Liu Secures First U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Gold Since 2002 Alysa Liu captured the women’s individual figure‑skating gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, delivering the United States its first gold in the event since Sarah Hughes in 2002 [1][2]. The victory was announced on February 20, 2026, and Liu celebrated the win with confidence in post‑event interviews. Her performance also drew attention to her distinctive personal style, which quickly became a focal point of media coverage.

Halo‑Hair Design Originates From St. Louis Stylist Kelsey Miller Dual‑toned “halo hair” was conceived and applied by St. Louis hairstylist Kelsey Miller in the weeks leading up to Liu’s Olympic routine [1]. Miller met Liu at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after a mutual contact introduced them, then reviewed Liu’s skating videos before styling [1]. Miller described the assignment as the “craziest thing” of her career, noting the project generated massive publicity and reinforced her mission to empower women through hair [1][2].

Ringed Stripes Evolve Annually, Symbolizing Olympic Cycles Liu began the halo‑hair concept in 2023, originally envisioning “raccoon stripes” before settling on horizontal brunette bands interrupted by milk‑tea colored rings and bright blonde lines [2]. She adds a new stripe each winter, aiming for five rings that echo the Olympic symbol, and plans to introduce lighter platinum‑blonde rings in future sessions [2][1]. Miller repaired brassy tones after Liu’s double bleaching and predicts the style will experience a resurgence similar to Dorothy Hamill’s 1976 haircut [1].

Personal Touches Extend Beyond Hair, Including Lip Piercing and Nail Art Liu revealed a self‑installed frenulum “smiley” lip piercing she placed with her sister two years ago, describing the process as painless in a TMJ4 interview [2]. CNN also highlighted a broader trend of athletes expressing individuality through nail art, citing Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam’s Olympic‑ring manicure and Chinese skier Eileen Gu’s gold‑star designs [2].