South Korea has long served as an inspiration point for countless skincare trends, makeup looks, and nail art designs—many of which have become fully ingrained in today’s beauty culture. A new K-beauty trend is officially making waves across the globe, and this time it’s all about hair. Read on to learn about the mul-gyul curl trend, including what they are, why they’re called that, and how to get the look. (It’s easier than you might think!)

What Are Mul-Gyul Waves? 

Mul-gyul waves are a popular Korean hairstyle with ripple-like “S” waves that resemble the natural flow of water. The Korean word “mul-gyul” actually means “water waves,” which is very fitting for the look. 

“Koreans love naturalness, yet feeling put together, and these types of waves look effortless and subtle yet have an elegant style,” explains Michelle Hong, hairstylist and founder of NYC The Team. “The loose waves mimic the waves of the ocean and are not as curly as traditional waves. Think mermaid and a beachy look.” 

This is a departure from the tighter curls that were popular in Korea for a while that still provides volume and texture without looking overly polished or done. Hong suspects that this pivot to a more organic texture aligns with the “quiet luxury” trend we’re seeing across the globe, “where things don’t have to scream designer, but quality and effortless styling is key to look super chic.” 

Sophia Royal, hair artist and owner at Salon Philosophie, agrees, noting that the style is particularly popular on K-pop and K-drama stars and on social media platforms. Their wide-spread popularity in Korea has naturally trickled to the western world, making mul-gyul waves a true “it girl curl.”

How to Do Mul-Gyul Waves at Home

There are a few different ways to get that iconic mul-gyul s-wave texture. 

Curling Iron or Wand

Start with hair that’s completely clean and dry, then grab a large barrel curling iron (1.25 to 1.5 inches). Royal says to create three sections—one section on each side and one section in the back. Then, starting at the nape, take a small section of hair (about 1-inch wide) and wrap your hair around the barrel for a few seconds. Repeat for all sections, alternating the direction of the curls. 

“Make sure to pull vertically down on each section of the hair after curling,” Hong says. “Brush the hair with a boar bristle flat brush to loosen the curls and finish with a dry texturizing spray.” 

Flatiron Curls 

Alternatively, you can use a 1-inch flatiron to create mul-gyul waves. Start with clean and dry hair divided into three sections. “Starting from the top, curl inward, slide down and then curl outward. Repeat to the end of the strand,” Royal instructs. “Once you reach the end of the strand, make sure to curl inward.” 

The amount of space that you leave between each curl determines how big the wave will be. The more space, the bigger the curl; the less space, the tighter the curl. Let it cool, then brush out and finish with a texturizing spray. 

Heatless Curlers 

If you want to set it and forget (and skip the heat styling), opt for heatless curlers. On damp hair, “simply wrap the hair on to the sticks and sleep in it to achieve the waves,” Hong says. “This method may not come out as coiffed as using a curling iron, and on finer texture hair it may not have the bounce, but it is an easy way to try the mermaid hair look.”