What Is Halo Hair? Here's How to Achieve the Look of Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu

Alysa walked into the Olympics with a makeshift crown on her head, also known as halo hair. True to its name, the captivating style features a light strip of hair that encircles the head, floating against a dark base. The angelic-looking technique catches the light, adding dimension and brightness to an otherwise plain color.

“My hair has so much meaning,” Alysa told Cosmopolitan. She started doing halos in 2023, adding another each year— which is why multiple rings now cascade through her hair. She compares them to the rings that trees develop to mark their age.

“I made a deal with my coaches: no one tells me how my hair is gonna be, and no one’s gonna try to change me,” she said. The unconventional look may not appeal to everyone, but that’s the beauty of it—Alysa puts her style first.

Alysa's hair is primarily brunette, accented by milky blonde halos. In an interview with NBC, she explained that she usually leans towards a ginger shade but decided to try something different. She made her way to a salon in St. Louis, Missouri, where hair artist Kelsey Miller lightened it for her.

To achieve the look, it’s best to start with a dark base like black or brown. A stark contrast helps highlight the radiance of the halo and gives the hair a multidimensional effect. It also creates the illusion of the hair naturally catching the light. This technique works with other color combinations too, as long as there is enough contrast.

Start from the bottom, working in subsections about one-fourth to one-half inch each. This helps visualize where you want the pop of bright color. Lay each subsection on a long foil to create a surface for applying and isolating the lightener. Once the lightener is applied, follow with a toner for a more balanced finish.

Placement is essential to achieving halo hair, though there’s no single technical method. While Alysa did hers herself years ago, Kelsey took a freehand approach.

“I just painted directly onto her hair without any foils. This is what worked for me because I’m a visual person,” Kelsey told Cosmopolitan. “It helped me break it down piece by piece and actually see the halo effects throughout each section as I went.”

Keep in mind to paint on every layer of hair so the design remains visible even as it moves. When trying it out, be patient and work in small sections. It took Kelsey five hours to define and build Alysa’s rings—finished and flawless!