All about my Realistic Professional Silicone Mermaid Tail
Where to buy a Silicone Mermaid Tail...?
Back in the summer of 2016, I decided to purchase my FIRST silicone mermaid tail. I wasn't the most experienced mermaid at the time, but I knew that becoming a Professional Mermaid was something that I NEEDED to do. I could feel it in my bones. So, I researched a bunch of different tail-makers (people who make mermaid tails) and then narrowed down my list to three different well-known tail-makers.
First, I sent out an email to Merbella Studios, a company based in Florida and owned by Mermaid Raven. Her work is stunning, and therefore she only accepts a limited amount of orders per year. I waited a few months to hear back from her before sending out another email, and still... nothing. Around that same time, I sent out an email to FinFolk Productions (a tail-making company based in Hawaii that is owned by two sisters) and never heard back from them. These were my TOP TWO choices, and then I emailed my last choice... MerNation Inc.
My Experience with MerNation Inc.
The last email that I sent out that was titled "Ready to Order" went to MerNation Inc. a small mermaid tail-making business owned and operated by a small team of Professional Mermaids and diving professionals at the time. They were a bit newer to the silicone mermaid tail-making industry when I approached them, which was why they were not my first choice to go with. However... I got an email back from Erin, the company's driving force, a very short while after sending out my message. Oh. Mer. Gosh.
Erin was so incredibly kind, helpful and SO PATIENT. I asked her a million questions, had so many fears and concerns, and while I wanted to be a mermaid, I wasn't 100% sure how I would look as a mermaid. She guided me through the ordering process, answered my bucket-load of questions and even has helped me with some projects/more questions long after I had already ordered my tail. My expereince dealing with MerNation Inc. was incredible, and I can say absolutely nothing bad about the costumer service there!
But... what about the quality and the durability of their silicone tails?
Details about my Professional Silicone Mermaid Tail by MerNation Inc.
I get SO many questions about my MerNation Tail. Therefore... allow me to give you the details here.
PRICE: $2,850.00 USD ($2,750 for the tail + $100 for shipping costs)
EDITION: MerNations Custom Made Signature Addition
FLUKE STYLE: Kahleesi
SCALE OPTION: Scalloped Scales
PIGMENT FINISH: Metallic
COLOR SCHEME: Purple, White, Silver, and Black
ADDITIONAL FINS: None.
WEIGHT: 27 lbs
NAME: Sparda ♥
TIME FROM ORDERING TO SHIPPING: About 5 business days.
MONOFIN: Keep Reading. 😅
What Monofin did I use for my Silicone Mermaid Tail?
I feel like this deserves its own special spot... so I'm going to make this VERY clear for you! I have been asked COUNTLESS times which monofin I chose for my MerNation Silicone Mermaid tail... and I've actually been answering this question incorrectly up until now! 😅
If you see any of my other posts/content, you'll probably hear me say that I got the FINIS Rapid Monofin... which I do think is incorrect. I actually have the FINIS Wave Monofin (which fits a smaller shoe size than the Rapid). You can click on the picture above to take a look at the monofins that are used to create silicone mermaid tails. (***NOTE: It's actually a very good idea to practice swimming with one of these BEFORE getting your tail, so you know how to adjust your monofin AND so you know which one you'll want for your professional tail.)
I'm pretty comfortable swimming in the monofin I have now, but I'll admit that it tends to always be too tight or too loose when it really counts! Ahahaha! BUY ONE BEFORE ORDERING YOUR TAIL!
My First Swim in my Silicone Mermaid Tail
My first swim in my silicone mermaid tail was, well... like a lot of "first times." It was messy, it was nerve-wrecking and it was far from elegant! Even though I TRIED to make it look fancy and pretty, it was not. It was terrible. I failed. I failed so bad!
Expectations vs. Reality... Mermaiding Edition
My First Swim in my MerNation Silicone Mermaid Tail (EXPECTATION)
My First Time Swimming in my MerNation Silicone Mermaid Tail (REALITY)
Was I Happy with my Tail?
My first swim was NOT what I expected it to be. That is TOTALLY true. I am not going to sugar-coat it. However, that was not MerNation Inc.'s fault at all. You see, I was so excited to go mermaiding in my custom made tail for the first time that I forgot to prepare properly for the swim. I neglected to (and didn't know how to) adjust my monofin straps (hence, I advise you to buy a monofin BEFORE purchasing a tail). I also did not wear foot neoprene wet-suit socks and did not let water flow into my tail to "suction" it to my body before diving into the water. (You can learn more about preparing for your swim by clicking HERE.)
Despite my first mermaiding adventure in my new tail being a bit of a "flop," I loved the costume and it has provided me with many stories to tell, has opened up a world of new possibilities and has helped me to create some amazing friends. I love my tail... I love Sparda. ♥
Am I Still Happy with my Silicone Mermaid Tail?
Sparda (what I decided to name my beautiful tail!) turned a year old around the end of August of 2017. Since then, he has been on many swims in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Leelanau, Lake Michigan and a few other local beaches. He has been photographed by a professional photographer, surprised a few uber-excited children, and has attended some public events. My mermaid tail has a few scratches on it, and there are some areas where the paint is rubbing off a bit (I've made some poor choices... kinda happens when you're a blind mermaid though!). So... was this a worthwhile purchase?
Well, let's just put it this way... my MerNation Silicone Mermaid Tail is my bff (yep. I don't have many friends!), my business partner, my escape, my dream-come-true, and well... the best decision I've ever made.
I ADORE my mermaid tail, and I honestly can't imagine what life would be without it.
Should you Buy a Silicone Mermaid Tail from MerNation for Mermaiding?
Absolutely.
If you're on the market for a mermaid tail that is great quality, breathtakingly beautiful, doesn't come with a 2-year wait (which isn't a bad thing for some, don't get me wrong! I love you Merbella and FinFolk!!!) and is as unique as you are, then check out MerNation Inc.
Seriously.
This post is NOT sponsored. I'm just legit their biggest fan! 😊
I hope this post was what you were looking for! Please stay tuned for more blog posts (which I'll be posting more frequently) and for more mermaiding and cosplay videos. Feel free to leave a comment telling me all about your dream mermaid tail. I'd love to hear about it! ♥
XOXO- Mermaid Phantom
(P.S.)Would you like to see my MerNation Tail in action? Look below!
Swimming in my MerNation Silicone Mermaid Tail (Video)
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