Sea salt sprays are the ultimate shortcut to effortless, surfer-girl waves – no beach required (although we fully support manifesting one). They’re one of those beauty products that genuinely make life easier: just spritz, scrunch and go. Whether you’ve got curly hair, thick hair or naturally wavy hair, a good sea salt spray will add the right amount of texture, grip, volume and movement, without the need for heat styling or faff.
Most stylers work best on damp hair, and sea salt sprays are no exception – try spritzing through towel-dried lengths, then either leave to air-dry or blast with a hairdryer to enhance your natural hair texture. The result? Soft, tousled, mermaid-esque waves (aka the dream). You can use them on dry hair for a quick top-up, you’ll just want to go easy to avoid that crunchy finish.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best sea salt sprays on the internet right now – from trending newbies to cult classics – all suitable for different hair types, styles and budgets. Time to get that beachy texture without stepping foot on the sand.
All your sea salt spray questions, answered:
Which is the best salt spray for hair?
Honestly, it depends on your hair type – but if we had to crown an all-rounder, OUAI Wave Spray would definitely come out on top. Unlike traditional salt sprays, it’s salt-free and infused with rice protein, upcycled jackfruit and vitamin B5, so you still get that gorgeous beachy texture without drying out your hair. It’s lightweight, adds volume and shine, and works beautifully on fine, wavy and even colour-treated hair. Plus it smells absolutely divine – what’s not to love?
Can you use sea salt spray every day?
You can – but it’s a good idea to balance it with something hydrating. Sea salt sprays build texture by absorbing a little moisture, so if you’re using one daily, try pairing it with a nourishing conditioner or hair oil to stop the ends from drying out. More on how to use hair oil here.
Do sea salt sprays work on straight hair?
Yes, but results may vary depending on how straight your hair naturally is. On poker-straight hair you’ll get more texture and movement rather than a full wave. For extra oomph, use sea salt spray on damp hair and rough-dry with a diffuser or flip your head upside down while drying.
Should I apply sea salt spray to wet or dry hair?
Both work, but you’ll get slightly different results. Applying to damp hair and letting it air-dry or diffuse will enhance your natural texture and help create a soft wave. Spritzing onto dry hair is great for adding instant grit and volume to second-day hair – just go lightly so you don’t overload the ends.
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