Mermaid Hair- Don't Care!

​Hello every-fish! One of the things I am asked a lot about is how I keep my mermaid hair despite all the time I spend in the chlorine! I get asked a lot about wigs, hair care products, hair damage, and more. Over the years I have written about it in numerous ways, done some videos, and even included a section in my book. Here for you now is my complete take on “mermaid hair care” with a fun look at my journey! I hope it helps you protect your hair and feel confident in your hair styles!

Getting my hair styled by a few fans

Hair Styles

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​I have had many hair styles over the year. I was dying my hair blue before “mermaid hair” was even a thing as a teenager, and while I’ve had it long and many colors, I’ve also had it short as well. Mermaids get a lot of flack if they don’t have really long hair but the truth is, long hair can often be problematic for people underwater. As this fun little comic illustrates. Click to see it bigger. 

 
​I’ve always loved dying my hair growing up but that was often very hard on it. I didn’t know much about hair care and I spent a lot of time In the chlorine. The Chlorine actually bleached my hair that I thought why not just go blonde? In my brain I thought it would mean the damage from chlorine would show up less. It was nice for a little while, but in the end because I didn’t know proper hair care, it made my hair melt and fall out. Not good! Click through the slideshow to see my hair styles and colors over the years

​Coping with Hair Damage 

​I really just didn’t know what I was doing. My hair kept breaking and was really short, so I went to see a Master Stylist who taught me about caring for my hair. Here’s a video where she explains the damage chlorine does to hair while she’s cutting my hair. My plan was to cut off the dead hair, keep growing it out, and keep cutting the dead off. 

​Hair Extensions and Halos 

​In the meantime while I was growing my hair out, I tried a few ways to help me feel like I had long hair! Katie the master stylist made me beautiful custom hair halos that I loved wearing for dry gigs and photo shoots. Click through to see how the extensions look on me! 

​Lacefront Wigs 

​I would also wear lacefront wigs under water to have long hair underwater. This helped me two ways: 1) it actually protected my hair because it was in a cap under the wig, and 2) it really added to my costume. I decided on lacefront wigs (which are more expensive) because they blend really well with your skin and create a natural hair line. I added extra anchoring to them using head dresses. I went with synthetic so they could handle the chlorine, and I got a special looper brush for caring for them. I got them in a few lengths but I kept them all read. I really love using them, and they make it easier to have a secret human identity. When I am done gigs I simply take them off and the kids don’t recognize me. Here are some photos and videos about the lacefront wigs! Even underwater. 

Merman Too! 

​Wigs aren’t just for women. Many of my mer-men friends wear them too. Check out my Merman friend here in his before and after. I think this is just amazing how much it can transform a look or create a costume. Merman Lir rocks. Check him out: ​https://www.facebook.com/pg/MermanLir/

Before a wig

After a lacefront wig. Perfect for a merman persona

Merman Lir looking fin-tastic

Hair Care: MONAT to the Rescue 

Despite doing my best to make my hair grow, after a year it still hadn’t grown and I was still struggling with getting chlorine out of it any time it got wet. My family friend Glenna had started selling a product called MONAT. I want to disclaim right here and now that I get no sponsorship or anything from MONAT and I do not sell them. This is my true opinions and experiences. At first, I was skeptical. I got some samples from Glenna and didn’t like the first one I tried, but I liked the second. Right away my hair felt better when I washed it. No more turning to mush when wet or straw when dry. I was impressed enough to invest in a system. I figured since I was trying it I might as well try their supplements too. After all, I wanted long healthy hair!
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The photo on the left is at the very end of July 2016 with my hair straightened. The photo on the right is the middle of November 2016 after using the MONAT Renew system with S3 supplements. I straightened my hair in this one too. I’ll let you be the judge….

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Before MONAT

5 Months Using MONAT

​MONAT also has this great oil that feels really nice on my face and neck after being in the chlorine. Chlorine can burn out your skin so bad. 

It has been a real journey trying to grow, keep, and save my hair. As an entertainer I am able to write off the expense of my hair care, so that makes it a little easier. If you’re a mer performer I would look into that too. MONAT is the only thing that has worked for me so far, and I like it because they are eco-conscious and don’t test on animals and all sorts of other good things. Plus when I buy it I know I am supporting a female friend in her own business. If you’re thinking about MONAT check to see if there are any reps in your area so you can try some samples first. It may take trying a few products to see which one is right for you. I became a VIP member so I could get a discount and free shipping. It’s great! They also sometimes send extra samples and free gifts. 

Here's a few photos over the past few months of my MONAT journey while growing my hair! 

​More Resources 

Here are some excellent resources for you if you’re a merfolk looking to care for your hair!

The MONAT Website: http://monatglobal.com/

A Thread on Mernetwork about Wigs and Hair Extensions: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?12611-%E2%9C%BC-The-Official-Wig-and-Hair-Extensions-Thread-%E2%9C%BC
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A Thread on Mernetwork about hair care:
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?231-Mer-Care-for-Mer-Hair


Check out this video I made about head-dresses too and crowns! If you're going to have fun with hair, you can have fun with these too. I hope this helps you on your journey! Best fishes 

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