It's been 25 years, and Ariel still has way better abs than we ever will!
One of Disney's most iconic films— it was originally released Nov. 17, 1989—has taught us so much about life, love and how to brush your hair using kitchen utensils.
In honor of The Little Mermaid's quarter-century milestone, we're celebrating with some of the top tips we have learned from our favorite amphibious princess.
1. Save Money on Beauty Products: Why buy a brush when you can use a fork?
2. Be Kind to Animals: Disney movies in general teach us that if you're really nice to fish, mice, birds and the like, they will be your BFF and help you get ready for big events! It's like having that childhood friend who went to cosmetology school.
3. Flirting 101: For many of us, The Little Mermaid was an introduction to the world of flirting. It turns out the basics really do work. Play with that hair, girl!
4. Get On Board With His Friends: This is also a lesson in the Sarah Jessica Parker film Failure to Launch, but unlike Failure to Launch, The Little Mermaid is actually a good movie. Impress your ideal guy's or girl's friends, family and pets, and win them over instantly!
5. Cheap Dates Can Be the Most Romantic: Honestly, getting a crab to serenade you in a canoe is a lot cheaper and more creative than going to an Olive Garden or taking your date to the movie theater to see Failure to Launch. For real, guys, screw Failure to Launch!
6. Being a Sea Dweller Does Wonders for Your Hair: We know Ariel dreams of that landlocked life, but her hair game is on point when she's under the sea! Is it really worth finding your Prince Charming if you're going to have to start deep conditioning all the time?
7. Those Abs Though: Ariel's ab situation is the envy of the deep blue sea. We can't even begin to guess how many rounds of 8-Minute Abs she has to do on land to make up for that lack of swimming! If you want a hot bod, you've got to grow gills!
9. Practice Human Interaction on a Statue: Similar to career advisers suggesting you practice interview techniques in a mirror, there's no better way to prep for meeting a real, live boyfriend than by flirting with a life-size replica!
10. Work the Hips: Sure she's an evil sea witch, but we can learn a thing or two from Ursula. Namely, shake what your mama gave you!
11. Know When to Take Advantage of Hospitality: Look, we're not super-proud of this one, but sometimes you have to pretend to be a confused vagrant with laryngitis if you don't feel like paying for Day's Inn. Ariel's crashpad Night No. 1 is a castle owned by a handsome prince? You've got to respect that hustle. (P.S. Yes, we're totally aware that taking advantage of hospitality is the plotline of Failure to Launch.)
12. When It Comes to Clothing, Make It Work: Lost your bikini while skinny-dipping? Burlap sack that bitch! Hell, Jennifer Lawrence wore the same thing at the 2014 Golden Globes. A piece of driftwood could literally be the next hot red carpet fashion!