Last updated: August 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Yes, with a larger-diameter barrel, an airstyler gives you a looser, more natural-looking wave instead of a tight, defined curl. The difference between a tight curl and loose beach waves mainly comes down to barrel size, section size, and how tightly you wrap the hair, not a completely different tool or technique.
At a Glance
- A larger barrel diameter gives a looser wave, a smaller diameter gives a tighter curl.
- Work in larger sections than you would for a tight curl, for a less uniform, more natural result.
- Wrap the hair less tightly around the barrel for a looser final result.
- Once cool, gently loosen the curls with your fingers for an even more natural-looking wave.
- A salt spray or light mousse can enhance the texture of beach waves after styling.
Below you'll find the exact technical adjustments that make the difference between a curling-iron look and a loose, natural wave.
What's the technical difference between curls and beach waves?
A tight curl forms when you wrap hair tightly, in small sections, around a smaller-diameter barrel. Beach waves or loose waves use the same basic technique, but with a larger barrel diameter, bigger sections, and a looser wrap, which creates a less uniform, looser pattern.
With the Airstyler Pro Ceramiq, you can simply switch to a larger barrel from the included 6-in-1 set, instead of needing a completely different tool.
How exactly do you adjust the technique for a more natural result?
Wrap the hair more loosely around the barrel than you would for a tight curl, and alternate between sections you wrap fully around the barrel and ones you don't, that variation creates a less uniform, more natural pattern. Work in larger sections than you would for a tight curl, small sections tend to produce an even, defined curl rather than a loose wave.
Let the curl cool completely before you release it, and afterwards gently loosen the result with your fingers (not a brush, which often removes too much texture) for that typical beach wave effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What barrel size should I use for beach waves?
A larger diameter from the Airstyler Pro Ceramiq's 6-in-1 set gives a looser, more open wave than a small diameter.
Do I need to curl all of my hair for a beach wave effect?
No, it's actually skipping some sections or wrapping them more loosely than others that creates the less uniform pattern that's characteristic of beach waves.
Why do you loosen beach waves with your fingers instead of a brush?
A brush often removes too much texture from the curl, which makes the result look flatter and less wavy again. Loosening with your fingers keeps more of the loose texture intact.
Does salt spray help with the beach wave effect?
A light salt spray or texturizing product can enhance the loose, matte effect of beach waves after styling, but it doesn't replace the basic technique of using a larger barrel diameter.
From tight curls to loose waves, with the same 6-in-1 airstyler.
The Airstyler Pro Ceramiq comes with multiple barrel sizes, so you can create both defined curls and loose beach waves without buying a second tool.
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A&T
Written by the Ace & Taylor Team, based on questions about how to go from a tight curl to a looser, more natural result.
