9 best mermaid wavers for achieving those trending TikTok curls
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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…
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.
Our rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: For natural, mermaid-looking waves, you’ll struggle to find a better option than this BondiBoost styler. Its three extra-large barrels all boast a tourmaline ceramic glaze, and harness the power of ionic technology to ensure that you’re left with glossy and frizz-free waves. With twenty-seven different heat settings to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect setting for your specific hair type — and once you do, you can guarantee that these defined and deep waves will stay all day.
GLAMOUR-approved: Out of all the stylers I tried, this one definitely left me with the most instantly recognisable mermaid waves. I was super impressed with how glossy my hair looked, and how the waves stayed all day — even when brushed out slightly. The tool itself takes a little bit of getting used to as it’s quite clunky — and I did often accidentally change the temperature setting mid-wave — but the results were worth it. Plus, I loved that it came with a heat-proof glove. – Georgia Lockstone, GLAMOUR Commerce Contributor
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 80°C - 210°C
- Barrel size: 32mm
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Sephora discount codes.
Our rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: If you’ve been inspired by Molly Mae or Kim K to strive for waist-length waves, then this triple-barrel tool from Beauty Works is what you need. Its ceramic coated barrels leave hair glossy and full of shine, and are the perfect size for creating iconic S-shaped waves in long locks.
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 80°C - 200°C
- Barrel size: 21mm
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Our rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: This waver is a little pricier than most of the others in this edit, but it’s definitely the one to go for if you’re after the option to style on-the-go. When fully charged, it provides up to forty minutes of cordless use — and it even comes with a handy travel storage case, and a heat protection mat and glove. It’s an ideal lightweight tool for creating effortless curls that last all day.
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 3 — 160°C, 170°C, and 180°C
- Barrel size: 21mm
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Our rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: This clever styling tool works with all hair lengths — but the slim 22mm barrels make it really well-suited to hair that’s shoulder-length or shorter. For tight yet uniform waves that look like they’re fresh from the ocean, it’s our top choice. Think ‘crimped’ — but without the frizz.
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 180°C - 210°C
- Barrel size: 22mm
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Sephora discount codes.
Remington’s PROluxe 4-in-1 Waver
Our rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: Not your typical triple-barrel waver, this multi-tasking tool lets you choose from four different wave patterns; deep and defined Hollywood waves, flowing mermaid waves, loose beachy waves, and tousled and undone waves. Really easy to use, you simply pull the dial and twist it to adjust the thickness of the barrel. It’s absolutely genius!
GLAMOUR-approved: With four different wave patterns to pick from, this styler was so fun to play around with — and at least two of them really worked with my hair. The tool itself was lightweight and arguably slightly easier to manoeuvre than a typical triple barrel styler, and the cool tip and sides made scalding my scalp far less likely. – Georgia Lockstone, GLAMOUR Commerce Contributor
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 150°C - 210°C
- Barrel size: 10mm - 30mm
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Amazon discount codes.
Revlon Wave Master Jumbo Waver
Our rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: With thirty different heat settings for you to choose from, this jumbo waver is easy to tailor to your specific hair type. The kind of waves it creates are really natural-looking and beachy, and the tourmaline ceramic coating of the barrels give the hair a really lovely shine.
GLAMOUR-approved: Of all the triple-barrel tools I tried, this one definitely left my hair looking the most glossy. It was a little bulky and sometimes fiddly to fully clamp — but once you get into the swing of it, it’s relatively straightforward to use. Most of all, I just couldn’t get over how shiny my hair looked! – Georgia Lockstone, GLAMOUR Commerce Contributor
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 30 — up to 190°C
- Barrel size: It doesn't say
- Barrel coating: Tourmaline ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Amazon discount codes.
Toni & Guy Deep Barrel Hair Waver
Our rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: For the kind of sleek and defined waves you associate with the glitz of 1920s Hollywood, this styler will get the job done. Instead of your typical barrels, it’s got ultra deep plates that create a proper bend in the hair, and the tourmaline ceramic coating ensures a glossy and glamorous finish. Quick and easy to use, it’s a great buy for beginners.
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 1 — 200°C
- Barrel size: 32mm
- Barrel coating: Tourmaline ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Amazon discount codes.
Our rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: With its ceramic waving plates, this styler looks more like a hair straightener at first glance than a waving tool. Really easy to use, simply clamp the hair between the barrels to create a slight bend in the hair — and continue down each strand for a classic crimped look.
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 3 — 160°C, 180°C, and 200°C
- Barrel size: It’s got plates instead of barrels
- Barrel coating: Tourmaline ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Amazon discount codes.
Bellissima Beach Waves Styler 2-In-1
Our rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: A brilliant 2-in-1 tool, this professional styler has double profile plates that you simply rotate to switch to a different beachy wave pattern. Simply choose from either narrow, sculpted waves, or wide and undone waves, and get to work! Plus, it comes complete with a practical thermal case that doubles as a support to rest your wand in-between uses.
GLAMOUR-approved: Although there were only three temperature settings to choose from, I found that this styler definitely worked with my hair - and the compact size of the plates definitely made it well-suited to short or shoulder-length tresses. I really liked how both types of waves looked, and was impressed that they held all day without going too frizzy. – Georgia Lockstone, GLAMOUR Commerce Contributor
Product specifications:
- Heat settings: 3 — 160°C, 180°C, and 200°C
- Barrel size: It’s got plates instead of barrels
- Barrel coating: Ceramic
Save when you shop for mermaid wavers with these Amazon discount codes.
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