Hair thread

[thespina13]

I'd like to share ideas on what to do with hair for dancing. I'm especially interested because I have very long, heavy hair that needs a ton of mechanics and glue to keep it anywhere, which winds up looking like a puff of sweaty straw by the end of the night anyways.

So what do you do with your hair? (details!... where do the bobby pins go, what kinds of brands of hair gel, knots, braids, buns, twists etc... tell me everything!)

[Larinda McRaven]

No gel, no buns, no bobby pins. The gel dries my hair. The bun requires bobby pins, and I don't like those because my hair is so heavy that it just pulls down and eventually my hair will break out of the pins. So a basic 2 minute bun just falls down.

When I compete and have to put my hair up it is a timely event. I cannot afford that much energy everyday for teaching or for a night of social dancing. When I do put it up for a comp I secure everything with tons the large roller pins.

Daily I like to pull the top back with a small clip, and then let the rest go free. If I get warm I might just pull it into a ponytail. (I actually almost always have at least two ponytail holders on my wrist. I even forget to take them off when i get dressy. People must think I have wierd jewelry taste)

When I need to get serious about practicing with my partner or teaching a heavy duty lesson I will braid my hair and bind it down to my bra strap with the elastic.

I have a lot of little curly flyaways that frame my face that make people announce "Gezz what tornando did you step out of?"

[thespina13]

LoL... that's EXACTLY what happens to me. I have a lot of short curly and wispy things around my face and neck that make a previously clean looking 'do look exactly like the result of standing in the middle of a natural disaster.

[latingal]

I also have long, very heavy hair that pulls out of just about everything.

For everyday: pull back hair into a mid to low ponytail (so as not to hit partners with my hair - it's like a wire brush when it's swinging around that fast). I use two thick elastic bands, one with rubber bits attached to it (Goody makes these and they hold great) - that I wrap fairly tightly (my hairdresser friend says they can hold too tight and break hair if wrapped too tightly), and then one regular thick elastic that I wrap very tightly.

For competitions: gel if the hair is wet when putting it up, no gel if hair is dry. Use large bobby pins (2 3/4") to get hair into the correct shape, smaller bobby pins to secure everything. I usually use a fine hairnet (like those from bunheads) to keep all the bits smooth and everything up if I'm doing a bun. Tons of hairspray to finish the style - I use Alterna Maximum Hold.

And like Larinda, I have a habit of always having elastics around my wrist to secure my hair....glad to hear I'm not the only one that gets the funny looks.... *grin*

[Larinda McRaven]

I just looked down right now and I have THREE on my right wrist...

[latingal]

I just looked down right now and I have THREE on my right wrist...

It sounds like you need an intervention...;)

[Shooshoo]

Daily I like to pull the top back with a small clip, and then let the rest go free. If I get warm I might just pull it into a ponytail.
yeah, I like to do that too, cause then it's down, but not too hot/heavy.

When I need to get serious about practicing with my partner or teaching a heavy duty lesson I will braid my hair and bind it down to my bra strap with the elastic.
:eyebrow: you bind you're hair to your bra strap??

[wooh]

Newest goal, get hair long enough that after braiding it can be bound to my bra strap!

[Sabor]

my hair is getting longer.. its also thick, so i wear a hat (the kind that looks a little like an inverted bucket) untill it gets reasonably wet enough from dancing to hold down by itself and then i take it off .. lol

[fascination]

It sounds like you need an intervention...;)
I have the wrist affliction as well...first several months pro was always asking what is THAT? pointing to crap on wrist:rolleyes:

[Twilight_Elena]

I absolutely can't have things on my wrist. Not hairbands, watches, jewellery, ANYTHING.

T_E

[delamusica]

I have the wrist affliction as well...

Ditto that. Two currently.

For me it's a matter of practicality, though. I like to have my hair tied back when I practice music, otherwise it will inevitably get stuck in my mouth, especially if people are listening. :rolleyes: Since practicing happens 3-4 times a day, it just makes sense to keep some on my wrist.

[thespina13]

LoL... i had an elastic around my wrist on my wedding day. On the wedding pictures where the flowers are not covering my hand you can see it. Now THAT is an affliction.

[latingal]

I'm starting an elastic wrist band addiction support group....

[and123]

I usually keep a small elastic on my pinky finger in case I have the sudden need or urge to braid my hair.... does that count?:) Plus I always have several safety pins attached to my purse and dance bag straps to pin the tail of the braid to my shirt. I don't do that as often as I used to since I whacked 12 inches off my hair last year.

[latingal]

I usually keep a small elastic on my pinky finger in case I have the sudden need or urge to braid my hair.... does that count?:)

you're in....I would say any elastic hair device on any limb, digit, or extension of self qualifies (wonder if we could get the guys to carry our hair bands for us)....

[MacMoto]

What I do with my (down-to-middle-of-back, heavy, wavy, unruly) hair when dancing:

- Most of the time I just tie my hair at the nape for practicality. An elastic is not enough -- it slips down -- so I usually use three thick bands. I have to keep redoing it too, but at least it's reasonably quick.

- When I wear my hair down, I use a bandana (folded up and worn like a hair band) to keep it off my face. Problem is, it often flies off when a hand/arm brushes over it :(.

- When I'm dressed up a bit, I prefer to wear my hair down. Instead of wearing a bandana, I use a flexible comb band thing (don't know what it's called) that goes all the way round the head and clips at the nape. It stays put (unlike bandana) but you still end up with the storm effect hair :(. I've also had a few guys getting their watch/sleeve button tangled up in my hair and their eyes lashed by my hair.

- When I'm dressed casually, I sometimes wear a cap. I make a low bun and wear the cap over it so the bun keeps the cap in place and the cap keeps the bun in place. Depending on the hat, I need to wear a bandana underneath to make the fit really tight. It works, but you end up sweating a LOT.