How to Style Hair for Gymnastics Meets
When styling hair for gymnastics meets, it's important to keep basic gymnastics dress code in mind. Though specifics may change from meet to meet, gymnasts' hair must always be pulled back tightly from the face and properly secured with hairspray and pins. This is because loose hair can affect athletes' balance and coordination; additionally, any hair that falls on a gymnast's face can block her eyes, creating a potentially dangerous situation. The hair should also be styled high on the gymnast's head to allow full range of motion.
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Things You'll Need
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Hair gel
- Brush or comb
- Ponytail holders
- Bobby pins
- Foam curlers
- Hair clips
- Maximum-strength hairspray
- Scrunchie or ribbon (optional)
- Sparkle hairspray (optional)
Instructions
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1
Spritz the gymnast's hair with a spray bottle filled with water. Wet hair is easier to slick back and braid than dry hair. Run some gel through the hair with your fingers, making sure to distribute it evenly throughout the strands.
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2
Use a brush or comb to pull back the hair, gathering it in a ponytail high on the back of the head. Wrap a ponytail holder tightly around the hair, securing the band as close to the scalp as possible.
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3
Put the hair in a braided bun if it hangs past the shoulders. Braid the ponytail and tie off the end with a ponytail holder. Wrap the braid around the base of ponytail and tuck in the tail. Secure the bun with as many bobby pins as will fit around the edges of the hairstyle.
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4
Roll the hair in foam curlers if the ponytail is shorter. Wrap sections of damp hair that are about the width of your thumb around individual curlers. Leave the curlers in until it's time for the meet; for best results, put the curlers in at least six hours before the meet.
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5
Smooth back the hair on the top, sides and bottom of the gymnast's head and secure any loose or wispy strands with hair clips. Spray the entire style liberally with maximum-strength hairspray.
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Wrap a scrunchie or ribbon around the hair, if desired. Some gyms require their competitors to wear a specific hairpiece, while others allow gymnasts to choose their own. You may also spray the style with sparkly hairspray, as long as it is allowed by the gym and the meet's dress code.
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