Words by hair expert, Nicole Petty from Strictly Come Dancing hair supplier’s Milk + Blush.
Party season is here again. With Christmas just around the corner, this time of year is about spending time with those we love, getting in the festive spirit and having lots of fun – dancing included.
This year’s festivities are shaping up very differently from last year’s due to the reopening of late-night bars and nightclubs. So, dust off your dance shoes, put your best outfit on and get your hair looking party-ready.
Here are some top tips for keeping your hair looking great on and off the dancefloor this party season.
Selecting your showstopper
To prepare for a night of partying, do your research into what kind of hairstyle you want by looking at what suits your face shape. For example, those with a square face should add texture and volume to soften up the jawline, while round or oval faces will likely benefit from straight, sleek styles or an up do.
When selecting your party hairstyle, consider which hairstyles are more likely to stay in for the duration of the night.
When secured correctly, a tight ponytail will stay in all night, loose braids will give you a girly boho vibe and added volume, and a slicked-back ‘wet look’ will hide any grease or product build-up. If you wanted to add volume and length to your look, why not opt for an easy to style clip in ponytail – which gives you even more hair to play with?
It takes tools
Worried your hair might not endure a night of partying as well as you can? Well, to keep your hair in check, it takes a whole host of tools.
A pro dancer’s best friend is a can of hairspray. A good hairspray can keep your hair in place all night, whether it’s straight or curly. Spray the hair from 30cm away to reach all layers and style with a wide-tooth comb for a glossy finish.
But it’s not enough to spritz and go – there are always some annoying loose strands. Spray hairspray on a bobby pin before placing it upside down for extra grip on the dancefloor. Or, for a sleek up-do, spray a light layer over your hair and brush from root to crown using the end of a clean, unused toothbrush to banish those flyaway baby hairs.
To avoid any problems getting hairspray out, try adding a hair oil or conditioning spray to your hair before application.
Party all night, pamper all day
While dancing is good for increasing blood flow to your hair follicles – which promotes growth – there are some downsides to constant partying. That’s because when you dance, your body naturally produces more sweat, which contains lactic acid that, when mixed with the keratin in your hair, can block pores and result in damage or hair loss. Plus, if it’s not washed thoroughly afterwards, a mixture of sweat and bacteria could cause scalp damage or irritation.
Meanwhile, continuous styling using heat tools can make it dry and cause split ends and breakage, which will ultimately make your hair look dull. And despite sleek ponytails being a low maintenance style for party season, these are achieved by pulling tightly on hair follicles, which over time can increase tension and could even result in traction alopecia.
So, in between social engagements, take some time out to pamper your locks. You can do this by washing your hair thoroughly after every night out to rid your scalp of excess sweat and adding a clarifying shampoo to your routine once a week to remove impurities.
Try and avoid heat tools or styles that put too much stress on hair follicles by allowing your hair to hang free during the day. Don’t forget to apply a deep conditioning treatment, such as a hair mask, at least once a week to restore moisture to your mane.
Above all, have fun! But don’t neglect your locks in the meantime.
