Mermaid Waves

Mermaid waves are the long, defined, slightly overstated waves that became Victoria's Secret Show signature from 2010-2018. The cut is just long and blunt; the styling is everything — wide-barrel curls set in alternating directions, brushed out for the wave-not-curl shape, finished with sea-salt spray for texture and shine. The result is glossy and dramatic in a way actual ocean swimming doesn't actually produce.

They flatter oval and oblong faces — the volume around the lengths balances long faces, and the polished glossiness matches the dramatic shape. Wavy and straight hair hold the styling best; very curly hair already has its own wave pattern and doesn't need this. Hair must be at least past the shoulder for the wave to fall properly.

High styling maintenance, low cut maintenance — long blunt one-length, trimmed every twelve weeks. The waves themselves are 30-40 minutes with a wide-barrel curling iron or hot rollers. The look peaked at Victoria's Secret circa 2008-2014 (Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima at every show); the broader aesthetic still defines red-carpet and bridal styling. Cut long and one-length; the wave is styling. Ask the stylist 'long and one-length' and learn the wave technique yourself for daily wear.