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Hair Styling For Social Dancing

 

When guys take up salsa dancing or any other form of social latin or ballroom dance, they soon learn that they must simply get used to one side effect: hair-in-the-face (or sometimes, in-the-mouth).

It’s just part of social-dance life.

Sometimes we also experience our own hair getting in the face, even blinding us mid-move.

Wearing your hair down can be fabulous, especially for sexy and fierce “hair-ography” (aka choreography or dance steps that use the hair to accentuate or add extra flair) but to avoid the oh-so-common hair side-effects, here are 3 Hair Styling ideas and tips to consider:

 

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1. If you’ve got lots of length as well as layers, consider a half-ponytail style.

 

Securely tie the top half of your hair at the back, and let the bottom half hang down. Adding volume at the top is a subtle visual way to pull the bone structure “upward,” and this can be accomplished easily with a little combing technique. Use a wide-toothed comb and insert it backwards from the top of the head. Gently push the hair forward and up. Repeat, striving for an even lift at the left, right, and middle. And finally, to keep the volume, use a natural sea salt spray – perfect for creating “beachy waves.”

See easy DIY recipe below for an instant at-home hair product.

If you’d like to wear your hair down, this spray will give tousled hair a little sexy texture and volume. Spray at the roots, and then work it through (scrunch, lift, pull, part, pouf, etc., depending on your desired effect) with the hands to encourage lasting style with body and definition.

 

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2. Beyond the down or half-up look, there’s the ponytail.

 

Ah, the ponytail… so easy, so convenient, so much possibility for style… the braided ponytail? Not so much. Avoid long, thick and compact braids that could wack guys and fellow dancers. As long as you’re not creating weapons with the hair, a high ponytail is great, especially because you want to keep hair off the neck when it’s hot. Use gel or hairspray to refine it, and a little hair oil/serum at the front to keep frizz at bay. Almond, olive, jojoba, and especially coconut – they’ll all work well.

A low ponytail is an easy and universal go-to style, but consider placing it just a bit higher than the base of the neck to keep sweat and heat down. Low versions are also great because they’re quick – especially if mid-dance or mid-evening when you have to get the hair out of the way. But, as convenient and effortless as this style is, it should be noted that low ponies suffer from one common problem – a lack of refinement. Keep it together to avoid a haphazard, messy look. Use a quick splash of water if that’s all you have on hand, but generally, always use your gel or hair spray to maintain a polished and chic look.

 

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3. Then of course, there’s the bun, or the pulled-back and gathered look.

 

An up-do works – but if it’s too “up” it could get in the way of turns and ducking or “tunneling” moves. Too high and you’ll be checking on it all night, too. A mid-to-high or low bun or chignon will accomplish that pulled back and sophisticated look (a la ballroom competition) without getting in the way of the dancing. Remember that to combat any seasonal humidity, especially at outdoor events or packed clubs, don’t forget to use natural gels or a frizz serum.

That’s it!

Now you can hit the dance floor with the hair out of your (and your partners’ face) and you can enjoy the moves without distractions!

 

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DIY Beachy Waves Sea Salt Spray

 

Mix a tablespoon of sea salt with a cup of water, plus a drop of two of essential oil. Lavender imparts a soft and lovely scent (not to mention it’s a proven aphrodesiac). Peppermint, jasmine, and citrus scents can increase circulation (for improved volume). However you scent it, it’s great for styling (not to mention cheap). If you’d like to wear your hair down, this spray will give tousled hair a little sexy texture and volume. Spray at the roots, and then work it through (scrunch, lift, pull, part, pouf, etc., depending on your desired effect) with the hands to encourage lasting style with body and definition.

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