The
Hair
The
hair is part of the costume and plays an important role to the whole
appearance. It is highly recommended that the head is curled the afternoon
before; sometimes done two nights before the actual feis (some schools
have restricted dress codes, check with your child's school before sending
them on campus). The whole process will take approximately 3 hours,
including washing and drying. Do not wait until the night before! Another
suggestion is to buddy up with someone who has been through this process.
Make
sure you curl where you and your child are comfortable. In front of
the t.v. is a good place.
Items
Needed:
1.
2 Packages of Soft Spike (available at Shamrock Imports)
2. Long handled comb
3. Spray Gel
4. Rubber band
5. Tissue Curling Papers (optional)
6. Hair net/the ones used in restaurants work best
***Do
not use a shower cap this locks in moisture.
Curling
Steps:
The
hair needs to be washed (with no conditioner) and dried COMPETELY! This
cannot be emphasized enough.
***Make
sure the child is wearing a cami/tank top so changing clothes is easy.***
Hair
is divided into two parts: the top section
and the rest of the head.
The
top section is a small
top ponytail:
To
do this, make a part from ear to ear and comb up and secure with a hair
band.
To start curling you want to start at the top of the head and work down.
Grab a small section of hair and spray the section with the gel.
Use the comb to evenly spread the gel. The hair should be coated.
Start at the bottom of the Spike and roll the hair around using the
whole Spike working up towards the eye. You want the hair firm not loosely
wrapped around it.
Secure the Spike by taking the bottom of it and looping it through the
hole.
Finish the ponytail before moving on.
*Optional.
You may prefer the tissue wraps. Just remember it will take more time
with this extra step. If you can at all eliminate this step, the faster
you will be done.
Curl
the rest of the head in
sections:
Use
the comb to give you straight sections working across the head from
ear to ear.
If you are having troubles with the rest of the hair getting in your
way, tie it in a ponytail.
Again working in sections will help keep the hair neat and easy to uncurl.
Unwrapping:
1.
Give yourself plenty of time to unwrap. This process will take approximately
30 minutes. It's always a good idea to get to the Feis early.
Start at the bottom and work your way up. Have a bag near by to collect
the curlers.
2. Undo the top of the Spike and start unwrapping. Be gentle. Do not
comb the curl. In fact, the less handling the hair, the better.
3. After unwrapping the hair you can lightly hairspray the hair. Remember
you do not want to do anything that will make the curl droop
4. Remember to put the scrunchie and headband on.
5. Put a hairnet on until it's time to dance. Put it back on when you
are between dances.
Washing
Out The Curls:
1.
Gently have your child rinse their hair in the shower and apply conditioner.
Gently work throughout hair to ease curls out and not get tangled.
2. Rinse and shampoo lightly. Do not scrub your hair.
3. Reapply conditioner and take a wide-tooth comb and gently work through.
Rinse.
Just remember that the hair has been through such a state for the last
couple of days that you don't want to damage it.
This
is the method used until Bella has given the approval for a wig.
When your child reaches a certain level of dancing, wigs
are used in place of the traditional hair preparation. There is a certain
vendor and style that is used, and Bella will let you know when it is
time to get a wig.
