How to Get Mermaid Waves: Step-by-Step Hair Tutorial
Mermaid waves are soft, flowing waves with a visible S-shaped movement through the hair. They sit somewhere between a polished curl and an undone beach wave: loose enough to move naturally, but defined enough that you can still see the pattern.
The look works particularly well on medium and long hair, and there is more than one way to create it. You can use a flat iron, an automatic curling iron or a deep-wave tool depending on how soft or structured you want the finished wave to look.
If you wear human hair extensions, mermaid waves can also be a useful style when you want the extension hair and your own hair to move together rather than looking like two separate textures.
How Do You Get Mermaid Waves?
Start with completely dry, detangled hair. Apply heat protection, work in manageable sections and create a repeated bend through the lengths of the hair. With a flat iron, that means alternating the direction of the iron as you move downward. With a curling iron, it means creating loose curls and allowing them to cool before separating them.
The final step matters just as much as the curling technique: let the hair cool before breaking up the waves so you do not immediately pull the pattern out.
What Are Mermaid Waves?
Mermaid waves are recognizable by their long, flowing pattern rather than a tight spiral. The hair moves from side to side in softer bends, creating an elongated S shape through the lengths.
They are often grouped together with beach waves, but the finishes are not exactly the same. Beach waves tend to look more irregular and undone. Mermaid waves generally have a more noticeable, repeating wave pattern.
Soft S-Wave
The movement travels from side to side through the hair rather than forming a tight ringlet.
Defined but Relaxed
The goal is enough definition to see the pattern without making every section look identical.
Especially Beautiful on Longer Hair
More length gives the wave additional room to develop, making the repeating movement easier to see.
Watch: Mermaid Waves on SL Raw Natural Wavy Hair with a Flat Iron
If you already own a flat iron, you do not necessarily need another styling tool to create this look.
In this first tutorial, a Babyliss flat iron is used on SL Raw Natural Wavy Hair wefts to create a more defined mermaid-wave pattern. The hair already has natural movement, but the flat iron is used to reshape that movement into a more deliberate S-wave finish.
Watch the hand movement closely: the result comes from controlling the direction of the iron rather than simply pulling it straight down the section.
SL Raw Natural Wavy Hair wefts are being styled in this tutorial. Notice how the existing natural wave is reshaped into a more defined, repeating mermaid-wave pattern with the flat iron.
Which Styling Tool Should You Use for Mermaid Waves?
You do not have to create mermaid waves with one specific tool. Choose according to the technique you feel comfortable using and the amount of definition you want.
Flat Iron
A flat iron gives you control over where each bend begins and how loose the wave becomes. It is especially useful when you want softer, elongated waves rather than a uniform crimped pattern.
View the Babyliss Flat Iron
Automatic Curling Iron
If rotating a flat iron through long sections feels awkward, an automatic curling iron can do much of the turning for you. Let the curls cool, then soften and separate them to create a looser flowing finish.
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Deep Wave Iron
A deep waver creates the S shape more directly. It is a practical option when you want a consistent wave through the lengths without manually forming each bend with a flat iron.
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| Tool | Best For | Finished Look |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Iron | Controlling individual bends and adjusting the shape as you work | Loose, flowing S-waves with a softer finish |
| Automatic Curling Iron | Someone who feels more comfortable creating curls than manipulating a flat iron | Soft curls that can be separated into flowing waves |
| Deep Wave Iron | Creating a repeated wave pattern with less manual shaping | More structured and uniform mermaid waves |
How to Create Mermaid Waves Step by Step
Whichever tool you choose, preparation and sectioning make the finished style easier to control.
Start with Clean, Completely Dry Hair
Begin with clean, detangled hair that is completely dry before applying a hot tool.
If you have washed the hair first, dry and smooth it according to the texture and finished look you want. You do not need to make naturally textured hair bone straight before creating waves, but you do want a manageable base that allows the styling tool to move through each section without repeatedly passing over tangles.
Allow both your natural hair and human-hair extensions to dry completely before beginning direct-heat styling.
Apply Heat Protection
Before creating the waves, apply a heat protectant that is appropriate for your hair and the extension hair you are styling.
Use enough product to distribute protection through the lengths without saturating the hair or creating heavy buildup.
Human hair extensions can be heat styled, but they do not regenerate the way growing hair does. Repeated excessive heat can gradually affect moisture, elasticity and the overall condition of the extensions.
Work in Manageable Sections
Divide the hair so you can work from the lower sections upward rather than trying to curl large amounts of hair at once.
Sections around 1–2 inches can be a useful starting point, but adjust according to your hair density, extension density and the tool you are using.
Smaller sections generally create greater definition. Larger sections tend to produce a softer, more relaxed wave.
Create the S-Wave with Your Flat Iron
For the flat-iron method, clamp the iron near the upper portion of the section without placing it directly against the scalp.
Guide the hair into one direction to create the first bend. As you move farther down the section, change the direction of the iron to create the opposite bend.
Continue alternating the direction through the length rather than rotating the iron continuously as you would when creating a traditional spiral curl.
You are creating a repeating S shape through the section. The movement does not need to be perfectly identical from one section to the next.
Watch Another Flat-Iron Mermaid Wave Technique
There is more than one hand position that can create the same general result. This second tutorial offers another visual example of using a flat iron to shape the waves.
Use the tutorials as technique references rather than feeling that every section must be copied exactly. Hair density, length and texture can change how the wave forms.
Let Each Section Cool Before Separating It
Once you create the wave, avoid immediately running your fingers through the section.
Give the hair time to cool in the shape you created. Constantly touching or stretching a warm curl can relax it before the style has had a chance to set.
Continue through the remaining sections until the entire head is styled.
Soften the Waves
After the full head has cooled, use your fingers to separate and soften the wave pattern.
How much you separate depends on the finish you want. Minimal separation preserves more definition. More finger separation creates a softer, lived-in result with greater movement.
Finish with a light-hold styling product if needed rather than coating the hair so heavily that the waves become stiff.
How to Create Mermaid Waves with a Deep Waver
A deep-wave iron makes the styling process more direct because the plates already contain the curved shape.
- Begin with completely dry, protected hair.
- Section the hair: work with a manageable amount of hair that fits comfortably between the plates.
- Press the first section: hold according to your tool's instructions and the needs of the hair.
- Move downward: align the next press with the end of the previous wave so the pattern continues rather than creating obvious breaks.
- Allow the hair to cool: avoid pulling through the pattern immediately after releasing it.
- Separate at the end: once cooled, gently loosen the waves according to your desired finish.
This method usually produces a more consistent pattern than the flat-iron technique, so choose it when that more sculpted finish is what you want.
Can You Create Mermaid Waves with Human Hair Extensions?
Yes. Human hair extensions can be styled into mermaid waves just as they can be curled, straightened or otherwise heat styled when the hair is suitable for direct heat.
Extensions become particularly useful for this look when your primary goal is adding length, density or both. Longer hair gives the S-wave more room to travel through the lengths, while additional density can make the finished style appear fuller from the crown through the ends.
Start with Natural Wavy Human Hair
SL Raw Natural Wavy Hair already has natural movement, which makes it a versatile starting texture for this style. As shown in the tutorial above, the wefts can be worn in their natural wavy state or reshaped with a flat iron when you want a more defined mermaid-wave pattern.
Because it is human hair, you can also curl, straighten and restyle it according to the finished look you want.
Natural Wavy vs. Loose Curly Hair for This Look
If you are purchasing extension hair specifically with flowing curls and waves in mind, you do not necessarily have to begin with the same texture.
Natural Wavy
A useful choice when you want elongated movement, easier straightening and a softer foundation for creating long S-waves with a styling tool.
Loose Curly
A useful option when you prefer more curl and volume in the hair's natural state but still want the versatility of human hair that can be restyled.
If you plan to wear the extensions both styled and in their natural texture, make that natural pattern part of your purchasing decision rather than choosing the hair based only on how you intend to wear it on one occasion.
How to Make Mermaid Waves Last Longer
Longevity starts before the final hairspray. The way you prepare, heat-style, cool and handle the finished hair all influence how quickly the pattern relaxes.
Let the Hair Cool
Avoid immediately brushing or repeatedly touching freshly styled sections while they are still warm.
Do Not Overload with Product
Heavy oils and excessive styling product can weigh down the pattern, especially on longer hair.
Protect the Style at Night
If you plan to keep the waves beyond one day, reduce unnecessary friction and avoid sleeping with the hair loose and tangled.
Humidity, natural texture, extension texture, product selection and the amount of manipulation throughout the day can all affect how long the finished waves remain defined.
What If You Want Waves Without Restyling Every Time?
There is an important distinction between creating mermaid waves with a hot tool and choosing extension hair that already has natural movement.
If your goal is mainly additional length or fullness and you do not want to heat-style the entire head every time you wear it, beginning with naturally wavy extension hair may reduce how much reshaping is required for your everyday look.
You can then reserve the more sculpted flat-iron or deep-wave styling for the occasions when you specifically want this finish.
Plan the Hair Before You Create the Style
If extensions are part of your mermaid-wave look, think about the finished hairstyle before ordering the hair.
Explore Natural Wavy Extensions
Start with human hair that already has natural movement if you want versatility between its natural state and heat-styled waves.
Explore Wavy HairChoose Your Extension Length
Longer lengths give a mermaid-wave pattern more room to travel, but choose the length according to the finished placement you actually want.
View the Length GuideGet Matching Help
If your natural hair will remain visible around the extensions, consider how your own texture will blend with the extension hair before ordering.
Get Texture & Color HelpFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mermaid waves and beach waves?
Both are loose wave styles, but mermaid waves generally have a more noticeable repeating S-shaped pattern. Beach waves are often more irregular, separated and intentionally undone.
Can you make mermaid waves with a flat iron?
Yes. Rather than simply pulling the flat iron straight through the hair, alternate the direction of the bend as you travel down the section. This creates the side-to-side movement associated with mermaid waves.
Can I use a deep waver for mermaid waves?
Yes. A deep-wave iron creates the repeating wave directly through its plate shape. The finished result is generally more uniform and structured than waves formed manually with a flat iron.
Can I use a curling iron instead?
Yes. Create loose curls, allow them to cool completely and then soften them with your fingers. An automatic curling iron may also be easier for someone who is uncomfortable rotating a flat iron through long sections.
Can human hair extensions be styled into mermaid waves?
Yes. Human hair extensions that are suitable for direct heat can be styled with a flat iron, curling iron or deep waver. Use heat protection and avoid unnecessary repeated passes over the same section.
What extension texture is best for mermaid waves?
There is no single required texture. Natural Wavy is a useful starting point when you want elongated natural movement, while Loose Curly provides more curl and volume when worn in its natural state. Consider how you intend to wear the hair between heat-styled looks as well.
Do I have to straighten wavy extensions before creating mermaid waves?
Not always. The starting texture and the finish you want determine how much smoothing is necessary. The goal is a manageable, detangled base that allows the styling tool to move cleanly through the section without excessive repeated heat.
How do I keep mermaid waves from falling immediately?
Allow each section to cool before separating it, avoid overloading the hair with heavy product and choose section sizes appropriate for the amount of definition you want. Hair texture, humidity and length can also affect how quickly the wave relaxes.
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Create the Waves—Then Make Them Your Own
Whether you create mermaid waves with a flat iron, automatic curling iron or deep waver, the goal is the same: soft movement that works with the length, density and texture of your hair. If you want additional length or fullness, start with human hair extensions that give you the versatility to wear the natural texture or restyle it when you want something different.