As far as we’re concerned, “Aquamarine,” played by Sara Paxton, invented the beachy waves, and we’re still here for the style.
You could go the heatless route and French braid your wet hair, but that takes time and the results aren’t always salon-quality. Using a heat-infused hair waver will require turning up the temps, but when paired with frizzy hair products, you can have those effortless beach waves that’ll make it look as though you stepped from the ocean to brunch with friends.
If you’re wondering how long this look will be around — trust us, deep waves and crimped strands aren’t going anywhere, as big hair is here to stay.
Before you wave hello to your new beauty tool though, we spoke with Mariah Molina an editorial hair stylist and hair artist at Soho’s DopDop Salon to understand the different kinds of waves you can create with the tool along with other tips on how to use a hair waver.
To live out our mermaid hair dreams, we searched the internet high and low for the best hair waver tools — no ocean required.
Click below to jump to our FAQ with the hair expert:
It only seems right that the Mermade Hair PRO Waver be first in this list. Designed with three deep barrels and ceramic material, mermaid hair has never been easier to achieve.
Perfect waves are just a click away with this ceramic, rotating curler. Various sizes and product patterns are available to match your desired style.
We know this automatic CHI hair tool is a curler, but it achieves flawless waves just as well. How do we know? Well, we put it to the test here, and it’s practically a Dyson dupe.
With three large barrels, beachy waves can be achieved in seconds. Temperatures reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit while still being gentle on the hair.
If you have shorter or thinner hair, this is the waver for you. This triple barrel waver is easy to use and creates shiny waves.
Say hello to multiple heat settings, long-lasting waves and worldwide dual voltage. And can we talk about the striking neon green? We have heart eyes for days!
If we know anything, it’s that Drybar does hair right. Their interchangeable styling kit comes in their iconic yellow and grey colors and features three various curler heads
Are you ready for some serious hold? This Bed Head find is made with tourmaline ceramic to protect your hair from heat damage, offers quick styling and comes in a stunning gradient design.
Take your hair game to the next level with this Alure curling iron wand. It heats up quick and gets the job done.
Whether you have fine, medium or thick hair, you’ll love this Bed Head waver. Simply wrap your hair through the barrels and unlock your best hair yet.
For deeper more relaxed waves, pick up amika’s High Tide Deep Waver as it comes with three large barrels that will give you that effortless look — minus the frizz.
Consider this your golden ticket to gorgeous waves as it lets you control how you want your waves to look. The triple barrel will create some S-shaped waves that, when resting, will look as though you walked straight off the beach.
Everything looks better in pink and this hair waver proves just that. Not only will is it a stylish hair tool, but once turned on, it’ll create easy, natural-looking waves.
There a various methods to achieving big or small waves, but according to Molina a hair waver, in its simplest form, are “Extra large crimping devices, which help achieve tousled waves in a matter of minutes.”
Most commonly, these are seen as an iron with three conjoined barrels, which when applied to hair will give it the wavy appearance.
There are various different sizes too, which will determine the size of your waves.
“The closer the hair barrels are the tighter the wave will be,” she noted. “The further apart the barrels are the more loose and soft the beach wave will be.”
For beginners, a hair waver may look intimidating to use at first glance, but Molina broke down her method for achieving the beachy look. Before applying it to your hair, she suggests using a heat protectant to prevent any frizz or damage to your strands.
Once you’re all set, Molina advises to start at the roots and clamp the waver onto small sections for a few seconds before moving down towards your ends.
“This will create waves that lay flat in an S shape from side-to-side,” she told the Post. “For an even more loose, natural look leave an inch or so straight at the roots and ends.”
Molina also added that the best option for those with short hair will be a deep hair waver.
“Creating waves for short hair is simpler with deep wavers,” she said. “The hair length should still be ample to feed the hair waver for it to produce defined curls — and it will look less like creases.”
Depending on your hair type could determine whether you need to give some extra love to your strands using some styling products. If you’re looking to maintain the shape and hold, then your hair type will determine what you use.
If you have straight hair, Molina suggests applying a light cream to your strands before you reach for the hair waver.
“You want something that will give your hair hold, but won’t make it stiff,” she said. “If your strands are damp, dry them thoroughly with your blow dryer and lightly run more styling cream through your hair before you start curling.
Anyone with curly strands, according to Molina, should blow out their hair before applying the waver.
“If your hair has a tight curl [attempting to wave it beforehand] is definitely not going to do anything for you.
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