St. Louis Stylist's 'Halo Hair' Shines on Olympian Alysa Liu

Kelsey Miller's bold hairstyle helped the figure skater make history at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Alysa Liu, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in figure skating since 2002, sported a striking 'halo hair' style created by St. Louis stylist Kelsey Miller. Miller spent five hours with Liu at her salon, Thirteenth and Washington, to craft the unique look that became a standout feature of Liu's gold medal-winning performance.

Why it matters

Liu's historic victory and the attention on her bold hairstyle have brought significant publicity to Miller and her salon, helping to elevate their profiles in the competitive world of high-end hair styling. The collaboration also highlights the important role stylists can play in elevating an athlete's personal brand and helping them stand out on the global stage.

The details

Miller, who specializes in dimensional color, redheads, and extensions, had never done 'halo hair' before working with Liu. She had to quickly figure out how to execute the look, which was inspired by the rings on tree trunks. Despite Liu's hair being bleached twice in a week, leaving it brassy and warm, Miller was able to tone and style it into the striking halo effect.

  • In January 2026, Liu was in St. Louis for the US Figure Skating Championships.
  • Through a mutual connection, Miller was contacted to do Liu's hair ahead of the Olympics.

The players

Kelsey Miller

A St. Louis-based hairstylist who owns the salon Thirteenth and Washington and specializes in dimensional color, redheads, and extensions.

Alysa Liu

An American figure skater who won the gold medal in the individual event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first American woman to claim that title since 2002.

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What they’re saying

“To have something like this happen has really changed my career”

— Kelsey Miller, Hairstylist (KSDK)

“I hope that I'm inspiring the kids to be more out there and make decisions that some people won't agree with, because that's how you have to be sometimes.”

— Alysa Liu (KSDK)

What’s next

Miller expects the 'halo hair' look to become a popular trend, similar to how Dorothy Hamill's haircut became iconic after her Olympic win.

The takeaway

This collaboration between a St. Louis stylist and an Olympic champion figure skater showcases how a bold, creative hairstyle can help elevate an athlete's personal brand and leave a lasting impact on popular culture.