Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu Has Rocked Some Eye-Catching Hair Looks

The 2026 Winter Olympics are well underway, with the closing ceremony taking place on February 22. This year, there was no shortage of thrilling spectator sports, including figure skating, with Olympic athlete Amber Glenn wearing the most stunning outfits on the ice. And, along with dazzling 'fits, fans couldn't help but notice eye-catching hairstyles, particularly fellow figure skater Alysa Liu's. The longtime competitor, who won two gold medals this time around, has been dubbed an "alt-girl" for her striped hair, and fans are loving her unusual look.

There's a reason for her halo hair, which she explained to Cosmopolitan, and the meaning is heartwarming. "I started doing halos on my hair two years ago. I do one for every year because I like to think of myself as a tree. You know how they have a new ring? It counts their age!" she shared. And don't expect Liu to conform to beauty standards, as being unconventionally attractive pays off. The figure skater champion stated, "I made a deal with my coaches: No one tells me what I'm gonna wear. No one tells me how my hair is gonna be. No one's gonna try to change me." We love how bold Liu is on and off the rink, and we'll never get tired of her many jaw-dropping looks.

Alysa Liu had her halo hair on full display as she accepted her gold medal at the 2026 Olympics. The crown of her head featured a dark brown circle, with the color alternating between that shade and light blond. She styled her hair with effortless, face-framing bottleneck bangs that suited her face shape perfectly. We love that Liu isn't afraid to rock an unconventional 'do, and the striped look is certainly one of the first things you notice about her, aside from her beaming smile.

Alysa Liu proved in January, while in Italy repping the U.S.A., that the trendy halo hairstyle doesn't have to be so dramatic. Back then, she sported a softer version with auburn and cherry cola notes on her strands. The hints of warm red complemented her cool skin tone and added color to her makeup-free face. Liu's many layers also added dimension to her multifaceted strands, with the length hitting just past her shoulders. For anyone wanting to dip their toes into the halo trend, this can be your inspo pic.

As a world-famous ice skater, Alysa Liu gets to attend glitzy Hollywood events, such as the Gold Gala at the Music Center in May 2025. While we're used to seeing the figure skater in leotards, Liu looked equally as lovely in a sheer pink gown with flower appliques on the bodice. Instead of a practical pony, which is her go-to while competing, Liu had her hair in a slightly messy updo, with long tendrils framing her face. If she weren't a renowned Olympian, we could have easily mistaken her for a lead actor in "Bridgerton."

Alysa Liu wasn't even born yet in the 1990s, but she nailed the moody hairstyle of the era — dark hair, blunt bangs, and a shoulder-grazing lob. Her 2022 style was simple, with undyed hair and a no-fuss cut featuring minimal layers. At the time, she was just 16 years old and had stepped away from ice skating, but still made red carpet appearances. Here, she kept her look carefree with a pop of red lipstick and undone hair, which was so '90s-coded.

Alysa Liu had some fun in 2024 with bright pink hair featuring super blunt bangs. It looked like she was channeling Kusuo Saiki from the anime "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K." for Halloween, and we have to say she nailed the look, down to the antennas on her head. We know that her fuchsia locks were a wig, but if she were ever to veer away from the halo hair dye, fantasy colors would totally suit her eclectic style, and look dazzling on the ice rink as well. 

Alysa Liu was way ahead of the trends when she showed off her very subtle halo hair in 2024. At the time, she only had one circular stripe around her head in a slightly lighter color than the rest of her strands. With her super blunt bangs and choppy layers, Liu looked like an edgy rock star, and her expression totally matched the vibe. Little did she know that the following year, Spanish singer Rosalía would debut her own version of halo hair, causing many fans to adopt this style. A trendsetter and Olympic gold medalist — Liu is one to watch.