How to Recreate Catherine Zeta‑Jones’s Effortless Beach Waves

Catherine Zeta‑Jones has a knack for making classic styles feel fresh, and her soft, breezy waves are a case in point. Whether you saw her on the red carpet or spotted a recent image online, those relaxed, face‑framing waves are deceptively wearable — and adaptable for colder months. This guide breaks down why the look works, how to recreate it at home with minimal heat damage, and how to tweak the technique for different hair types.

Why Catherine’s waves work

What makes Zeta‑Jones’s waves so appealing is their natural movement and soft texture. They sit between a polished Hollywood curl and a lived‑in beach wave: structured enough to frame the face but loose enough to look effortless. Key characteristics include:

• Loose S‑shaped bends rather than tight coils.
• Root lift and body rather than flat, lifeless lengths.
• Subtle pieceing — a few strands fall forward to soften the hairline.

Those qualities mean the style suits many occasions — from daytime meetings to evening events — and can be achieved without the heavy product or excessive heat that leaves hair brittle.

How to recreate the look at home

This method focuses on texture and movement while protecting hair health. You’ll need a heat protectant, a mid‑barrel curling tong (28–32mm), a wide‑tooth comb or fingers, and a lightweight finishing product such as a texturising spray or light hold serum.

• Wash and towel‑dry hair until damp. Apply a heat protectant evenly from roots to ends.
• Blow‑dry with a round brush for gentle volume at the roots, or air‑dry for a more lived‑in finish.
• Divide hair into two or three sections. Wrap mid‑lengths and ends around the curling tong, leaving the roots untouched. Alternate the direction of the wraps for a natural effect, and avoid curling the entire length — focus on the mid‑shaft to ends.
• Hold the tong for 5–8 seconds for a soft bend; release and let the curl cool without manipulating it too soon.
• When all sections are done, use fingers or a wide‑tooth comb to gently separate and soften the curls into waves. Apply a small amount of lightweight oil to ends if needed.
• Finish with a spritz of flexible hold spray or texturiser to add movement and longevity without crunch.

Pro tip: For a more undone beach effect, lightly mist salt spray close to the roots and scrunch. For evening polish, smooth a shine serum through the lengths and gently tuck one side behind the ear.

Adjust the technique for your hair type

Not every method suits every fibre. Here are quick adjustments for different textures:

• Fine hair: Use a smaller barrel (22–28mm) for longer‑lasting bends, and apply a volumising mousse at the roots before blow‑drying.
• Thick or coarse hair: Work in smaller subsections and use a higher heat setting, but always use a protectant. Apply a smoothing cream to tame frizz.
• Very curly hair: Consider stretching the curl pattern first with a blow‑dry or heat brush, then finish with larger‑barrel waves. Alternatively, create the look overnight using twisted sections for heat‑free waves.
• Shorter cuts: Aim for texture at the ends and slight root lift; avoid wrapping hair too close to the scalp to keep the relaxed silhouette.

Products and tools worth considering

To recreate those soft waves without weighing hair down, choose lightweight formulas and heat tools with adjustable temperature controls. Look for:

• A thermal protectant spray with conditioning ingredients.
• A mid‑sized tong (28–32mm) with ceramic or tourmaline plates.
• A sea salt or texture spray for natural volume and grit.
• Flexible hold hairspray rather than stiff lacquer for movement.

Takeaway

Catherine Zeta‑Jones’s beach waves are a masterclass in controlled effortlessness: they’re all about loose bends, soft parting, and clean‑looking texture. The look can be achieved with minimal heat when you focus on mid‑shaft shaping, use the right products for your hair type, and prioritise hair health. With a few small tweaks — barrel size, product choice, or heat‑free techniques — the style works across textures and lengths, making it an excellent, season‑proof go‑to.