When it comes to effortlessly glamorous hair, Denise Richards has it down to an art form. Whether she’s walking a red carpet or spotted casually out and about, her hair always seems to fall into that perfect balance of sexy, undone, Malibu-chic waves. Recently, her hairstylist, the incredibly talented Carlos Ortiz, shared some of his secrets for achieving those signature looks—and honestly? I was blown away.
As someone who lives and breathes beauty tips, I thought I’d heard it all. But Carlos had a few tricks up his sleeve that completely surprised me (and I don’t say that lightly). From a DIY sea salt spray to a luxury skincare product used in the most unexpected way, these are the kind of insider tips that make you want to run straight to your bathroom and start experimenting.
And if you’re not already following Carlos on Instagram (@carlitos_hair), you’ll want to—his work is stunning, and he’s as generous with his advice as he is with his creativity.
The Inspiration: Denise’s Beachy Malibu Vibe
Denise Richards has always exuded that effortless California beauty. Her hair is the perfect extension of her vibe: soft, tousled, touchable, and a little wild in the best way. It’s that “I just left the beach but somehow still look red carpet ready” kind of style.
Carlos explained that the goal with her waves is to capture that breezy, natural movement without it ever looking overdone. And the secret? It all starts with creating the right foundation.
Step One: Prepping with DIY Salt Water Spray
Forget fancy bottles from the beauty aisle—Carlos kicks things off with something surprisingly simple: salt water spray. He creates a base layer of texture by misting Denise’s hair with his own homemade blend.
Here’s his recipe:
- Distilled water (for a clean, fresh base)
- Sea salt (to add grit and wave-enhancing texture)
- Tea tree oil (just a few drops—it’s potent!)
- Lavender oil (for scalp health and that calming scent)
He mixes it all up in a glass spray bottle, gives it a good shake, and voila—the perfect DIY wave spray.
Why this works:
- Sea salt mimics the effect of ocean water, encouraging that natural bend and tousle.
- Tea tree oil supports scalp health, can help balance oil, and even encourages hair growth.
- Lavender oil brings antimicrobial benefits while soothing irritation and adding shine.
The result is hair that’s already starting to fall into that organic, beachy shape before you even touch a curling iron.
Step Two: Adding Shine with… La Mer?!
Here’s where Carlos completely surprised me. After spritzing Denise’s hair with his salt water spray, he adds moisture and shine back in using—wait for it—La Mer Moisturizer. Yes, the legendary luxury skincare cream.
Here’s how he does it: he warms a small amount between his hands until it emulsifies into a silky oil-like consistency. Then, he smooths it lightly through the hair to create a glazed effect. The result? Hair that doesn’t just look beachy—it looks polished, reflective, and chic.
This trick blew my mind. We’re so used to thinking of La Mer as something reserved for your face, but Carlos proves it can be a multitasking beauty hero. And honestly? If you’re going to splurge on La Mer, why not use it everywhere it can give you a glow?
The Balance of Texture and Gloss
What I love most about Carlos’s approach is the balance he creates. The salt water spray roughs things up just enough to add that sexy, undone movement, while the La Mer smooths everything back down with a soft, luminous finish. It’s not crunchy or stiff—it’s hair that feels as good as it looks.
This combo also makes Denise’s waves feel elevated. It’s not just “beach hair”; it’s red carpet beach hair, the kind that works equally well with jeans and a tee or a gown and diamonds.
Why These Tips Stand Out
I’ve read (and tried!) more hair hacks than I can count, but what makes these tips so fun is how unexpectedly chic and practical they are. You don’t need a million products—you just need the right ones, and maybe a little DIY spirit.
- The salt water spray is something you can easily mix up at home with ingredients that cost next to nothing.
- The La Mer step is obviously a splurge, but it shows that sometimes breaking “rules” (like using skincare in your hair) can lead to amazing results. Plus, if you already have La Mer in your collection, why not try it?
Bringing Denise’s Waves Home
If you’re inspired to recreate Denise’s signature mermaid waves, here’s the simple game plan:
- Start with damp hair. Spray generously with the DIY salt water mix, scrunching lightly to encourage natural texture.
- Air dry or rough-dry with a blow dryer. Don’t aim for perfection—you want some natural bend.
- Smooth a touch of La Mer through the mid-lengths and ends. This keeps it soft, shiny, and refined.
- Touch up with a curling iron if needed. Keep it loose and random, wrapping sections in different directions.
- Finish with a light hairspray or texturizing mist. Just enough to hold without stiffness.
The Takeaway
Denise Richards’ waves may look effortless, but behind them is a hairstylist who knows exactly how to balance texture, shine, and luxury. Carlos Ortiz has proven that sometimes the best beauty tricks come from thinking outside the box—and from combining the raw, natural elements (like salt water and essential oils) with the most indulgent touches (hello, La Mer).
The end result? Hair that’s equal parts sexy, natural, and undeniably glamorous. Exactly what we’ve come to expect from Denise Richards.
