How To Use A Hair Waver With Hair Extensions

Straight or untouched hair can become a bit monotonous, especially if you’re looking to add some extra life and body to your locks. When you think of heated styling tools like curling irons, it may seem like a lot of effort when it comes to choosing the right one, especially if you regularly wear hair extensions or experiment with your hair a lot, but the truth is, there has always been something so alluring about beachy, mermaid waves – which is why we can’t seem to keep our hands off of today’s answer to them: hair wavers!

Ready to get wavy? We’ll be giving you all the tips and tricks on how to use a hair waver, as well as the best hair waver and wavy hair products on the market right now so you can create salon-worthy mermaid waves at home.

What Is A Hair Waver?

A hair waver is typically a three-barrelled heated styling tool, not to be confused with their close, single-barrelled relative, the curling iron. Hair wavers are designed to give you gorgeous, tousled waves in minutes, and can be used on natural hair and extensions allowing you to blend your hair extensions into your own locks seamlessly.

How To Use A Hair Waver

If your aesthetic fits more laidback, flatter waves, you’ll want to hold your waver vertically as you wave your hair, so your waves are less defined. Start by applying our heat protectant spray, before beginning the styling at your roots. Clamp the waver on to small sections of hair, holding on for a few seconds at a time before moving down towards the ends. This will create waves that are far flatter for a more relaxed feel. Leave an inch straight at the roots and ends for an even looser, undone style.

On the flip side, if you want voluminous, deeper waves that last for hours, you’ll want to hold your hair waver horizontally as you wave your hair. Again, begin at your roots and clamp the waver on to small sections of hair, holding for just a few seconds before moving down towards the end and slowly releasing. This creates a more defined wave and gives your hair and extensions more volume and movement, especially at the top of your head and around the face.

If you’re planning on wearing clip in extensions with a mermaid wave look, make sure you apply your clip ins first before using your hair waver, and wave your natural hair and extensions together to create a neat and immaculate blend.

Dubbed by many as a mermaid hair waver, those with medium and long hair are guaranteed to see the best results. However, a hair waver for short hair is also possible if you’re worried your locks are too short, with various versions available suitable for all hair lengths. If you have a bob or shoulder length hair, start with straight hair, and begin by styling the bottom section of your hair. Part your hair horizontally and clip the top section of your hair up with a sectioning clip to keep it out of the way. Take a one-to-two inch section of hair from the bottom section with your waver and clamp down once before slowly releasing.

Once you’re finished adding waves and volume to the bottom half, unclip the top half and again take a one-to-two inch section of your hair and clamp down while making sure to avoid going too close to your roots. Clamp down for a few seconds, before moving the wave down towards the ends, ensuring your waves are in line with one another in both sections. If you’re after more length to add to the mermaid vibe, why not try our seamless clip in extensions? Available in a wide range of rich, luscious colours, including our Funky Shades, you can achieve the boho, Cali girl hair of your dreams.

If it’s your first time rocking longer hair with hair extensions, or you’re simply stumped when it comes to new looks, you can choose from these 18 Easy Hairstyles For Long Hair, giving you everything from big, bouncy curls to sophisticated Dutch braids.

Beach waves are also a great base for other casual, bohemian hairstyles like loose braids or half up half down hairstyles. Alternatively, if you want to try a stylish wavy updo with your hair waver, then adding a clip in ponytail is another great way of incorporating waves into your look. For this hairstyle, we find it easier to style and wave your wrap around ponytail extension before applying it for more accuracy, but you can also wave it whilst it’s in your hair too!

For more wavy inspo, check out our latest hair blog How To Get Beach Waves: Your New Summer Style Unlocked.

Wavers VS Crimpers

Is a crimper and waver the same thing? Although hair crimpers and hair wavers work in a similar way, crimpers are ultimately much smaller in size compared to wavers, and tend to create tighter waves, instead of a looser, more casual mermaid wave look. Crimpers were a fundamental part of hairstyling in the 80s, 90s and even the early 2000s, but are on the rise once again, having given themselves a modern makeover, with many 2024 crimped hairstyles being paired with gelled edges, long, dramatic extensions, sparkly hair accessories and vintage Y2K inspired outfits to match.

But when it comes to versatility, hair wavers are unparalleled, providing you with effortless beachy, mermaid waves, giving you more control of the extent of your waves, and the final look you want to achieve. For a shade match, our model Hannah wears our 16” Seamless Clip Ins in the shade Soft Bronze Balayage.

Image credit: www.mermadehair.co.uk

For a wide collection of hair wavers, Mermade Waver is one of the best brands available on the market, offering a stylish, affordable mermaid hair waver, amongst other heated styling tools that are suitable for all hair types. The highly famous 32mm, triple-barrelled Pro Hair Waver is loved by celebs and hairstylists around the globe, and is ideal for anyone who struggles to wave or curl their hair, halving the time of your typical wavy hair routine.

If you fancy staying on theme, we’ve got some whimsical, beachy hairstyle looks that are completely mer-made for each other! Have a peek at our guide on the top 10 Mermaid Hairstyle Ideas that you can try this summer.

Best Sea Salt Sprays For Wavy Hair Looks

For any mermaid hair waver look, you’ll want to invest in the right products to keep your waves intact, gracing your locks with a textured, lived in look that doesn’t appear frazzled or unkempt, but more a chic, surfy vibe as if you’ve just let your hair dry naturally after a relaxing swim in the ocean. Here’s our three top picks:

BondiBoost Volumising Sea Salt and Texture Spray

Image credit: www.bondiboost.co.uk

This texture sea salt spray is said to tame and accentuate your waves, making it the perfect accompaniment to any hair waver or heated styling tool.

Shop now: BondiBoost Sea Salt Spray

OGX Texturising Leave In Moroccan Sea Salt Spray

Image credit: www.boots.co.uk

If you’re looking to add beautiful undone waves and weightless body and texture to your hair, look no further than this budget-friendly, leave-in Moroccan sea salt spray, offering you natural, flexible control with your tresses.

Shop now: OGX Texture Moroccan Sea Salt Wave Spray

R+Co Rockaway Sea Salt Spray

Image credit: www.facethefuture.co.uk

This spray is formulated to volumise and refresh your hair simultaneously. Creating a ‘fresh from the beach’ look, this product is a little on the pricier side, but totally worth it if you’re looking to rejuvenate texture, strengthen your locks and restore any fading hair colour, all while boasting an intoxicating citrus and amber-infused scent.

Shop now: R+Co Rockaway Sea Salt Spray

Conclusion:

At last, you’ve found the solution to all of your wave worries, meaning there’s no need to sleep with a wet top knot at night or finger curl your locks in the hope of some last-minute waves. Instead, you can take comfort in the fact if you follow all of our advice and hair hacks, mermaid waves are possible in just a few minutes thanks to hair wavers. Try out our styling routines and the refreshing sea salt sprays above for full-bodied, to-die-for waves every time!

To keep your waves healthy and hydrated, you can always count on our Quench The Thirst haircare range. Shop now for the ultimate deep moisture shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and more!