How to create mermaid hair waves

Mermaid waves can be tricky to achieve, especially when you've never used a triple-barrel waver before. It's not uncommon to run into a few issues that leave you feeling like the style is less-than-perfect. Check out these common mistakes people make when styling mermaid hair and how to fix them quickly:

Using sections that are too big

One of the most common mistakes people make is using sections that are too big to accommodate their styling tools. Large sections of hair won't heat evenly or hold their shape, leading to loose, uneven, or short-lived waves.

To rectify this, make sure you're only using 1 to 1.5-inch sections of hair for defined waves. If you want to add extra volume, you can alternate between slightly smaller and larger sections around your hair. Just be mindful that the larger sections will drop first.

Not prepping the hair properly

When you don't properly prep your hair, waves won't have anything to hold onto. This is why it's so important to properly prepare your hair for styling. Freshly washed hair will need slightly more prep, but even day-old hair needs a few products to help the waves meet their maximum potential.

Firstly, use a texturising spray or mousse before styling to give the curls something to grip onto. Curls Gone Wild creates long-lasting, tousled curls and waves with buildable volume. Next, spritz the hair with Bodyguard to protect it from heat damage, as frazzled hair won't keep curls as long as healthy locks.

Waving every section in the same direction

Waving your hair in the same direction can force the hair to clump together. This makes them look too uniform or fall flat. Mermaid hair is all about beachy waves being perfectly imperfect, so waving them in the same direction goes against the goal.

To fix this, alternate the wave direction with each section, such as one wave away from the face, one towards. An easier way to do this is to use a triple-barrel styler, which uses three barrels to crimp the hair in different directions. Not only does this cut down on styling time, but it alternates the waves to achieve an effortless look.

Not letting the waves cool before touching

It can be tempting to brush out your waves to make them look looser straight away, as this is one of the main defining features of mermaid hair. However, touching or brushing out hot waves causes them to drop instantly.

To avoid this, let each wave cool in your hand before dropping it, or pin it in place for a few minutes. Once your curls are completely cool, use your fingers to loosen the waves to avoid pulling on them too much that they drop.

Overusing hairspray

We get it - you've spent all this time on styling your hair, so you want to lock it in place with your trusty hairspray. However, using too much hairspray can weigh the hair down, make it sticky or stiffen the waves so they lose their effortless vibe.

To remedy this, use a lightweight, flexible hairspray after styling (our favourite is the one and only Perfect Ending), only focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Avoid the roots to prevent interfering with your hair's volume.

Using the wrong tool

Flat irons, curling wands, or triple-barrel wavers all give different results - using the wrong one for your hair type or desired look can sabotage your style and leave you with results that you might not have been hoping for.

To fix this, make sure you're using the right styler for your hair type:

Fine or straight hair: curling wand or flat iron waves
Thick or textured hair: triple-barrel waver for lasting shape

Q1: Can I create mermaid waves without heat?

Yes, heatless curling methods can be used to create mermaid hair, although the results often vary. However, if you want to give them a go to avoid heat exposure, here are a few techniques to try:

Braiding damp hair: Plaiting damp hair and letting it dry naturally can wave your hair
Twist buns: Twisting sections of damp hair into buns and leaving them overnight can produce effortless waves
Flexi rods or spiral curlers: These tools can shape waves without heat

However, if you're worried about damaging your hair with too much heat, ghd's heat curlers are all designed specifically to minimise heat damage as much as possible. Our Wave Triple Barrel creates no extreme heat damage¹ with 2x less frizz².

¹Extreme heat damage is a fractional wet tensile strength reduction per cycle above 0.005, measured over at least 100 cycles on brown Caucasian hair (a “Strength Reduction”)

²Technical test in a lab on frizzy hair, vs. naturally dried hair

Q2: What's the best curling wand size for mermaid waves?

Our Triple-Barrel Waver uses three redesigned ergonomic 32mm barrels to create effortlessly natural mermaid waves. They're not too big or small, so they work on most hair lengths and types, producing defined, structured beachy waves that you can keep dramatic or brush out for a more toned-down look.

Q3: Are mermaid waves suitable for short hair?

Absolutely! Mermaid waves can add lots of volume and texture to short hairstyles, so there's no need for you to miss out on this trend if you have short hair. You can use a smaller barrel curling wand or straighteners to perfect your waves. Here are our favourite options for short hair:

ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver

ghd Mini Hair Straightener

ghd Curve® Thin Curling Wand

Q4: How can I create mermaid waves if my hair is naturally straight?

There's no issue creating classic mermaid hair on naturally straight hair - you just need to use the right products to help the waves stay in place. Start with a texturising spray (Curls Gone Wild does wonders) to add grip. Next, use your heat styling tool to create the waves, alternating the direction for a natural look. Allow the waves to cool before gently separating them with your fingers, and finish off with a light-hold shine spray, such as Shiny Ever After, to maintain the style.

Q5: Are mermaid waves damaging to my hair?

If not used properly, heat styling tools can damage hair. However, at ghd, we pride ourselves on using technology that minimises heat damage as much as possible. To further reduce the risk, make sure you:

Use a heat protectant spray
Keep your tools at the optimal temperature (185 degrees C)
Limit how often you expose your hair to heat
Incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your weekly routine

Q6: How long do mermaid waves typically last?

With proper preparation and styling, mermaid waves can last between two and three days. You can touch them up each morning to keep them looking fresh, and using high-quality styling products keeps them bouncing for longer. Avoid touching your hair too much to prevent daily oils from weighing the curls down, and only brush with a wide-tooth comb so you don't disrupt the wave pattern too much.

Q7: What’s the best way to refresh mermaid waves between washes?

The best way to refresh mermaid waves between washes is to use your styling tool, such as a three-barrel waver, to add some fresh volume to your hair. Use a lightweight curl spray like ghd Curly Ever After® as well to make sure your hair is protected every time you use heat on it. No need to re-wave your entire hair - just give the top layer some TLC to keep your hair looking beachy-keen for a few more days.