The key to the undone beachy waves you’ve been dreaming of

A tip we can actually master ourselves at home.

Kristin Ess is a celebrity hairstylist and her Instagram account is fast becoming one of our go-tos when it comes to hair-spiration. Aside from tending to the locks of the rich and famous including Lucy Hale, Lauren Conrad and Jenna Dewan, Kristin also has her own line of products, all aimed at achieving 'perfectly-imperfect' hair...sounds good to us. However, it's one of her Instagram posts, shared back in June, that's really got our attention for she reveals some of her tips and tricks when it comes to creating the perfect wave. Kristin reveals that she uses hair straighteners and says there are two important tips when it comes to DIY-ing this look at home. The first is to keep the hair moving and the second is to avoid overthinking the whole process.

Flat iron waves might be my most requested tutorial of all time. They're super easy and fast if you can do 2 things: keep your iron moving & don't overthink it. Here's a quick peek at how I do mine. (There will be a slower, more in depth version coming soon, too.) 1️⃣ I prepped Nora's air dried hair with KEH Instant Lift Thickening Spray (that's the one I call "liquid mousse") and rough dried it with my fingers to get any remaining dampness out. I prefer using this to prep because it doesn't make the iron stick to the hair like some sprays. 2️⃣ I personally like to create those face framing waves FIRST! It really helps me determine where the rest of the waves will start. Continue alternating wave directions. There's no right or wrong. You have to determine what looks best on you! Some people like waves to start higher up and some like them to below the ear. Totally subjective. 3️⃣ Continue making waves around your head and skip the bottom if you have a bob or a lob. Just keep the iron moving!! Tip: Rarely do I wave the bottom layers of a bob or lob because a lot of people just don't need it and sometimes it just makes the bob/lob too bulky. 4️⃣ And my favorite trick? Finishing with a fine mist of @evianwater spray. I use this because it breaks up the waves in a very natural way and gives the hair a little bit of good frizz, yes there is such a thing. It also helps make those little dents disappear if you accidentally make any. 5️⃣ Last I add a veil of KEH Signature Finishing Spray (my texture spray/hairspray hybrid) to add texture and hold. ? Fun facts: I prefer the @ghdhair 1" Classic Styler for flat iron waves. The Evian water spray I use is actually a facial mist. #kristinesshair #hairvideos

A post shared by KRISTIN ESS HAIR (@kristin_ess) on Jun 6, 2017 at 12:37pm PDT

In the tutorial, the talented stylist says she styles the front of the hair first as this gives her a better idea of where the look is going and she also reveals some of her key products, including an Evian Water facial spray. An odd choice you might think but according to Kristen, using this "breaks up the waves in a very natural way and gives the hair a little bit of good frizz". Who knew 'good frizz' existed? Kristen is clearly a hair genius and we're already planning to set aside some time to practise her technique.

Took our show on the road and brought these beach waves down to San Diego. ?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️This kween ? talented, funny AF and such a beautiful human inside and out. I ? every minute of hanging & working w you @jennadewan ? {makeup: @allanface hair: #kristinesshair wardrobe styling: @bradgoreski @daniela_viviana}

A post shared by KRISTIN ESS HAIR (@kristin_ess) on Jul 21, 2017 at 8:26pm PDT

Main image via Instagram: Kristin Ess