Backstage at New York Fashion Week last month, the air smelled of hairspray and hot irons. Meanwhile, a familiar zig-zag rippled through the models’ hair. Forty years after its big-haired heyday, crimping has made a glamorous comeback on the spring 2027 runways, softened into what many now call mermaid hair.

At Christian Siriano, glossy, almost lacquered strands revealed small sections of tiny, defined ridges, like a secret woven into silk. Anna Sui embraced the spirit of 1970s glam rock, with rock-star shags and oversized, shiny crimps.

At Christian Cowan, crimped textures twisted into soft knots at the nape and crown, adding siren allure to slinky gowns. Clearly, this retro texture has found a brand-new attitude, and it looks ready to leave the runway for real life.

A Wave Created for Barbra

In 1972, hairstylist Geri Cusenza grew tired of braiding Barbra Streisand’s hair into tiny plaits to create her waves. So the Sebastian founder invented the crimping iron, a beauty hit by the mid-1980s.

Meet the New Mermaid Hair

Today’s mermaid hair trades the full-volume frizz for a polished finish. Stylists crimp only a few sections and let them peek through smooth lengths, while a glossy shine adds a modern edge.

How to Wear Crimped Hair Now

Start by crimping two or three thin sections underneath straight hair, then mist them with a light shine spray. For evening, gather everything into a loose low knot and let a few rippled strands frame the face.

Plug in the iron, turn up the music, and let every little wave remember the dance floors it once conquered.