Blended Waists

[Avya]

Hello again, everybody!!

Okay so. I have questions about blended waists...
In a silicome tail, is it possible to have a blended waist that is translucent? I contacted a company about it to inquire and they said that it wouldn't work because in order to achieve that effect the silicone would have to be thin, and it wouldn't be durable enough. I swear I've seen colourless blended waists before... or maybe I'm crazy. I thought I'd ask anyways. 😄 Thanks!![emoji225]

[PearlieMae]

Tinting the silicone first to match skin color yields better results than airbrushing the color onto the waist, in my experience.

But I do individual scale tails, not scale sheets that are painted afterwards.

[Avya]

Tinting the silicone first to match skin color yields better results than airbrushing the color onto the waist, in my experience.

But I do individual scale tails, not scale sheets that are painted afterwards.
I was so hoping you'd answer, PearlieMae! Your tail-making techniques and skills are so amazing!
The company I am talking to does scale sheets I believe. So I suppose I'm out of luck... I'm afraid of my skin changing colour and looking funny. 😅
Thanks so much for the reply. ☺

[KatieScottArt]

I have a tail with a blended waist that's technically "translucent" I guess. The silicone itself is not pigmented but there is a active wear material netting that makes the silicone more durable. Its a flesh toned netting, similar to those opaque shirts that come in the nude tone so it makes for a blended skin effect. However, the blended waist area is definitely more susceptible to tearing and I've ripped mine once. Had to patch it.

[Keiris]

I do blended silicone waist belts and tint the silicone as well. It can be tricky if you are trying to go from a pale in the winter to tan in the summer.

[PearlieMae]

Keiris! LTNS! I forgot about your blended waistlines!

The change between winter and summer can be a problem, that's why I add a little color of the tail into the nude scales to make the transition...it 'forgives' the nude not being exact by alluding to the tail color. I'm trying to find a decent photo of my new tail that has that, but I'm not having any luck. I think it's on the computer at work.

PS Thank you, Avya! I'm currently working on a waist cincher that will alleviate two problems - the blended waist, and the gapping issue so many mers have with their tails. It's not perfect, yet, but it's close, and I'll be offering those in my Etsy shop soon.

KatieScottArt, I think you're talking about a powermesh and silicone waist.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Some tails have translucent blended waists but it is true that it has to be very thin. Silicone is a milky color when thicker than, like..... a few mm. its possible for it to be sortof sheer, but not fully clear. If its thin enough to be a perfect clear blend, it would be very prone to ripping.

[Avya]

Some tails have translucent blended waists but it is true that it has to be very thin. Silicone is a milky color when thicker than, like..... a few mm. its possible for it to be sortof sheer, but not fully clear. If its thin enough to be a perfect clear blend, it would be very prone to ripping.
I suppose I should have worded it differently.
A completely clear transparent waist would be understandably fragile and not ideal. I'm just concerned of having a blended waist like mertailor's tails, if I'm being honest here. The company I'm considering is See Through Sea (I'm headed to Kona in April and the timing would be perfect !). I asked them about it being translucent as opposed to opaque and they said the silicone would be too thin to achieve that (I know merbellas does it, and I've seen others with it as well). I like what PearlieMae suggested, tinted silicone. I just don't like the look of a blended waist spray painted on a scale sheet.

Tl;dr: I like blended waists like merbellas, not mertailors. 😄 and I'm wondering how common a blended waist like merbellas is.

[Mermaid Wesley]

I suppose I should have worded it differently.
A completely clear transparent waist would be understandably fragile and not ideal. I'm just concerned of having a blended waist like mertailor's tails, if I'm being honest here. The company I'm considering is See Through Sea (I'm headed to Kona in April and the timing would be perfect !). I asked them about it being translucent as opposed to opaque and they said the silicone would be too thin to achieve that (I know merbellas does it, and I've seen others with it as well). I like what PearlieMae suggested, tinted silicone. I just don't like the look of a blended waist spray painted on a scale sheet.

Tl;dr: I like blended waists like merbellas, not mertailors.  and I'm wondering how common a blended waist like merbellas is.

I get you. Merbellas blended waists are pretty exclusive to her right now. They're some kind of trade secrets. If the maker doesn't know how to do it, they don't know how to do it (Like me. I don't know how she does it.)

[Avya]

I get you. Merbellas blended waists are pretty exclusive to her right now. They're some kind of trade secrets. If the maker doesn't know how to do it, they don't know how to do it (Like me. I don't know how she does it.)
Ohh I didn't know that! Good to know. ☺ I wish she was still making tails for the public. Her tails are absolutely amazing. ❤
I'm learning some neat stuff in this thread ! Thanks guys!

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[AniaR]

Parts of my merbella's waistline are translucent. She has some sort of trade secret she uses to make her waist lines appear colored when they arent ;) so they blend with your actual skin.

[AniaR]

and waistlines in general tend to be prone to ripping, even if they're thick. They're a weak point on silicone tails.

[Mermaid Alea]

Just curious but has anyone added makeup around their waist to make their skin blend better with their tail? I wasn't sure if that would be an option or not...

[Mermaid Aerial Princess]

Hello again, everybody!!

Okay so. I have questions about blended waists...
In a silicome tail, is it possible to have a blended waist that is translucent? I contacted a company about it to inquire and they said that it wouldn't work because in order to achieve that effect the silicone would have to be thin, and it wouldn't be durable enough. I swear I've seen colourless blended waists before... or maybe I'm crazy. I thought I'd ask anyways. [emoji1] Thanks!![emoji225]

I just met with MerNation and asked about a blended waist. They gave me an option of a gap wrap that goes over the top of the tail. They could do it to match my skin color but also showed me a photo of one that was translucent too. The cost difference between having a blended waist or adding a gap wrap was about the same. I think I'll go for the gap wrap because it offers me options for different looks. Not sure on your timeframe (or mine either for that matter but I expect to finalize my order this week). But I'll post pics when I get it. Maybe you could contact them and ask about a translucent wrap that goes over the waist.

Plus MerNation tints the silicone the closest to the main color of the tail and then paints the blended waist. They also make the waist a bit higher than measured (just in case) and if I need to cut it down then the edge would be a different color than the waist so the wrap seems like the better choice... thoughts?


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[Avya]

That sounds neat! Would they sell a wrap gap separately though? I'm going through See Through Sea.

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[mermaid mazu]

Forgive my ignorance, what is a gap wrap?

[Mernation]

Hi Mermaid Mazu! Our Gap Wrap is a silicone band that can be worn over the edge of a tail, either tucked in and rolled over or just worn flat like a band over the edge. We make them in any color and can definitely do skin tone blends that are somewhat translucent. That way you can essentially add a "blended waist" effect to any tail, whether we made it our not! They were originally made to help people who's tails are a tad too short or big in the waist, as the wrap is tight and cinches the waist area removing "gapping" and adding a few extra inches of overall height if needed. Hence the name "Gap Wrap". However, lately we have found they are great for a decorative accent or as a blending effect. Feel free to message us with any questions!

[mermaid mazu]

My first tail could've used that lol. I made it and it definitely had a gap when I swam especially. Thank you for the answer :)