Mermaid hair is back in, and for good reason. Those soft, tousled waves that look like you just spent the day swimming in the sea and drying off, tanning on your beach towel are the perfect cherry on top to any summery look. They make for the quintessential effortless beach day look. The best part? You don’t need saltwater, sand or a salon visit to get it down. With a few simple tricks and the right products, you can create bouncy, sun-kissed waves right at home — zero ocean water required.
Step 1: Start With a Good Base
Mermaid waves always look best on hair that has a bit of grip and texture to it. Forget the squeaky clean strands. If you’re starting with freshly washed hair, apply a lightweight mousse or volumizing spray while it's still damp. This will help hold the wave pattern and keep your hair from falling flat by midday.
For the best results, let your hair air-dry to around 70 percent before styling. Slightly damp hair gives you more flexibility to shape it without creating frizz.
Step 2: Use a Sea Salt Spray
To really achieve that "just stepped out of the ocean" look, you’ll want to reach under your bathroom sink for the Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe spray that’s been sitting there for over a decade. Using a good sea salt or texture spray is the only real essential step if you take nothing else from this guide. Spritz your hair from mid-lengths to ends and scrunch gently with your hands. Strong advisory: Avoid the roots as too much product there can weigh your hair down or make it feel gritty.
If you don’t have sea salt spray, you can make your own with a mix of warm water, a teaspoon of salt, a few drops of leave-in conditioner and a touch of coconut or argan oil. Pour it into a spray bottle, shake well and apply liberally.
Step 3: Set Your Waves
Once your waves are set, it’s time to make them last. A flexible-hold hairspray or finishing spray will keep the bounce and body without that dreaded crunch. You want them to be as naturally flowy as possible.
For extra shine and frizz control, run a pea-sized amount of serum or lightweight oil through the ends. Though stay away from anything too heavy; you don’t want to undo all that texture you just created.
Step 4: Give Your Hair a Refresh
One of the best things about mermaid waves? They are relatively low maintenance and look even better the second (or third) day. To refresh your waves without restyling:
- Use dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil and add lift.
- Re-scrunch your ends with a bit of water or leave-in conditioner.
- Touch up a few face-framing pieces with your curling wand if needed.
To keep your waves in place overnight, use a satin hair bonnet or keep your hair braided in a loose braid. For even more measure, invest in a satin pillowcase if you haven’t already to avoid frizz and hair tearing. With this final step you have enviable mermaid hair you can wear to the beach and around town all summer long.
