Good morning!
Sorry for the delayed response. I was actually out doing a mermaid shoot all day yesterday. Tee hee...
1. I do this for both reasons. I love swimming, my knees and hips are jacked from 14 years in the military, as well as tiny-child bearing, so running, squatting, basically anything that isn't zero gravity hurts my entire soul. I'm going to a chiropractor and sports therapist to help, but for now swimming is hella low-impact (so even if you aren't into mermaids 10/10 recommend swimming as a workout. Feels good.). I also do this as an event performer. I have done a couple of concerts as a character prop, I've done an Under The Sea wedding as their cocktail hour entertainment, and I've done a few parties for kiddos. I'm working on a few random events where I currently live to draw in children for Cub Scout signups at their recruitment booth this year. (yes, i realize how creepy that sounds. Lol)
2. I don't do pool parties often because of liability issues. My insurance is cheaper if I stay on land, and I can charge less. I also don't have a lot of events dealing near pools so it's usually a non-issue. If anyone ever is interested in doing this for fun, please don't ever swim in a pool with kids. They can sit on the side and watch, but it's insanely dangerous to be swimming in a tail fin with kids around. I've been in a pool doing laps in only my monofin and a swimsuit for practice and had children come into my lap lane and attempt to grab my silicone fin. I didn't even realize they were there. It's a 30lb slab of silicone, I could have seriously hurt them. Don't swim with kids in the area. It's a good rule and most event insurance providers will not cover accidental bitch-smacking with a tail.
3. I wear goggles for practice in the lap lane and if I'm just frolicking in a pool for fun. No one is paying me and I like not having burnt eyeballs for a few days. When I'm actively doing underwater gigs like photoshoots or a rare pool event, I'll keep them off. There are gel eyedrops that Bausch & Lomb make (I think it's them, I'd have to check), that coat your eye and make it easier to see, plus they protect from chlorine. There are also goggle makers who specialize in mermaid goggles. Yes, they make custom colors and add fun fins and stuff to them. They're actually really cool and if my LASIK ever wears off and I'm back in contacts, I'll be investing in a pair. Etsy has a few suppliers. They're legit cool.
4. My favorite tail I've ever had is my beat up Mertailor. My friend bought a junky silicone tail with a gross blue/gold paint job. It was covered in bad repairs, broken heel straps, chips, nicks, and tears. She repaired the broken bits, sealed the broken strap, repainted the whole thing in a gorgeous purple, and painted the bra to match. We added a bra base that fit me, added a decorative silicone octopus, and she's upstairs for sale right now. haha. She's a beautiful piece of vintage mermaid history, but I'm not allowed to swim here because of "the rules" no matter how hard I tantrum, so I want her to be swam in and with a good mer who can appreciate her. It hurts my heart, but it's time she moves on.
RE: MAKEUP
I don't like doing a full face of makeup. Most people will only see your scales and freak out alone at that. Eyeliner, eye shadow, foundation.... I don't bother. I have some great pigmented eyeshadow I use to draw on my eyebrows, dab on my scales with a stencil, and use setting spray to seal them on my face. I'll add gems with spirit gum, toss on some waterproof mascara, and call it a day. Foundation just cakes up like a bakery and looks terrible when you come out of the water, eyeliner and bad mascara will run, and eyeshadow usually creases up under water. Simple is better. Mermaids are natural creatures.
I have started enjoying not being in costume. I have built up a little gathering of mermaids here who enjoy being in tails and getting their photos taken. It's been more fun for me to watch people's dreams be met by getting to live out their childhood mermaid fantasies. Plus I don't have to pose on hard, spiky rocks, or my hair. lol
I'll be posting a couple more photos on my photography post later this week. It's been really awesome sharing my favorite activity with people.