Ever looked at a movie screen and wondered why the "underwater" makeup looks better than your Saturday night glam? Honestly, when the live-action The Little Mermaid dropped, every beauty obsessive on the planet had the same thought. How did Halle Bailey’s skin look like actual glass while being pelted with salt water and wind?
It wasn’t just luck. It was a massive shift in how we think about "mermaidcore."
For decades, we all thought ariel makeup little mermaid meant one thing: bright red lips, blue eyeshadow, and maybe some chunky glitter. But the 2023 film took that cartoonish vibe and threw it into the deep end. Makeup artist Kat Ali, the genius behind Halle’s look, basically invented a new genre of beauty. It’s ethereal. It’s "no-makeup" makeup, but with a siren twist that actually works in the real world.
The Secret Products Behind the Siren Glow
If you’re expecting a list of heavy waterproof theater paints, you’re going to be surprised. Kat Ali didn't want a mask; she wanted a second skin.
To get that "just emerged from the Caribbean" look, she started with skin prep that cost less than a fancy brunch. She used Glossier Priming Moisturizer and the iconic Balm Dotcom (in the original clear version) to make sure Halle’s face was hydrated before a single drop of pigment touched it.
The foundation choice was the real kicker. Instead of a thick, waterproof spackle, Ali reached for MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Foundation. It’s a cult classic for a reason. It’s mostly water-based, meaning it bonds to the skin rather than sitting on top of it. This allowed Halle’s real freckles to peek through—a huge win for authenticity.
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For the eyes, forget the 1989 teal shadow. The movie used Tom Ford’s Eye Color Quad in Suspicion. It’s a palette of warm, shimmering golds and ambers. Ali applied the "spotlight" technique—putting the lightest, shimmery shade right in the center of the lid to catch the light every time Ariel blinked.
That Lip Combo Everyone Is Obsessing Over
Social media went feral trying to figure out the lip color. It looks like her natural lip, but better. Ali eventually spilled the tea: it’s a two-step process that anyone can recreate.
- The Liner: She used MAC Lip Pencil in Cork. It’s a muted, golden-brown that provides structure without looking like a 90s throwback.
- The Color: This was topped with Chanel Rouge Allure (174 Rouge Angélique).
The result? A soft, nude-pink that looks like you’ve been eating berries on a tropical island. It’s polished but effortless. It's the "I didn't try" look that actually took hours to perfect.
Why We Get the "Mermaid" Vibe Wrong
Most people think mermaid makeup needs to be blue. Green. Purple. Scales. But that’s more "costume party" than "sea goddess."
Real mermaidcore in 2026 is about texture. It’s about the play between matte skin and wet-look highlights. In the movie, they used Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette to hit the high points of the face. They also leaned heavily on Weleda Skin Food Light for the body. If you want that slippery, iridescent skin look, you don't need glitter—you need high-intensity hydration.
Interestingly, the "scales" you saw on Halle’s skin in the underwater scenes? Total CGI. Kat Ali confirmed that while she did the base makeup, the shimmering, iridescent scale patterns were added in post-production. It’s a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a secret product, but it proves that the base is what matters. If the skin doesn't look healthy, the digital effects look fake.
Making it Last: The Waterproof Struggle
Let's be real—Halle Bailey was in a tank of water for 13 hours a day. Your average setting spray isn't going to cut it.
The production team used Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Setting Spray. Not only does it lock everything down, but it also protected her skin from the brutal filming lights and actual sun.
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One "ouch" moment from the set: Halle couldn't use mascara or strip lashes because they’d just float away or smudge. They went with professional eyelash extensions. However, since she was constantly in the water, she often had to get them wet before the 24-hour "curing" period was over. She’s mentioned in interviews that her eyes were often burning between takes. Beauty is pain, even when you're a Disney princess.
Actionable Steps for Your Own Ariel Look
If you want to pull off the ariel makeup little mermaid aesthetic without the burning eyes, follow this blueprint:
- Ditch the heavy matte foundation. Go for a skin tint or the MAC Face and Body mentioned earlier. If you have spots to hide, use a high-coverage concealer like Uoma Beauty Stay Woke only where you need it.
- Focus on the "inner glow." Mix a liquid highlighter into your moisturizer. You want to look damp, not sparkly.
- The "Sunset" Eye. Use copper, gold, and warm browns. Avoid cool blues unless you’re going for the 1989 animated look.
- The Cork Lip. Get a brown-toned liner. Line your lips, blur it inward with your finger, and slap on a hydrating gloss or a sheer lipstick.
- SPF is your best friend. If you’re actually going to the beach, use Black Girl Sunscreen (the Make It Matte version was used on set) to keep the look from becoming a greasy mess.
The real takeaway here is that Ariel’s beauty isn't about hiding who you are. It’s about looking like the best, most hydrated version of yourself that just happens to live in a coral reef.
To master this look, start by swapping your powder products for creams. Cream blush, like Milk Makeup’s Lip + Cheek in Quickie, melts into the skin and stays put much better than powder when humidity hits. Apply your highlight to your collarbones and shoulders, not just your face. This creates a cohesive, ethereal glow that feels purposeful rather than accidental.