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at the beach
July 1, 2015

The 30 Best Beach-Hair Moments of All Time

By Kathleen Hou

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Photo: New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

Even if you live in a landlocked state, tell a hairstylist you want “beachy hair” and he or she will instantly know what you mean. Thanks to runway beauty inspiration Gisele Bündchen and the discovery that everyone’s hair looks better at the beach, the phrase has become a stalwart of beauty vernacular. Although you can achieve a beachy effect to your hair with texturizing spray and a curling iron, the best part of seemingly sand-and-salted hair is what it represents. It stands for not overthinking your hair, letting it run wild and free, adopting a carefree attitude, and luxuriating in the landscape. Click through the slideshow for the 30 best beach-hair moments, from Olivia Pope to Penelope Cruz to Brooke Shields, which celebrate what it means to have beachy hair.

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1 / 30 Photos
Gisele Bündchen Although no one quite knows for sure when "beachy hair" became part of the beauty lexicon, some trace it back to G... Gisele Bündchen Although no one quite knows for sure when "beachy hair" became part of the beauty lexicon, some trace it back to Gisele. Celebrity hairstylist Oribe told the New York Times, "It came from Gisele. But she has that hair naturally. It just dries like that.” Lucky her.  Photo: 2007 Bauer-Griffin
Olivia Pope in Scandal When Olivia Pope leaves D.C., she leaves behind her President Fitz drama and her frequent blowout appointments for a more... Olivia Pope in Scandal When Olivia Pope leaves D.C., she leaves behind her President Fitz drama and her frequent blowout appointments for a more beautifully carefree Olivia.  Photo: ABC
Daryl Hannah in Splash Look at this hair — isn't it neat? Doesn't it just make Daryl Hannah's look complete? Photo: ©Buena Vista Pictures/Cour... Daryl Hannah in Splash Look at this hair — isn't it neat? Doesn't it just make Daryl Hannah's look complete? Photo: ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bo Derek  It was the combination of Bo Derek's cornrows and her flesh-toned bathing suit that made her into a fantasy and swi... Bo Derek  It was the combination of Bo Derek's cornrows and her flesh-toned bathing suit that made her into a fantasy and swimsuit sex symbol. 
Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief A artful hair wrap, paired with sunglasses, is beach speak for: "Can't you see I'm busy relaxing?"&nbs... Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief A artful hair wrap, paired with sunglasses, is beach speak for: "Can't you see I'm busy relaxing?"  Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back Stella didn't need perfectly straight hair to get her groove back or to catch the eye of Winsto... Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back Stella didn't need perfectly straight hair to get her groove back or to catch the eye of Winston Shakespeare.  Photo: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon Her hair morphs over the movie's course from childish and prim to beautifully bohemian.  
Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley Because even "straight and narrow" Gwyneth lets her hair get a little flippy at the ends wh... Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley Because even "straight and narrow" Gwyneth lets her hair get a little flippy at the ends when she goes to the beach.  Photo: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Tracy Bingham in Baywatch Her hair (along with her other assets) bounced perfectly during Baywatch runs.  Photo: Courtesy Everett Co... Tracy Bingham in Baywatch Her hair (along with her other assets) bounced perfectly during Baywatch runs.  Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger Roses are red, violets are blue. Jerry and Mick's hair looks really good here, and their highlights too.  Photo... Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger Roses are red, violets are blue. Jerry and Mick's hair looks really good here, and their highlights too.  Photo: 1987 Georges DeKeerle
Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Surfing: the best actual surf spray.  Photo: ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy E... Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Surfing: the best actual surf spray.  Photo: ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
City of God Young love makes your hair look better than any sea-salt spray.  Photo: ©Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection
Salma Hayek in After the Sunset Step one to having good beach hair: Enjoy being at the beach and forget about your hair.  Photo: ©New Line... Salma Hayek in After the Sunset Step one to having good beach hair: Enjoy being at the beach and forget about your hair.  Photo: ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
Raquel Welch in The Biggest Bundle of Them All Step two for perfect beach hair: Embrace the humidity and let your hair get as big as it can.&nbs... Raquel Welch in The Biggest Bundle of Them All Step two for perfect beach hair: Embrace the humidity and let your hair get as big as it can.  Photo: Copyright © Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Alain and Nathalie Delon Step three for good beach hair: Yawn. Take a nap. Wake up with naturally wavy, tousled texture, and repeat. 
Kim Basinger in Never Say Never Again How to instantly de-frizz your hair: Dunk it in the ocean.  Photo: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Co... Kim Basinger in Never Say Never Again How to instantly de-frizz your hair: Dunk it in the ocean.  Photo: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Zhang Ziyi in Memoirs of a Geisha Sometimes a geisha just needs to let her hair down.  Photo: ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Return to Blue Lagoon When your hair is this fantastic, no shirt, no problem.  Photo: Copyright © ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Co /... Return to Blue Lagoon When your hair is this fantastic, no shirt, no problem.  Photo: Copyright © ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Co / Everett Collection
Joan Collins in September 1954 Alexis Carrington may have looked "great in hats," but she looked great without one too.  Photo: ... Joan Collins in September 1954 Alexis Carrington may have looked "great in hats," but she looked great without one too.  Photo: Credit AGIP/AD
Ava Gardner in The Little Hut Just add water and a jaunty little hat.  Photo: Copyright © Everett Collection / Everett Collection
John and Jackie Kennedy Even Jackie Kennedy takes a break from her normally extra-coiffed hair to feel the wind. 
Ursula Andress  Wet hair, don't care.  Photo: 2011 Getty Images
Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer Taylor made wallowing in agony look so good with hair that was just the right amount of disheveled.&nbs... Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer Taylor made wallowing in agony look so good with hair that was just the right amount of disheveled. 
Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road Two necessary ingredients for beach hair the beauty industry has yet to bottle: Letting go and soaking in the... Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road Two necessary ingredients for beach hair the beauty industry has yet to bottle: Letting go and soaking in the sun.  Photo: Copyright © 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection
Penelope Cruz in Sahara A wet mop of curls made gamine with the addition of an adorably patterned bathing cap. Photo: Courtesy Everett Collec... Penelope Cruz in Sahara A wet mop of curls made gamine with the addition of an adorably patterned bathing cap. Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
Brigitte Bardot in Cannes Bardot shows how effortless a laissez-faire attitude to bangs can look when you add a bikini and sand. 
Esther Williams The Hollywood Mermaid proving that her naturally beachy texture looks even better in technicolor.  Photo: Copyright © Ever... Esther Williams The Hollywood Mermaid proving that her naturally beachy texture looks even better in technicolor.  Photo: Copyright © Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Farrah Fawcett The salt air only adds more attitude to her signature feathered cut.  Photo: Copyright © ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collec... Farrah Fawcett The salt air only adds more attitude to her signature feathered cut.  Photo: Copyright © ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Evangeline Lilly in Lost Kate Austen provided six seasons of joyful, curly beach-hair inspiration.  Photo: Copyright © ©ABC/Courtesy Ever... Evangeline Lilly in Lost Kate Austen provided six seasons of joyful, curly beach-hair inspiration.  Photo: Copyright © ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity Deborah Kerr proves that "just got laid" hair is still better at the beach.  Photo: Court... Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity Deborah Kerr proves that "just got laid" hair is still better at the beach.  Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
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Tags:

  • beauty
  • beachy hair
  • beaches
  • hairy situations
  • sea salt
  • surf spray
  • gisele bundchen
  • elizabeth taylor
  • raquel welch
  • how stella got her groove back
  • angela bassett
  • olivia pope
  • salma hayek
  • bo derek
  • at the beach
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