Fake Mermaid Hair: Why?

[AtlantisDreamer]

I've noticed that some people buy, make or use fake mermaid hair. I was just wondering why and what the point is when you can just grow your hair out long if you want to have long tresses... It's taken about four years, but my hair is now down to the crack of my rear end and I love it - I get so many compliments. However, once it starts to get really long it can get damaged really easily. A tip was shared with me recently... Don't use shampoo or soap, even if it's organic and sulfate free, wash only with conditioner. It's certainly made a difference for me. But back to my original question... Why are some people so fascinated with fake mermaid hair and wigs?

[Winged Mermaid]

Growing it out may be the way to go for you, but it's not for everyone! Some people don't want to wait four years :P Also what may be 4 years for you could be 6 or more years for others. Some wear wigs or extensions while they grow out thier natural hair too. Or perhaps they like their shorter hair for every day, but want longer hair for a mermaidy look. There are situations where people can't grow their hair out because of job regulations. Some want a different color - especially non natural colors- but don't want to dye their hair. Plus non natural colors are very high maintenance to stay looking good, and can do a lot of damage from all the processing. Some straight up can't dye their hair for their job (or many other reasons). There are lots of reasons for it.

[AtlantisDreamer]

Oh wow... I guess I was having a brain fart when I made this post... Everything you said is completely logical and not too difficult to figure out - I guess my mind was somewhere else. Whoops, lol. Well, thank you for bringing me out of the clouds and back down to earth :p ;)

[Fifi Tigg]

What a great question :D
I have also pondered about this mainly because I think mermaids can have any style or length and there are some really bad wigs out there that just don't do justice for the beautiful person wearing it!

[AniaR]

lol because people like having different hair styles even when they aren't mermaids? I had to chop my hair off because the chlorine literally made it fall out. It was not a choice to have short hair, and I have been growing it out ever since and it's super slow. I had a pony tail extension I would use for dry mermaid stuff and mermaid photos.

[Blondie]

I've been growing my hair out for three years now. I started with it just at the top of my shoulders, now it's just past my shoulder blades. It's taken forrreeevvveerrr to grow it that long. But as it gets longer, I've had so many more rats nest knots, dead ends, split ends, and drier hair. Long hair is something you always have to take care of. It requires more frequent hair cut trips (that's if you want to keep it looking healthy), more product use, and you need to be conscious of chlorine, and it getting snagged on things. I keep my hair tied up often unless I'm doing something where I want it down. It just gets in the way.

People use wings and clip ons because maybe they're still trying to grow out their hair or they just don't want to commit to the length. Long hair isn't for everyone.

[Mermaid Oshun]

I bought a mer wig but have never even put it on my head. I bought mine because it comes to my butt and that's where I WISH my real hair was. Now my real hair is bra strap length and I am hoping it will get to waist length within a year.
So even though I bought a $20 fake hair wig on ebay I have NEVER even put it on and dont think I ever will. My mother wears a wig every day of her life and I say GO for it! Do whatever makes you happy. I do not condemn anyone for doing what makes them happy whether it is a wig, a weave, a push up/ padded bra, girdle, corset, sculptured nails, hair color, finger nail polish, rouge, lip stick, mascara, powder, or a tail. Who am I or are you to decide what anyone else can or can not wear? Go for it!

I dont think anyone else should shame anyone who elects to wear a wig either. We are wearing tails so we are in no position to throw stones in my opinion.

Here is a tiny glimpse of my recent hair journey... Well it should be longer than that now actually. My hair has always been very thin. I doubt I will ever grow more hair follicles than I have.
15728

PS Since I am bi racial (half Italian and half black) growing butt length hair may be a challenge for me. I recognize that this may also be the case for some other black women. In my neighborhood, women wear wigs and weaves all the time! Then again, I see women of all shades with all sort of fake things on everyday actually.

[LittlePolly]

I have got hair extentions because my hair is super thin and it used to be short. But I don't wear them anymore because I felt fake with them. I still use them for acting and photoshoots but not for real life.

[Mermaid Momo]

What Iona said, and personally though I don't use wigs with my mermaiding (I use them when wearing lolita but thats different sorta) I would potentially where a wig or extensions because my hair doesn't grow downward. Which means that even when wet, my hair won't fan out or anything it'll still be an afro lol (until it gets really really really long. ) So wigs and extensions will get me that fanning out that I would want. Though I really like my afro. (right now my hair goes to about right under my chin when straight. but when it's not It looks really short.cuz shrinkage is a bitch lol wish I could post a picture but my phone refuses to post any where I can get them.)

[Fun123joker]

i use to have hair upto my butt but the reason i cut it off was i couldnt stand taking care of it! everymorning i had to go and serch for a brush and i would brush it for sooooo long and when i take one step outside it gets all tangled and blah. people never believed that i even brushed my hair. i always got knots and i hated washing my hair becuase of the tangles. i loved swiming but i hated that i had to wash my hair after wards. TAKES FOREVER TO DRY. i got lice 3 times. once i went to school knotless and then came back with a hudge knot. did i mention how long it took to brush out knots?! split ends were the least of my problems
in the end my hair were as crappy as party city wigs

now that i cut my hair i dont have to go through all that and my head feels lighter without all the waight of my hair and short hair made less drag in the water
sure i sometimes miss my old hair but i can see why people wear wigs

[Fun123joker]

there use to be a time where Walt Disney world had mermaids. all the requirements were that you had to be a strong swimmer and have to have long hair

[Mermaid Oshun]

It is time for my 2 month hair growth update on November 27th. I HOPE my hair is down to line 11 on this shirt by then... I REALLY hope I get down to line 12 by some stroke of luck!!!
We'll see :$

[Mermaid Momo]

BTW Pearl, Did you chemically straighten your hair or bleach it?

[Mermaid Oshun]

I used to use Japanese straightener last year. It is not straightened now. No bleach, I was born blonde. I do use a tint sometimes to brighten the color a bit amd cover my gray. So for the last year I have been kind of all natural for the most part.

PS I have been considering a Brazilian Keratin Treatment but I am liking not having too many chemicals right now so I probably wont. But I used to use one n only thermal straightener (japanese straightener) and it worked wonders on my hair. It was so straight and silky when I used that. You didnt notice that it was thin when I had that because it just looked right. I kind of miss it actually. It looks messy without it.

[PearlieMae]

Hair length, aside from breakage and damage from external circumstances, is genetic. Your hair will grow for a while, the follicle will go into a resting period where you will shed that hair, and then the cycle starts over again and a new hair starts from that follicle.

My half sister can't grow her hair past her shoulders, whereas my hair grows so long I can sit on it.

Don't brush your hair while it's wet - brushes break it, and go easy on blow dryers, coloring, etc.

[Mermaid Momo]

I used to use Japanese straightener last year. It is not straightened now. No bleach, I was born blonde. I do use a tint sometimes to brighten the color a bit amd cover my gray. So for the last year I have been kind of all natural for the most part.

PS I have been considering a Brazilian Keratin Treatment but I am liking not having too many chemicals right now so I probably wont. But I used to use one n only thermal straightener (japanese straightener) and it worked wonders on my hair. It was so straight and silky when I used that. You didnt notice that it was thin when I had that because it just looked right. I kind of miss it actually. It looks messy without it.

Maybe try hot oil treatment to get it a bit fuller? My mom has really thin hair (so thin it looks like she has bald spots even though she doesn't) and she uses Mane and Tail shampoo and conditioner and that made it thicker and to get it really silky (since she's half native her hair is straight) she wraps it when wet with oils and cremes she makes at home and puts a plastic bag over it then a towel and lets is sink in with the heat and it's so soft and silky when she's done! It's gotten thin again though because her Thyroid has been acting up.

[Prince Calypso]

I've noticed that some people buy, make or use fake mermaid hair. I was just wondering why and what the point is when you can just grow your hair out long if you want to have long tresses... It's taken about four years, but my hair is now down to the crack of my rear end and I love it - I get so many compliments. However, once it starts to get really long it can get damaged really easily. A tip was shared with me recently... Don't use shampoo or soap, even if it's organic and sulfate free, wash only with conditioner. It's certainly made a difference for me. But back to my original question... Why are some people so fascinated with fake mermaid hair and wigs?

I think you just answered you own questions. Growing out your own hair can take years for some people for other people it can be near impossible not to mention the maintenance that goes into having longer hair in the first place not to meant lost of mermaids swim in salt water and that's damaging to hair. A wig, weave, or clips ins give the illusion of longer hair without any the hassle.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Were this not Mernetwork, I would assume a comment like that was a typical day to day jab or cheap shot women take at each other and act innocent afterward. It's called cattiness. Since it is Mernetwork, I will give the benefit of the doubt and just assume it was a bit of insensitivity or thoughtlessness instead.

[Prince Calypso]

Were this not Mernetwork, I would assume a comment like that was a typical day to day jab or cheap shot women take at each other and act innocent afterward. It's called cattiness. Since it is Mernetwork, I will give the benefit of the doubt and just assume it was a bit of insensitivity or thoughtlessness instead.

excuse me? nothing i said was thoughtless or insensitive considering that i said nothing mean.
all i did was point out that she kind of answered her own questions as to why people wear wigs.
as a gay man I'm very aware of what Cattiness is thank you very much and nothing i said came off as catty, believe me
If i had wanted to be mean or thoughtless and insensitive believe me you wouldn't have to question my intentions.
so maybe before you accuse people of something you should step back and reevaluate for a moment

[Elle]

Was it possible she was referring to the original post?

I can't really grow my hair long. It breaks ridiculously easily once it starts getting past my shoulders.
It has taken me 5 years to go from chin length to about armpit length and the only reason I let it stay that long was for my wedding. the day after I got it cut at shoulder length.
it doesn't matter how well I care for it. I have tried everything under the sun and probably spent $1000s on trying to get my hair to be long and healthy and it just does not happen for me.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Oh no Prince I was talking about the original topic itself not anything you said. The word "fake" sets the tone of malice. There are more neutral words like hair piece. I am with you on this Elle. It is not as easy for some to grow hair as others. Using words like fake is a little insensitive considering everyone is not the same. Thank God I wear only my real hair but if I didn't I would not want anyone using that language about my corrective cosmetic device.

[tealmermaid]

To answer the original question, it probably does really come down to not wanting to maintain the long hair. My hair is always between "waist length" and "long enough to sit on", and super-curly if left to its own devices. It takes a lot to maintain long hair, and more so if it's curly.

It's too much bother for most people.

[Echinacea]

I think the idea of colored wigs is kind of fun! I have always wanted green hair, but the care and fuss of it, plus the image factor, have kept me from indulging. Like several folks mentioned, one's personal circumstances do not always allow the liberty for self-expression as far as appearance goes. So one way to get the fun colored mermaid hair so many of us admire is to use a wig! :)

[Elle]

The word "fake" sets the tone of malice.


Yes, fake can be quite a horrible word.
Like; "Did you see Jane's new fake boobs?"

But for all you know, Jane had a double mastectomy and wants to feel womanly and had a breast reconstruction you narrow minded tit!

random tangent achieved!

[Prince Calypso]

Oh no Prince I was talking about the original topic itself not anything you said. The word "fake" sets the tone of malice. There are more neutral words like hair piece. I am with you on this Elle. It is not as easy for some to grow hair as others. Using words like fake is a little insensitive considering everyone is not the same. Thank God I wear only my real hair but if I didn't I would not want anyone using that language about my corrective cosmetic device.

Ok sorry. i seemed like you were taking my post negitive.
I've been kinda on the defensive lately and I'm sorry for getting upset

[drucilla]

Were this not Mernetwork, I would assume a comment like that was a typical day to day jab or cheap shot women take at each other and act innocent afterward. It's called cattiness. Since it is Mernetwork, I will give the benefit of the doubt and just assume it was a bit of insensitivity or thoughtlessness instead.

I agree with your comment on the original post I thought I was just being paranoid, so I wanted to see other peoples reactions first. It was mostlikely a misuse of words though, Some times different words mean different things to different people. Plus anything online can be misconstrued because we cant see or hear the people who are talking.

[AtlantisDreamer]

I'm really sorry about that - I didn't mean to offend anyone or sound like I was talking about something as though I was criticizing it. "Fake," or "Pretend," were the only words I could think of :(

[Mermaid Danielle]

Personally, my hair grows super slowly and I don't ever want to dye it. I am willing to use colored hair extensions though for an extra touch with a costume.

[AtlantisDreamer]

These would my tips for getting your hair to grow long quickly... Mine used to grow slowly until I made just these few simple changes and a lot started happening much quicker:

1. Don't brush your hair every single day - if it has to look nice for work, try to only do one brush per day
2. Trim the ends ALL THE TIME. It doesn't have to be noticeable... I usually am trimming split ends while watching TV almost every night and it seems to make my hair grow faster - a hair salon explained the science of this... Oxygen enters the hair follicle through the ends, so if they're split or not trimmed regularly, they don't get enough oxygen to give them the nutrients they need to keep growing
3. Don't use any shampoo with sulfates, i.e. sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, that is, if you insist on using shampoo at all. I've found (and learned this from a lady that has her hair nearly down to her knees), that if you just wash with conditioner instead, it'll make it grow faster
4. Don't dye it

Of course there's all the extenuating factors of hair type, genetics, preferences, etc., but this really helped me to get mine long and prior to this I'd never been able to get it past my shoulder blades, so I think it's something worth trying. It now hangs down to my waist.

[PearlieMae]

Trimming to get oxygen in your hair follicles is completely without merit. Your hair grows from your scalp, not the ends.

Washing your hair with just conditioner will make it a slimy mess. Sulfates are bad for your body. Hair is dead keratin, like your fingernails.

Hair length is genetic and how well and gently you treat it.

My hair is about six inches above my knees. :D

[AtlantisDreamer]

Trimming to get oxygen in your hair follicles is completely without merit. Your hair grows from your scalp, not the ends.

Washing your hair with just conditioner will make it a slimy mess. Sulfates are bad for your body. Hair is dead keratin, like your fingernails.

Hair length is genetic and how well and gently you treat it.

My hair is about six inches above my knees. :D

Yeah, I do have to use shampoo every so often because it'll finally get oily beyond being able to be cleansed with just shampoo. What do you think about spray-on dry oil for the tips and few inches of damage that generally occur around the end parts... ???

[Thalassa]

If you decide to conditioner wash, make sure that the conditioner doesn't have silicones in it! Silicones "wax" your hair to make it feel smooth, but they need harsh cleaners to strip them from your hair (a reason a lot of shampoos have harsh chemicals and sulfates). So you get into this cycle of waxing and stripping your hair. For CO (conditioner only), stick with hair products without ingredients ending in -cone or -xane. Otherwise you will end up with a build up of silicones and your hair will be heavy and greasy. Personally, I have oily hair so I use a mild sulfate free shampoo (careful--some shampoos that say they're "sulfate free" still have sulfates in the ingredients) and a 'cone-free conditioner.

Trimming the ends of your hair can help with split ends and makes your hair seem thicker and longer, but it doesn't help your hair grow any faster.

Biotin helps (try taking multivitamins meant for hair and nails) as does drinking lots of water.

These things will help you reach your hair's potential growth, but nothing can override your hair's genetic makeup.

Personally, long hair is a pain when swimming, and afterwards. Oh, the tangles! But it looks pretty, and I'm vain. XD

[PearlieMae]

Oiling your hair helps keep it elastic, I prefer 100% coconut oil. Keeping the ends trimmed keeps damage from continuing up the hair shaft. Typically, hair grows about half an inch a month, so if you are trimming more than that, ypie hair can't keep up with your scissors. I only trim mine twice a year. I NEVER use a blow dryer or curling iron. Satin pillowcases help keep friction down, too.

[Thalassa]

Oiling your hair helps keep it elastic, I prefer 100% coconut oil. Keeping the ends trimmed keeps damage from continuing up the hair shaft. Typically, hair grows about half an inch a month, so if you are trimming more than that, ypie hair can't keep up with your scissors. I only trim mine twice a year. I NEVER use a blow dryer or curling iron. Satin pillowcases help keep friction down, too.

*high five* What she said, too. Note that oiling hair with a natural oil is not the same thing as using a silicone-infused hair product.

And yes! Satin pillowcases are amazing!

[Ondine]

I don't know if other mers have experienced this but we've also had clients request mers with a particular hair colour (usually to match the expectations of their kiddies, I hasten to point out) so wigs are also useful for that if you don't want to go through a complete dye job every time you book a children's party ;)

[Echidna]

I don't know if other mers have experienced this but we've also had clients request mers with a particular hair colour (usually to match the expectations of their kiddies, I hasten to point out) so wigs are also useful for that if you don't want to go through a complete dye job every time you book a children's party ;)

Want to hire mermaid.
Must have long red hair and a green tail

derp

[MerGrrl]

"Oxygen enters the hair follicle through the ends, so if they're split or not trimmed regularly, they don't get enough oxygen to give them the nutrients they need to keep growing"?

Straight-up fairytale. Hair doesn't "breathe."

[BlueMermaid]

I probably wear more wigs than anyone. lol My reasons for wearing them are many. I bought my first one just cause I wanted to have blue hair for a few photos when I got my first tail. I didnt always wear it but then I started realizing, after looking at photos without it, how much better I looked as a mermaid with one. Lupus has made my hair very thin, and I started seeing in photos just how bad it looks when its wet. So I wear them mostly because I am self concious about that, but I would probably still wear them even if I had nice hair, just because I have so much fun doing different colors and styles!

Also, as a working mermaid I've learned, looks are pretty important to clients. It shouldnt be that way, but it is. Ive had a few disapointed that the mermaid I sent them didnt have long hair. They usually want a pretty traditional mermaid, long hair, no tats, piercings, alternative looks. We do lots of public events so they really want our look to appeal to general audences. One girl I work with has a very short pixie cut. She is like me, doesnt like how her hair looks wet. She has gone wigless for a few gigs but pretty much always wears a wig with her tail now.

[SeaGlass Siren]

I like BIG WIGS and I cannot lie!!

You other mermaids can't deny!!!

That when ya walk in with an itty bitty waist and you whip long hair in somebody's face

You get sprung!