17 Mermaid Hairstyles For Women
Mermaid hairstyles capture these mythical creatures’ ethereal, ocean-inspired beauty with long, flowing waves, creative braiding, and whimsical accessories.
These enchanting styles blend fantasy with wearable glamour for a magical and sophisticated look.
Ready to transform into a sea siren?
These 17 mermaid-inspired hairstyles will help you channel your inner aquatic goddess.
Explore the perfect mermaid style, from cascading waves to shell accessories, and bring enchanting ocean vibes to your everyday look.
1: Classic Mermaid Waves
This signature style features long, cascading waves with a distinctive S-pattern reminiscent of ocean currents.
The loose, flowing texture creates movement and volume that captures the essence of mermaid hair.
Create these magical waves using a three-barrel waver or by alternating the direction of your curling iron. This versatile style works beautifully with hair past shoulder length.
Enhance with salt spray for that perfect “just emerged from the sea” texture and extra dimension.
2: Pastel Ombré Mermaid Locks
This enchanting style incorporates gradient pastel colors that transition from roots to ends—typically blending blues, purples, and teals.
The oceanic color palette creates instant mermaid vibes regardless of styling.
Ask your colorist for a subtle gradient that shifts between your chosen sea-inspired shades.
This magical approach works particularly well on pre-lightened or naturally blonde hair.
Style with loose waves to enhance the dimensional color effect that mimics the varying shades of ocean depths.
3: Shell-Adorned Half-Up Style
This whimsical half-up style incorporates real or faux seashells strategically placed in a partially secured arrangement.
The oceanic accessories create authentic mermaid charm while the loose bottom section maintains flowing length.
Gather the top portion of your hair and secure it with pins before adding small shells throughout the twisted or braided section.
This balanced style offers practical wearability with fantasy elements.
Choose smaller shells that won’t weigh your hair down for comfortable all-day wear with a magical oceanic flair.
4: Fishtail Braid Mermaid Plait
This aptly named braid creates a distinctive herringbone pattern reminiscent of a fish’s skeleton.
The intricate weaving creates texture and dimension, perfect for channeling mermaid aesthetics.
Divide your hair into two sections, then repeatedly take small pieces from one section and cross them to the opposite side.
This detailed technique creates an eye-catching braid with oceanic appeal.
Add small pearl pins throughout for extra mermaid magic that catches the light like underwater treasures.
5: Wet-Look Slicked Waves
This sleek style creates the appearance of perpetually wet, just-emerged-from-the-sea hair.
The high-shine finish with textured waves perfectly embodies the mermaid who’s stepped onto land.
Apply styling gel to damp hair and scrunch for defined waves with high shine. This editorial-inspired look creates a major impact with minimal effort.
The slick texture maintains its shape all day while providing distinctive mermaid vibes for special occasions.
6: Seaweed Twist Updo
This creative updo incorporates multiple twisted sections arranged to mimic underwater seaweed formations.
The dimensional style creates an aquatic-inspired texture with a sophisticated structure.
Create several twisted sections and arrange them in overlapping patterns, securing them with pins.
This artistic approach offers mermaid vibes in a more formal, event-ready package.
Add small pearls or rhinestone pins throughout to mimic bubbles or water droplets caught in underwater plants.
7: Oceanic Braided Crown
This regal style features a braid that wraps around your head like a crown, adorned with small sea-inspired accessories.
The circular arrangement creates magical mermaid vibes with practical hair containment.
Create a substantial braid along your hairline, continuing around to form a complete circle.
This majestic style works beautifully for both casual and formal occasions.
Incorporate small starfish accessories, pearls, or blue-toned flowers to enhance the oceanic inspiration.
8: Mermaid Bubble Ponytail
This playful style incorporates a segmented ponytail with multiple “bubbles” resembling water air pockets.
The unique texture creates visual interest with a distinct mermaid character.
Create a ponytail, then place additional covered elastics every few inches down the length, gently pulling each section outward. This distinctive style creates magical volume with simple techniques.
Add metallic threads woven through the bubbles for extra mermaid-inspired shine and dimension.
9: Pearl-Studded Waves
This elegant style features loose waves adorned with pearl pins throughout.
The oceanic accessory creates an authentic mermaid charm, while the waves provide the signature flowing texture.
Create loose waves throughout your hair, then strategically place small pearl pins at varying heights.
This sophisticated approach offers wearable mermaid magic appropriate for special events.
Choose varying sizes of pearl accessories to mimic natural sea pearls for authentic underwater treasure vibes.
10: Rope Braid Mermaid Tail
This unique style incorporates two twisted strands to create a rope-like braid reminiscent of a mermaid’s tail.
The twisted texture creates a distinctive dimension with oceanic inspiration.
Create by dividing hair into two sections, twisting each clockwise, then twisting them together counterclockwise.
This simplified technique creates impressive results with minimal braiding skills required.
The rope pattern naturally creates a scale-like texture that perfectly captures mermaid tail aesthetics.
11: Shell-Inspired Hair Painting
This artistic approach uses temporary or semi-permanent colors to incorporate hand-painted sections in shell-inspired patterns.
The detailed painting creates authentic mermaid vibes with customizable creativity.
Ask your colorist for strategically placed color in patterns that mimic seashell formations. This creative technique works on all hair colors with varying levels of subtlety.
The painted sections create a magical dimension that shifts with movement, resembling shells caught in flowing underwater currents.
12: Waterfall Braid with Wave Cascade
This flowing style incorporates a waterfall braid along the crown with loose, cascading waves throughout the rest.
The combined techniques create dimension with appropriate oceanic naming and aesthetics.
Create a waterfall braid around the crown, allowing strands to “fall” from the braid like water, with waves styled throughout the remaining hair.
This dimensional approach offers structured detail with flowing movement.
The waterfall technique perfectly embodies the oceanic inspiration at the heart of mermaid styling.
13: Crimped Mermaid Texture
This voluminous style uses crimping techniques to create tight, zig-zagging waves throughout.
The dramatic texture mimics the rippled patterns found on seashells and ocean floors.
Use a crimping iron on different-sized sections for varied texture throughout your hair. This bold approach creates maximum impact with a distinctive mermaid character.
Focus crimping on mid-lengths to ends for a more wearable, modern interpretation of this classic mermaid texture.
14: Glitter-Infused Side Sweep
This glamorous style incorporates hair-safe glitter throughout a side-swept arrangement.
The sparkling additions mimic the way sunlight catches water droplets on a mermaid’s hair as she emerges from the sea.
Apply styling gel with mixed-in glitter to damp hair, directing all hair to one side in a dramatic sweep.
This showstopping approach creates a magical impact for special occasions.
Choose biodegradable glitter in blues, silvers, and iridescent tones for authentic ocean-inspired shimmer.
15: Conch Shell Twist
This sculptural style creates a spiral arrangement reminiscent of a conch shell’s interior pattern.
The twisted formation creates a distinctive shape with a clear oceanic inspiration.
Gather hair to one side, twist from the base, and wrap in a spiral pattern, securing with pins. This architectural approach offers high-impact mermaid vibes for special events.
The spiral pattern naturally creates a shell-like dimension that perfectly captures underwater aesthetics.
16: Net-Entangled Updo
This creative style incorporates decorative netting or mesh material woven through an updo.
The unique accessorizing references fishing nets that might become entangled in a mermaid’s hair.
Create a textured updo, then weave thin decorative netting throughout, securing with pins.
This artistic approach offers editorial-worthy mermaid styling with distinctive character.
Choose netting in gold or sea-toned colors for the most authentic oceanic reference.
17: Multi-Colored Mermaid Braid
This vibrant style incorporates multiple oceanic colors woven into an intricate braid. The combined techniques create dimension with maximum mermaid impact.
Create a Dutch or fishtail braid with pre-colored hair or add temporary colored hair extensions before braiding.
This showstopping approach offers a high-impact mermaid transformation.
The braid pattern showcases the multiple colors perfectly, creating a scale-like effect reminiscent of a mermaid’s tail.
Conclusion
Mermaid hairstyles allow you to bring magical oceanic inspiration to your everyday look.
Whether you choose flowing waves, intricate braids, or sea-inspired accessories, these enchanting styles transform you into the mythical sea goddess you were born to be.
