Grooming and Uniform

Uniform
Uniforms will vary depending on the type of art that you are studying -- for those arts that require a standard white gi -- here is my advice...
1. No patches -- keep your uniform plain white and in pristine condition -- if your uniform starts to fray at the collar, buy a new one
2. No colored uniforms -- plain white please
3. Plain white tank top with built-in sports bra -- to wear underneath your top
4. You should wear your gi top the same way as the men (left panel over right panel) -- remember, there are no girls in the dojo

Hair
1. No metal or plastic hair ties
2. If you need to use hair ties -- white rubber bands only -- not colored, unless you are a Dan rank -- then ok to use black
3. If your hair is on the longer side, keep it tied back. My favorite ways that have been proven to work:
-- High pony tail -- with or without the pony tail braided and secured with a white hair band
-- Low pony tail -- with or without the pony tail braided and secured with a white hair band
-- Hair twisted into a bun, secured with a white hair tie, then wrapped with a white scrunchy for additional support
-- For extra long hair -- secured into a low pony tail, then braided, then twisted into a low bun, then secured with a white hair tie
** In general, you'll get less breakage and hair being ripped out if you braid the loose ends

Makeup
1. Forget it, keep your face clean -- otherwise your makeup may rub off on your training partner's uniform -- not ok
2. No one is there to check you out, get over it. The dojo is not a singles club or a catwalk -- au nautral is best

Nails
1. Keep them short -- your training partners will thank you
2. It's ok to wear polish on hands and toes if you'd like

Jewelry
1. None