It’s competition time with the Singapore Open this weekend. There are several mums (and dads) with girls taking part in competition for the first time.
Here are some tips contributed by a helpful mum to prepare your daughter’s hair and makeup.
Tips for Hair, Makeup and Attire Preparations
Hair
1) It’s easier to work with wet hair. Freshly washed hair is best, but you can just wet her hair with your fingers, making sure to distribute it evenly through the strands. Good Look Gel (Firm Hold) or Gatsby Super Hard Long Keep Styling Gel are good gels. These are easy to wash off at the end of the day.
2) Use a brush or comb to pull her hair back, gathering it into a ponytail HIGH on the back of the centre of the head. Wrap a BLACK ponytail holder tightly around the hair, securing the band as close to the scalp as possible. In international competitions, hair must not touch the ground or apparatus during the routine so the high ponytail is helpful.
3) Separate pony tail to three equal parts and plait each part. Secure each braid with a BLACK small ponytail holder (preferably the smaller rubber ones).
4) Secure the top ponytail with the GOLD colour scrunchie that came with the leotard.
5) Smooth the hair back on the top, sides and bottom of the gymnast’s head and where necessary, secure any loose or wispy strands with only plain BLACK hair clips. Spray the entire style liberally with maximum-strength hairspray.
6) Fringes have to be gelled back. A lot of gel will have to be used. The aim is to get a neat look and prevent the fringe or hair covering the gymnast’s face during the routine. If you cannot manage a gelled up fringe, then make sure the length of fringe is above the eyebrows, or gel the fringe to the side.
Face/Make Up
1) Light foundation and face powder can be applied at home or before warm up. However, foundation is optional especially for the younger ones as they have flawless skin. Only light powder blue eye-shadow should be used sparingly, as our gymnasts are still young. Just apply enough to attain some colour. You can use some very light pinkish blusher if you want, but keep things subtle! You can apply clear glitter powder on the eyes if you like to up the glam factor, but do try to keep things simple.
2) Lipstick can be light pink or reddish pink.
Costumes/Attire
1) Please ONLY handwash costumes in cold water. Best to turn them inside out to wash and hang out to dry. Only use mild liquid detergent and avoid fabric softeners as granular detergents and softeners may damage the material and the leotard will lose its shine. Some costumes may be made from different material so care must be practised when washing them in case the colour runs. Gently squeeze the water out of it, do not twist or wring it as it will cause the costume to lose its shape. It’s best to dry them indoors and not under direct sunlight as the colours may fade.
2) Please sew the number tag on the centre of the back of the leotard. You can get the gymnast to wear the leotard and adjust it with pins to secure the position. Then take it off and sew the tag on or you can sew while the leotard is worn. Alternatively, use a pillow. Best to sew all four corners to secure it safely. As the leotards stretch when worn, make sure you provide for some slack when sewing the number tags on.
3) Formal Gymnastics Competition Attire (for competition day):
- Plain Black Gym Pants (Please find a way to label the pants)
- Leotard (No underwear please, you may get marks deducted if underwear peeks out from the leotard during the routine, which could happen especially during rolls and tumbles)
- Team MGS Jacket
- Best to keep a pair of socks to keep feet and muscles warm before competition. (Bishan Gym is air-conditioned during the competition and can be cold)
- Remember to bring a small gym bag with hand and wrist guards, grips. Coach calls them 护手(hushou) or 护掌(huzhang). Please make sure that they are all labelled with the gymnast’s names.
Go TEAM MGS! WEAR THE BLUE AND GOLD WITH PRIDE!
the blue & gold 
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