If you’ve been tuning into the 2026 Winter Olympics, you’ll surely recognize 20-year-old US figure skater Alysia Liu who’s been taking the world by storm – and it’s not just her skills on the ice everyone’s talking about. 

The Olympic figure skater has always captivated audiences with her fearless jumps and expressive skating, but in recent seasons, her beauty evolution – especially her hair – has become part of the story.

“Every year, I add a stripe,” Liu tells NBC Bay Area, explaining the reasoning behind her hair colors. “It’s gonna be like this for a year, then — next wintertime, end of December — I do another ring.” Like trees that grow a new ring every year, Liu finds beauty in following the same tradition. 

There’s a reason her look connects right now. Beauty trends are moving toward softness, individuality, and low-effort polish. Think healthy shine over heavy styling. Natural movement over stiff hold. Shape over spectacle.

Alysia Liu’s hair fits perfectly into that conversation and maybe that’s why it feels so powerful.

Sometimes the biggest beauty statement isn’t a drastic change – it’s growing into yourself, one layer at a time.