We’ve straightened, we’ve curled, we’ve plopped. Now, the likes of Molly Mae from Love Island have made mermaid hair and beach waves en vogue. If you’re looking to jump onto this trend, you’re going to need to grab one of our picks of the best hair waver tools and irons.
According to Salon64 stylist Bradley Deeming, “the reason behind the shift towards waves, away from the more traditional curl, is because it is a much softer and younger look.”
There’s also something about effortless about laid-back waves that leave you looking like you’re set for a sunny holiday. Especially when lockdown has prevented us from heading for tropical climes.
The good news is that it’s a very quick and easy style to recreate at home, explains Deeming. He goes on to say that “the key rule is everything from the front hairline to the ear needs to be curled back away from the face.”
After this, you can mix up the direction in which you curl your hair, to create that natural wavy finish. Depending on how you like your finished result, you can brush the curls out with either your fingers or a brush, as you would after curling your hair.
Bradley recommends using a volume spray when recreating a waved look as “this helps to build texture into the hair and help with hold, especially on soft hair.” He also advises finishing with a dry texture spray to “really lock down the texture”.
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£90 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Why we love it: This High Tide waver is perfect for long locks as the barrels are the right size to combat all that hair. Also great for those with thick hair, this hair tool leaves you with crimped waves that will last for hours after.
Due to the retro crimp style, even when the waves begin to drop throughout the day or night, the volume does remain. Music to girls with long, thick hair’s ears, you can master the beachy waves look with ease thanks to this hair appliance. The High Tide Deep Waver has three barrels and negative ion technology to ensure that it’s all waves and no frizz too.
Buy now from Beauty Bay
£32.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Why we love it: Hairstyling tools can be an expensive investment, especially when trends change so quickly. So if you’re someone who isn’t 100% sold on waving your hair, Toni & Guy is here to help.
Its !Hello Day! 2-in-1 Curling Waver offers you the option of curling your hair – in the traditional sense – or you can give it soft waves.
Enjoy loose curls or beach waves with this 2-in-1 barrel which allows you to wave your hair or use it as a curling wand. Another plus of this appliance is that you can select the right amount of heat you need based on the last time you washed your hair with the tool’s Wash Day, Second Day, and Third Day settings.
Buy now from Amazon
£125 | Buy now from Current Body
Why we love it: This entry in our best hair waver tool list earns points for its stylish look; that white and rose gold combination will look great placed on any dressing table.
It also has great hair-waving credentials, too. The T3 BodyWaver creates voluminous waves but ensures a smooth finish, thanks to its hollow barrel design, with Tourmaline SinglePass Radial Technology.
Even those of us with thick hair, and lots of it, can jump on the waved hair bandwagon with this tool, which has no problem creating and working with volume.
The temperature control and lightweight design mean you can style your hair with those effortless waves and each section of hair needs only be curled once – although the barrel design does take some time to get used to. It’s also not cheap, but we think it’s worth it.
Buy now from Current Body
£70 | Buy now from Beauty Bay
Why we love it: Ideal for those wanting those subtle, tousled waves, this waver from Beauty Works uses its three barrels to create the waves. Known for creating the enviable ‘S’ shape of a wave in your hair, this waver certainly did not disappoint. It’s also the one endorsed by Molly Mae.
Designed specifically for all hair lengths, it’s quick and easy styling with this appliance and no frizz thanks to the ceramic-coating. The barrels offer a strong grip, which is perfect for those with thicker tresses, and their size means it’s not a long process at all.
Buy now from Beauty Works
Why we love it: Another styler that creates effortless mermaid waves, giving your hair shape and movement.
Powered by an Advanced Ceramics heating system, the high heat and ceramic plates offer instant results. Easy to use, there are also three heat settings to help you achieve those sleek, yet tousled waves with minimal damage. This particular waver appears to work best on short hair, as the barrel is a lot more manageable, allowing for long-lasting waves down your hair.
Buy now from Lookfantastic
£49.99 | Buy now from Boots
Why we love it: If you’re dead set on the wave trend but not sure what kind of wave you’ll be feeling, the PROLuxe 4-in-1 Adjustable Waver is for you.
The adjustable barrel gives the freedom to create four different styles – all equally effortlessly. You can easily change the barrel depth, depending on whether you’re trying to style a loose, beachy look or something more defined.
The OPTIheat technology in this waver provides heat where it is needed most, to make your waves last for as long as possible. It says for 24 hours but if you’ve got thicker hair, it might be worth going for the more defined waves to ensure they last as long as possible.
Buy now from Boots
Amira Arasteh is a freelance journalist and content creator. Find her making sense of beauty trends, tips and topics – when she’s not stuffing her face with the best food in London or travelling the globe
