Hair and Wigs
Like the school dress or solo dress, a dancer's hair is an important part of their overall presentation to the judges at a feis or the spectators at a performance. The McBride School requires that a dancer's hair, at a feis or performance, be away from the face, neat, clean and well kept. For our younger beginner dancers, we require that they wear a blue or white headband (or the school headband).
Traditionally, girls in Irish Dance have worn their hair in tight curls. In the past, this meant curling the hair the night before. Many dancers still do this at the grade levels. Spike curlers (soft foam rollers used specifically for Irish Dance) can be used to achieve this effect. You can still find them through vendors at local Feisanna. However, once a dancer gets to the novice/prizewinner level, they sometimes prefer the ease and convenience of a wig. There are pros and cons to both methods, with cost of the wigs being the most prohibitive for some parents. Rolling the hair the night before can be uncomfortable for the dancer, and the curls may fall quicker than anticipated while at the feis. As mention above, the wigs can be expensive, and will need constant care as they become ragged with use. In addition, the wig should be purchased in a color that matches the dancer's natural hair color. Finally, the wig should not be too big or too small for the dancer.
The McBride School does not require our beginner dancers to wear the wigs. We just ask that the dancer's hair is held away from the face with a head band. Dancers at the novice / prizewinner level may begin to wear the wigs and should speak with their instructor about our preferred wigs.
Traditionally, girls in Irish Dance have worn their hair in tight curls. In the past, this meant curling the hair the night before. Many dancers still do this at the grade levels. Spike curlers (soft foam rollers used specifically for Irish Dance) can be used to achieve this effect. You can still find them through vendors at local Feisanna. However, once a dancer gets to the novice/prizewinner level, they sometimes prefer the ease and convenience of a wig. There are pros and cons to both methods, with cost of the wigs being the most prohibitive for some parents. Rolling the hair the night before can be uncomfortable for the dancer, and the curls may fall quicker than anticipated while at the feis. As mention above, the wigs can be expensive, and will need constant care as they become ragged with use. In addition, the wig should be purchased in a color that matches the dancer's natural hair color. Finally, the wig should not be too big or too small for the dancer.
The McBride School does not require our beginner dancers to wear the wigs. We just ask that the dancer's hair is held away from the face with a head band. Dancers at the novice / prizewinner level may begin to wear the wigs and should speak with their instructor about our preferred wigs.
