Long hair and rhythm dances

[Artemia]

I am running into something of a problem:

I have long hair (past my shoulders.) While the initial decision to have long hair was forced upon me by my hairdresser, I have come to the realization that she's right, and I do look better with long hair.

HOWEVER, dancing with long hair does not work for me. In smooth dances the guys put their hand on it, trapping my head unless I yank my hair free (ow.) In rhythm dances, I am so hot from all the dancing that I pull it into a ponytail, therefore creating a dangerous whip that can smack them in the face every time I do a fast turn. I have started leaving my hair down to do the rhythm dances (pulling it back with a headband most of the time) and it still gets in their faces!

My two-months-between hair appointment is tonight and whatever I do with my hair will be how it goes for the samba solo I'm doing on the 6th. I have been thinking of just having her chop it to my shoulders, so that it's not in the way both for that and for future practices.

I will mention that I am an absolute failure when it comes to tending to my hair. I know how to pull it into a ponytail and I know how to put two kinds of headbands in it -- the sort that look like a huge rubberband and the kind that are horseshoe shaped. That is the extent of my hair care skills. With a lot of prodding I MIGHT be able to find a friend to do a french braid in my hair for the event, but isn't a braid an even MORE dangerous weapon in long hair?

There has to be some sort of theory of hair care for the ignorant dancer. I need that. I know some people get their hair slicked and put in a bun and beautiful but I don't have access to anyone of that sort for this event, nor as a regular styling tip for practice every day. This is a request for two things: 1) What to do with my hair in general while practicing (so as to not suffer the two problems listed in the beginning of this post) and 2) For problem solving and dancing for the rest of the year, what's the best haircut for a dancer to have?

Any responses you give are greatly appreciated!!

[and123]

My hair is currently at butt-level, and I never ever dance with it loose. 95% of the time it is in a braid (which I can pin to my self if I'll be spinning so as not to cause eye damage to the guy :shock:), or coiled into a bun. I don't have a lot of time to deal with hairstyling (would rather be sleeping an extra few minutes, thank you), but I can do a lot with it *if* I choose to. And frankly loose hair on dancers drives me batty. Seeing it on DWTS and SYTYCD irritates me a lot.

[Artemia]

I guess you're right.. when the hair gets to a really long point there's nothing you can't do with it. (*coughs* If you know how, hee.)

What about bangs? I have been toying with the idea of bangs for a long time... would I regret it as a dancer if I got them? (Last time I got bangs I was like 10, so I have no memory of how it would change my life, lol.)

[and123]

I had bangs before I started dancing. Not only did I get the typical "get the hair off your face" advice from Pros when I started competing, but I sweat like such a pig that they'd get soaked anyway, and that is Oh-so-attractive :rolleyes:. So I grew them out.

[LindyKeya]

Easy solution - put your hair in a ponytail, braid it, then coil that around into a bun. Secure with bobby pins, and if need be, a hairnet. If you can do the ponytail part, you'll be able to master this.

[TAK]

Easy solution - put your hair in a ponytail, braid it, then coil that around into a bun. Secure with bobby pins, and if need be, a hairnet. If you can do the ponytail part, you'll be able to master this.

This.

I have the ponytail-whip problem and believe me, it's the only good solution. I tried dancing with my hair down for a while, too. Not fun.

Use two hair bands around your braid: one to put your hair into a low ponytail (fairly tight/secure), and the second at the end to hold the braid. Use a couple bobby pins to hold the end of your braid in place after you coil it into the bun. Then take a hair net and wrap it around as many times as it will go (probably 2-4 times depending on the volume of your hair). Use 8 or so bobby pins to hold it in place. The bobby pins should go at the base of the bun, at the center where the first rubber band holds your hair together. They need to go through the holes in the hair net (next to the hair net's elastic) and then straight through your hair, closer to your head relative to the hair band. The net will then be what holds your bun together.

If it sounds complicated, it's not. With some practice you will be able to get the bun quite secure and it just takes a few minutes. Good luck!

[Joyful Dancer]

I have medium length hair that gets very frizzy. I like to twist mine up in a "french" twist. Just grab it in your right hand close to your head, then wrap the "tail" around your right index finger (using left hand) until it is all "caught up". Secure with bobbi pins (four works for me) and then you can slide a pretty comb (Claire's or drug store type work well) in to cover the bobbi pins. Another super easy "bun" is to put the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. (use an elastic band close to your hair color). Then split the pony tail into two sections (right and left) above the band to make an opening. Pull the taill (the part below the band) up and through the opening you just made. You may need to do wrap the tail through two to three time depending on the length. Secure with one ortwo bobbi pins. This is a nice elegant look. Both styles work well and I've received numerous compliments from men and women alike. Good luck :)

[opendoor]

...In smooth dances the guys put their hand on it, trapping my head unless I yank my hair free...

Hi Artemia, I´m no native english speaker and your question may be an intricate topic, too, especially for a leader, so excuse me, if I don´t hit the right words. I think, your judgement on the guys seems a bit harsh. I know, every man wants to learn steps and showy combinations. But, I think it is as important for a leader to know how to start a dance. I mean, how to take hold of a woman in a way that she can feel comfortable. So I think it should be possible to slide down from the neck, too.

Most often, women pin their hair up in social dancing. If not, for any reason, there are two other possibilities for a leader:

Grasp her waist instead of her right blade, as seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vQ4FZsil0k

Or, try to turn quickly, so you can slide underneath her hair, as seen at 0:45 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7qQWTR6odE

[danceronice]

For Rhythm, unless it REALLY bugs me that the end sometimes snags on the stones of my dress and/or I don't want to have to redo my hair between Rhythm and Smooth, I do a relatively high ponytail and then braid the ponytail.

Yeah, it's basically a whip. My Rhythm pro knows how to duck. ;) (I'm not the only girl he has with long hair.) My Smooth pro likes to use it as a handle. Funny, so did my skating coach ("Keep your head up STRAIGHT!")

[DanceAngel]

My Smooth pro likes to use it as a handle. Funny, so did my skating coach ("Keep your head up STRAIGHT!")

You too? LOL! My pro does the same thing!!