When it comes to hair trends, mermaid hair is synonymous with summer. The sun is out, we drop the thermal styling tools and let our hair live a little more wild and free than during the winter months. And when it comes to the trend setting standard this year, look no further than Halle Bailey, star of Disney’s new live action, “Little Mermaid”.
Here are some summer hairstyles inspired by celebs:
Halle Bailey, THE Real Life Ariel!
For the film The Little Mermaid, Oscar nominated celebrity hairdresser and “extensionist to the stars”, Camille Friend spent 12 to 14 hours and a whooping $150,000 to wrap Bailey’s natural hair with three-toned 30-inch long hair extensions. The result? A beautiful fusion of traditional mermaid hair that stayed true to Bailey’s natural hair. Since $150k is bank-breaking, we recommend you check out other summer hairstyles in this page.
Amanda Seyfried’s Disco Waves
During the 2023 MET Gala, Amanda Seyfried rocked a classic 1970s hairstyle: a clean center part in balayage blonde with teased curly waves. The trick to this look is to get the shine with the teasy volume which requires little more than hair oil, a working hairspray and old school foam rollers to get long ribbony waves. If you have curly hair, you can achieve this look seamlessly by using curly hair extensions, so many options to achieve your perfect summer look.
Suki Waterhouse’s “Hamptons” Mermaid Hair
With summer get togethers and party season just about to begin, mermaid hair doesn’t ALL have to be all about the wave. Suki Waterhouse stepped out for the Revolve Festival back with a hair look perfect for a little more formal day at the beach (or the backyard). In an “expensive brunette”, a center part and curtain bangs that frame the face, tumble down with a little bend to the hair, but sleekly composed.
Sydney Sweeney’s “Pam Anderson” Hair
Made popular by actress and model Pamela Anderson on the hit show Baywatch, actress Sydney Sweeney drew inspiration from the icon’s 90’s hair in this look at 2023 MET Gala. Big, bold, wavy blonde hair with an off center part tumbling down over the shoulders, this mermaid hair look needs little more than a leave-in conditioner or a sea salt spray! Extend your mermaid-like length with wavy hair extensions, be the Ariel that you've always wanted to be.
A few weeks later, she showed another way you can rock this hair length with taking down the volume and going all in on a “just out of the pool look”, piecey texture and loads of hair shine.
Kim K’s Mermaid Bedhead Hair
Not all of us can have a longtime friend and celebrity stylist like Chris Appleton in our pockets like Kim Kardashian does, but we can certainly draw inspiration for the way he constantly gets her hair SO right. Calling this bedhead mermaid hair look, “undone texture”, it’s often really hard to get this look to work at home in a way that doesn’t look mussed or messy. Appleton’s advice? “Don’t overwork the hair - sometimes less is more.”
Kloe Kardashian’s Wet Hair Look
Not to be outdone by her sis, Khloe Kardashian has switched over to a beautifully graduated ombre hair look for summer. Looking like she just stepped out the pool, the wet hair look involves a lot of leave-ins to slick the hair down, followed by some twists to give it that bendy look. It’s a look that works for anyone!
Whitney’s Peak’s Natural Texture Mermaid Hair? YES!
Actress Whitney Peak is showing that for natural textured queens, mermaid hair can work for you! No matter what curl type you have (even kinky curly hair), sectioning and crimping can give you the kind of “splash to the surface” voluminous look of the Little Mermaid. Keep that frizz down and gel down the baby hairs along the hairline for a statement making look. Achieve this look by using textured hair extensions, you'll be amazed by the possiblities!
Zoey Deutch’s 90’s Model Hair
When celebrities took to the beach in the 90s, chances are they all sported this look at some point. Sun-bleached hair with dark, shadowy roots…just like Zoey Deutch’s look here, with a side part, bumped volume at the crown and tumbling, face hugging waves. Unlike the classic Pamela Anderson look, this one leans more into a chicer, more composed style with loads of volume.
Ciara’s Ultimate Queen of the Sea
If there was a crown for Queen of All the Oceans, it would go to singer Ciara. With waist-length hair tumbling all the way down to her waist, she looked absolutely stunning in a post she shared days ago. Aside from the sheer amount of hair along that rivals the amount Halle Bailey rocked for Disney, it’s the shiny, sleek and teasy volume that makes this look oh so extra.
The BOHO Braid
Okay... Enough of these celebrity-inspired hairstyles. You may be thinking that there's no way for you to achieve those looks, so you're looking for a hairstyle that fits YOU. Why not try the BOHO braid?
What makes bohemian or “boho” braids so iconic is their laid-back looseness that is casual, yet fun and feminine. Pairing these with waves, curls, and a hint of eyeliner and you have a style and overall look that works for formal get-togethers and days at the beach. If you want to achieve this summer look, follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Start with a clean parting in the middle of the head. Since you need to get a little grip to braid effectively, use flexible hold mousse with a little Perfect Locks Inspire Silk Serum or a working hairspray, and work throughout the lengths and ends. Blow-dry in 1 inch wide sections using a large round brush and concentrate on the roots to volume.
- Step 2: Taking 1-inch sections, begin on either side part, and French braid the hair forward and continue down to the ends of the hair, finishing with a clear elastic.
- Step 3: Finish the other plait (braid) and spray the long vertical sections with a heat protectant spray. Curl towards the face, clipping the curl as you go and allow it to set. Use a round carrel curling iron or a wider styling wand.
- Step 4: After the curls have set in, clip them, and brush with a large Denman brush to create a softer wave.
- Step 5: When the curls are finished, take both plaits and pull them out gently to give them a wider appearance. Clip them to the back of the head just below the crown.
- Step 6: Give the whole style a light mist of flexible hairspray to finish.
TIP: Tape-In Hair Extensions are practically seamless and can add loads of fullness and volume to your look. They're also lightweight and painless to have professionally installed.
The Fishtail Braid
One of the most stunning braids that always go viral is the fishtail braid, which dates back to Ancient Greece. They were a popular style of the “maidens of Karyai”, an ancient town of Peloponnese, and resembles a traditional French braid.
- Step 1: Start with a clean center part in the middle of the head again. Next, grab the section of hair you want to fishtail and split that section in half, holding one section in each hand.
TIP: You can use a rubber band to secure the hair in a ponytail and this prevents the braid from unraveling while you work. Once the hair is secure, split the tail evenly in half and continue the steps below. When you are done, you can carefully cut the rubber band for a perfect fishtail!
- Step 2: Cross a little bit of hair from the first section and add it to the second. Grab a tiny section of hair (the smaller, the more fishtail-like the braid will be) from the outside of the ponytail in the right hand and cross it over top, joining it together with the section of hair in your left hand.
- Step 3: Repeat, crossing a small bit of hair from the left section, and adding it to the right side. Continue the same action in step 2, but start with the opposite section.
- Step 4: Continue with small sections of hair, crossing them over and joining them to the other half until you have reached the bottom of the hair.
- Step 5: Use a small hair tie to secure the ends of the hair. Wrap a small piece of hair from the tail around the hair tie to hide it and pin the hair in place. Done!
TIP: Fusion I-Tip Hair Extensions offer great flexibility and movement, and are practically undetectable when creating unique hairstyles like this. They do need to be professionally installed, but the end result is pure gorgeousness!
Waterfall Braid
Braids are the perfect style for those hot summer days. If your natural hair is lacking in volume or length, simply add in a few clip-ins to take your look from fine to fab! Maia is shown wearing our wavy #33 dark auburn clip-in hair extensions. Maia strategically placed three pieces in her hair to give her hair a bit of extra volume. It is important to be mindful of wear the pieces are placed depending on the braid you choose as you don’t want any of the pieces to show through your braided style.
Summer Hair Accessory Guide
Besides the incredible hairstyles above, don’t forget that summer also highlights the need for hair accessories! A hair accessory can be added to a boho-chic hairstyle for an easy, breezy summer vibe and compliment the most stylish of outfits.
Here are some hair accessory you can use this summer:
A Classic Bow
No hair toolbox would be complete without a classic bow. Use a big bow or a small bow, and make sure it matches the rest of your ensemble. Choose something vibrant, so it matches your beautiful personality. This one is easy to put in your natural hair or your clip-in hair extensions, double it up for double the fun! You can never have enough bows with all of the flavors available.
Yoga Headband
Etsy / via TrueNorthCollection
Yes, summer is a great time to get your fit on, and what better way to go to Yoga class then by wearing a chic Yoga headband. And yes, we know what you are thinking. If your hair and hair extensions haven’t been washed — let’s say — for 5 days, a headband like this will be perfect to hide those greasy roots. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone your secret.
A Bow Clip
via Forever 21
Don’t be afraid to embrace a sweet, sweet trend like wearing a bow clip. A medium sized bow can be placed underneath a bun, on top of your bun, or a smaller bow can be clipped right near your bags, or even used to hold your clip-in bangs gently back. This hairstyle topped off with a bow is certainly sweet and flirty!
A Simple Headband
Nothing says elegance like a beautiful headband. It's super easy to accessorize with it too, simply get a matching bracelet and you've made any outfit complete. Now, we couldn't even begin to count the endless number of headbands we'd recommend, but to add one in all you need to do is pull back your hair extensions and slide it over. It'll keep your hair in place and have you looking like the true queen that you are.
Chevron Shape with Bobby Pins
This is actually something you can do yourself by using bobby pins! Achieve a super cool chevron shape in your perfect locks by sliding one bobby pin into your hair followed by another one that will go through the end of the first pin. Be sure to keep your bobby pins on the outside of your hair so you can achieve this cool effect. After you’ve secured your angle feel free to do as many as you would like for a full chevron effect.
Wrapping a Scarf Around a Messy Bun
via A Beautiful Mess
For some added style, try wrapping a head scarf around a messy bun. Not only will it add some colorable fashion to your hairstyle, it’ll become your go to style this summer when you don’t feel like doing your hair. A hair accessory can become your winning ticket to feeling beautiful because you’re trying something fresh and new.
Wrapping a Scarf behind Natural Hair
Looking for different scarf tricks? This one is easy for natural hair or if you have a hair extension weave. Simply pull you hair up a bit and wrap a nice silk scarf behind your head. You'll have a simple, beautiful, elegant look in a matter of no time. This is a timeless classic that works with all hair types. You must try it!
Hanging Chain Headband
via lovemaegan.com
if you want to be Coachella fabulous, try adding some hanging chains to your hairstyle. This is the perfectly dramatic enhancement to give you this free-bird feelings. You'll need the following: A circular headband, silver and gold chains, jump rings, and beading pliers. It's super easy to create this piece yourself, simply hop on over to Lovemeagan.com and she'll show you the step by step. Make sure you whip up your own hanging chain headband, no summer is complete without it.
Flower Crown
You don't have to live in the 70's for this evergreen look. A flower crown makes you one with Mother nature. She's beautiful, so you should wear her! It's the most natural hair accessory ever, and you'd be missing out if you didn't wear one every once in a while. This is biodegradable fashion with color and texture. It'll be a big hit.
Summer Hair Colors For You
Hygge
Pronounced "hoo-ga," in a word it represents the national DNA and philosophy of the country of Denmark, the nation ranked globally as of the world’s happiest countries…despite long winters. Hygge is defined as a “quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).”
As a counterpoint to the extended cold, the Danes surround themselves with things that are both cozy, warm, and comfortable. That soul-fulfilling feeling you experience when wrapping yourself in a fluffy blanket before a fire, wearing super-soft socks, or even sipping a rich and foamy latte is hygge. This philosophy became a major trend in American in 2017 and has been shaping everything from textile production to home décor and yes…even hair color and hair extensions!
Rocking Hygge Life With Extensions
Where hair is concerned we’re seeing a return to warm, buttery and transitional shades: golds, bronzes, and caramel-hued browns. Here at Perfect Locks, we have 2 popular custom-blended ombré Series in 3 different textures to let you live the hygge life this summer. We even have easy ombré hair extensions you can clip-in yourself, easy-peasy!
The Half and Half Ombré
There is nothing more striking that a buttery, golden brown base transitioning to the sea kissed platinum blonde that is so often seen on the beaches of California. This half and half looks strikes the perfectly balanced between brown and blonde with a seamless transition that frames the face.
Toffee Brownie Ombré
When it comes to comfort, ooey-gooey brownies topped with a toffee and caramel layer as hygge as you can get. Starting with a rich caramel brown base, these extensions transition to a honey-hued blonde that is as striking as it is beautiful.
This summer is yours for the taking, so don’t be afraid to experiment with new hairstyles, accessories, and looking and feeling your very best.
