How to Create Mermaid Waves

Mermaid waves are soft, loose curls with a relaxed, textured finish. They offer more shape than natural beach waves without the defined ringlets of a formal curl, making them easy to wear with casual or dressier outfits. With a curling wand or curling iron and a few simple steps, you can create this look at home.

The key is to curl sections of hair around the barrel rather than clamping the ends and rolling the tool upward. This helps create a wave through the length of the hair instead of a tight curl concentrated at the tips.

How to Create Mermaid Waves

1. Choose the right starting point. Begin with hair that holds a loose curl well. Hair that has just been washed may hold curls more tightly, so you may prefer to style it the day after washing. Hair behaves differently from person to person, so try both clean and second-day hair to see which gives you the finish you like.
2. Divide your hair into sections. Gather the top two-thirds of your hair into a clip or bun, leaving the bottom section down. Working in sections makes it easier to curl evenly and helps you avoid missing pieces.
3. Wrap the lower section. Hold a 1-inch curling iron with the barrel pointing downward. Take a 1–2-inch section of hair and wrap it around the barrel, starting near the handle and working toward the tip. A curling wand is convenient for this technique. If you use a curling iron with a clamp, keep the clamp open while wrapping the hair rather than securing the ends and rolling upward.
4. Continue around the bottom layer. Repeat with the remaining hair in the lower section. For a more natural-looking result, keep the sections similar in size and avoid wrapping the hair too tightly.
5. Work through the upper layers. Release the next third of your hair and curl it in the same way, then finish with the top section. Begin curling the top layer about 6 inches from your part so the hair stays straighter near the roots.
6. Add gentle volume and texture. Lightly tease the hair underneath the top layer if you want extra lift. Apply a small amount of spray wax or texturizing spray to your fingertips, then lightly run them through the roots and ends to separate the waves.

Tips for a Softer, More Tousled Finish

If your hair tends to hold curls very well, let the curls cool completely and gently loosen them with your fingers. You can also sleep on the style overnight to relax the waves further. Avoid brushing aggressively, as that can make the finished shape lose definition.

Use a heat protectant before styling and follow the instructions for your heat tool. If you are unsure which starting condition works best, compare the result on clean hair with the result on hair washed the previous day. Small adjustments to section size and how tightly you wrap each piece can also help you get a softer wave.

Conclusion

Mermaid waves are achievable with simple sectioning, a downward-facing curling iron or wand, and a light touch when adding texture. Keep the roots less curled, loosen the waves gently, and adjust your routine to suit how your hair holds curl. — Laura