Don’t conform when it comes to your wavy hair. Join the millennial revolution with a set of mermaid waves, the wavy hairstyle every boho girl needs to rock. This beach-inspired style is all about having luxuriously deep waves with a shaken out finish to create a free-spirited, uber-cool look.
Bringing mermaid waves to your hair repertoire is effortless. Make sure your locks are prepped for a boho wavy hairstyle with ghd curl hold spray, then dry into your tresses with the ghd helios® hair dryer for long-lasting ripples. The NEW ghd wave triple barrel waver will bring that mermaid movement to your hair without the hassle.
Make a statement with your next wavy hairstyle, with this sea-stimulated look. Find out how to curl hair and create majestic mermaid waves with our how-to guide.
SHOP THE LOOK
GHD WAVE TRIPLE BARREL HAIR WAVER (3x32MM BARRELS) FOR MERMAID WAVES
GHD HELIOS HAIR DRYER IN BLACK
GHD CURLY EVER AFTER - CURL HOLD SPRAY
GHD THE ALL-ROUNDER - PADDLE BRUSH
STEP BY STEPS
PREP
Begin with clean, dry hair and apply ghd curly ever after spray to shield strands from heat.
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.
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.
STEP 7.
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 THE FINISH
• 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
Q: 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.
Q: 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.
Q: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.
Q: 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.