If you've heard of sea salt spray, you probably know it as a beachy waves styling staple. This easy, breezy mist can cheat the natural waves you get after an ocean swim – but without the sun damage! However, if you're stuck on how to get the best out of your spritz, you're not alone. It may look effortless, but crafting surfer hair takes some careful styling that eludes many.
So, keep scrolling for the full lowdown on the tousled, texturizing benefits of a salt spray – plus, extra tricks that make this beachy texture spray way more versatile than you think...
First, What Salt Spray Should I Use?
Tempting as it might be to head to the beach and bottle up salt water from the sea, the real deal is ultra-drying and has been known to take a toll on surfers' hair. Using a salt spray is a kinder approach because it's specially formulated to care for your hair – and our top pick, every time, is EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab. This salon-grade mist makes that coveted effortless texture, well, effortless, thanks to a natural mineral salt that encourages hair to fall in beach-like waves. It's also infused with moisturizing panthenol to shield against dryness, and it protects your hair from UV damage. Summer hair shouldn't be without it.
Image Credit: @danielmbeauty Opens in a new tab
How to Use Sea Salt Spray
Carefree beach waves require a combination of sea salt spray plus the right technique. And how you apply it depends on your hair type's natural texture – so let's get into the steps.
If You Have Straight Hair...
... gently scrunching EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab through lengths will give you that 'second-day hair' look. It can be used to rev up lifeless hair, whether you spritz it through the mid-lengths and ends or work it into hair roots, too.
Want a wavy look? Then mist EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab through clean, damp, detangled hair, and secure the lengths of your hair in a simple braid hairstyle. Let your hair dry completely before you release each plait, and gently loosen with fingertips. Just remember: the more braids you create and the smaller they are, the tighter your waves will be. Aim to strike a balance between loose and tight tousling for surf-ready, summer vibes.
If You Have Wavy Hair...
... EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab will lend extra texture and a more defined look. 2-3 sprays of this versatile styling product will amp up your wave pattern, boost volume, and give your hair a grippy, matte finish. To get seriously bouncy waves, work it through clean, damp hair, and then twist sections around your fingers. Then, use the diffuser attachment on your hair dryer to gently, evenly blow dry each section for enviable body.
Want a high-shine finish? Treat freshly dried hair to a sheer veil of EIMI Glam Mist Opens in a new tab, which helps your perfect summer waves sparkle under the light.
If You Have Curly Hair...
... you can use a salt hair spray to enhance and define your natural curl pattern. It gives you instant texture, whether you (very gently) scrunch it into wet hair after washing, or work it through dry hair in between wash days. It never leaves hair sticky, so it's easily layered with your favorite curl cream, balm or spray. Try wearing it underneath NutriCurls Curlixir Balm Opens in a new tab before blow drying with a diffuser.
You can also use it to add volume to hair by misting it directly into your roots. Breezy, beautiful, buoyant hair is yours in just a few spritzes.
Does Sea Salt Spray Damage Hair?
Sea salt sprays aren't inherently damaging – and this is certainly the case with EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab. It's infused with a natural mineral salt, and specially formulated to protect against dehydration. But, as with many styling products, over-using a salt spray may cause product buildup over time, so it's important to support your regimen with conditioning hair care that keeps your style soft and healthy-looking. Try these three steps:
1. Lather Up with a Gentle Shampoo
Start with a moisturizing shampoo, like ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo Opens in a new tab. The luxurious formula gently yet effectively rinses impurities away to prep your hair for the next nourishing steps. It's even infused with the Metal Purifier, a game-changing technology that neutralizes metals in your hair, whether they come from pollution in the air or copper in the water you wash with.
2. Maintain Moisture Through Lengths and Ends
Complete your hair repair wash regimen with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner Opens in a new tab. Sumptuously creamy, it lends deep yet weightless nourishment to stressed hair, then rinses completely clean. Need extra TLC? Then use ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask Opens in a new tab at least once per week. This hard-working deep conditioner harnesses smart conditioning agents to identify and treat the areas that need the most care. Plus, it leaves your hair 6x easier to detangle¹, so you can effortlessly work through knots before your beachy curls and waves regimen begins.
3. Prevent and Repair Damage with *This* Treatment
Even if your hair isn't damaged, you need ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue Opens in a new tab. Not only does it repair hair damage in 90 seconds² but it also prevents future wear and tear. The lightweight formula is infused with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA and Omega-9, so it cares for the hair cuticle inside and out to give you 12x smoother hair³ with 99% less breakage⁴. Towel-dry hair before you mist it from roots to ends, and then let it absorb for the full 90 seconds. After that, you're ready to start misting with EIMI Ocean Spritz.
Do You Put Texturizing Sea Salt Spray on Dry or Wet Hair?
Dry, wet, damp – it’s up to you. EIMI Ocean Spritz Opens in a new tab can be used to tousle hair on wash days or give it texture in between, so you can work beach vibes anytime. And if you use it on wet hair, it’s up to you whether you diffuse it into strands or let your hair air dry. Just don’t try to use it for a smooth blow dry; scrunching and twisting will give you the sea breezy look you crave.
Image Credit: @hair.by.craig_parkinson Opens in a new tab
Image Credit: @rosicurls Opens in a new tab
Does Sea Salt Spray Cause White Hair?
No, a salt-infused texturizing spray will not lead to white hair. When hair turns grey or white, it's down to a combination of genetics and, quite simply, time passing by. So, if silver strays start popping up, consider it the privilege of getting older. (And if you want to disguise them, don't forget to check out our grey coverage guides.)
Image Credit: @sayumi.beauty Opens in a new tab
Salt Spray vs. Sugar Spray: What's the Difference?
Did you know you can swap salt for sugar, and still work that piecey, undone, casual texture? A sugar spray, like EIMI Sugar Lift Opens in a new tab, uses the sweet stuff as its key ingredient to lend a grippy finish to the lengths of hair. But, unlike a salt spray, a sugar spray swaps textured beach waves for a looser look. Instead of encouraging hair to curve up, it creates that 'model off-duty' vibe, even through flat hair. Mist it on the lengths for instant grip or spritz directly into roots for extra volume. When you want to give hair enviable body that looks natural, EIMI Sugar Lift is your go-to.
Looking for more tips to care for your hair? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides Opens in a new tab, featuring advice for every hair type and concern.
¹ On wet hair, vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
² When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
³ Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.
⁴ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.