# Talk me out of at-home mermaid hair! (Quick answers only) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 9, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156 "2020-01-09T02:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/41 "2020-01-10T18:12:57Z")
That looks fantastic! Much more subtle and elegant than what I had in my brain. I was picturing something far more shocking. That, to me, looks seriously “black dress worthy”. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/42 "2020-01-10T18:34:54Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Where are you going? That’s a ton of diving. I’ve done 3-4 dives/day for a week (2 morning, 1 afternoon, 1 night dive every other day), and I was exhausted at the end of the trip. To where I could barely roll my luggage to the airport van… So I guess I’m saying that you may be a little too worn out at the end of the day to appreciate/care for your mermaid hair. It’s a liveaboard dive boat going to various sites in Turks and Caicos. I don’t know if I’ll be doing all the dives they offer; like I said, it’s well beyond what I’ve done before. But I’m diving Nitrox and bringing my 7mm wetsuit (it’s the only one I own; SoCal diving is pretty cold, but I hear multiple dives in warm water can really chill your bones too.) So we’ll see. I don’t anticipate doing anything to care for my hair besides French braiding it in the morning, washing it at night, and using reef-friendly leave-in conditioner. If the color washes out in a few days, that’ll actually be perfect. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Shit, that’s utterly hidden in the bun. Looks fabbo! > > Mind sharing what brand you used? Did you DIY yourself? I bought a sampler pack of Lime Crime temporary color and ended up using Pony (purple) and Anime (blue). The pack came with 5 colors, and on the company website there’s a guide for what each color looks like on different shades; all 5 looked different on light blonde hair, but they all looked like slightly less vibrant versions of one of those 2 shades I chose on medium blonde hair. I only used half of each packet, though they don’t reseal so I’ll probably end up throwing the open ones away. I did it myself, using regular foil to wrap each section, and otherwise just followed the directions on the box. Product link: [https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/lime-crime-mermaid-goals-unicorn-hair-try-me-kit-nordstrom-exclusive/5134266/lite?country=US¤cy=USD&gclsrc=aw.ds&&mrkgcl=760&mrkgadid=3313962035&utm\_content=9383343233&utm\_term=pla-69992633033&utm\_channel=shopping\_ret\_p&sp\_source=google&sp\_campaign=645528200&rkg\_id=0&adpos=1o2&creative=57185152913&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA3uDwBRBFEiwA1VsajG8vs0TBqExdgvAtLXNmGS6RpFoZTRZPITlog09OEb7W\_XJashnIuRoCZL8QAvD\_BwE](https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/lime-crime-mermaid-goals-unicorn-hair-try-me-kit-nordstrom-exclusive/5134266/lite?country=US¤cy=USD&gclsrc=aw.ds&&mrkgcl=760&mrkgadid=3313962035&utm_content=9383343233&utm_term=pla-69992633033&utm_channel=shopping_ret_p&sp_source=google&sp_campaign=645528200&rkg_id=0&adpos=1o2&creative=57185152913&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA3uDwBRBFEiwA1VsajG8vs0TBqExdgvAtLXNmGS6RpFoZTRZPITlog09OEb7W_XJashnIuRoCZL8QAvD_BwE) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/43 "2020-01-10T19:03:47Z")
That’s great! You really achieved good color in a pretty pattern! ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/44 "2020-01-10T19:14:14Z")
Nice ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/45 "2020-01-12T11:05:20Z")
Lovely! ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/46 "2020-01-12T19:16:11Z")
Looks great!! ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/47 "2020-01-14T02:07:50Z")
It’s lovely. I’m sure the effect underwater will be stunning! ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/48 "2020-01-14T02:56:33Z")
I love it. I’ve had old lady short hair for too long and am in the process of growing it out so I can stop fussing with it, and once it is long enough I intend on colors. My hair is very silver-grey so I hope I can get some great rainbow colors. Your hair is really an inspiration to me, **Esprise Me**! Have fun on your trip. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/49 "2020-01-14T03:37:27Z")
Looks great. Bet you go more bold next vacation. 🙂 Also, that’s a great pic for you to play with in photoshop for your next go. ---
**Author:** ![atimnie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atimnie/32/11_2.png) [@atimnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atimnie)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/50 "2020-01-14T05:34:29Z")
It’s said that in life, you regret more the things you didn’t do than the things you did. Go for it, but buy a wig if things go wrong. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/51 "2020-01-14T15:32:56Z")
Just in case anyone else has played with the idea of fun hair colors but is nervous about it, I say go for it. I have blonde hair that has always tended to naturally bleach in the sunlight. Around age 54 I started noticing that it was also coming in white streaks. Going gray very gracefully, I count myself super lucky. After some thought I decided to have my stylist try adding some fun color underneath where it could be hidden or shown as I felt like. I’ve been doing red/blue and purple/blue combinations, on both sides of my face. I get SO many compliments. I’ve noticed that when I wear blouses that compliment the fun hair color I look especially amazing. Now I’m tossing around the idea of trying a bright, copper red/orange (if it goes with my skin tone, not sure it will) or a brown and black combo. One fun surprise in doing this: we discovered that my hair holds onto the color really well. It’s been taking 7-10 weeks to fade out. Blue fades first, down to a lovely pale teal. The purples and reds take longer to fade out. And another way I’m super lucky: we haven’t had to bleach my hair yet. It won’t hold a perm to save my life but it sure soaks up the color! (I know if I do the brown/black combo then I will have to bleach it to go lighter again.) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/52 "2020-01-14T16:59:10Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Isn’t “mermaid hair” hair that’s always covering your boobs? Don’t be silly; that’s what shells are for. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156/53 "2020-01-21T01:52:06Z")
I’m back! The whole thing worked out quite well; I really enjoyed the color, and the thrill of doing something I can’t do in my daily life. I did 26 dives on my trip; I only missed the night dive on the third day because I wasn’t feeling well. After the first day (5 dives followed by a shower and whatever shampoo the boat provided) the color was about half as vibrant as when I arrived, and it continued to fade by halves every day thereafter until by the end of the week there was just the faintest hint of pink if you looked closely. I had my hair appointment today and actually there’s still just the merest suggestion of color left, but I’m not worried about a judge being able to see it from the bench. If anyone says anything, I guess I could try that dish soap trick, or just put it in a bun again, but I think it’ll be OK. I wanted to err on the side of it washing out too soon, which I managed, but it might’ve been nice to keep it just a little brighter for a little longer. The instructions on the box were to leave it on for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for maximum effect. It took me 30 minutes just to do the foil-wrapped sections, so the back of my head got an hour, but the lighter strands at the front only got the 30 minutes. I have another dive trip coming up in June; maybe I’ll do this again and leave it on for 2 hours. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-out-of-at-home-mermaid-hair-quick-answers-only/846156.md?page=2)