long hair

[gingembre1]

This may seem like a very superficial and boring topic to all you experienced salseros/salseras out there, but I just wanted to hear some opinions.

Do we prefer the long hair down, up in a ponytail, or scraped back in a tight bun? I've noticed my ponytail can get a whip-like effect, and I'm sure that can't be pleasant when it's right in my partner's face. So, gentlemen, what are your opinions? And ladies, what is your style of choice?

P.S. Hi to everyone! I'm new to salsa and the board, but I'm a total addict!

[irMaxSALSA]

The scraped back in a bun is better.

Less whipping of the face.

I heal slowly from the slashes.

[DeeplyDippy]

I put mine up :D

[peachexploration]

DD :lol:

Welcome to Salsa Forums, Gengembre1! Happy to have you aboard. :D

Believe or not, gentlemen in my area love long hair. I've been told that on several occasions while dancing that they love the "whip action" of my hair. :shock: Not sure why, but they do. :lol:

My hair is maybe five inches past my shoulders and I usually wear it down when I'm out dancing. It can get pretty dangerous for the lady as well, especially if it gets caught in the guys watch. Ouch! :x

[salseralon]

I'm the same as Peach here, and i think my hair is about the same length too, i usually wear mine down, until i get too hot and put it up in a bun, i havent really had many complaints from guys about my hair being down, its just what works for you.

[yola]

yep i leave it down too. The 'whipping' effect is less than when you wear it in a pony tail.
dangerous for the guy: one braid ... dreads with beads (ouch!)
for the girl: guys watches, as peach already said, but also the buttons on the guy's sleaves (my former partner always cut his buttons off his sleaves :) )
and would you believe it... my hair (esp when sweaty..)also gets caught on my own arm when spinning!

[gingembre1]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I have noticed that my ponytail works great as a whip. Usually I'm short enough that it's not in the guys' faces, but last night I did whip someone across the face. Poor guy. I guess from now on the hair will either be down or in a bun.

[JazzHands]

About a month back I danced with a lady who had hair down to the top of her thighs (seriously).

The effect when she spun was amazing, I really loved it.

Have to agree with the watch thing though - who wants to worry about the time when there is salsa to be danced anyway???

[JazzHands]

Come to think of it, it was probably a good thing that she didn't have her hair in a single braid or I'd probably have been clubbed to death! :shock:

[yola]

:lol: :lol: guys be warned! if you spin us too much, there will be

'revenge of the killer braids'

[MacMoto]

I'm another one with long hair (down to middle of the back) who wears it down. When I want to tie my hair for some reason (too hot, don't want my hair totally messed up, etc.), I tie it at the neck rather than a high ponytail to minimise the lashing effect. I have tried a bun a couple of times, but it simply doesn't last more than a couple of minutes. A few leaders have also told me that they like the whip action of my hair...

Talking of lashing by long hair, this video clip made me go :shock::
http://www.imambo.tv/mambo/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=47&page=view&catid=43&PageNo=1&key=2&hit=1
(or go to www.imambo.tv > Media Gallery > United Kingdom- April > Mushi and Nicky- Birds Eye View. Registration required)

[HothouseSalsero]

Wednesday night, I was dancing in a club, and I was slapped by the hair of someone else's partner, not even my own! I generally find it sort of funny when I get hit by my partner's hair, but it could potentially distract me if I were leading something complicated. I guess that as much as I like seeing long hair, it's better to put it up (but no protruding hair-clips, please). I think a pony tail might be the worst, since it tends to be more forceful when it hits you.

Heavy braids are the worst. I still remember a specific partner I danced with years ago who had these very heavy braids that seriously stung when they hit you. I wonder if she wondered by the end of the night why no one was asking her for a second dance. (I have no idea if that's really how things went for her, but I'd guess it was.)

A few times during private lessons with my old former dance teacher, I sometimes would get a strand of her hair in my mouth and have to sort of spit it out (without actually spitting), with a puff of air, something that always cracked her up.

[peachexploration]

Hi HHS! Welcome to Salsa Forums. Happy to have you here! :banana: :D

[HothouseSalsero]

Thanks, peachexploration.

[LongHairedLeader]

Personally, I love the followers long hair whipping about - it makes moves seem more dynamic.

Particularly, after any move where the leader brings the follower in close hold, the follower styles with a head flick forwards, resulting in the whole mane of hair 'washing' over your shoulder....... *purrrrrr*.

Another side of the topic, don't know how much feedback I'll get from this... as you can see from my username, I am male with long hair... long enough to sit on, and then some.

I've whipped a few women across the face during energetic hook turns, but no-one has complained yet (maybe too polite). My problem arises during any hand changes behind my back - unless I'm very careful, either or both of us end up with a handful of hair - not pleasant, particularly if followed by a turn. I'm just thankful I'm leading so can do a simple move allowing me to extricate myself.

I've taken to doing quite an exaggerated shoulder roll and head snap prior to these moves, so my ponytail (or loose hair) falls over one shoulder, leaving my back clear for a hand change - so much so that several of my more regular partners now see this as a lead signal, and can see what's coming next... :oops:

Any followers out there experienced this? Any other leaders out there with long hair who have struggled with this same issue?

NB: Replies of 'Get your hair cut' will be summarily ignored :lol:

[peachexploration]

....NB: Replies of 'Get your hair cut' will be summarily ignored :lol: :lol: :lol:

Very interesting take on this. Most guys I dance with have a short cut but long hair would not bother me. I actually like long hair on a well groomed guy. :P

[DeeplyDippy]

A different take on this - I danced recently with a lady who had her hair in the LARGEST comb I've even seen :D

I hate combs as you can't see them on a dark floor - maybe if I didn't do as many passes over the lady's head it would be OK :lol: