How to Use Sea Salt Spray for Waves, Texture, & Volume

Sea salt spray helps to create texture, enhance waves and curls, and boost volume. Plus, it’s easy to apply and can be used on any hair texture or length. Keep reading for a complete guide to using salt spray in your hair anytime you want to give your locks some added oomph. We even spoke with professional hairstylists Kelsey Morey and Frankie Sanderson for expert advice on achieving gorgeous waves or subtle texture and volume.

How to Use Sea Salt Spray for Hair

Dampen your hair and comb out any tangles.
Spritz 6-8 pumps of sea salt spray from mid-length to your ends.
Hang upside down and scrunch your hair to distribute the product.
Blow-dry your hair on low to medium heat. Use a diffuser for curly or wavy hair.

Section 1 of 7:

Using Sea Salt Spray to Create Beachy Waves

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1
Comb through damp hair. Wet your hair with a spray bottle of water until it’s damp. Brush out any knots and tangles using a wide-toothed comb. If you just washed your hair, dry it with a towel so that it is evenly damp from roots to ends. It should not be soaking wet. ^{[1]
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- It’s not recommended to wash your hair before applying salt spray because it grips more easily to unwashed hair. If you do wash your hair before using salt spray, use a moisturizing shampoo and a conditioner. ^{[2]
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- You don’t have to apply sea salt spray to damp hair; it also works on dry hair to add volume and subtle texture. “You can spray it in [damp hair] and let it dry naturally, or spray it in after your hair is dry,” confirms Sanderson. ^{[3]
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  Frankie Sanderson
  Makeup Artist & Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 April 2023.}
Shake the bottle of sea salt spray to ensure it’s properly mixed, then apply the product to your hair. Spray from your hair’s midpoint down to the ends for the best results. Sea salt spray can boost flat roots, but otherwise, skip spritzing your roots. ^{[4]
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Scrunch your hair with your hands to distribute the product. To scrunch your hair , hang your head down so your hair is upside down. Place your palm beneath the ends and grab the hair while pushing it up. Work in sections, grabbing about a handful of hair at a time. The strands of hair should naturally gather and lock together, creating texture in the form of beachy waves. ^{[5]
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- Scrunching is essential if your hair isn’t naturally wavy or curly, so don’t skip this step.
- Scrunch each section once or twice.
To twist your hair, grab a small section with your index and middle finger. Gently twist it back away from your face. As it spirals, the strands of hair should grab one another and create texture. ^{[6]
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Dry your hair with a hair dryer. Once you’re finished scrunching and twisting, grab a blow dryer and set it to low or medium heat. Cup a fist full of hair in your hands and blast it with the heat from the blow dryer. Continue until all of your hair is dry. This technique will add textured beach waves to your hair without flattening it out. ^{[7]
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- Don’t blow-dry with high heat or rub your hair dry with a towel, since either option will create frizz.
- Blow-drying adds volume. If your hair is already thick and voluminous, let your hair air dry. ^{[8]
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Section 2 of 7:

Styling Short Hair with Sea Salt Spray

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Sea salt can dry out your hair, so make sure to use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. When you’re finished washing, use a towel to dry your hair instead of a blow dryer to prevent frizz, says Morey. ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.} Your hair should be slightly damp—not soaking wet or dry—before styling. ^{[10]
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Gently shake the sea salt spray to combine the ingredients. Then, working from the roots to the tip, spray a generous amount of the spray all over your hair. The amount of sea salt you need depends on the length and thickness of your hair. Spray as much as you need to lightly coat your hair—about 6 to 8 spritzes. ^{[11]
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Let your hair air dry if it’s thick or medium length. If you want your hair to appear slightly wavy and completely effortless, let it air dry. This works well on hair that is thick and slightly long (down to the ears). After spraying with the sea salt, work through your hair with your hands to style it. ^{[12]
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- Resist the urge to scrunch your hair, says Morey. Sea salt spray dries wherever it hits, but the formula isn’t 100% salt. Scrunching may lead to frizzing by drying out short hair too much. ^{[13]
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  Kelsey Morey
  Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.}
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Use a hair dryer to add volume to thin or short hair. If you want to add volume, dry your hair with a hair dryer after applying the sea salt spray. Blast the hair with medium heat in the direction that you want your hair to fall. Stop blow-drying as soon as your hair is almost dry so it doesn’t over-dry. When you’re finished, use your hands to style your hair. ^{[14]
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- You do not need to use any dryer attachments for this look, but if a diffuser is part of your normal routine, feel free to use one. ^{[15]
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Section 3 of 7:

Adding Texture and Volume to Straight Hair

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If your hair is flat and you’re trying to give it some volume and texture, don’t wash it prior to using the sea salt spray. Water will weigh your hair down and shampoo will strip the hair of essential oils, ultimately minimizing the effects of the spray. This technique is best on dry hair that hasn't been washed in 24 to 48 hours. ^{[16]
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If you must wash your hair, make sure to towel dry before styling. Your hair can be damp, but not soaked.
Before applying the sea salt spray, use a wide-tooth comb to get out any knots or tangles. This allows the sea salt to coat the hair more evenly.
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Spray each section of your hair. Shake the bottle before spraying to mix it up. When you spray, focus on the roots and midshaft. Avoid spraying ends, as they are usually more porous and damaged. ^{[17]
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Research source} Work your way around your hair, grabbing a fist full and applying 2-3 sprays per section. Spraying the roots will help with volume and absorb oil. ^{[18]
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- If your ends dry out after applying sea salt spray, add leave-in conditioner or detangler spray to hydrate them. ^{[19]
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- If you have fine hair, only use a small amount of sea salt spray. Some sea salt brands have heavier formulations than others, so only apply about 1-2 sprays per section.
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Use a diffuser to dry the hair and add volume. Attach a diffuser and set your blow dryer to low or medium heat. Tilt your head to one side and place the diffuser on your roots. Then, gently massage the diffuser’s prongs on your hair. You only need to use the diffuser on the parts of the hair where you applied the sea salt. ^{[20]
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- Using a hair diffuser will help to minimize frizz and add definition to the hair. To add more volume, massage your fingers into your hair while you diffuse, pushing your hair up.

Section 4 of 7:

Giving Texture to Updos and Braids

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1
Wash and dry your hair. Wash your hair using a normal shampoo and conditioner. Use a blow dryer on high heat until your hair is dry. Your hair must be dry for your updo to hold.
- Avoid clarifying shampoos since they’ll strip oil and texture out of your hair and counteract the effects of the sea salt spray.
- You don't need to add other products to your hair, but if you'd like to add an anti-frizz serum, mousse, or other styling agents, do so after washing your hair and before drying.
2
Spritz your hair with sea salt spray. Spritz sea salt spray through your dry hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Not only does it create texture, but it also increases your hair’s grip so your updo can hold better. ^{[21]
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Research source} Apply enough spray so that your hair is somewhat damp to the touch, but not drenched.
- If needed, distribute the spray through your hair with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
- Remember to shake the bottle of sea salt spray before applying it. The ingredients need to mix well for it to work.
3
Style your hair into an updo of your choice. Gather your hair into your favorite updo, such as a French twist or side bun. You can also do a braided updo, depending on your hair length and personal style. Make sure to hold your hair in place with hair ties or bobby pins so it doesn’t fall out.
- You can use sea salt spray to add texture to nearly any updo, but it'll have the most dramatic effect on traditionally sleek styles like French twists and tight chignons.
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Spritz 1-2 more sprays of sea salt on the updo. After pinning up your hair, apply a final, light spray of sea salt over your hair to help lock the style in place. ^{[22]
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Research source} If your hairstyle allows, gently massage the sea salt into your hair with your fingers. This will add extra texture to slightly accentuate the style and give it a chic, modern twist. ^{[23]
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- If any loose locks are hanging down from your updo, you can give them a gentle twist after applying this final spritz to give the look more definition and character.
- The sea salt spray dries on its own, so no need for more blow-drying or towel-drying.

Section 5 of 7:

What does sea salt spray do?

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Sea salt spray gives your hair grip and texture. “Sea salt spray and other texturizing or dry shampoo sprays help add a little bit of grip and texture to your hair,” explains Morey. ^{[24]
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Expert Source

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.} The salt in the spray absorbs moisture, causing your hair’s cuticle to plump and lift, which in turn adds volume and fullness to your hair. ^{[25]
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Research source} Use it to define natural waves or curls, get a beachy tousled look, or add a bend to naturally straight hair.
- If you have very smooth or fine hair, it can slip out of style easily, notes Morey. Adding grip with sea salt spray helps styles like braids and updos hold longer. ^{[26]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kelsey Morey
  Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.}

Section 6 of 7:

How to Make Sea Salt Spray

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Gather the ingredients for your spray. Measure out 1 tablespoon of sea salt, 1-2 teaspoons of argan oil , and 1 cup of warm water. Heat the water over the stove or in the microwave until it’s steaming. The water needs to be warm for the salt to dissolve. ^{[27]
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Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. First, pour in the cup of warm water and stir in the tablespoon of sea salt until it’s completely dissolved. Next, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of argan oil in a small bowl. This helps hydrate your hair and adds shine. ^{[28]
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Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Set a funnel into the top of a spray bottle. Pour your mixture down the funnel and into the bottle. Twist the spray nozzle onto the bottle to seal it. Shake it gently before using to make sure it’s properly mixed. ^{[29]
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- While optional, consider adding 1-2 drops of an essential oil like lavender to give your sea salt spray a pleasing fragrance.

Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Does sea salt spray damage hair? No, sea salt spray doesn’t damage hair. However, it does dry your hair out. Using it frequently could cause dryness and damage over time. Prevent this by limiting your use of sea salt spray to once a week. ^{[30]
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Research source} Be sure to moisturize your hair with leave-in conditioner and monthly deep conditioning treatments or hydrating hair masks.
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Can sea salt spray make your hair curly? No, sea salt spray can’t make your hair curly if it isn’t already. Sea salt spray enhances your hair’s natural texture. It can add a wave-like bend to naturally straight hair, but you’ll need an iron or heatless curling method to achieve actual curly locks. ^{[31]
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Question

How does sea salt spray actually work?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Sea salt spray and other texturizing or dry shampoo sprays can help add a little bit of grip to your hair. It helps everything stay in place, especially if you have very smooth or fine hair. Sea salt spray is also great at creating beachy waves in your hair.

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Do you use sea salt spray on wet or dry hair?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Use it on damp hair! Towel dry your hair so it's not dripping wet, and then spritz the spray into your locks. The salt in the spray will only dry the hair that it hits. Try not to touch or scratch your hair as it dries, or else it might frizz up.

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Should I brush my hair after the sea salt spray dries?

Community Answer

You should finger comb your hair lightly. If you brush too much, it will straighten your hair back out.

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Frankie Sanderson
Makeup Artist & Stylist

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Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

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How to Use Sea Salt Spray for Waves, Texture, & Volume

How to Use Sea Salt Spray for Hair

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