A new hair trend has made its way to Greenwood, and it features a magical pop of color.
Mermaid hair is a blended mix of typically two tones of hair color — bright rainbow shades or pastels or a mix of both.
The trend first appeared in November 2015 when Disney Style posted a picture on Instagram of hair that resembled the ocean in two tones of blue. The post was to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Disney classic “The Little Mermaid” and included the hashtag “#mermaidhair.”
The Ariel-inspired hair trend picked up steam in 2016, and its popularity has carried over into this year. With a simple search of “mermaid hair” on social media sites such as Instagram or Pinterest, thousands of pictures of unique color combos appear.
Lasa Bennett and Brandi Wheat, both stylists at Legends Salon & Day Spa, are providing a variation of the trend to the Delta.
“I wanted to bring something new and different to girls in Greenwood,” said Bennett.
Over the past couple of weeks, mermaid hair has become an instant crowd-pleaser with girls ages 5 to 16.
“It’s been a hit so far,” said Bennett.
Mermaid hair is also a parent-approved hairdo.
Rather than using bleach and dyes, Bennett and Wheat create the unique style using hair extensions that feature a medical grade adhesive, which lasts for about three months.
“The best part about it is, parents who say, ‘I don’t want to get my kid’s hair bleached,’ you don’t have to,” said Bennett. “There’s no bleach, no highlights, no harm to the hair. It’s just a safe, fun thing to do.”
The extensions come in an array of colors — turquoise, ocean blue, hot pink, red, lilac and purple.
For the mermaid hair effect, two colors are picked, and the stylist will sandwich the combination between top and bottom selections of the hair on one side.
The results are worthy of a Disney princess.
“It’s something different and something new,” said Bennett. “It’s just something fun for the summer. Everyone likes happy colors. All the little girls like mermaids and unicorns, so if you can find a way that’s non-damaging and is a fun outlet for girls in the summertime, why not?”
The extensions easily blend in with the natural hair and can be styled any way — straightened or curled.
“It does everything you can do to your normal hair,” said Bennett. “The greatest thing about this is it marries your normal hair, so girls who do have curly hair and think, ‘I can’t get this because my hair is curly, and their extensions are straight,’ it’s going to adapt to it and form with your hair.”
Bennett said the mermaid hair also looks good with braids.
“Everybody loves braids right now, and it’s a little bit more fun. It’s a pop of color with your braid,” she said.
Bennett recently created a mermaid hair style for Meadors Pruett, a 5-year-old from Greenwood.
Meadors picked out pink and purple for her color combination.
“I love it,” said her mother, Amber Overstreet. “I’m so excited. It looks so good.”
Meadors, who said she felt like a mermaid after the addition of the pink and purple extensions, began showing everyone in the salon her new look.
“I’m never going to ever take it out,” she said.
Bennett and Wheat are both certified in using Hot Head extensions, which come in variety of rainbow colors, pastels and natural hair colors.
“They just starting bringing the Hot Head extensions to Mississippi,” said Bennett.
The stylist said she immediately wanted to get certified in the technique because she loves long hair. And after becoming certified, the wide range of hair colors and the easy application and care paved the way for the creation of the new take on the popular mermaid hair trend.
“I think it’s fun and simple and something different for the summer,” said Bennett. “I love it. It’s a little peek-a-boo of color.”
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
