If you are a cheerleader or dancer planning for your next competition, you’re probably wondering which extensions will work best for you—I’ve gone ahead and covered all your questions, so all you have to worry about is performing your best!
Cheerleading and Dance competitions can be extremely competitive. With that being said, with competition comes strict rules and regulations — particularly when it comes to your hairstyle, team uniformity, and accessories!
Most importantly, you do not want to find yourself struggling with a hairpiece that is getting in the way of your performance—the end goal is to choose a hairpiece that is both fabulous and practical. Here are the 6 things you need to know when dancing and cheerleading with hair extensions:
- Know the rules and regulations of your competition.
- Have an idea of hairstyles that are allowed during cheerleading or dancing competitions.
- Choose hair extensions that will stay out of the way.
- Use hair extension accessories that will make life easier.
- Learn how to prepare hair extensions before dancing and cheerleading to avoid damage.
- Know how to take care of your hair extensions after dancing & cheerleading.
Let’s jump right in and get started with clarifying hairstyle rules and regulations for dancers and cheerleaders.
01. Important Rules and Regulations for Cheerleaders When Choosing Your Hair Extensions
When it comes to Cheer-leading, there are several important rules that need to be adhered to when it comes to your hairstyle. If you do not comply, it could result in point deductions, disqualification and in the end causing your team to lose when you could have won. The most important rule is that your hair needs to be secured out of your face.
Here are the hairstyles that are termed legal:
- Hair in a ponytail or bangs secured away from the face.
- Hair in a high ponytail that is long and hangs down the back.
- Hair in pigtails or side ponytail that does NOT touch your shoulders.
- Hair in a low ponytail at the base of your neck.
- Short hair is secured away from the face.
Here are the hairstyles that are termed illegal:
- Hair that is half tied up and half down.
- Any hair that falls in the face and blocks your sight.
- Short hair that touches your shoulders.
- Hair in a ponytail that hangs over your shoulders.
- Hair in a side ponytail that hangs over your shoulders.
- Hair in pigtails that touch the shoulders.
“If you have to move your head to get hair out of your eyes, use your hands to tuck hair behind your ear, or move hair off your shoulders – your hair is not secured and probably ILLEGAL.”
Iowa Cheerleading Coaches Association
If you would like the full link to the rules and regulations for cheerleading, you can check it out here.
02. Appropriate Hairstyles For Dance Competitions
When it comes to dancing, this depends entirely on the type of dancing you are doing. Most dancers such as contemporary, ballroom or ballet will opt for keeping their hair in a tight bun or sleek ponytail.
Similar to cheerleading, it is important that the hair is kept out of the face and that it looks professional and neat.
Since we are focusing primarily on extensions, here’s a short clip on how the best examples of hairstyle updos for your next dance recital:
- The Sleek ponytail
- The Messy ponytail.
- The Romantic ponytail.
03. Best Hair Extensions For Dancing & Cheerleading
When you head to the stores to choose the perfect set of extensions, you’ll want to be familiar with the terminology first. You’ll see terms such as “yaki”,”virgin”,”Remy,” and “cuticle.”
Yaki refers to synthetic hair, or hair that contains both synthetic and natural components. It’s usually quite a bit thicker, as it is similar to the texture of Afro-Caribbean hair.
Remy hair is all-natural from one donor only, and all the cuticles will be facing in the same direction. This hair can be processed or unprocessed, with unprocessed hair being the most valuable and is otherwise known as “virgin” hair.
When shopping for hair, make sure you take special care in selecting the right hair for you. It needs to match and it needs to be good quality. Always consult a professional, especially if you are purchasing for the first time!
So without further ado, here are the best hair extensions for dancers and cheerleaders:
- Ponytail falls. These are probably the easiest styles and they also look super sleek and classy. Often they are made of synthetic fibers as it is cheaper, but you can find Remy ponytail falls, you will just pay more. You can secure it in your hair by pulling on a drawstring on the inside and a couple of small combs. You can secure the ponytail with bobby pins to ensure it stays in place while performing. Insert Name Here have a beautiful collection of ponytails for you to choose from. Luxy Hair extensions also have beautiful sets of extensions.
- Clip-in loose extensions. These come in two varieties: one is similar to a wig cap that you simply clip to the back of your head, while the other is separate wefts of hair that you can also clip to the back of your head. Both attach with wig clips which tend to hold very well. It also has a little rubber component that helps stick to your hair. The nice thing about these is that they are super convenient and easy to install and remove. Ideal for dancers! Vario offers a stunning range of human hair extensions that you can conveniently order off Amazon.
- Half or three-quarter wigs. These are ideal compared to a full wig, as a full wig will be too heavy for performing and will cause you to sweat unnecessarily and excessively, meaning you could have a problem on your hands. I would recommend wearing a headband to cover any irregularities between the wig and your natural hair. Nobody will know! SheenReal offers real human-hair wigs with a wide variety of colors. You can grab it off Amazon, so it’s super convenient!
- Tape-in extensions. If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, then these are a great option. Similar to clip-ins, the only difference is that they have a length of tape that connects the extensions to your natural hair. Just a tip, if you are prone to oily hair you may want to give these a miss, as the sweat may mix with the glue and cause them to slip out. Babe Hair Extensions is one of the top-rated companies that specialize in tape-in, and they deliver!
- Beaded wefts and links. These are also really convenient and ideal for dancers and cheerleaders! They consist of rows of weft hair extensions that are secured to small sections of your natural hair using silicone lined beads. The silicone lining cushions and protects your natural hair from damage and prevents slippage of the extension. They are ideal for filling in hair or simply adding more length where needed. You can get them from Perfect Tresses if you want to give them a try!
04. Choosing The Right Accessories For Your Extensions
Accessories can make or break your hairstyle, and give it that extra shine when performing. However, you don’t want anything TOO flashy, as this could prove to be distracting.
Here’s a list of hair accessories that are most appropriate for dancers and cheerleaders:
- Flat clips or bobby pins.
- Headbands and bows.
- Small rhinestones punched into a bow or headband.
- Sparkling clips.
If you are looking to buy absolutely gorgeous hair accessories for your dance or cheerleading competitions, you can check out Weissman’s website. They offer a large variety of accessories for your every need!
If you are looking for metal hair clips and pins, in particular, you can order some truly stunning ones off Alibaba.com for very reasonable prices.
05. Preparing Your Extensions Before Competitions
In order for your hair extensions to look their best, you’ll need to do some preparation beforehand. If you want your hair extensions to look their best and last you as long as possible, then you’ll want to keep reading.
If you have clip in extensions, here’s how to prepare:
- Choose an extension color that matches your natural hair. This is really important, as there is nothing worse than mismatched hair!
- Choose an appropriate length. The extensions you choose should not be shorter than your current length. If you are dancing or cheerleading, don’t choose hair extensions that are too long, as this will place pressure on your neck muscles and cause you unnecessary pain and discomfort.
- Section off your hair. Part your hair the way you usually do then section it off from the part down to your hair. Use clips to hold the top two sections. Next, pull your hair up from the back. Lastly, secure your hair with a clip and leave the bottom inch of the hair down.
Preparing for tape-in extensions:
- Use a clarifying shampoo. Before adding in any extensions, wash any oil or dirt from your hair thoroughly beforehand. Once all build-up is removed and hair is completely dry, you can move onto the next step.
- Avoid styling your hair. Once the hair has been washed, conditioned and dried, avoid using any heat styling tools. This is because straightening or curling your hair will make it very difficult to apply the extensions in without it looking unnatural. Keep it natural until after you have applied the extensions, then you can style as you wish.
- Part hair with a rat-tail comb. A rat-tail comb has a long, tapered handle. You use the long end of the comb to make a horizontal parting in your hair. Start at the nape of your neck and begin separating into sections if you will be putting in a full head of extensions. If you will only be putting in a few extensions, start parting near the crown of your head.
- Dip a cotton ball in alcohol. Dip a cotton ball lightly in some alcohol. Be sure not to soak for too long, as too much alcohol applied to the hair can dry it out. Apply the cotton ball to the strands at the places where your hair is parted. The alcohol soaks up any excess oil that may have built up in your hair. Once this is done you can be assured your extensions will hold a lot better.
“You shouldn’t put extensions into greasy or dirty hair. They won’t bond as well with your real hair. You should also avoid putting product in your hair before installing extensions.”
MADELEINE JOHNSON
Hair Stylist & Hair Extensions Specialist
06. Caring For Your Extensions After Competitions
Taking care of your extensions after performances is just as important, if not more so, than the preparation you do beforehand. This is because after performing, your body will naturally excrete more sweat and oil, and this can be highly damaging to your extensions if you do not utilize the proper aftercare.
Here’s how to keep your hair looking fabulous after every competition:
- Completely detangle the hair before you do anything. Knots and matting is NEVER a good look. Use a good detangling brush, such as the Tangle Teezer so as not to damage the hair.
- Once detangled, wash your extensions thoroughly. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. You can check out the top 19 best sulfate-free hair products here. After exercise, your hair is going to be full of sweat and oil, and you wan to remove this as soon as possible.
- Be sure to massage the hair gently. This is especially if the hair is already applied to your scalp.
- Make sure the conditioner is only applied to the ends of the hair. Do not apply to the roots, as this could cause the clip or tape to come out and will leave it greasy.
- Once washing is complete, dry the hair carefully by dabbing with a towel.
- Apply a good oil such as Remi Cachet Oil to your hair to soften it.
- Blow-dry on low heat. This is to ensure that the heat does not damage the hair or the bonds.
- If you are using clip-in extensions apply Bumble & Bumble’s Styling Lotion. This helps add body and is slightly sticky, which helps prevent the clips from sliding out. Be sure to only add this in once the extensions are completely dry.
- You can also add Aveda’s Pure Abundance Hair Potion which is amazing for absorbing sweat and oil while you perform. It is great for adding volume to your hair which is an added bonus!
- Add a little hairspray to the overall hairstyle. This helps to add shine and make sure that everything stays in place!
- You’re good to go for your next competition!
Conclusion
While it is totally acceptable to don your gorgeous extensions for your next show or competition, it’s important to keep in mind the rules and regulations beforehand. Choosing appropriate styles is just as important as taking care of your extensions before and after each and every competition so that your hair extensions will remain in top shape for years to come!