Summer waves that look effortless are, like most things in beauty, something that requires training on how to get the look right. I’ve been on a years-long quest to find products that I trust to create believable, smell-the-salt-air waves. Not too curly, not too crispy, not too straight. TEXTURE. In honor of the Sex and the City movie out this month, I thought I’d advise Katie girls everywhere on how to channel Kate Hudson waves that look beachy, not unkempt.Biolage Sunsorials After Sun Shampoo, $13Blonde hair and chlorine go together like oil and water—but that doesn’t keep me out of the pool. This shampoo is forgiving. Its cleansing agents are gentle enough for color-treated hair, while the conditioning ingredients are particularly effective at nourishing hair that has been damaged by the elements. It removes salt and chlorine without taking a toll on moisture and is safe for color-treated strands. I lurve the way my hair feels post-shampoo. Use with a nourishing conditioner.Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Beach Waves Spray, $21.99

The key ingredients—real ocean water and marine botanicals—protect from the sun while amplifying texture and providing a carefree look. Use on dry hair for best results. On wet hair, it produces a more subtle effect.Phyto Plage L’Originale Protective Beach Spray, $20Who needs sun-fried, brassy tresses?  Not you. Olive and castor oils hydrate strands while you sun, and it sprays on to protect against discoloration. Plus, SPF is just as important for your hair. An added bonus: this spray also creates gorgeous waves while you protect. Who knew.Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, $25

This has been a summer staple of mine for years. As with Alterna, I like to spray it on dry, second-day hair for a different look without having to restyle with a dryer. It provides thick, matte waves and smells of coconut and ocean breezes for the real beachy experience … even in January. Even if you’re miles away from a beach.

Amber Katz is the writer and editor of Beauty Blogging Junkie and lives in NYC. Her hobbies include swimming, shopping, writing and using "summer" as a verb.
Amber Katz's Blog | All articles by Amber Katz