Hair Tie
Intermediate Level
Going deeper — techniques and nuances for experienced dancers
A simple elastic for securing your hair while dancing — tiny item, huge impact on comfort and your partner's face safety.
Intermediate focus
You've found what works for your hair type. Maybe it's a braid that stays put during spins, a secure bun that survives body waves, or strategic bobby pins for the pieces that always escape. Your dance bag has multiple backups. You might even lend one to a fellow dancer who forgot theirs.
Tips
- •Keep three or four hair ties in your dance bag at all times. One on your wrist, the rest as backup.
- •Braids stay more secure than ponytails during vigorous dancing. If your hair is long enough, a quick braid before the social saves constant readjusting.
- •For thick or curly hair, a sturdy scrunchie or claw clip may work better than a thin elastic. Find what holds your hair type securely.
Common mistakes
- •Leaving long hair loose and whipping your partner during turns and head movements
- •Using a hair tie that's too loose and comes undone mid-dance
- •Not packing backup hair ties and being stuck when one breaks
Practice drill
Before your next social, try three different hairstyles while doing your basic step and some turns in front of a mirror. Notice which one stays put, which one shifts, and which one would hit a partner's face. Choose the most functional option and make it your go-to dance hairstyle.