50+ Magical Ways to Style Mermaid Hair for Every Hair Type (2024)

Beautifully styled and colored mermaid hair can make any girl feel like a princess. We’ve come a long way from Ariel’s long red locks being the only look under the sea! Beachy waves, fishtail braids, pastel ombre, and rainbow streaks are just the beginning of this popular aesthetic. Even girls with short hair can get in on the mermaid color trends with cool shaved-in scales and cute hair colors. Mermaid styles are going to be even more popular this year, and we can’t wait to show you all the unique hair colors and pretty new looks to inspire you.

Mermaid hair arrived on the scene a couple years ago and has been growing in popularity ever since. For some, it means long, tousled waves full of salt spray. For others, it’s pastel colored tresses, especially in shades of pink, purple, blue, teal, and turquoise. The mermaid hair look can also include braids, twists, and ponytails, as well as accessories like crowns and pearls. The key is pretty hair colors and cute hairstyles that give girls that awesome mermaid aesthetic.

50+ Breathtaking Mermaid Hair Styles to Inspire You

Highly customized hair color has been a growing trend, and the mermaid look takes it to a new, magical level. Dye technology has evolved to allow stylists to infuse hair with vibrant shades like purple and turquoise, as well as tender pastels like pink, silver, and sea foam green. Mermaid color trends are feminine and modern. They let girls display an awesome sense of style and have fun with their hair ideas.

The secret to the mermaid trend’s cute hair colors is all the new semi-permanent dyes on the market. The best new hair colors come in gels, mousses, and creams that are easier to apply than traditional liquid hair dyes. Semi-permanent hair dyes will wash out gradually, typically over 16-24 shampoos. How long the colored hair lasts depends on the condition of your hair, as well as your hair care routine after applying color. It’s vital to condition regularly and use thermal-protecting products when heat styling.

Mermaid hair is going to be even more popular in 2018, and these are some of the best, cute, easy hairstyles to inspire your new look.

1. Autumn Shades Ombre Wavy Bob

The medium-length wavy bob is here to stay. These soft waves are a great way to highlight your face, and they are relatively easy to maintain due to length. The soft waves only need minimal daily touch-ups. To recreate the look of autumn colors, the darker red and orange shades are for the middle and back strands, while the front strands will carry some bright yellows.

2. Vibrant Orange Hair With Soft Waves

A vibrant-colored hair may just be enough to brighten your day. If you are into neon or high-intensity colors, these orange waves are a perfect fit. The long-haired style ends in soft beach waves, giving a contrast to the boldness of the citrus hues. The orange waves hairstyle goes well with leather jackets and neutral attires, as well as orange nails.

3. Lavender And White Ombre Hair

How lovely is this look? The lavender and white ombre style is a delightful combination of light colors that will make you look uniquely feminine. This hair is great for adventurous sweethearts who would want a lighter shade with a splash of exciting pastel colors or rose gold hair.

4. Gray And Purple Balayage Waves

Highlighting waves are the current trend nowadays. In this style, the straighter top portion is a subdued grayish color, while the bottom waves are a vibrant purple. The gives onlookers a chance to pay extra attention to your lovely waves while giving your facial features an extra accent. Aside from purple, you can also choose strong colors such as deep red, emerald, or orange.

5. Purple and Pastel Pink Hair

Pinks and purples always look great together. This ombre makes the blending look so natural, giving a quirky yet beautiful hairstyle that goes wonderfully with soft waves. Don’t let unique colors intimidate you–who knows, it may be the style you’ll rock for years to come!

6. Pink Braided Updo with Loose Ballerina Bun

Romantic and unique! This pink style proves that a mermaid can rock a ballerina bun for dancing, working out, or just being fabulous. The style starts with hair French braided from the nape of the neck toward the crown. The rest of the hair is swept into a loose, tall bun on top and secured with pins.

7. Short Hair with Fish Scales Undercut

Girls with short hair don’t have to miss out on the popular mermaid styles. The newest idea is to shave scale patterns into very short areas of hair. In this example of short hairstyles for fine hair, the pattern continues all the way around the lower half of the head. On top, pink locks finish the amazing look. The effect is cool, unique, and very mermaid!

8. Long Fishtail Braid with Teal Hair

Make the most of gorgeous teal hair color with this feminine style. Hair needs to be texturized to thicken the strands. Girl with fine hair may need to use extensions to make this work. The teal hair is braided into a loose—but not messy—fishtail. It’s secured with pins and a few colorful flower clips to complete the look.

9. Blue Ombre Hair in Carefree Waves

There’s a lot of blue out there, but this easy hairstyle makes the most of vibrantly colored hair. Mermaid hairstyles don’t always have to be crazy or complex. For this look, coat hair with a heat-protecting product and texturizing spray. Then, use a flatiron to create messy waves, working in sections toward the face. A lot of people prefer wearing french tip nails when rocking this look.

10. Teal Hair Dye for Dark Brown Hair Colors

Pastel dyes may need a light foundation, but there are awesome hair dyes for dark hair, too. This look shows what you can do with dark hair color without completely bleaching it first. The teal hair morphs to seaweed green at the ends. Style with a high, full ponytail and subtle fish scales shaved into the nape.

11. Green and Blue with Purple Highlights

Unique hair color isn’t always simple. You’ll want the help of an experienced colorist to get these complex hair highlights just right. When you do, you’ll have pretty mermaid hair colors that look best in a nice, easy style. Show off your color trend with long, loose waves brushed into an easy hairstyle. This is a perfect look to choose with ombre nails.

12. Bright Pink Twisted Braid Updo

Mermaids should never have fussy hair. Pink tresses get a cute hairstyle in this cool updo that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The loose, twisted braid is pinned around the head, with strands pulled out and coated with gel to make them spiky. A fun style that’s just a little crazy, this hair idea shows how awesome pink mermaid styles can be.

13. Romantic Waves in Pastel Blue Hair

Pretty hair colors are best shown off with long, flowing styles. This gorgeous hair idea makes the most of a unique hair color that’s perfect for the mermaid color trend. Silvery blue is one of our favorite shades for 2018. For weddings, proms, and other special occasions, this lovely look is enhanced with white floral hair accessories.

14. Pastel Rainbow Mermaid Hair Dye

This lovely style is perfect for the mermaid who can’t choose just one—or two or three—colors. Decorate your tresses with splashes of flirty pastels in pink, lavender, green, yellow and blue. Keep this look nice and simple with cute, easy hairstyles. Long layers are bent around a flat iron to keep this look quick and cool.

15. Purple Ombre Hair for Dark Hair Colors

Purple hair color is a cool color trend for mermaids who are more edgy than sweet. Look for a deep shade to find the right hair dye for dark hair. Lighter hair will get a more dramatic ombre effect. Show off this amazing color with an easy hairstyle like loose waves that put the spotlight on the colored hair.

16. Saturated Turquoise Hair Color with Fish Scales

For a look as lovely as the sea, use turquoise hair dye to achieve a saturated hue. This unique hair color needs only a relatively quick and easy application of dye. For extra impact, shave fish scales in back. With all colored hair, be sure to condition properly and always apply a shine product at the end.

17. Long, Flowing Green Beachy Hair

Beachy waves have never been more beautiful. Long, loose locks get a mermaid makeover with an easy, one-shade application. This shade of green—we think of it as silvery seaweed—is one of the best hair colors we’ve seen in the mermaid hair trend. Enhance the ocean-inspired style with a charming sea star hair accessory.

18. Blue Ombre Hair for Dark Hair Colors

If you’ve ever heard that brunettes can’t do mermaid color, look no further than this inspirational style! Hair dye for dark hair does take a little more planning. Your ends may need to be bleached first to achieve the blue ombre hair of your mermaid dreams. Then, show off the gorgeous color in long, loose waves.

19. Braided and Curled Turquoise Hair

As beautiful as the waves of a sunlit sea, this turquoise dye achieves maximum mermaid style. When your blue turns out this cute, keep your hair ideas simple by wearing long curls down your back. A loose fishtail braid keeps hair off the face and enhances the romantic style.

20. Blue and Platinum Mermaid Hair

Perfect for the mermaid who likes to rock and roll, this style is the ultimate in cool. Deep blue roots flow into long platinum layers for an aesthetic that’s quirky, hip, and pretty. Achieve this easy hairstyle by blow-drying on a round brush. Move your part over at the end to bump up volume in front.

21. Dark Teal Hair in Messy Braid

This intense teal hair color is pure drama. Teal hair dye is a great choice for anyone, including those with dark hair colors. Get this look by painting hair all over with one shade, or mix it up by adding hair highlights in a lighter hue. Show off the color with a messy French braid.

22. Turquoise Updo with Ombre Fish Scales

Fabulous and fun, this turquoise hair color will make you feel every inch a mermaid. Hair is saturated with a rich shade and swept up into cute matching buns. The back of the head is shaved into fish scales. Amp up the ocean aura by coloring each patch of hair a different shade of blue or green.

23. Sleek Blowout on Purple Ombre Hair

When a mermaid needs to look polished, ditch the beachy waves and go for stick-straight hair. Purple ombre hair that fades to pale blue is a gorgeous take on the mermaid color trend. This cute hair color literally shines in a sleek style accented by a loose braid across the crown.

24. Long and Luscious Purple Ombre Hair

Purple has never looked better. Deeply hued roots gradually fade to silvery lavender tips. The unique color is enhanced by the charming style. Twist a lock of hair from each side of the face and pin them together in the back. Then, make a loose braid that falls down and blends into the ends.

25. Pastel Lavender and Blue Curls

Pretty pastel shades of lavender, blue, and yellow combine in this cute hairstyle. It’s a simple take on the mermaid color trend. Natural blondes will find it easy to get hair highlights in the pastel hues. Darker hair will need to be lightened to a pale blond before the pretty colors are painted on.

26. Black and Silver Mermaid Hair

Hello, drama! For a breathtaking effect, black roots are mixed with shades of silver. Pink-orange hair highlights are added to bring a hint of sunset to the look. While the color is a showstopper, the style is just as gorgeous. Hair is twisted and formed into rose-petal buns for a unique and pretty style.

27. Pastel Ombre Rainbow Mermaid Hair

For the ultimate mermaid hair color, paint your tresses with a rainbow of pastel ombre shades. Blue, purple, pink, green, and yellow come together to make this one of the best hair colors we’ve seen in the mermaid trend. Long, soft waves show off the color. For an extra feminine touch, add a handmade flower crown.

28. Pink and Platinum Ombre Style

A subtle take on mermaid hair, this look is pretty without being over the top. Pink roots fade in strength a few inches down from the crown. The rest of the hair’s length is unique shade of platinum. The color is best shown off with easy, textured waves. Add shine serum to make this pink and platinum look glow.

29. Pink Hair in a Side Braid

Mermaid hair is so pretty in pink! This can even work with dark hair colors, depending on how deep the shade of dye is. Very dark hair may need to be lightened before the pink is applied. For a romantic style, gather hair into a loose French braid that trails down one side.

30. Dark and Dramatic Purple Waves

Go for dramatic purple hair with this deep, saturated hue. Perfect for dark hair colors, this rich shade of color is amazing. The long layers look best curled and tousled into loose waves. Apply shine spray after styling to make the purple hair look even more amazing.

31. Long Straight Sky Blue Hair

When the ocean horizon meets the sky on a sunny morning, they create a sublime shade of blue. Capture that moment of perfection with this hair idea. Long hair is lightened and then saturated with a pastel shade of blue. The unique hair color shows best in a sleek, straight style.

32. Hot Pink and Blonde Braided Hair

Mermaids with edge will love this trendy hair color on this short blonde hair. Roots go hot pink and fade to pink and blonde highlights at the ends. The effect is fun, young, and cool. Show off this medium-length style by pulling the top third of hair into a loose French braid. Pin into place and don’t be afraid to let a few strands fly free.

33. Chin-Length Rainbow Mermaid Bob

Is there such a thing as an urban mermaid? If there is, we bet she’ll rock this unique hair color! Deep rainbow hues of purple, pink, and yellow brighten every strand of this chin-length bob. Short, blunt side bangs bring a pop of color to the face. Bend hair around a flatiron for extra movement.

34. Bright and Beautiful Blue Hair

This pretty style is perfect for hair with dark roots and light ends. Blue dye is applied all over, making the roots go deep blue—nearly black. The ends lighten to an awesome shade of ocean blue. The medium length can be blow-dried into cute easy hairstyles full of mermaid magic.

35. Medium Length Soft Pink Hair

Feminine and flirty, this is one of the loveliest hair colors we’ve seen in the mermaid hair color trend. Start with light blonde hair and apply the hair dye all over. The result is charming. For a sweet style, pull back a few twists of hair and pin them in place with a pink bow.

36. Long and Sleek Pink Mermaid Hair

This nice, sweet style makes us think of cotton candy, garden roses, and of course, mermaids. Pink makes a big statement in this long, sleek look. Hair should be treated with a thermal-protecting product before being flat ironed. Apply a shine serum as the final touch.

37. Purple Highlights with Beachy Braid

This is for mermaids who want the ultimate beachy look! Fun purple highlights streak through blonde and platinum hair for a casual and whimsical style. Get this look by scrunching damp hair with salt spray—or better yet, real ocean water. Gather hair from the sides and pull back into a messy, sideways French braid.

38. Turquoise Ombre for Dark Hair Colors

Hair goes from natural to fabulous with this ocean-inspired shade of blue. Dark hair has only the lower half lightened, and then turquoise color is applied all over. The result is a mysterious dark shade from the roots extending to the shoulders. Beneath, the turquoise hair dye takes over. The result is gorgeous.

39. Pink Hair with Violet Lowlights

This amazing style stands out of the mermaid crowd. It begins with deep coral-pink color with violet lowlights. The hair dye is pulled through bleached ends, leaving the lower half of the hair length the color of rosé wine. Finally, the hair is styled in loose waves with a few curls pinned here and there to show off the color.

40. Brilliant Fuchsia Pink Mermaid Hair

Pink hair goes extreme with this incredible saturated dye job. Your hair must be an even, light color to begin with to achieve this bright shade, so it may be necessary to totally bleach your hair before applying the hair dye. The bright fuchsia pink shade is unique and would brighten nearly every skin tone.

41. Medium Length Mermaid Hair in Purple

Not every mermaid has hair down to there. Girls with shoulder length hair locks can get in on this fabulous color trend, too. The key is finding your favorite mermaid color. In this example, dark hair goes magical with shades of purple and lavender. The result is a fun aesthetic that’s all mermaid.

42. Pink, Purple, Blue and Green Hair

Fun and flirty, this style paints hair with a rainbow of mermaid colors. Each shade is vibrant and saturated. Hot pink blends into purple, which gives way to blue and finally leads to green. The ends have just a little color left, giving them a pale green, wispy effect. We love cute easy hairstyles with this color!

43. Fabulous Fuchsia Pink Ombre Waves

Long, thick hair goes gorgeous with this amazing hair dye. The color is applied over her original dark roots and lightened ends. The effect is a perfect pink ombre that transforms gradually from the deepest fuchsia to the lightest baby pink. The head-turning pink color is best shown off with long layers curled into romantic waves.

44. Purple and Pink Chin Length Bob

Short bob haircuts are perfect for fine, thin hair! The style starts with a chin-length inverted bob, with hair slightly shorter in back than front. Two shades of hair dye are applied. Purple on top blends into coral pink on the ends. The hair is then texturized and bent around a flat iron to achieve this casual look.

45. Long, Thick Dark Purple Hair

Dark, thick hair goes mermaid with this application of rich purple color. Naturally dark hair needs to be lightened first to achieve this look. The purple saturates the hair from roots to tips, with hints of pink at the lightest sections. This fabulous style looks amazing blown out and coated with shine serum, or gathered into a loose French braid.

46. Silver and Pink Waves for Fine Hair

If you thought you needed extensions to achieve mermaid hair, think again. Even fine, thin hair can look magical with the right cut and color. In this style, cool silver on the top layers blends with pale pink in the rest of the hair. The layered hair cut is loosely curled with a flat iron to show off the colors.

47. Purple and Pink Ombre Waves

Dark hair goes mermaid with this incredible color trend. Roots are saturated with deep purple, which transforms along the length of the hair to fuchsia and then candy pink at the ends. This fabulous color would look amazing in any style, but long, loose waves show off the colors best.

48. Delicate Turquoise Blue and Green Ponytail

This style takes its inspiration from the ocean’s prettiest shades of blue and green. Bright turquoise roots fade into a gentle sea foam green that’s pulled through to the ends. Hair that’s been properly conditioned and thermal-treated will stay healthy and shiny enough to show off in a high ponytail like this.

49. Fun Pink Ombre with Hair Bow

Mermaids just want to have fun! That’s how you’ll feel in this flirty style. It starts light brown hair, and then transforms lightened ends in a perfect ombre effect from fuchsia to coral to pale pink. Enhance this look by tying hair from the crown into a bow with curled ends dangling.

50. Deep Dark Ocean Blue Hair Color

Like the sea after a storm, this shade of blue is deep and mysterious. Dark hair needs to be lightened before the rich blue shade is applied. The hair is then cut into long layers and styled into loose waves. Add a shine product to enhance the color. The effect is pure mermaid beauty.

51. Ultra Long Blue Ombre Hair

This mermaid style takes inspiration from the colors of ocean waves and sea foam. Dark roots lighten to blue with pale, almost silver highlights along the length. The ends are the lightest shade of baby blue. It’s important to keep ultra-long hair like this properly conditioned and to use thermal protection products whenever styling.

52. Fun Hot Pink and Turquoise Hair

When you can’t choose which mermaid hair color is your favorite, choose them both! This cool look is achieved with hot pink color applied to the top half of the hair, with turquoise taking over at the ends. Long layered hair kept loose and given just a little texture with a salt spray. Scrunch while it dries to get this casual, beachy look.

53. Romantic Pastel Ombre for Mermaids

Soft, delicate, and ultra-feminine, this style is pure mermaid magic. Hair must be lightened to nearly white to begin with. Then, the lightest tints of pink, blue, and green are painted into the strands. A long, simple braid is wrapped around the head and pinned in place to complete this romantic style.

54. Long Turquoise Ombre Hair with Fishtail

Inspired by the colors of the sea, this beautiful look comes from turquoise hair dye applied to achieve a subtle ombre effect. The result is a long style that goes from a bright shade on top to a soft hue at the ends. Pull hair away from the face and plait into a long fishtail braid that dangles down the back.

55. Super Short Teal Mermaid Pixie

Even girls with pixie cuts can get in on the mermaid color trend! Super short hair is shaved close in the back and clipped a few inches long on top to create this cool style. Teal hair dye is applied to the longer sections for a dramatic pop of color.

50+ Gorgeous Mermaid Hair Styles to Make You Look Magical

Mermaid hair is a beautiful look for every girl who dreams of looking like she lives under the sea. Shades of pink, blue, teal, turquoise, purple, and silver bring this popular aesthetic to life. Once you find your perfect mermaid color, you will have a lot of great styles to choose from. Many mermaids keep it long and loose, with waves to show off the fabulous colors. Other girls like classic braids, fishtails, buns, and even fish scales shaved above the nape of the neck. However you wear yours, you’ll bring the beauty and magic of the ocean everywhere you go.