AND IT’S NOT JUST FOR SUMMER
There's a reason mermaid hair never fully goes away. It disappears for a season or two, lets us have our bob moment, our sleek low-bun era, our mob wife-inspired blowout – and then it comes crashing back in, longer and more dramatic than ever before. And right now? It's back in a BIG way.
Margot Robbie's appearance on the Wuthering Heights press tour sent the internet into a full spiral after she stepped out in mermaid waves that went viral almost instantly: a modern, crimped take on cascading waves that the internet swiftly dubbed "Wuthering Waves".
Marie Claire UK named ultra-long mermaid lengths as one of the biggest hair trends of 2025, and TikTok's #mermaidhair tag has well over a million posts and counting. The sea goddess is very much having her moment.
The only thing standing between most people and this look? Length. Because mermaid hair isn't just about waves – it's about the kind of length that moves, flows and cascades in a way that makes people stop and stare.
And that's exactly where extensions come in.
WHAT IS MERMAID HAIR, EXACTLY?
Mermaid waves are loose, cascading waves that sit somewhere between beachy texture and classic glam curls – popular for their natural movement, soft bends and the right amount of volume.
The look is romantic without being overly polished, effortless without being undone. It’s hair that looks like you’ve spent the afternoon on a boat in Saint-Tropez (when really, you’ve been watching the rain hit your office window in Sheffield).
The key elements? Length, movement and a finish that catches the light. It's a look that rewards volume and works best when the hair has real weight and flow to it – which is exactly why extensions are so well suited to achieving it.
WHY EXTENSIONS ARE A MUST FOR MERMAID HAIR
Reality check: most mermaid hair looks you see on your FYP are not entirely natural. The majority of celebrities use hair extensions to add volume and length to achieve that extra-long, wavy aesthetic.
Extensions don't just add length, though. They add the weight and movement that makes mermaid waves sit and swing the way they do. Natural hair, particularly if it's fine or mid-length, simply can't replicate that on its own.
The good thing is that both clip-in and nano ring extensions are exceptionally well suited to the mermaid hair look – for different reasons.
CLIP-INS: THE INSTANT MERMAID MOMENT
If you want mermaid hair for tonight, clip-ins are your answer. Clip-in extensions can add anywhere from two to eight inches of length in under ten minutes, and when styled correctly, they blend seamlessly with your natural hair for a finish that's completely convincing.
For the mermaid look specifically, clip-ins work best when you load up on length at the mid-sections and back, letting the additional hair fall freely through your waves. The extra weight gives the style its characteristic movement – that slow, fluid swing that defines the mermaid aesthetic.
Getting the wave:
- Once your clip-ins are in, work in sections using a wide-barrel waving iron or a large-barrel curling tong.
- Alternate the direction of each wave – one section away from the face, the next towards it – for that organic, undone finish rather than a uniform curl.
- Separate gently with your fingers rather than a brush, finish with a lightweight hair oil for shine, and let the hair fall naturally.
That's your mermaid moment.
NANO RINGS: THE EVERYDAY SEA GODDESS
For those who want to wake up with mermaid hair every single day – without clipping anything in – nano ring extensions are the answer.
Applied individually by a professional stylist with no heat and no adhesive, nano rings add length and volume that moves and behaves exactly like your natural hair.
The individual application method is particularly well suited to the mermaid look because the extensions are placed with precision throughout the hair, creating natural-looking volume and movement from root to tip rather than sitting in visible layers. The result is length and flow that looks like it simply grew that way – which is, of course, the gold standard.
Nano ring extensions also give you the freedom to style daily without any application process. Every morning is a mermaid morning.
THE STYLING FORMULA FOR PERFECT MERMAID WAVES
Regardless of whether you're wearing clip-ins or nano rings, the styling approach for mermaid waving is the same:
- Start with texture. Freshly washed, silky-smooth hair is harder to wave and harder to hold. A light spritz of texturising spray before you start gives the waves something to grip onto.
- Work in large sections. Mermaid waves are loose and generous – not tight ringlets. The larger the section, the softer and more flowing the wave. Aim for sections of around two inches.
- Alternate your direction. Waving each section in the same direction creates a uniform curl rather than a natural wave. Alternating – one section away from the face, one towards it – is what creates that organic, lived-in finish.
- Separate with fingers, not a brush. Once you've styled, run your fingers loosely through the waves to break them up slightly. A brush will separate them too aggressively and flatten the wave. Fingers keep the movement intact.
- Finish with oil. A few drops of lightweight hair oil worked through the lengths and ends adds the glossy, healthy finish that makes mermaid hair look like the real deal. It also keeps the hair looking fresh for longer between washes.
READY TO MAKE WAVES?
Whether you choose clip-ins for special occasions or nano rings for everyday drama, extensions are the secret to achieving those cascading mermaid waves that turn heads. The length is instant, the movement is undeniable and the look? Pure coastal glamour.
Dive into Hair Island's treasure trove to find your perfect match.
