Meghan Markle wore a Carolina Herrera red gown on the red carpet of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala on October 5. But the beach waves that Markle matched it with surprised me with a beauty 180.

Usually, the Duchess of Sussex attends formal occasions with a few tried-and-true hairstyles: a sleek blowout with loosely curled ends, a slick low bun, or a power ponytail with hair twisted into an elastic. But on Saturday, Markle tapped into her inner Malibu surfer girl and opted for tousled curls set in a middle part. Her relaxed beach waves were a stark contrast to the formality of her plunge-neck gown and red pin-heeled sandals. Makeup was similarly on point, with defined brows, fluttery lashes, a dab of trendy red blush, and a nude, glossy lip.

Meghan Markle's beach waves and Carolina Herrera's gown were a chic makeover from the last time she wore them in 2021. That year, at the Salute to Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Museum in New York, Markle wore a red overskirt over her gown and her hair was twisted into an elegant ballerina bang and pinned back on her head.

Meghan Markle's beach waves are another sign of her ongoing style evolution. The Duchess of Sussex still wears many of her favorite designers, but under the guidance of stylist Jamie Mizrahi, she has branched out into more contemporary brands and Girl Next Door Beauty. At recent official functions (such as the ESPY Awards) and on tour in Colombia and Nigeria, Markle has worn a variety of outfits, including dresses by St. Agni and tailoring by Veronica Beard.

The combination of cascading waves and ball gowns made Meghan Markle the queen of high-low styling in my book. So, I've gathered my favorite products to mimic her easy-breezy hair beyond the red carpet.