I used the Wilton Ariel pan for my Little Mermaid cake. it was my first attempt at using the star tip technique and I have to say it was very easy.
I used green frosting around the base with brown sugar to create sand effect. I used sea shell chocolates around the cake. I piped coral on the sides. I iced the white sides and outer layer first, then I piped in the black outlines then filled in with star tips for the colour.
You can buy the Ariel colour packs and tin online.
The eyes and lips were the hardest, but icing is a very forgiving medium and can be removed and redone if you make a mistake so practice makes perfect.
My daughter loved this cake and still talks about it 6 months on. My tip would be to put the cake on the floor or something lower than you so can work from above, it saves the back. Also gloves can be your best friend.
I also discovered these wonderful “belts” for want of a better word, from Wilton where you wet them down and put them around the tin whilst cooking which prevents the burning you get at the bottom of the cake.
Related cakes:
12+ Coolest Frozen Birthday Cake Ideas for the Ultimate Frozen Theme Party 
Coolest Ariel Birthday Cake with Candy Ariel 
Coolest Disney Ariel Cake 
12+ Coolest Peppa Pig Cake Ideas 
Coolest Little Mermaid Ariel Birthday Cake 
Coolest Ariel Little Mermaid Cake 
Beautiful Mermaid Birthday Cake Tutorial | Ariel and Friends Cake 
Coolest 2-Tier Ariel Cake
Very creative with the sand! Very good tips. I am using the same pan and star tip technique and it will be my first time! This has boosted my confidence. Very cute cake!
hi there my daughter is turning 4 this month of Sept. And i bought me a Ariel cake pan but it looks like it’s hard is there any way you can tell me a easy way!!