While straighteners, curling tongs and trusty hair dryers have been much-loved tools for many of us since the noughties, mermaid wavers are a far more recent addition to the hair styling scene. Essentially a less bouncy and windswept take on classic beachy waves, mermaid waves are best described as loose yet uniform bends that give off a more wispy and whimsical vibe. So, think less surfer-chick with tousled waves, and more glossy mermaid drying off on a rock in the sun post-dip.
From classic triple barrel tools that leave you with loose and whimsical and natural-looking waves, to ceramic waving plate stylers that create a more narrow and defined crimp effect, there are many types of hair wavers to choose from — and they’ll each give a different result depending on the length and texture of your hair. But to help speed up your decision process, we’ve tested out some of the top trending tools, gone through all the reviews, and consulted with some expert stylists, and pulled together this edit of everything you could possibly need to know about mermaid wavers. So, head this way for gorgeous and glossy waves…
The best mermaid wavers at a glance:
BondiBoost Wave Wand
Beauty Works Waver
Mermade Cutie Waver
Remington’s PROluxe 4-in-1 Waver
How can you best prep your hair for using a mermaid waver?
Although a mermaid hair waver provides a quick and easy way to achieve an otherwise high-maintenance look, you should still take the time to properly prep your hair if you want the best possible results. When you use any hair styling tools, applying heat protection spray is key — but it’s really important that you only spritz it on completely dry hair, so you don’t end up with any singed strands.
“When you're using a mermaid waver, the hot plates are put in direct contact with your hair and can easily cause the product to burn or even smoke — which can actually cause quite a bit of damage,” says Ghanima Abdullah, a cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles.
In terms of styling products, Ghanima recommends keeping it pretty simple. “A spritz of hairspray will help lock in the waves once you’ve finished, or you can use a salt spray or texturising if you’re after more of a beachy look,” she says.
How do you actually use mermaid wavers?
Rather than tackling your whole head in one go, celebrity hair stylist Ben Cooke — who’s working in association with BondiBoost — recommends sectioning the hair in two, clipping the top section out of the way, and starting with the bottom.
“Once you’ve brushed out the lower section, start waving it from top of the hair strand to the bottom,” explains Ben. “As you clamp a section of the hair, hold it for up to 10 seconds before releasing and moving further down the strand — and remember that the longer you keep your hair clamped in the waver, the more defined the bend will be.”
Keep scrolling to take a closer look at our full selection of the best mermaid wavers to add to your wishlist.
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