Mermaid Sirena
03-01-2012, 06:15 PM
First of all I would like to thank Alasea (https://www.facebook.com/bluemermaidgirl) of Blue Mermaid Designs (https://www.facebook.com/BlueMermaidDesigns) for if it was not for her this review would not be possible. Also I am writing this review using the general template and suggestions written by Anair in the How to Write a Review (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?85-How-to-write-a-review) thread.
This tail was purchased from The Mertailor (http://www.themertailor.com) during November of 2011 and was shipped on the 21st of February, arriving on the 23rd. It is the Realistic Mermaid Tail (https://themertailor.com/boutique/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=66) which appears to be made of latex and neoprene (painted green), with a monofin built in.
It is built for wear in and out of the water and to be completely swimmable, which is what its intended purpose will be. Used above and below water for photoshoots, parties, and a variety of other events.
ORDERING PROCESS
N/A I was not the one to order the tails so I have no information or opinion on this subject.
SHIPPING
My understanding is it would be shipped on February 9th of 2012, however it did not make it in the mail until the 21st (I believe it had something to do with a family member in the hospital but I am unsure) at which point it arrived on the 23rd (much faster then I would have thought). However it did arrive before its original request date of April 6th. Note: there was a tracking number on the box.
1907
UPON ARRIVAL
There were two tails shipped in the box (one for me and one for Mermaid Luna (https://www.facebook.com/TheMermaidLuna)), the box weighed 20 pounds so 10 pounds a tail (which is much lighter then I expected). Both tails were wrapped up tight in a plastic bag and the green one (I did not open Luna's tail) was covered in a light powder to prevent it from sticking to itself while being shipped. The first photos have that powder on the tail which changed the color slightly, there will be photos later on showing the true color once it's been rinsed clean (all it took was a wet rag to wash it off).
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0282-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0283-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0300-1.jpg
The entire tail is painted a beautiful green (the photos do not do it justice) there were a two small (very small) area's that did not have any paint on them which appears to be due to a lip or ridge in the latex surrounding which acted as a wall and prevented paint from reaching it. I only noticed because I toughly inspected every detail. There is some very light blue/turquoise shading near the top, it looks as though it gently touched another not fully dry tail and a little color came with it. Again I only saw this because I am an extremely detail oriented person and in most lighting its neigh invisible. Though honestly neither of them bother me what so ever.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0309-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0312-1.jpg
The texture between the fluke and the foot pocket is smooth and happens exactly where I would expect it to happen. The scale pattern is uniform and ridged enough to be obvious while staying natural looking. Also when several unbelieving children felt it they exclaimed 'YOU ARE A REAL MERMAID!'
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0285-1.jpg
One thing I really liked about this tail is knowing that it is certainly the one ordered as on both sides of the neoprene there is sharpie marking indicating who it's for (and in this case which tail).
1910
Also I love how there is a blue sheen depending on the light and angle, it looks simply stunning (and this is with the powder on top).
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0286.jpg
COMMUNICATION
N/A Again not my order so not the one who was in communication with him. However when a few questions and problems arose he did offer to fix them and volunteered information easily, this will be covered later in the review.
IN USE
EDIT: Photos of tail in use added.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01839.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01860.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01840.jpg
I wish I could have realized how much better the photos looked when I wasn't in the bright sun light then when I was on the side of the pool. I also wish these photos could capture just how beautifully emerald the tail looked with the sunlight hit it.
This tail is EXTREMELY tight on me, it is difficult to wiggle into when dry and I would believe nearly impossible if attempted in a pool. I believe the reason for this is that the tails are naturally made tight to ensure the best fit and help keep water from sloshing out all over the place when you exit the pool, also because this tail was ordered to Alasea's measurements which are slightly smaller then my own. Still the second time I put it on for testing in water (the first was purely dry land) it was much easier, I am certain in saying that with practice I will be able to slip in and out of this tail just as easily as I am the blue tail Alasea is letting me use.
One suggestion I have for people is to tie a little piece of string on the straps of the monofin so it's easier to grab and pull them over your heels, a lot of the time putting the tail on was just trying to get ahold of the straps and then pulling into place.
In the water the tail was easy to manage and extremely floppy. I am accustomed to a much stiffer fin (I will do a comparison later down) so a few of my usual show off moves did not work as expected.
The tail has only been worn twice (the first time by Luna) and after the first wearing some of the paint had worn off, I was unable to get pictures as I did not see the tail again until I had to shimmy in for a job. It came off of the heels and parts of the tail where it seems to of touched the pool walls or floor. Eric was contacted about this (and a few other things not relevant to this tail). He offered to take the tail back to fix and when asked what type of paint he used (so I could do future touch ups) he was forth coming and open about it (No I will not say what type of paint). I tried best I could but it's hard to see in the pictures.
1911
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0318-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0327-1.jpg
Several children who did not believe I was real were positive I was after feeling the tail do to it's texturing. It was also structurally strong enough to withstand the extreme attack of children. I am calling it attack because they literally forced me underwater and tried to rip the tail off of me while dragging me to deeper water, either one of them was extremely strong or a young teenager judging by the force. After, I was quite relived to feel that it had not come off, in fact my feet were still snuggly in the monofin and the tail had not budged. I am only sharing this as I feel it is useful and shows its durability.
Unlike previous experience with a much older tail the fluke did not fill up with water, only the tail and the area of the monofin for my feet became filled with water. Something I noticed about this tail that I am EXTREMELY grateful about is how after swimming around for a bit and you get out of the water (so the tail is filled with water) water will not pour out of the fin at the bottom (which happened with the other one as it had a few holes) so any water that had not come out upon laying on the edge of the pool (I did it on purpose to try and get as much out as possible in a way children wouldn't notice) stayed in the tail until I was able to remove myself from it and pour it out.
IN CONCLUSION
~~My views and opinions do not reflect those of Alasea the Blue Mermaid, Blue Mermaid Designs, nor Mernetwork as a site or a community~~
Over all I am very happy with this tail and wouldn't mind ordering another one (perhaps silicone) someday in the future.
I would rate it 3.5/4 stars, I will not do 5 as I cannot say anything regarding the ordering or communication process and would of taken a whole star due to how quickly some of paint rubbed off but due to willingness to work with and openness about products I feel that makes up for half.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me either by PM (http://mernetwork.com/index/private.php?do=newpm&u=40), e-mail (mermaidsirena@ymail.com) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MermaidSirena).
IN COMPARISON
~~I do not own either of these tails, they belong to Alasea the Blue Mermaid~~
I know as if this post wasn't already long enough. Because I have access to an older tail made by the Mertailor in 2010(?). In these photos you will see the difference in; depth of texturing, how hidden the monofin is, size and shape of fluke, and how floppy the fluke is. Please ignore the paint on the blue one I have not been able to do touch ups yet as it's been to cold out. I forgot to take a photo of the difference in base material so I will be adding that later, however the new one is made of a thicker and sturdier kind of neoprene.
Heres a side by side, I tried to line them up even to where the monofin begins. Also the monofin is less obvious in the green, I would say almost invisible.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0338-1.jpg
Huge difference in fluke design and size, as well as detailing that is deeper and more well defined.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0342-1.jpg
The green one is much floppier then the blue one. The blue one lifts almost all the way to the other side while the green one barely moves to the center.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0354-1.jpg
P.S. Eric on your website the logo has some white pixillation around it. Might I suggest putting one up that either has a solid white stroke around it or none at all, sorry it's just the designer in me I can't help it. Other wise your site looks amazing, seems to flow nicely and works well.
This tail was purchased from The Mertailor (http://www.themertailor.com) during November of 2011 and was shipped on the 21st of February, arriving on the 23rd. It is the Realistic Mermaid Tail (https://themertailor.com/boutique/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=66) which appears to be made of latex and neoprene (painted green), with a monofin built in.
It is built for wear in and out of the water and to be completely swimmable, which is what its intended purpose will be. Used above and below water for photoshoots, parties, and a variety of other events.
ORDERING PROCESS
N/A I was not the one to order the tails so I have no information or opinion on this subject.
SHIPPING
My understanding is it would be shipped on February 9th of 2012, however it did not make it in the mail until the 21st (I believe it had something to do with a family member in the hospital but I am unsure) at which point it arrived on the 23rd (much faster then I would have thought). However it did arrive before its original request date of April 6th. Note: there was a tracking number on the box.
1907
UPON ARRIVAL
There were two tails shipped in the box (one for me and one for Mermaid Luna (https://www.facebook.com/TheMermaidLuna)), the box weighed 20 pounds so 10 pounds a tail (which is much lighter then I expected). Both tails were wrapped up tight in a plastic bag and the green one (I did not open Luna's tail) was covered in a light powder to prevent it from sticking to itself while being shipped. The first photos have that powder on the tail which changed the color slightly, there will be photos later on showing the true color once it's been rinsed clean (all it took was a wet rag to wash it off).
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0282-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0283-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0300-1.jpg
The entire tail is painted a beautiful green (the photos do not do it justice) there were a two small (very small) area's that did not have any paint on them which appears to be due to a lip or ridge in the latex surrounding which acted as a wall and prevented paint from reaching it. I only noticed because I toughly inspected every detail. There is some very light blue/turquoise shading near the top, it looks as though it gently touched another not fully dry tail and a little color came with it. Again I only saw this because I am an extremely detail oriented person and in most lighting its neigh invisible. Though honestly neither of them bother me what so ever.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0309-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0312-1.jpg
The texture between the fluke and the foot pocket is smooth and happens exactly where I would expect it to happen. The scale pattern is uniform and ridged enough to be obvious while staying natural looking. Also when several unbelieving children felt it they exclaimed 'YOU ARE A REAL MERMAID!'
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0285-1.jpg
One thing I really liked about this tail is knowing that it is certainly the one ordered as on both sides of the neoprene there is sharpie marking indicating who it's for (and in this case which tail).
1910
Also I love how there is a blue sheen depending on the light and angle, it looks simply stunning (and this is with the powder on top).
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0286.jpg
COMMUNICATION
N/A Again not my order so not the one who was in communication with him. However when a few questions and problems arose he did offer to fix them and volunteered information easily, this will be covered later in the review.
IN USE
EDIT: Photos of tail in use added.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01839.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01860.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/DSC01840.jpg
I wish I could have realized how much better the photos looked when I wasn't in the bright sun light then when I was on the side of the pool. I also wish these photos could capture just how beautifully emerald the tail looked with the sunlight hit it.
This tail is EXTREMELY tight on me, it is difficult to wiggle into when dry and I would believe nearly impossible if attempted in a pool. I believe the reason for this is that the tails are naturally made tight to ensure the best fit and help keep water from sloshing out all over the place when you exit the pool, also because this tail was ordered to Alasea's measurements which are slightly smaller then my own. Still the second time I put it on for testing in water (the first was purely dry land) it was much easier, I am certain in saying that with practice I will be able to slip in and out of this tail just as easily as I am the blue tail Alasea is letting me use.
One suggestion I have for people is to tie a little piece of string on the straps of the monofin so it's easier to grab and pull them over your heels, a lot of the time putting the tail on was just trying to get ahold of the straps and then pulling into place.
In the water the tail was easy to manage and extremely floppy. I am accustomed to a much stiffer fin (I will do a comparison later down) so a few of my usual show off moves did not work as expected.
The tail has only been worn twice (the first time by Luna) and after the first wearing some of the paint had worn off, I was unable to get pictures as I did not see the tail again until I had to shimmy in for a job. It came off of the heels and parts of the tail where it seems to of touched the pool walls or floor. Eric was contacted about this (and a few other things not relevant to this tail). He offered to take the tail back to fix and when asked what type of paint he used (so I could do future touch ups) he was forth coming and open about it (No I will not say what type of paint). I tried best I could but it's hard to see in the pictures.
1911
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0318-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0327-1.jpg
Several children who did not believe I was real were positive I was after feeling the tail do to it's texturing. It was also structurally strong enough to withstand the extreme attack of children. I am calling it attack because they literally forced me underwater and tried to rip the tail off of me while dragging me to deeper water, either one of them was extremely strong or a young teenager judging by the force. After, I was quite relived to feel that it had not come off, in fact my feet were still snuggly in the monofin and the tail had not budged. I am only sharing this as I feel it is useful and shows its durability.
Unlike previous experience with a much older tail the fluke did not fill up with water, only the tail and the area of the monofin for my feet became filled with water. Something I noticed about this tail that I am EXTREMELY grateful about is how after swimming around for a bit and you get out of the water (so the tail is filled with water) water will not pour out of the fin at the bottom (which happened with the other one as it had a few holes) so any water that had not come out upon laying on the edge of the pool (I did it on purpose to try and get as much out as possible in a way children wouldn't notice) stayed in the tail until I was able to remove myself from it and pour it out.
IN CONCLUSION
~~My views and opinions do not reflect those of Alasea the Blue Mermaid, Blue Mermaid Designs, nor Mernetwork as a site or a community~~
Over all I am very happy with this tail and wouldn't mind ordering another one (perhaps silicone) someday in the future.
I would rate it 3.5/4 stars, I will not do 5 as I cannot say anything regarding the ordering or communication process and would of taken a whole star due to how quickly some of paint rubbed off but due to willingness to work with and openness about products I feel that makes up for half.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me either by PM (http://mernetwork.com/index/private.php?do=newpm&u=40), e-mail (mermaidsirena@ymail.com) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MermaidSirena).
IN COMPARISON
~~I do not own either of these tails, they belong to Alasea the Blue Mermaid~~
I know as if this post wasn't already long enough. Because I have access to an older tail made by the Mertailor in 2010(?). In these photos you will see the difference in; depth of texturing, how hidden the monofin is, size and shape of fluke, and how floppy the fluke is. Please ignore the paint on the blue one I have not been able to do touch ups yet as it's been to cold out. I forgot to take a photo of the difference in base material so I will be adding that later, however the new one is made of a thicker and sturdier kind of neoprene.
Heres a side by side, I tried to line them up even to where the monofin begins. Also the monofin is less obvious in the green, I would say almost invisible.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0338-1.jpg
Huge difference in fluke design and size, as well as detailing that is deeper and more well defined.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0342-1.jpg
The green one is much floppier then the blue one. The blue one lifts almost all the way to the other side while the green one barely moves to the center.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr297/WaveLullaby/Mermaid/SAM_0354-1.jpg
P.S. Eric on your website the logo has some white pixillation around it. Might I suggest putting one up that either has a solid white stroke around it or none at all, sorry it's just the designer in me I can't help it. Other wise your site looks amazing, seems to flow nicely and works well.