What Does Sea Salt Spray Do & How Do I Use It?

One of my favorite things about spending time at the beach is the way it makes my hair look. The combination of the sea, sand, and salt transforms my normally straight, fine hair into the most voluminously carefree beach waves. But as a Jersey girl, I only spend about three months out of the year with the mermaid-model-off-duty hair of my dreams. The other nine, I fake surfer hair and beachy waves with a sea salt spray. A go-to styling product for effortless, textured hairstyles, there’s a bunch of other reasons to love sea salt spray. In fact, sea salt spray is one of the most versatile hair styling products you can have in your beauty closet. In addition to creating beach waves, it can be used to add volume, refresh second-day hair in place of dry shampoo; or to add grip before creating an updo or braid hairstyle. Sea salt spray is a multi-tasking superstar that everyone should have in their product arsenal!

In short, sea salt spray is a hairspray that contains water and salt. Sea salt sprays add volume and texture, mimicking the beachy waves you’d get from a quick dip in the ocean. Using a sea salt spray is also the perfect way to refresh second-day hair; they absorb excess oil, create texture, volume, and give hair a matte finish. But because water molecules are attracted to salt, sea salt sprays pull the moisture from your strands, leaving you with dry hair. That’s why it’s important to use a high quality styling product, free of parabens and sulfates like our “This is a Sea Salt Spray” product. Our sea salt spray gives you beachy, wavy hair that’s enhanced with body and shine. It's the ultimate time-saving product, allowing a spritz-and-go approach to hair styling, they also add texture, grip, volume and to all hair types. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and can be combined with other More Inside styling products.

Most hair has at least some kind of curl pattern to it (even hair that seems completely straight), and salt works to bring out the natural pattern and texture. Hair strands are made up of proteins with cross links in between. These crosslinks are a formation of bonds in between the proteins. Sea salt spray works by binding to your hair strands and creating extra cross links, temporarily changing their shape.

Sea salt spray is a multi-tasking superstar and by far the most versatile styling product in your arsenal. Below are the benefits of sea salt spray on hair:

• Sea salt spray can create beachy waves on straight or fine hair
• It can enhance waves and curls in naturally wavy or curly hair
• Sea salt spray adds texture to all hair types
• You can use it to add volume and body to all hair types
• It reduces frizz
• Perks up limp, lifeless hair
• Absorbs grease and refreshes second-day hair
• Sea salt spray gives hair more grip for better hold in hairstyles like updos and braids
• Tames thick, wavy hair
• It helps with styling short hair and can be used in place of wax or pomade

Sea salt sprays contain solid elements like salts and these ingredients may settle over time. Before you start spritzing sea salt spray through your hair, shake it to make sure the formula is properly mixed.

Cocktailing products means to combine two products together. With sea salt, it’s super effective to combine your sea salt spray with a leave-in conditioner, detangler, or hair serum for textured beach waves without stripping away too much of your hair’s moisture and shine. 

Spritz the sea salt spray on your hair from a few inches away. Spraying too close to the scalp can cause your strands to get sticky.

Shampoo your hair twice a week to get rid of sea salt residue with a hydrating shampoo like MOMO moisturizing shampoo or OI Shampoo.

Use a hydrating conditioner like MOMO moisturizing conditioner every time you wash your hair. 

This is something you shouldn't do in general, but be especially wary of towel-drying if you're using a sea salt spray, since it can lead to frizz, tangles, and breakage. Instead, use a microfiber towel, t-shirt, or let hair air dry.

Avoid using heating tools too frequently and use a heat protectantspray when you do. Or, turn down the heat on your styling tools when letting your hair air dry is not an option. 

Once a week, lather your hair in coconut oil and let it sit for at least 20 minutes, or cover your head with a shower cap and let it sit overnight. This adds a dose of much-needed moisture to your strands.

Use a bond-building hair mask weekly to keep your strands strong and protected from dehydration. 

Drink 2-3 liters of water per day.

To get the ultimate beachy waves, skip the shampoo when styling with a sea salt spray. You don’t want to strip your hair of it’s natural oils. In fact, second or third day hair is the perfect time to style with sea salt spray. Just rinse your hair with water and let it air dry until it's damp. 

Comb your damp hair to separate the follicles and help your hair fall naturally. Removing tangles allows the salt to enter the hair shaft easier.

Give your bottle a good shake before spritzing your strands to make sure the formula is properly mixed. Remember, sea salt sprays contain solid elements like salts, that may settle over time.
 

Spritz your hair with sea salt spray, one section at a time. Focus on the roots and mid-length of your strands, avoiding the ends as these are more likely to get dried out. How much sea salt spray to use depends on your hair type. If you’re not sure it’s best to start with a small amount and gradually build up as needed. 

Once your hair is nice and salty, twist small sections of your hair. Twist one section at a time, and twist them in different directions. The more sections you twist the more beach waves you’ll end up with.

A diffuser is an attachment for the end of a blow dryer that diffuses the air making it more gentle. To use, set your dryer to low. Tilt your head and place the diffuser on your roots, gently massaging the diffuser’s prongs on your hair. 

Comb through your dry strands to remove knots or tangles.

Make sure your formula is mixed and ready to go!

Focus on your roots, crown, and the mid shaft. Work your way around your hair, grabbing fist-full sections and applying 2-3 sprays per section. Spraying the roots helps to absorb excess oils and add volume.

To activate the salt, minimize frizz, and add life to limp locks, massage your fingers into your hair while you diffuse, pushing your hair up. Do this only on the parts of the hair where you applied the sea salt on a low setting.
 

Be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. When you’re finished washing, use a microfiber towel to squeeze the excess water from your hair. Keep it wrapped in a towel until it’s slightly damp.

Shake up the sea salt spray to combine the ingredients, and working from the roots down, spritz all over your hair. 

Scrunch your hair with your hands to create beach waves, and let it air-dry.

Sea salt spray is a trusted styling product for beachy waves, textured hairstyles, and creating the perfect hair styles. It adds volume and texture, mimicking the beach waves you’d get from a quick dip in the ocean — but it’s also one of the most versatile hair products you can have in your collection. Most hair types can benefit from using sea salt spray, but if you have dry hair that’s prone to frizz, or your hair is damaged, you should test before using. Remember to incorporate our hair tips to keep your strands moisturized and use only the best quality sea salt spray. All Davines formulas- including our This is a Sea Salt Spray use natural ingredients and are made with renewable energy and packaging minimizing the environmental impact. Our hair care isn’t just good for your hair, it’s good for the planet. 

by Jaclyn LaBadia, featured contributor

Photos by @goldandglowco