Bumble and bumble is marking the 25th anniversary of Surf Spray, the cult-favorite styling spray that helped define effortless, tousled texture and has held a place in professional kits and everyday routines for over two decades.
Where It All Began
The idea for Surf Spray came together in 2001, when Bumble and bumble’s then-artistic director Laurent Philippon was on a photoshoot in Tulum, Mexico. Watching the undone texture a model’s hair took on after swimming, he brought seawater back with him to try to recreate the effect — and Surf Spray was born.
“I was on the quest of finding that perfect product that would bring grit, separation, and sexiness,” Laurent says.
Twenty-five years later, the formula remains an industry go-to for lightweight volume, grit, and tousled waves that work year-round, not just in summer.
“What is great about Surf Spray is that it gives that tousled sexiness and beach feel, but without the beach. It’s just a really sexy product and I still use it today,” adds Laurent.
Reimagined by Matt Benns
To mark the anniversary, Bumble and bumble tapped leading editorial stylist Matt Benns to reinterpret that early-2000s tousled texture for today.
“Surf Spray is iconic because it delivers that effortless, beachy texture. It was one of the first products I ever experimented with as an apprentice, and it’s still something I reach for backstage today because of how versatile it is,” says Matt Benns. “It gives definition to the ends while adding grit and texture at the roots when you need volume. It also has a really great grip, which means you can reshape and move the hair quickly and easily.”
For at-home use, Benns treats Surf Spray as a foundation step: spraying it into the roots for a lived-in, gritty texture, then working it through by hand. He recommends layering the product, since it performs well on both damp and dry hair for different effects.
How to Use It
Spray evenly onto damp or dry hair, twist strands to enhance texture, and air-dry for a matte, windswept finish. It’s best suited to wavy and straight patterns in fine to medium diameters on untreated hair.
An Anniversary Collab with Hotel Lobby Candle
To celebrate the milestone, Bumble and bumble partnered with Hotel Lobby Candle on an exclusive anniversary mailer inspired by summer, nostalgia, and the spirit of Surf Spray.
Twenty-five years in, Surf Spray is still making waves — shop it at Bumble and bumble.
