For best results, start with dry, straight or slightly textured hair. This helps your mermaid waves hold their shape and creates a soft, tousled finish. Then mist ghd Curls Gone Wild evenly through the hair, to add buildable volume and grip.
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Mermaid Hair: How to Create Mermaid Waves with a Hair Waver for a Festival Look
Mermaid hair with festival flair is easy to achieve using a hair waver. Soft, voluminous mermaid waves can be sculpted in minutes with ghd Wave. Create movement and shine with an effortless, beach-ready finish. From festival fields to holiday beaches, mermaid hair fits every sunny setting. Add a small braid to each side for extra texture and a carefree boho finish.
Follow the guide below to create summer-ready mermaid hair. An effortless essential for playful, flirty waves made to turn heads.
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GHD CURLY EVER AFTER - CURL HOLD SPRAY
NEW GHD WAVE TRIPLE BARREL HAIR WAVER
GHD THE ALL ROUNDER - PADDLE BRUSH
GHD PERFECT ENDING - FINAL FIX HAIRSPRAY 400ML
STEP-BY-STEPS
PREP & HEAT PROTECTION
TURN ON GHD WAVE
Turn on ghd Wave and wait for it to heat up before styling. A consistent temperature before styling helps create smooth, even mermaid waves that last longer.
SECTION THE HAIR
Divide your hair into sections and take a small piece to start. Clamp ghd Wave near the root, hold for 3-5 seconds, then release and move down the hair. Repeat this motion all the way down to the ends.
BUILD WAVES THROUGH THE HAIR
Continue this technique section by section until all the hair is styled. This creates consistent, beachy mermaid waves with natural movement and texture.
BOOST VOLUME AROUND THE FACE
For the face-framing sections, turn ghd Wave upside down and gently clamp close to the roots. This creates lift and volume around the face, just take care near your forehead.
SET AND REFINE WITH TEXTURE SPRAY
Once all the hair has been waved, spritz ghd Curls Gone Wild again to set the style and unlock that wild, untamed look.
SEPARATE WAVES WITH YOUR FINGERS
Skip the brush and work your fingers through the waves, gently scrunching and separating them. This adds volume and creates a more relaxed, lived-in finish. The result is lasting texture, perfect for long days, warm nights and all‑day festivals.
ADD BRAIDS FOR A BOHO FESTIVAL FINISH
Part the hair down the centre and take a small section a few inches back from the front of each side. Create a simple three-strand braid, leaving the ends loose and secure with a small elastic.
FINAL LOOK
Best Mermaid Hair Waver and Alternative Tools
If you’re looking for the best mermaid hair waver for smooth, even waves at home, a dedicated waver gives the most consistent results. ghd Wave is designed to create uniform, “S”-shaped waves. It uses three barrels to shape the hair quickly and evenly.
While a hair waver delivers the most even finish, a straightener can also be used to create a similar wave pattern.
One option is the heat-set braid method. Braid the hair, then gently press it with a straightener to set the shape. This creates soft, crimped texture with a relaxed finish. Our range of straighteners can be used to achieve this look.
Another option is the S-wave technique. Take a section of hair and place the straightener at the root. As you glide down the strands, bend the tool one way, then reverse the direction, then switch again. This creates a flowing S-shape wave rather than a curl. We recommend ghd Chronos for this method, as it gives you the control needed to keep each bend even and consistent.
Top Tips to Refine your Mermaid Curls
- Focus volume around the crown and front. This keeps the style lifted and balanced.
- Use even section sizes of hair. It helps the waves look more uniform and controlled.
- Let the waves cool completely before touching them. This helps them set properly.
- Build texture gradually. Avoid overloading the hair, as this can weigh it down.
- Skip the brush. Use your fingers to shape and separate the waves instead.
- Keep the braids small and subtle so they blend naturally into the style.
Common Styling Questions Answered by our Expert Grant Williams
What are mermaid waves?
Mermaid waves are deep, “S”-shaped waves that run through the hair to create a textured, beachy finish. Unlike traditional curls, the pattern is more uniform and structured, giving the hair a fuller, more defined look that’s especially popular for festival styling.
Can you achieve mermaid waves on short hair?
Yes. Mermaid waves work particularly well on short hair. With less weight pulling the hair down, the waves hold their shape more easily and the hair waver helps add texture and volume quickly. This makes them a great option for festival hairstyles for short hair, especially when paired with face-framing details like small, delicate braids.
What is a mermaid hair waver?
A mermaid hair waver is a styling tool with multiple heated barrels that press the hair into a consistent wave pattern. You might also hear it referred to as a mermaid hair curler, but instead of wrapping the hair like with a curling wand, it clamps sections to create those signature mermaid waves quickly and easily.
Are mermaid waves good for festival hair?
Yes. Mermaid waves are one of the most popular festival hair styles because they strike the perfect balance between styled and effortless. The textured wave pattern adds volume and movement, while still feeling relaxed enough for all-day wear. They also pair easily with braids, accessories or glitter, making them a versatile base for different festival hair ideas.