The right hairstyle for dance depends on the style you are dancing, the dress code of your class or exam, and what you are doing — class, rehearsal, or performance. Each dance genre has its own traditions and practical requirements, from the precise classical bun of ballet to the loose waves acceptable in some lyrical and contemporary settings.
Why Hair Matters in Dance
Hair in dance is not just aesthetic — it is functional. Hair that falls across the face during turns obscures sight lines, is distracting to watch, and can interfere with the precision of movement. Hair that becomes loose and messy mid-class signals a lack of preparation to teachers and judges. In classical styles like ballet, a neatly presented hairstyle is part of the professional standard; in contemporary and hip hop, the approach is more relaxed but hair must still not impede movement.
Ballet Hairstyles
Ballet has the strictest hair requirements of any dance form. The classical ballet bun — hair pulled cleanly back from the face, with no loose strands, into a smooth bun at the crown or nape of the neck — is the standard for class and examination. This is not merely tradition for tradition’s sake: the bun keeps hair completely clear of the face during turns and jumps, keeps the neckline visible for posture assessment, and presents a clean, uniform look across a class.
The Classical Ballet Bun
- Pull hair back tightly with a brush (not just fingers) to eliminate bumps
- Secure in a high ponytail with a hair elastic
- Twist the ponytail and coil it around the base, tucking the ends under
- Secure with hairpins pushed through the bun and into the base
- Cover with a hair net that matches your hair colour and secure with additional pins
- Finish with hairspray to control any flyaways
The bun should sit securely enough to survive a full class of turns, jumps, and barre work without loosening. If your bun falls during class, it needs more pins and a tighter initial construction.
Ballet Exam and Performance Hairstyles
For RAD and ISTD examinations, some syllabi specify exact hairstyle requirements — typically the classical bun with hair fully off the face. Some performance pieces and character dances allow plaits or other specified styles. Always check your syllabus and teacher’s instructions before an exam day.
For ballet performances, the hairstyle often forms part of the character — white flowers and a soft chignon for Aurora in Sleeping Beauty; a severe centre-parted bun for the Swan Lake corps. These are choreographed elements, not choices left to individual dancers.
Ballet Hair Accessories
The accessories used to build and secure a ballet bun include:
- Bobby pins / kirby grips — the main tool for securing the bun and stray hairs. Use pins that match your hair colour closely
- Hair nets — worn over the bun to hold its shape and smooth the surface. Essential for a truly polished finish
- Bun donut — a foam ring that the hair is wrapped around, creating a fuller, rounder bun shape. Useful for dancers with finer hair
- Hairpins (U-shaped) — longer than bobby pins, better for securing the bun to the head through multiple layers
- Hairbands and ribbons — some syllabi allow or require a small bow or ribbon at the bun; others permit a narrow headband
Jazz Dance Hairstyles
Jazz dance allows more variation than ballet, but the core principle is the same: hair must be off the face and secured enough to stay in place through energetic movement. Common jazz hairstyles include:
- High ponytail — a clean, high ponytail is the most common jazz class hairstyle. It keeps hair off the face, looks neat, and moves dynamically with turns
- Low bun — a low, secure bun at the nape of the neck is a clean alternative to the ponytail
- Side bun — occasionally used in performance for specific costume aesthetics (Broadway-era looks, Fosse-influenced pieces)
- Braids — a single plait down the back or two braids are acceptable in many jazz class settings and perform well through active footwork
Contemporary and Modern Dance Hairstyles
Contemporary and modern dance have the least restrictive hair requirements of any theatrical form. Many contemporary teachers allow hair down — loose hair can be intentional in contemporary performance, contributing to the visual quality of movement. However, if your hair regularly falls across your face and obstructs vision or movement, it should be tied back regardless of teacher preference.
For class: a mid or low ponytail, a bun, or a half-up style that keeps hair off the face during floor work. For performance: the choreographer will specify — contemporary hairstyles in performance often form part of the design and may be loose, braided, or specifically styled to contribute to the work’s visual language.
Lyrical Dance Hairstyles
Lyrical dance occupies a middle ground between ballet and contemporary. At competition level, hairstyles for lyrical tend toward the romantically elegant: soft half-up styles with loose waves, braided crowns, or low buns with soft face-framing pieces allowed. The hair should suit the emotional quality of the piece — a lyrical dance about loss might use a softer, slightly undone look; a joyful piece might use a sleek high ponytail.
For class, the same rules as jazz apply: hair must be off the face and secure through the full choreography. Check whether floor work, lifts, or head-rolling movements might dislodge a half-up style before performing it in a competition context.
Tap Dance Hairstyles
Tap dance hairstyle requirements follow the same general principle as jazz — hair off the face and secure. For class, a ponytail, bun, or braids are all appropriate. For performance, tap hairstyles vary widely depending on the era and style of the piece: jazz era-inspired tap might use finger waves or period-appropriate styling; Broadway-influenced tap might match the character costume.
Hip Hop Dance Hairstyles
Hip hop is the most relaxed when it comes to hair. Natural hair, braids, locs, afros, ponytails, and cornrows are all part of hip hop dance culture. The key practical consideration is that hair should not fall across the face during quick direction changes or floorwork. A secure ponytail, braids, or pinned-up natural styles all work well. Hip hop is also one of the dance forms where head movements — hair flips, head rolls — may be intentionally incorporated into the choreography.
Competition Dance Hairstyles
Competition hair is a category of its own. At dance competitions, the hairstyle is considered part of the overall presentation package alongside costume and makeup. General principles for competition hairstyles:
- It must last — the hairstyle should survive the full performance including any tricks, lifts, floor work, and rapid head movements. If it has not been tested in a full run-through, it has not been tested
- It should suit the piece — the hairstyle contributes to the visual storytelling. A contemporary piece about grief should not use a sparkly rhinestone headband; a joyful tap number might
- Age-appropriate — competition rules often specify minimum coverage and age-appropriate styling. Check the specific competition’s rules
- Secure your accessories — hairpieces, flowers, bows, and extensions must all be pinned securely so they do not fall off mid-performance. A falling hair accessory is a significant distraction
Quick Hairstyle Tips for Dancers
- Always practice the full choreography in your performance hairstyle before the event — not just the opening
- Use performance-strength hairspray (not everyday hold) for class and exam hairstyles
- Keep a dance hair kit in your bag: bobby pins, hairbands, hairnet, hairspray, and a small comb
- If your bun regularly falls during class, add more pins — a bun typically needs 10–20 bobby pins to be truly secure through energetic movement
- For dancers with shorter hair, clip-in ponytail extensions or bun pieces can achieve the required classical look