So YOU want to be a MERMAID. New vlog series by Raina

[AniaR]

I've started a new vlog series to answer some of the most popular questions I get about being a pro mermaid. Here's my first one answering questions about how I personally cope with chlorine!


http://youtu.be/ZIXbE29Anpg

[Meilyn]

Question:
How often do you use/swim in your tail weekly? :D

[AniaR]

off season 3-4. on season 6-8

[Mermaid Amelia]

Oooh great video thanks! Really helpful. I think I may need to get your book ;)


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[AniaR]

#2 is now up! I was overwhelmed by the positive response of the first one so here's the second one !! They wont always be so informal, but I've been sick so there ya go lol


http://youtu.be/_6VQEqlfLiw

[Shaheen]

definitely will invest in those nose plugs when my pool opens this summer :dance:

[Mermaid Jaffa]

How do you get rid of the chlorine smell that infuses into your skin after swimming?

I shower at the pool before going in it. After I'm done swimming I have another long shower, but scrubbing a lot with soap, there is still a faint smell of chlorine on my skin.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Speaking as a swimmer...... You don't. There this line of soaps and conditioners that I used to use but they didn't get rid of it completely when I was in the pool for hours a day. I forget what it was called, but it smelled like candy and came in clear squeeze tubes in lotion shampoo conditioner and body wash. It's really hard to get the smell out. Even once you're dry, if you wet your skin with fresh water it will smell strongly of chlorine. It's just something you have to deal with if you frequent pools. Oh and antichlorine products are expensive.


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[Mermaid_Kenzee]

wow this is sooooooo helpful thank you sooooo very much for sharing!!!!!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Yea. A$30 for a small 50ml bottle... I was hoping Ms Pro Mermaid had an alternative cheapie that she uses!

[AniaR]

Gotta pay for reliable stuff. I keep receipts and claim at tax time

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[Aziara]

I think here in the US you have to make more than $4,000 dollars a year at something, or it's considered a hobby and it won't be taxed or expenditures refunded. I'm still keeping my recipes just in case though. I need to find out for sure, this is just what I've been told.

[AniaR]

Even if you don't pay taxes on it you can claim expenses. In fact I believe in USA you can be in the red for up to 3 years in the start for a new business. Keep receipts for everything.

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[Aziara]

^good to know!

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

Raina: I just order you book and I'm sooo excited to read it and learn all about you/mermaiding!!!! I can't wait

[AniaR]

Thanks Kenzee!

Here's my next vlog, all about transporting your tail and yourself IN your tail


http://youtu.be/_fWF4KVaSqY

[Kishiko]

Love the video raina! Sean was definitely judging the whole time XD thanks for the awesome vlogs.!

[Ariadne]

These are awesome! It's so good to see the little details that make mer-life doable...thanks so much, sugar! :mermaid kiss:

[MerEmma]

I love Sean. His face when you were messing around with the dolly was SO funny. :P

[AniaR]

you couldnt hear the funny things he was saying in the background they didnt show up on the sound. but lol he was making fun of me.

[Fun123joker]

this may be a really weird question but because your tail bag is so huge. can you fit inside it? like how far deep can you, yourself, your entire body fit in your bag? just curious
,

[AniaR]

Uh I don't put myself in a bag why would I? Yes that is a really weird question...

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[Mermaid Jaffa]

this may be a really weird question but because your tail bag is so huge. can you fit inside it? like how far deep can you, yourself, your entire body fit in your bag? just curious
,

Her tail looks big is because of the material used in making it. Silicone, neoprene and latex are thicker materials. And the more layers/colors you add, the bigger and fatter the tail will look. It has nothing to do with the size of the person wearing it. For example, a thin person in a high end tail will also look slightly fatter because of the tail.

And if it were a fabric tail and the same size fluke, you might say her tail looks small because the fabric is a thinner material.

As far as I know, just from looking, only her waist and her legs go into it. I think a full bodied tail would too super heavy to swim in, unless you were an athlete swimmer, like very strong you could prob swim easily in a full silicone mermaid suit.

[AniaR]

they asked if I could fit inside my bag... not about how big my tail is.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

they asked if I could fit inside my bag... not about how big my tail is.

That IS weird! Yea... So weird that I ignored the last part of their question! Its just too strange to try and answer!

[lollikit]

A quick question... How legit do you feel when you swim in your mermaid tail???

[Mermaid Romy]

I'm loving this who vlog series so much! It's really useful and informative C:
I have a question though, have you ever gotta really sick before a gig? How do you go about dealing with that? Also what's been the best part about being a mermaid so far?

[Mermaid Adriel]

Thank you very much for it <3

[AniaR]

A quick question... How legit do you feel when you swim in your mermaid tail???

What do you mean by legit? like my swimming? feeling like a mermaid?


I have a question though, have you ever gotta really sick before a gig? How do you go about dealing with that? Also what's been the best part about being a mermaid so far?

Yes, I have chronic illness. So yeah I have. Once I landed in the hospital and was frantically texting with the client. There was also a giant snow storm. So the venue ended up closing anyway so it would have been cancelled either way. Another time I had the stomach flu and was up all night trying to track down other mermaids to do the gig for me and got them last minute. The client was super pissed before hand but realllly happy afterwards.

I do feel sick a lot of the time that I do gigs and sometimes it shows in my photos. I have a lot of pain mostly. If I had contagious symptoms or vomiting etc I wouldn't do a gig I'd get my other mermaids to do it. if you don't work with other mermaids it's good to at least know who the others are around town so you can maybe get someone to fill in for you.

Sometimes, it just can't be helped. if you have to cancel you have to cancel even if people get really angry. Sickness sucks all around.

For everything else I load up on meds and try to see it through. My gigs are typically 1-2 hours and I can usually push on through.

[MermanOliver]

Great videos, Raina! Really valuable tips you give there. Can't wait 'till your second book gets out.

[Fun123joker]

what will your second book cover?

[AniaR]

I have another thread dedicated to my second book...

[Vixy]

What's your favourite thing event wise? Children's parties, adult's parties, festivals etc?

[lollikit]

as in feeling like a mermaid? sorry :p

[AniaR]

So you want to be a mermaid? Vlog #4: Social Networking (and my rant about facebook fan pages) I had to reduce the visual quality slightly on this video, otherwise it would have taken 24 hours to upload. Stupid upload caps!


http://youtu.be/oKBGY9NBXD8

[AniaR]

What's your favourite thing event wise? Children's parties, adult's parties, festivals etc?

Kids pool parties, and after that, filming!


as in feeling like a mermaid? sorry

Yes!

[Mermaid Isabel(:]

Looks like you're his muse Raina ;) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/29/jebegyhy.jpg
Just thought I would leave this here.

[AniaR]

Lol well you all see what he pulls. But no you know me just being dramatic with Eric and everything is because I start it. Here's how this goes: if I respond in any shape or form he gets that drama and attention. It builds until people get annoyed then he claims to turn a new leaf and I an told to accept an apology and let it go. Must be time number 59 now. Tail as old as time. Perhaps I'll make a timeline!

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[Mermaid Isabel(:]

Honestly when I read that he copied people's ideas I had no idea you all meant he legitimately copied directly within 24-48 hours of the idea being presented. I can't believe it.

[AniaR]

Loads of worse stuff documented all over the forum. :(

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[PearlieMae]

I commented on him being a copycat (and anther on how uncomfortable those dumb scaled swim shorts are going to be), and got booted off his page...no more commenting for me...and funny thing, I got booted off Melissa's fb page, too! Same night!

I MUST be a real mermaid now! :D

[Mermaid Wesley]

*snort*


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[Little_Orca]

Welcome to the Pod, Pearlie.

("Welcome to the Herd" brony spoof)

[PearlieMae]

:mermaid kiss:

[Fun123joker]

is it a funny coincidence that i found the social networking vlog on a social netowork first before i saw it here. ok but seruoisly you have alot of the mercommunity watching you and when does "what if i lie i mean its not like thease thousands of people are gonna know right?" come to mind

[AniaR]

saw this on tumblr, made me laugh too hard

https://24.media.tumblr.com/2bf5e08c994cdc5fd6e6f5dc2d2de427/tumblr_n2zp37lc2d1sn8daso1_500.gif

https://31.media.tumblr.com/333d5e6a4ce4ea74b92e13fd757088b0/tumblr_n2zp37lc2d1sn8daso7_500.gif



annnnd another vlog!

Latest Vlog! So you Want to be a Mermaid? QnA with Merwrangler Sean about the work he does!

(http://youtu.be/gEH6Irf4iV8)
http://youtu.be/gEH6Irf4iV8

[MerEmma]

I love hearing his voice like that on the video, haha! Never heard his voice more than like 5 words at a time. :P

[AniaR]

he's a shy guy!

[Ariadne]

He's a doll! And ya'll are so cute...plus Kitteh!!!

[Mertara]

saw this on tumblr, made me laugh too hard

https://24.media.tumblr.com/2bf5e08c994cdc5fd6e6f5dc2d2de427/tumblr_n2zp37lc2d1sn8daso1_500.gif

https://31.media.tumblr.com/333d5e6a4ce4ea74b92e13fd757088b0/tumblr_n2zp37lc2d1sn8daso7_500.gif





hahahah I am dying

[AniaR]

Perfect gifset. I have a few others

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[Talia]

Watching every vlog you put up, Raina.

Soooo looking forward to your second book, could not put the first one down. You go girl! :highfive:

[Fun123joker]

is there a diffrence between merwrangaler and mertender?

[AniaR]

We invented the term merwrangler. So that's what we use. But other people say mertender.

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[Mertara]

In the cosplay community we just call those "handlers" XD

[Cordelia]

"He's silently judging me."

The annotations in the third video were hysterical! :D All of them were all a lot of fun to watch, too.

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

lol I LOVE watching your updates there really funny and has a lot of good information :) thank you soooo much Raina!!!!

[Ariadne]

"He's silently judging me."

The annotations in the third video were hysterical! :D All of them were all a lot of fun to watch, too.

I know, right? I loved the side-eye he was doing...like he really wanted to critique her dolly-folding skillz, but was too much of a gentleman to do it in front of all of us. So sweet! lol

[AniaR]

http://youtu.be/_mKaepryAKM


My latest vlog! How to take care of your tail!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Yessss! More videos! (Raina you're ruining my life. why would I study for finals when you're cranking these out like nobody's business? (just kiddin around of course;)))

[Mermaid Lorelei]

<3 You go girl.

[AniaR]

Vlog #7, tops and belts!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz6i0FaznOI

[Ariadne]

You are awesomesauce!!! Did I mention I can't read the title of these without singing them in my head to the tune of "Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?"

[Fun123joker]

i am so jealous of your bras! im looking forward to the second book for merstories ヽ(^。^)丿

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

can you do a vlog on putting your tail on the right and safe way

[AniaR]

Eventually.

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[Mermaid_Kenzee]

yay!!!! also when is your second book coming out and what's the title????

[AniaR]

I have decided the title will be "The Fishy Business of Being a Mermaid: A Year of Living as a Fish."

I will not be able to have it edited until end of June. So I am expecting mid-late July maybe early Aug release depending on how long editing goes. Mermaid Linden will be providing the foreword this time!

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

how exciting im looking forward to reading it!!!! also i just orderd your 1st book and i cant wait till it gets here!!!! :)

[Ariel-Starfish]

Whoo exited!! :D

[AniaR]

Got a new vlog coming later tonight.

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[Arella]

So excited to watch #7 after I finish my treasure chest!!!!!!!!

[Ariel-Starfish]

yay :3

[Arella]

Raina just watched your vlog, question though I have a belly dancing scarf but the one time I stuck it in the sink to test it in the water the dye bled, any tips on preventing that?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Sometimes those materials will bleed temporarily and then stop. I don't think there's a way to stop bleeding though....


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[AniaR]

A soak in cold water. Only thing I found that helped.

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[PearlieMae]

Wow, Raina, are you going to be able to keep up this pace? I would think a vlog a week would suffice! I can't get to them all! :D

[Arella]

Okay I'll try that thanks : ) I was mostly worried about sitting in someones pool and having it bleed during a gig :P

[AniaR]

yeah I have the same issue when I dye my hair hahahaha. Sometimes it does just happen and cant be helped.

I dont really have a set schedule for vlogs, I am just enjoying doing them so much and they are keeping my mind of some of the harder stuff going on in life. Chanelling that energy into something creative and productive I suppose!

[PearlieMae]

Raina just watched your vlog, question though I have a belly dancing scarf but the one time I stuck it in the sink to test it in the water the dye bled, any tips on preventing that?

This might help...it's just some wiki info but might steer you in the right direction... ​http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordant

[Mermaid Aalayah]

.

[Mermaid Aalayah]

I love your vlogs raina! They are really helpful :)

[AniaR]

Latest vlog is up! So You Want to be a Mermaid? Vlog #8 Risks and Safety! We talk about health and physical risks of being a mermaid, along with one of the big risks of having an online persona!


http://youtu.be/OZmQdRckLvA

[Mermaid Cascada]

These are awesome! :clap:

[Mermaid_Kenzee]

wow, i never thought about merverts :(

[AniaR]

yep. Merverts. uggh

[Fun123joker]

im sorry but i love the word merverts. i hate what it means but it sounds funny:lol:. god i sound stupid stereotypical blonde (emphasis on stereotypical)
but suprisently i had my fair share of merverts.I dont want to go into detail on exactly where

[Fun123joker]

p.s. im pretty sure you mentioned it but can you do a vlog of dealing with children and parents? i dont do parties i just chill on the beach/pool and kids come up to me. sure i dont mind it like yeah you are a kid magnet but i dont want the parents dumping the responsibility on me because i am bad with kids. I dont know what to do if they fall down and cry so i dont want some kid drowning on my hands! plus explaining to adults on how your not a pedophile. now adays its not that hard to be given that title. one time my sister and her friends were chilling and blowing bubbles and ofcorse kids like bubbles. She describe the cops giving her this pedophile stare at first but then relies everything was fine

[AniaR]

Latest Vlog is up! So You Want to be a Mermaid? Vlog9: What do Your Parents think? An interview with my dad and a chat about explaining your mermaid life to your parental units big cheer for my shy dad!


http://youtu.be/D32TgZ7bJVw

[Ashe]

Cute! And I'm loving the cat ;)

[Mermaid Danielle]

Thank you for these videos Raina, they are very helpful!

[AniaR]

vlog #10 is here. packing for gigs!


http://youtu.be/1utvXt_jXok

[MerEmma]

The thank yous + candy for lifeguards is genius--very good idea!

[AniaR]

I keep my lifeguards full of candy hehe

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[Mermaid_Kenzee]

Love all the ideas!!!!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Raina I love you! <3

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[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

So informative!

[Lucinda]

Just a theme suggestion for a vlog: I think you mentioned somewhere that you incorporate environmental issues into your gigs... What kind of issues do you bring up? How do you bring them up? And how do you approach this with people of different ages? And at what age do you think children are first capable of understanding environmental issues (even if it's just on an elementary plane)?

[AniaR]

Ive got one of these planned as a two parter but I am actually interviewing two specialist in related fields, so I have to wait for this summer

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[Lucinda]

Cool. :) I'm looking forward to seeing those videos.

[AniaR]

Latest vlog is up! Mermaid accessories!


http://youtu.be/16oXEaxBPSE

[Mermaid Wesley]

I swear I'm addicted to these vlogs :)


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[selkie13]

Yay! I love your vlogs

[shimmygoddess]

So glad you said you would do one on makeup.. I was going to suggest that!! :)

[AniaR]

Yeah just waiting til I have enugh time!

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[Chrissy]

I love these!!! Keep them coming Raina, your insite is so valuable!!!! Thank you for helping everyone out there with a dream!!!

[AniaR]

What do You Want to See?
Hey folks, I am trying to find some time to revisit my mermaid vlog “so you want to be a mermaid” You can find the total playlist here (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk)
I want to know what people want to see from it next? The current list of what is covered is below:


Dealing with chlorine
Mermaid tails
Transporting your tail
Social Networking (online)
Merwranglers/Mertenders
Tail Care
Tops and Belts
Safety and Risks
What do parents (of the mermaid/merman) think
Packing for a gig
Accessories

What else do you want to see covered?

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

I believe you mentioned doing a vlog on fabric tails and their care, and I would appreciate seeing something along those lines

[AniaR]

yeah it's a bit specific at the moment, I don't have a fabric tail.

[Mermaid Romy]

What about sceptics? Parents who think you're a creep or older kids who are the fun police...

[AniaR]

good points but I cover those in depth in my workshop recordings already ;)

[Raayvhen]

I think the biggest thing people seem to be interested in from you right now is makeup. I think it makes sense for it to come after accessories.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

:P Saw my earrings in your accessories vlog.

Loving your vlogs darling.

[Mermaid Romy]

Oooh okay. I haven't been able to attend due to them always happening at 3am for me XD

[AniaR]

I sell recordings ;)

[Mermaid Romy]

Ah yeah X3 keep meaning to buy one

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I don't know what I could ask. I'm a recreational mermaid so I haven't come across the same kinds of creepy people yet! Were you a recreational mermaid at one point, Raina? I know from previous vids that you have done that you've always dreamed of being a mermaid. Did you wake up one day and decided on the spot, "I'm gonna buy a silicone tail even if I can't swim yet." Did you do land or swimming exercises? What kinds?

[AniaR]

Allll in my books and written all over here :) ireneho

[Mermaid Enora]

what about underwater modeling/photo tips?
Love the vlogs and your book can't wait for the next one of each!!

[Mizuko]

I second the underwater modeling & photography tips! :)

[AniaR]

play I'll do makeup and then modelling/photography next. Thanks everyone! :)

[AniaR]

Okay I filmed a makeup video it'll be up later today! :D

[Mermaid Enora]

Can't wait to see it!

[AniaR]

http://youtu.be/26zldAKbjNE

[Mermaid Wesley]

Oh no Raina I'm going to blow my paycheck on makeup NOOO


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[AniaR]

Latest vlog, cleaning a tail


http://youtu.be/mn7rkcuds7c

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Thank you very much!!! <3
Wow that's really a lot of work! You don't realize what is about until you see it! O.O
Thank you again for sharing your experience <3 :)

[Mermaid Enora]

Now that y'all have mermaid bonnie's tail, what about tips on care for sequin tails?

[AniaR]

Latest vlog, putting on mermaid tails (p1) because I'll be doing a follow up with more specifics!


http://youtu.be/ttrjqh_IJNI

[Mermaid Jessica Pearl]

I don't know why. But this video made me a bit emotional. It was so lovely to see you swimming along hand in hand with your other half. For so long he has been helping you get around out of the water. Now you are helping him under the water.

[AniaR]

A follow up to my vlog on cleaning and drying tails
http://youtu.be/TD4zTevqZMA

[AniaR]

Hey folks my latest vlog is up! so You want to be a mermaid? Underwater Camera Choices! Now for some reason the title screen is upside down and I just couldn't get it to fix. (youtube did that, it wasn't uploaded that way) but the rest of the video is normal. Hope it gives you some insight!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcFsv118uWo

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Ah thank you Raina!!! *.*
Really love your vlogs really!

[Mermaid Enora]

Thanks for all your hard work and research that goes into your vlogs.
I love watching them and never miss one!
Can't wait to see more.

[AniaR]

i KNOW IT'S ANNOYING WITH THE TEXT SORRY FOLKS. Youtube is editing their video editor and nothing works right. I tried adding annotations to fix it and it wouldn't work. :( I've uploaded it twice and it did it both times and it takes me like 90 minutes each time to edit.

[AniaR]

Hey everyone, I am planning on filming some more of these over the next two weeks. I am looking for more topics people want to see keeping in mind the vlogs are 20 minutes or less. I can't go into workshop level detail or book level detail in a vlog. ;)

Here's the full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk

Topics I've already covered:

Dealing with Chlorine on your body , Mermaid Tails (general types and care), transporting your tail and you while you're in it, Online Social Networking, Merwrangler, Tail Care, tops and belts, Safety and risks, what do your parents think, packing for a gig, accessories, makeup, cleaning and drying tails (did 2 videos showing two types), Putting on a tail, Underwater camera options


Topics I can't cover:

I wont be doing a hair care video until I find something that actually works for me. I have tried everything listed out there, and it's not enough to keep up with the damage. Once I find something I feel I can endorse I'll make a video.

I wont be doing any more tail care videos, I covered everything I could offer at this time in the video I already have.


What else would you like to see, keeping in mind it's a vlog? It tends to work best when I can demonstrate things as opposed to talk for 20 minutes, but sometimes talking works if it's the right subject :)

[Mermaid Enora]

What about tips on blowing bubble rings?

[AniaR]

I still havent gotten those down yet- but I do have several slow mo videos that show me doing it, and two that show me teaching kids how to do it ;)

[Mer-Crazy]

That's the tutorial I used when learning how to make bubble rings. Got it my first try (though not as perfect as his due to my bad breath hold). ((Also Raina if you want me to take this post down just let me know, I wasn't sure if this thread was purely for your videos or not))


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjiaFJSGK_A

[AniaR]

No that's fine great video. Way better than I could

[Mermaid Enora]

AniaR, I have watched those two vids. I'll watch Selene's as soon as adobe flash updates on my computer.

I liked the one about what cameras to use underwater.
What about tips on how to pose for the camera underwater? I'm never quite sure how to angle myself or stay somewhat still for the best shot underwater. Or how to hold my breath underwater while not ending up looking like a blown up puffer fish on camera.

[AniaR]

Enora, my last vlog was about cameras, and I have a more detailed workshop coming up on Sunday :)

Here's my latest vlog: entertaining kids!


http://youtu.be/Jrb3vbwHO5g

[AniaR]

I want to cover more topics in my vlogs. I was thinking for topics I'm not versed in I might interview some mers briefly at merfest who are! So tell me, what do you want to know about being a mermaid? Keep in mind we tend to cover one topic per video, and keep in mind I have whole seminars and books on "how do you start a business?" and "how do you work with kids?" lol to see what's been covered check out the link. http://halifaxmermaids.weebly.com/how-to-be-a-mermaid.html

[Mermaid Enora]

Been thinking on this for a bit and can't really seem to come up with much.
Have you done anything on sunscreen or aftersun creams or just in general lotions for salty or chlorine dried skin?

[Mermaid Gipsy]

I LOVE these vlogs! :D Raina, you're my ins-mer-ation (I tried :P)! I just bought "Fishy Business- How to be a Mermaid" on LuLu and am super excited for it to arrive, and even more-so to read it. Thanks for being so wonderful, and such a big help to the mer community. :)

[Mermaid Enora]

What about tips on how to hire mers for a business?
things like mermaid related interview questions, swimming interview tips, how to find mers, etc.

[AniaR]

Picking these back up again and have a bunch on the go!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTifKTq4B8E

[AniaR]

mermen!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z49VcPiNHVE&feature=youtu.be

[Princess Kae-Leah]

I have a suggestion: maybe do one about dry mermaid gigs and how to be a pro mer if you can't swim well? I'm personally not pursuring being a professional mer right now(toyed with the idea a few years ago and ultimately decided it wasn't my cup of tea, right now I'm instead studying to be a professional Japanese-to-English translator for manga, novels, and stuff), but I don't know if there's anyone on here who's considering being a professional mer with a focus on "dry" events

[Princess Pearl]

Princess Kae-Leah- you might want to look at howwonderful.tumblr.com Its run by Aquarienne from this board, and its about being a Birthday Party Performer. She focusses mainly on princesses, but aside from the costume differences its the same sort of thing you would do at a dry party.

She also just wrote a book, which name checks Raina and recommends HER books for her section on mermaid parties

[AniaR]

Wow really??? That's awesome I didn't know!

[Princess Pearl]

I got it yesterday because I threw in a few bucks to her kickstarter.

[AniaR]

That's super cool!

[Princess Pearl]

I just realized I got the URL wrong. It should have been birthdaypartyprincess.tumblr.com

[AniaR]

Over the years one of the most common questions I've been asked is how to deal with hair! How to prevent chlorine damage, deal with chlorine damage, deal with short or long hair, or have mermaid hair. I never felt comfortable doing more than sharing common tips because the truth was... my hair was a wreck. I decided to finally do a vlog and this time, I interviewed a hair stylist WHILE she worked on my hair! Introducing Katie-Louise: Holistic Hairstylist (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Louise-Holistic-Hairstylist/117443404982625) in her first mermaid vlog appearance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eydMz_gMhh4&feature=youtu.be

[Mermaid Romy]

Thank you so much for this Raina! I've been starting to get worried about my hair so it's nice to have a hairdresser who's used to mermaids talk! Great video 💞

Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

ten rules for being professional mermaid


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C7fMgKT7Ec

[Mermaid Enora]

Great info Raina in both those last vlogs! I really want an hair extension halo now. It looks much more comfortable than my clip in extensions.
Look forward to more vlogs.

[AniaR]

I have a whole bunch done just haven't had time to edit and upload. Soon!

[Mermaid Enora]

I have a whole bunch done just haven't had time to edit and upload. Soon!
:D

[AniaR]

answering your questions!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c41EKSW7Dfs

[Mer Maid Lexi]

<3 These vlogs helped me get started. Totally awesome

[AniaR]

Latest vlog, probably wont help much for you folks but a good one to send people who are new to this world and obsessed with silicone tails!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IrPSzHkx8

[AniaR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJDyd-WnYBM&feature=youtu.be

[AniaR]

For anyone who would prefer to watch rather than read, here's my longest vlog yet (but chalk full of good information and my usual qwerks) on the top 10 points for managing other mermaids. If you're thinking of hiring other mermaids this is for you. (also some updated on me!)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBRDfLFxFbY&feature=youtu.be

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Raina, did you change your hair color? I had a hard time recognising you in the video still before I pressed "Play"!

[AniaR]

No, that's just what happens when you spend so much time in chlorine. I havent dyed my hair in a year lol. And if you see the other videos you'll see I have been wearing wigs.

[AniaR]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnZ06-PUAQg

[Kait]

I'm not planning on going pro but I spent the last few days watching all of these and they are so helpful. Thanks so much Raina :)

[AniaR]

I forgot to post my mermania recap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtSDhqlH56U


My latest vlog on what it's like to run a mer biz despite chronic illness, hope I cope, and what you can do if you're also sick but want to be a mermaid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhqlOkr1nHw

[AniaR]

Latest vlog: What to Charge


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPC7qTuucSE&feature=youtu.be

[AniaR]

Do mermaid tails give you a pain in the feet??? My latest vlog is for you!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqROy-k8hHw

[AniaR]

Hey folks!

I have a few more videos planned out but I wanted to check in to see if people have any specific requests.

I'm going to do a vlog about finfun's fins specifically. With some tips about putting them on, swimming in them, safety unique to them, and tips for making them last longer. It's something I get asked a lot about by the younger crowd.

I'm also planning a vlog where I talk about mermaid school. and a vlog based on my blog on free diving/breath holding.

...and a video where I talk about the differences with swimming in pool vs ocean in a mermaid tail!

Any other requests for me? Thanks :)

[Lucinda]

What kind of tips would you give to someone whose just about to try out a monofin for the first time? Any safety tips? Any breathing/breath holding techniques that are good to already know in that situation?

[suzanne86]

Get accustomed to your monofin by doing dolphin kicking with it using a kickboard (surface pool swimming). Then try dolphin kicking with it WITHOUT using a kickboard on your back, with your arms in the streamline position (straight back outstretched behind your head, with palms and wrists crossed). See how it feels to kick with the monofin on the surface before attempting to try swimming beneath the surface, where breath-holding is required. First steps first! :-)

[AniaR]

she was suggesting it as a vlog topic ;)

[Mermaid Alea]

I enjoyed your blog on freediving/breath holding so I am looking forward to your vlog on the subject!

I would be interested in a vlog about posing for photos underwater. I feel like a lot of us have been mesmerized by the recent video clips of the Weeki Wachee mermaids posing underwater for the calendar shoot so knowing some tips on how to pose underwater would be great!

I also think a vlog about how you get in and out of the different types of mermaid tails would be very informative. For example I am sure your blended waist tail is put on differently than one of your other tails that does not have a blended waist, etc. When I swam with Merman Marlin it was interesting to see that he used coconut oil to get into his silicone tail. He also rolled the tail down a little, and I 'think' this isn't possible with all silicone tails correct? Then when he let me try on his tail I realized just how hard it is to feel for the foot pockets with your feet. I didn't know if my feet were in the pockets or not, but I think they were! So maybe tips on how to know if you are truly in the tail all the way?

I am sorry if you have already done videos on these subjects. I checked your Youtube trying to make sure I wasn't suggesting a topic you already did but I could have missed something.

[Mer-Crazy]

Freediving/ breath holding and underwater posing are defs 2 I'd love to see <3

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Merman Andrew]

I know you've covered this somewhat in your books but maybe a vlog on some of the different types of client a pro Mer might work for and any differences or tips to dealing with them specifically to watch out for.

PS is Mermaid Mondays going to happen again? I really looked forward to the first couple of episodes.

Sent from my SM-G360G using Tapatalk

[AniaR]

yes Mermaid Monday is happening, I am actually branding it!

I have hired some other artists to help me put together a template for it and I have so many awesome content things for it I am so excited. I expect it to be up by the end of September if all goes according to plan. Fins crossed!

I have been learing a lot more about making my youtube content more formal and professional looking, and outsourcing editing etc so I can just focus on the content. I find I end up rushing things because I'm busy so I record it in one rushed take and edit it rushed and slap it up there! it's a bit late for so you want to be a mermaid to get re-branded, but Mermaid Monday is only two videos in, so I feel pretty confident about polishing that one up a bit more :)

Thanks for all the awesome vlog ideas! You all rock.

[Mer-Crazy]

OH! Also Underwater posing and hiding weights! I still can't figure out where people put them haha.

[AniaR]

Great idea. I was watching behind the scenes with a famous underwater photogrpaher and noticed his model was wearing shorts under her dress with big weights in them hahaha

[Ariel-Starfish]

Omg yeah please make a vlog about it! :) I would love to know how to put weights in a tail and where to but them.

[AniaR]

Update: I have a nutritionist I am interviewing about sustainable sea plants for food, along with nutrition to optimize mer swimming!

I may also interview finfolk if we make time at mermania!

[AniaR]

Latest vlog is up! Head dresses and crowns (and swimming in them!)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0jv6egLexI

[Mermaid Alea]

Great video! It really answered some questions I had and even some I hadn't thought of! :)

Do you ever have issues with the fake plants losing their color? I know you perform a lot so I was wondering if the chlorine damages them or if they withstand it pretty well.

[AniaR]

Not really honestly! They do break and fall off sometime so I am careful to make sure I am not littering.

[AniaR]

Latest video, 20 Mermaid hacks!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuwxkQWWvwg

[AniaR]

The first in a two-parter! My take on some of the more popular brands for kids and teens monofins! Obviously I can't review every monofin but here's what I got so far!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u5scEyl7EI