Big year for Hilary Duff. First, she brought back pop music. Now she’s bringing back beach waves.
Working with longtime collaborator, Barb Thompson, for her surprise Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover shoot, Duff’s hair, like everything else she’s done so far in 2026, feels just right. Thompson fully reimagined the beach wave, a millennial staple, in a way that’s very fresh.
“For Hilary’s Sports Illustrated Swim cover, we wanted hair that felt effortless, sun-kissed, and naturally powerful, like she had just stepped out of the ocean with that perfect wind-swept texture,” says Thompson.
She adds, “The look is all about movement, softness, and healthy dimension.” And to get that effect, Thompson turned to Aussie-born haircare brand BondiBoost.
Keep reading for the exact products Thompson used on set at the Salterra Resort and Spa in South Caicos.
Get the Look:
- “I started by prepping her damp hair with BondiBoost Rapid Repair Bond Builder Leave In Mask ($33.00), focusing through the mid-lengths and ends to strengthen and smooth while keeping the hair touchable. Beach shoots can be brutal between salt, sun, and heat styling, so this step keeps the integrity of the hair intact while still allowing it to feel light and fluid.
- Before blow drying, I layered in HG Heat Protect Spray ($23.00) to shield from heat and UV exposure, which is essential for an all day outdoor shoot. I rough dried using my fingers to encourage natural texture, then went in with a 1.25″ iron, alternating directions and leaving the ends slightly undone for that effortless, lived-in bend.
- To enhance that beachy texture and create soft, I also used the BondiBoost Wave Wand Triple Barrel Waver ($69.00) through selected mid lengths, pressing lightly and skipping sections so the pattern felt organic rather than uniform. The key is not waving every strand, which keeps the finish modern and natural.
- To build fullness without stiffness, I misted Thickening Therapy Spray ($33.00) at the roots and lightly through the crown, lifting with my hands instead of a brush to keep it airy and organic.
- For that glossy, reflective finish you see catching the light, I worked a few drops of Rapid Repair Bond Builder Finishing Oil ($33.00) into the ends, scrunching slightly to enhance separation and shine. The key is emulsifying it fully in your palms first, less is more.”
- “To maintain that fresh, voluminous feel under the sun throughout the day, I would use HG Dry Shampoo ($28.00) at the roots. This is one of my favorite tricks for swim shoots because it creates grip and subtle lift, so the hair does not collapse in humidity or ocean breeze.”
Thompson says, “The overall vibe is healthy, strong, and naturally sexy, movement-driven hair that feels authentic for Hilary.”
If you want in on that vibe and recreate Hilary Duff’s very beachy beach waves with this step-by-step from Barb Thompson, we want to see it. Be sure to tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.
