DIY Creepy Little Mermaid CostumeIf you saw the Dominatrix Queen of Hearts Costume post you’ll know that I recently had a dance performance called Twisted Tales in which all the well known children’s characters had a twist that made them more suitable for Halloween. I told you what the Queen of Hearts twist was but are you ready for Ariel’s twist? Ariel is a shy Little Mermaid, who really wants to be anywhere than where she is, stuck in a beauty pageant with all the ‘normal’ girls (all the other Disney princesses) with proper legs…  She does her best to perform for the judges with her “condition” but everyone just thinks she’s a creep. Unable to take it anymore, the Little Mermaid makes a desperate self-mutilation attempt in front of the judges to show she can in fact be a real girl… Self-Mutilating Little Mermaid!

Elements of the costume and where you can find them:

Ariel Little Mermaid Women's Bikini
Ariel Little Mermaid Women’s Bikini from eBay
Cost: $24.69
What I Paid: $11.01
There are also high waisted versions that are cheaper. This one and this one. I only used the top half which I also covered in some cheap black netting I had left over from making my tale to grunge it up a little.
Green Metallic Leggings
Green Metallic Leggings from eBay
Cost: $6.63
What I Paid: $46.58
I had mine custom made for me from Playful Cat Pole Wear because I required them to stick to the pole but if this is not a requirement then I’d recommend the mermaid print leggings. (If there is anyone poling in these leggings be warned they aren’t really that sticky. I had to coat them in spray adhesive to stick safely in the tricks I was doing.)
Ariel Mermaid Tale
Ariel Mermaid Tail Homemade
Cost: $21.50
My tale was more tailored toward the dance prop that I needed. It had to hold my legs together but also be easy to rip off. Read about how I made it and also some alternate ideas on tailoring it to your costume in the link above.
Mermaid Head Piece
Mermaid Hair Piece Homemade
Cost: $17.93
Temporary Red Hair Spray
Temporary Red Hair Spray from eBay
Cost: $13.99
The whole can covered my just-past-my-shoulders hair thoroughly. I have blonde tips and it still washed out just fine. I soaked my hair in gel to make it look wet like I’d just come out of the water and then spray this on over the top.
Artificial Moss
Artificial Moss from Spotlight
Cost: $7.99
I used this while making my headpiece but I also scattered it throughout my gelled back hair. It is a bit of a pain to get out again but I managed within the hour long gap between acts to do it so you’ll be fine.
Fake Dagger
Fake Dagger from eBay
Cost: $8.49
I borrowed from a friend. You could also add some fake blood to the mix if you were so inclined.

Total: $101.22
What I Paid: $111.01

Even if you were just dressing up as the little mermaid for Halloween I think this is an interesting twist on an old favourite. Perhaps go as a group of Disney princess with your friends. For my mermaid make-up look I simply put a wig cap (you could also use fishnet stockings) over my head and powdered on various shades of green eye-shadow around my forehead and across my cheek bones. I also painted my eyebrows red to match my hair with some lipstick. I was going for icky fish girl so I kept the rest of the make-up really simple, only adding some concealer over my lips to make me look even more creepy.

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume Behind the Scenes

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume Hair and Make UpAs much as I hate the photo below it’s probably the best one to show the hair and make-up I did for this character. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo when I still have the tail on because it fell off earlier than planned in my dolphin roll. Typical after I spent so long working on it. You’ll just have to take my word that it look really effective on, just like a mermaid tail. I’m so happy with the photos below though. They really capture the character. I just wish there was more. How do you think I went?

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume In Action

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume In Action

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume In Action

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume In Action

Creepy Ariel Little Mermaid Costume In Action