What I Do: Amber's Mermaid-Inspired Wavy Hair

My tips and tricks to help you achieve an easy, mermaid-inspired perm. Try on a new hairstyle here in our instant hair makeover tool.

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Amber Katz, Beauty Blogger and Founder of BeautyBloggingJunkie.com

Beauty stats: 29; green eyes; long, dark blonde hair that's naturally wavy but recently Brazilian keratin straightened; normal skin.

Beauty vices: Lash extensions and clear, red lip glosses

"One beauty look I love is something I call my 'merm' regimen: It's basically mermaid-esque twists, a play on the word 'perm.' The key to this style is that you must twirl your hair into individual coils and it will dry exactly the way you set it. You simply must refrain from touching it. And, like all things hair-related, there's a method to the madness."

 

Check out Amber's blog here

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Step 1: Blot hair with a regular towel.

"Forget your Aquis super-absorbent one for once. It's fantastic for straight hair, but curly hair is a different beast indeed. It needs a bit more moisture to form and hold a good curl."
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Step 2: Use your fingers to rake through snarls.

"Do NOT use a brush or comb to detangle hair post-shower."
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Step 3: Add curl cream.

"Put more curl cream (or gel, if you're a gel gal) than you think you need in your hair. Start at the hairline, then add some cream to the bottom of hair at the nape, then add a third dollop to the length of hair/ends. Lately, I'm loving mixing Cutler Curling Cream with NO FRIZZ Wave Shaping Curl Defining Styling Cream."
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Step 4: Start twirling!

"Start at your nape and work up, twirling 2-inch sections of hair individually by twisting each section with your fingers into coils.

"Clip up the top part of your hair, then remove from the clip to twirl it in eight sections. When you get to the top, part your hair and twirl your hairline strands in slightly smaller pieces."

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Step 5: Start your "merm."

"Once it's all twirled (for my fine-to-medium hair, it takes about five to seven minutes), scrunch sections of the hair all the way up to the root gently once. You'll look like a mermaid with long, flowing, Botticelli-esque coils. Hence the 'merm' name. Then leave it alone until it air-dries at least 50 percent, after which you can scrunch a bit more if it needs some volume."
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