To use a Beach Waver, clamp the hair ends, press the arrow to rotate, and hold for 2–4 seconds per section.
For the full breakdown, see our best Crimper for Beach Waves guide.
Learning how to use a Beach Waver comes down to one idea: this rotating curling iron does the twisting for you. Instead of wrapping hair around a barrel by hand, you clamp the ends, press a button, and the wand spins the strand into a curl. Here’s the full method, straight from Beachwaver’s own guides.
How Does a Beach Waver Work?
The Beach Waver is a rotating curling iron with a motorized barrel. You clamp the end of a hair section into the built-in clamp, press the rotation arrow, and the barrel turns automatically to wrap the hair.
Three parts matter:
- The clamp — grips the hair ends so the barrel can spin the rest of the section.
- The rotation arrows — one spins the barrel away from your face, the other toward it.
- The heat controls — power button plus plus/minus temperature buttons.
The technique stays the same across all of them.
Step-by-Step: The Two-Minute Curl
Work through it once and the motion becomes automatic.
- Section your hair. Bring your hair forward, split it into a top and bottom half, and clip the top up. Start with the bottom section.
- Heat the tool. Press and hold the ON/OFF button for about one second to power on. Unlock the temperature with the power button again until it beeps, then use the + and − buttons to set your heat.
- Position the clamp. Hold the tool upright with the clamp facing the mirror. Place the end of the hair in the clamp — leave about 1–2 inches of the ends out for looser waves, or clamp closer to the tips for a tighter curl.
- Press the outer arrow. This rotates the barrel away from your face. Beginners should start with every curl going this direction.
- Hold 2–4 seconds. Release the rotation button, open the clamp, and slide the iron down the section.
- Repeat. Move to the next section, working your way up. For alternate-direction waves, start every other curl with the clamp facing backward and use the arrow to rotate toward the face.
Heat Settings and Speed
The right temperature depends on your hair’s texture and history.
| Hair Type | Suggested Heat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or recently colored | 290°F–310°F | Lower heat protects fragile strands |
| Medium to thick | 330°F–370°F | The default range for most hair |
| Thick or stubborn | Up to 410°F | For hair that resists holding curls |
Safety Notes Worth Reading
References & Sources
- Beachwaver. “Beachwaver Manuals” Official user guides for current rotating iron models.
- Beachwaver. “Styling with the Beachwaver S-Series FAQs” Details rotation direction, hold times, and heat guidance.