV protection!
This stuff gives my hair serious guts and a sultry, piece-y finish that lasts for hours. It’s my go-to when I need my waves to have some real staying power.
The Downside: It can be a bit heavy, so if you have fine hair, it might weigh it down.
Another incredible budget buy at just $7! This one is infused with argan oil, so it gives you beachy grit without stripping your hair of moisture. The formula is simple but effective, creating soft waves you can still run your fingers through.
I was shocked at how soft my hair felt after using this. It’s the perfect spray for anyone who is scared of that crunchy, dry feeling that some salt sprays can cause.
The Downside: The texture is amazing, but it does tend to fade a bit faster than some of the pricier options.

Okay, yes, the $65 price tag is intense. But if you want to feel like a supermodel, this is it. It’s infused with silk amino acids that make your hair feel incredibly soft and full while protecting it from pollutants. It’s pure luxury.
This is a staple in celebrity hairstylist kits for a reason. It creates that cool-girl, effortless texture that looks so chic and touchable. The scent is also to die for.
The Downside: That price point is definitely not for everyone.
For $25, this beach wave spray is all about soft, shiny texture. It’s formulated with sea salt, kelp, and algae to give you those tousled waves without a hint of crunch. It even has antioxidants to help strengthen your hair.
My hair felt silky and had a really pretty shine after using this. It’s great if you want a more polished, touchable finish rather than a super gritty, matte look.
The Downside: The waves are pretty subtle, so if you have super straight hair, you might not get a dramatic transformation.

This $20 alcohol-free spray is a lifesaver for fine or thinning hair. It adds noticeable volume and texture without any stiffness or weight. The sea kelp in the formula also helps moisturize, making hair look and feel fuller.
I was impressed by how much body this gave my roots. It’s super lightweight and works on any hair length, from short pixies to long layers, for just a little extra oomph.
The Downside: The hold is very light, so it’s not the best for creating structured, defined styles.
The secret to using a sea salt spray is all in the application. For best results, I like to spritz it onto damp, towel-dried hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Then, I just scrunch with my hands and let it air-dry. You can also use a diffuser for extra volume!
If your hair is on the drier side, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like argan oil or aloe. Or, skip the salt altogether and try a sugar-based or rice protein spray. They’ll give you that piece-y texture without any of the potential dryness.
Ultimately, the goal is to look like you tried, but not too hard. A great salt spray for hair will give you that perfectly imperfect texture that looks chic on literally everyone.
What Is Balayage Hair Color: Your Guide to Highlight Trends
10 Best Leather Conditioners
10 Best Mild Shampoos
23 Best Clarifying Shampoos
Leave a Reply