“Love Island USA” host Ariana Madix bid the seventh season of the reality dating show adieu with a hairstyle inspired by the Fijian ocean. Styled by hair architect Carl Bembridge, Madix’s long, dirty blond tresses mimicked the delicate, ethereal movement of the water with drawn-out mermaid waves and a fishtail crown.
Ariana Madix opts for an ethereal hairdo, designed by Carl Bembridge, for the season seven finale of “Love Island USA” on Sunday.
The fishtail embellishment crept around the top of her head and behind her ears like a headband; the ends were pinned under the body of her hair. Her extensions brushed her torso, falling just above her belly button. The elongated look was a far cry from the short, straightened style — also designed by Bembridge — that she sported the last time she entered the villa on July 7, as well as her half up, half down, slicked-back bob she wore during episode 27 on July 2. Last year’s finale, however, saw Madix don a similar hairstyle, comprised of three braided buns woven together on the top of her head with flat-ironed extensions protruding out.
Madix first tapped Bembridge to be her hair designer at the start of “Love Island USA” season six last summer — her first season hosting the reality dating series. Since then, the two have collaborated to create a variety of trendy and timeless hairdos with enough female prowess to shock the islanders every time she stepped foot inside their sumptuous living quarters.
Her hairdo included long mermaid waves and a fishtail hair crown.
Earlier in the season, Bembridge teased his plans for Madix’s final look. He told WWD: “Me being me, I’m naturally building up to a wow finale. I’ve got two amazing ideas for that, and I can’t decide between them. I honestly wish I could do both in one night. If I had my way, I would.”
Bembridge also noted that he and Madix weren’t as timid this year compared to last season. “The difference this year is that I now know there are no limits and what I love most is creating a wow factor,” Bhe said. “I’m always thinking, ‘What can I do next now that that’s ticked off the list?’”
Madix styled her short bob for episode 27 of season seven on July 2.
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Sunday night’s finale saw fan-favorite Amaya Espinal and her partner, Bryan Arenales, win the first place prize of $100,000. For the big reveal, Espinal opted for spider leg lash clusters and a slicked-back, side-parted bun. Other islanders in the final four couples included runners-up Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley and Iris Kendall and Jose Garcia-Gonzalez, nicknamed “Pepe.” Espinal and Arenales follow season six winners Serena Page and Kordell Beckham.