Crimped Mermaid Waves 2026: Step-by-Step Style Guide

By Emily Chen · Updated July 28, 2026 · 8 min read

In This Guide

• What are crimped mermaid waves?
• Why this style is dominating 2026
• Which tool to use: L01, M01, or L05
• Temperature guide for every hair type
• 5-step crimped mermaid waves tutorial
• Style comparison: mermaid vs beach vs tight crimp
• Do's and don'ts
• 5 pro tips for longer hold
• FAQ: mermaid waves crimping
• Try the look

Crimped hair in 2026 is not the crunchy zigzag you remember from 2008. The trend that is genuinely everywhere right now is crimped mermaid waves — looser, more dimensional, and built with intention. The result is a beachy, S-shaped texture that looks like a saltwater swim, but with the volume and hold of a real crimp pass.

What are crimped mermaid waves?

Crimped mermaid waves are a hybrid texture: a crimper creates the S-pattern, but the crimp is applied only to the mid-lengths and ends, never the roots, and the sections are slightly stretched and brushed out after cooling. The result is a soft, irregular wave that catches light like a wave in shallow water. They differ from a 2010-era all-over crimp (tight, root-to-tip, crunchy) and from a classic beach wave (gentle, not very dimensional).

The texture works on:

• Medium to long hair (collarbone and below)
• Fine to medium density
• Straight or soft natural wave
• Highlighted or balayage color (the S-pattern shows dimension in layered color)

It is less ideal on very short hair (under 4 inches of length to work with) and on tight coils without first stretching the hair.

Why this style is dominating 2026

1. The shape is forgiving. The S-pattern is irregular on purpose, so it does not need to look perfect to look good. A beginner can do it.
2. The volume is real. Unlike a flat-iron wave that flattens by hour three, crimped waves hold their lift because the texture is set into the cuticle, not just bent around it.
3. It pairs with the 2026 color story. Layered, dimensional color (bronde, vanilla chai, cinnamon chocolate) shows up beautifully in a crimp pattern.

Which tool to use: L01, M01, or L05

All three FIFN tools can make mermaid waves, but they give very different results:

For most people making crimped mermaid waves in 2026, the L01 25mm hair crimper is the right tool. The 25mm plates give a wide enough S-pattern to read as "mermaid" rather than "tight crimp."

Temperature guide for every hair type

5-step crimped mermaid waves tutorial

Step 1: Start with clean, fully dry hair (8 minutes)

Wash, towel-dry, blow-dry or air-dry completely. Crimping damp hair causes sizzle and damage. Mist with a heat protectant from roots to ends, then comb through. Section hair into 4 quadrants — two in front, two in back — and clip the upper sections out of the way.

Step 2: Crimp the back-bottom sections first (10 minutes)

Starting at the nape, take a 1-inch wide section. Open the L01 plates, place the section between them starting 2-3 inches below the root, and close firmly. Hold 5-6 seconds, release, then move down the section 1 inch and crimp again. Continue to the ends. Work upward through the back, then move to the sides, saving the face-framing pieces for last.

Step 3: Vary the crimp direction (3 minutes)

This is the secret to "mermaid" versus "tight crimp." As you move up the head, alternate the angle of each crimp pass — one section angled slightly left, the next slightly right. The irregular S-pattern is what catches the light like a wave instead of looking like a stamp.

Step 4: Cool completely, then brush out (5 minutes)

Do not touch the crimped hair for at least 5 minutes. The S-pattern needs to set as it cools. Once cool, take a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush and gently comb through the mid-lengths and ends. The crimp will soften into a flowing wave. Do not brush the roots — leave the lift alone.

Step 5: Finish with a light texture spray (2 minutes)

Hold a sea-salt or texturizing spray 10 inches from the head and mist lightly. Scrunch upward with your hands at the ends. Do not use hairspray — it will crisp the texture back into a 2008 zigzag.

Total time: about 30 minutes for shoulder-length hair, 45 minutes for waist-length.

Style comparison: mermaid vs beach vs tight crimp

Do's and don'ts

5 pro tips for longer hold

1. Mist the section, not the brush. A light spritz of water on each section before you crimp helps the S-pattern lock in deeper. Then dry with a blow dryer on cool before moving on.
2. Pinch the crimp while it cools. After releasing the plates, hold the section between your fingers for 3 seconds. Body heat sets the shape faster than air cooling.
3. Skip the roots entirely. Volumizing at the root with a crimper is the single fastest way to make this style look dated. Use a dry shampoo or light backcomb at the root for lift instead.
4. Sleep on a silk pillowcase. Crimped mermaid waves survive night one on silk. On cotton, you wake up with frizz.
5. Refresh on day 2 with a curling wand. If a few waves fall flat, take a 1-inch curling wand and re-curve just those sections. Do not re-crimp — heat-stacking will damage the hair.

FAQ: mermaid waves crimping

What crimper is best for mermaid waves?

A 25mm wide crimper like the FIFN L01 hair crimper is the right pick. The wide plates give a soft, loose S-pattern that reads as "mermaid" rather than a tighter zigzag. A 9mm crimper like the L05 will give you a tighter, more Y2K-style crimp instead.

How long do crimped mermaid waves last?

With the right prep (cool set + texture spray), 2-3 days. The crimp pattern is set into the hair cuticle, not just bent around it, so it survives a sleep on silk. Day-3 is usually a "wear it as a loose wave" day, not a fresh mermaid day.

Can I get mermaid waves on short hair?

Not easily. The S-pattern needs at least 4-6 inches of length to read as a wave. For bobs and lobs, the L05 Mini gives a tighter crimp that works for short hair, but it is a different look — more 90s zigzag, less mermaid.

Do crimped mermaid waves damage hair?

At the temperatures in the table above (300-375°F) with a heat protectant, no more than any other hot tool. The risk is going over 200°C or skipping protectant, which applies to every tool.

Can I do mermaid waves without heat?

Yes — braid damp hair in 6-8 loose braids, sleep on them, and brush out in the morning. The result is a softer, less dimensional version of crimped mermaid waves.

Want more crimped hair guides? See the FIFN hair crimper blog for tutorials on beach waves, root volume, fine hair, layered cuts, and more — all written and tested by Emily Chen.