The Harborfields High School football team was all set for a great new season with custom jerseys. One problem: the custom uniforms had a misspelling. Instead of reading, “Harborfields” across the center chest, it says, “Harborsfields.” According to the Athletic Director, the misspelling wasn’t caught until it was too late – the uniforms arrived on the day of the team’s first game. One player’s jersey didn’t even include his name on the back. To make matters worse, the team lost the game 14-6. While the manufacturer will be fixing the uniforms, no one knows if they will have them in time to use for the season. Team uniforms really complete the athlete’s look so we can imagine how bummed the team must be. This is an example of how important it is to order custom or personalized uniforms early! By waiting until the last minute, there’s a chance you won’t be able to fix an error. Remember, whether it’s the manufacturer’s fault or not, the cheerleaders are the ones who suffer when their uniforms either don’t fit correctly or the customization is incorrect. To help prevent errors, work closely with the cheer company from which you order. Double check all spellings before submitting your customization order. Remember, custom and personalized items take much longer to receive. You’ll need to order months ahead of time. If you’re getting new uniforms for next spring season, now is the time to order, or to at least plan what you will order. We hope the Harborfields football team gets their new uniforms before the end of the season and hopefully something like this doesn’t happen to your squad. News Source: Huntington Patch Share your tips! How early do you order your cheer gear? Does your team wear customized uniforms?
Get all the prom tips from Cheerleading Blog by
downloading the free Cheerleading Guide To Planning The Perfect Prom!Prom is just a few weeks away, and whether it’s your first or last time attending, the key to a fairy tale evening is in the planning. I may be lacking the official Fairy Godmother title, and that all-important wand, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you make a truly magical memory! I hope you enjoy this four week prom series!
Planning your budget may be THE most important step to preparing for prom. Setting detailed and realistic guidelines will help keep your stress levels under control and let you focus on being fabulous. Skipping this step could mean that you’ll be at home while everyone else is at the ball. Here are some of the main items to consider:
The DRESS. Shop your dress (or a similar style) online and in stores to get an idea of the cost. The sooner you start looking, the more room you give yourself to bargain hunt or wait for sales. Don’t forget to include any special under garments or taping for the dress, and alterations you might need.
$ Saving Tip: Choose a simple dress and pair it with unique and flashy accessories to dress it up. Go retro, or shop in a friend’s closet or at a second hand store. You are not stuck with what you see – a seamstress can change the hem and neckline if necessary. You can even dye the dress to change the color!
Accessories. Shoes, jewelry, purse…the little details add up! Be sure you know what pieces you’ll need to achieve your desired look. Include even the smallest details (like a hair bow) when estimating the cost.
$ Saving Tip: Borrow! Ask a family member, older sibling or friend if they have any accessories to loan you for the night.
Beauty. The glowing skin, manicured nails and perfectly placed hair that are a staple at proms don’t come without a cost. Include tanning, your hairstyle, a manicure and pedicure, eyebrow waxing, a massage and facial, your makeup and anything else that is part of your beauty regime.
$ Saving Tip: Find out if there is a beauty school near you. Cosmetology students can style your hair, do your nails and apply your makeup for half of what you would pay at a salon.
Be sure to check next week’s Prom Beauty blog for even more $ saving tips!
Tickets and flowers. Many times, these are costs that your date will cover, but be sure to have a conversation about it instead of assuming. If you are going solo, visit some local florists to compare prices.
$ Saving Tip: If you have a garden, consider making the bouquet and boutonniere yourself.
Photos. Check with your school’s administration to get the official prom photographer’s pricing list. Keep in mind that in addition to the photo you take with your date, you might want to take group pictures with friends and other couples.
$ Saving Tip: Before the big night, make a list of people that absolutely MUST receive the professional pictures and order only enough to cover those people. Take a nice picture on your camera and give prints or a digital copy to everyone else.
Transportation. Are you looking for a stylish ride in a stretch limo or a classic entrance in a horse-drawn carriage? Make sure to finalize the list of people that you will be traveling with, so you can split the cost ahead of time.
$ Saving Tip: If you are going to rent a limo, reduce the cost per person by traveling with a group. Of course, having someone drive and donating to their gas tank is the most cost effective way to get to prom.
Dinner. Are you planning on going out to eat before or after the dance? If you are splitting the cost with your date, or paying for your own way, make sure that you are familiar with the restaurant’s menu prices.
$ Saving Tip: If you are meeting a large group at one person’s house before leaving for prom, consider having each person (or their parents) bring a small dish or appetizer for snacking in between photo opps.
Prom Weekend. Are you planning a trip with a few friends or a large group during prom weekend? Be sure to plan this as far in advance as possible, and consider the supplies you will need to purchase, including food, for the weekend.
$ Saving Tip: Plan a weekend of local activities for a group, like going to an amusement park, the beach or camping, instead of going away for the weekend.
Need to earn some extra cash to help cover prom costs? Here are some ideas to increase your prom budget:
See if a local dance or gymnastics studio is looking for teachers (be sure to request prom night off!).
Spring clean! If you can part with it, sell it at a yard sale. Remember, you’ll be off to college soon and can’t take everything with you.
Try the oldest trick in the book – babysitting!
Offer to wash your friends and family members’ cars for a small fee. Be sure that you charge enough to cover the cost of supplies.
Are you a super-genius at one or more subjects? Become a tutor for your classmates.
Share your prom budget advise with our readers in the comments section below!
Be sure to check back next week for the prom series’ beauty blog.
Lipstick helps to draw attention to the mouth, so for cheerleaders, it’s
a must-have makeup product. Whether you’re a first-time shopper or longtime fan, here are some tips on how to pick out colors, apply the product, and maintain your lipstick longer.When you’re picking out lipstick colors, there are tons of options. There are glossy and sparkly lipstick options, which are great for game days and competitions, and there are also matte colors that work for everyday wear. The most common colors are reds, pinks, purples, and nudes.
Whether you’re looking for a bright color like fire engine red or hot pink, or something more neutral, there is a wide spectrum of colors to choose from. It can be overwhelming looking for just the right shade. Pops of color like coral or lavender are perfect for spring and summer, but even if you’ve been wearing lipstick for a long time, jumping into a trendy color can give cause for pause.
If you are a fan of designer makeup brands, there will always be professionals at the counters to give you guidance. As a drugstore makeup user myself, I like to try out colors from inexpensive brands like New York Color or Wet N Wild first. When lipstick colors are a dollar or two each, it gives wiggle room to experiment. This past winter, I got to try out some gorgeous plum and berry shades without worrying that I would spend a lot of money on lipstick that didn’t flatter me. One of the shades I tried – which I was drawn to right away in the tube – turned out to be way too dark when I applied it, but I was able to find some warm shades that were ideal for winter weather.
Certain shades may look better on certain skin tones, but I’m a firm believer in wearing colors that you like. Don’t shy away from vibrant reds or soft purples if those are the colors you like. If
your squad is coordinating for competitions, games, or events where your makeup is more uniform, consider
a little sparkle or glitter. Wild colors like blue or green are also available from some brands and can be fun for pep rallies or fundraisers.To help your lip color last longer, there are a few other products you might consider. Take your favorite lip balm and apply it first thing when putting on your makeup to get that hydration and give it time to dry so that your lipstick doesn’t slip off. Then put your lipstick on last, after you’ve applied the rest of your makeup. That should be plenty of time for the balm to take effect. Some brands have lip primers to help lipstick last longer; be sure that the product specifies that the primer is safe to wear on your lips!
Before applying lipstick, you may put on a lip liner as well. These come in a pencil or twist-tube forms and range in colors from natural lip tones to reds and pinks. Lining your lips might serve as a base for your lipstick or as an outline for a bold look. You can also line your lips in a darker color and use a lipstick that is a shade or two lighter. Apply the lighter lipstick only to the center of your lined lips and blend it out with your finger for a gradient effect. Lip liners are great for when you want long-lasting color.
To top off your lips, you may want to add gloss. Lip gloss comes in a variety of colors as well. If you like the color of a matte lipstick and can’t find a comparable glossy shade, clear lip gloss is your friend. For casual makeup or everyday looks, many of us skip lipstick altogether and just go for a lip gloss color.
After applying your lipstick, put your finger in your mouth and pull it out between your lips to take off any product that got on the inside of the lip and might stain your teeth. This two-second trick will keep your teeth clean even when you’re wearing your boldest lip colors. If you’re worried about the color bleeding off your lips, blot with a tissue, and then hold the tissue over your lips. Use a makeup brush to gently tap translucent powder over the tissue over your lips, and the powder will help reduce the moisture without dimming your color.
Don’t be intimidated by fun lipstick colors or techniques, especially as we get closer to summer. Experiment with colors and brands and find what works best for you!
Accessories are important for cheerleaders but hair bows are a
necessity. Your look really isn’t complete until you have a giant bow on top of your ponytail. It’s a cheerleader’s crown. So it makes sense that many cheerleaders
stock up on bows and make a collection out of them,
displaying them in creative ways at home when they’re not wearing them.For this month’s poll, we asked you how many bows you own. The results are in and we’re surprised to see that most cheerleaders either only have a few or have countless amounts! While most said they only have between one and five, a close second amount of voters said they have over 20! This makes us believe that our readers are both new cheerleaders and experienced pros who have been cheering for years.
Be sure to take part in our
polls every month, and check back for the results!
Take The Headache Out Of Uniform Ordering With These 3 Steps
Check out the Complete Guide to Tips For Ordering Cheerleading Uniforms
There is a lot to consider when
choosing uniforms for your cheerleading team to wear during the season. No matter what kind of squad you are leading, you will probably feel some pressure to please everyone – the cheerleaders, their parents and your school or organization’s administration. The truth is, that might be nearly impossible! While input from these groups is important, having too many cooks in the kitchen can be confusing and may end up leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Setting clear boundaries, and sticking to them, will help keep the peace among the team (and inside your head!). Here is a plan of attack that will help you start, and manage, the different stages of the ordering process.How to Choose A Cheerleading Apparel Provider
Do your research! Find a company that you are comfortable with, and that can meet your specific deadlines and requirements. When you are researching you should consider:Budget: Remember that your team will have to
launch fundraising efforts, so keep the prices reasonable. Request that each company send you as accurate an estimate as possible (including shipping and taxes). Shopping around will also give you a sense of each company’s policies, including
low price guarantees and shipping and delivery options.In-Stock: Just because a company carries your team’s colors, doesn’t mean that they have them in stock. Be sure to check on the availability, or get an idea of what kind of delivery delay you would face if the color is not in stock.
Production Time: If you are going to have items that are custom fit or have customization, this will add days, or possibly weeks, to the production time of your order. When you are getting estimates, make sure you aren’t getting the ‘average’ production time. Have the representative you are working with give you a custom estimate that considers the size of your order, and ask for an expected
delivery date (not a production period).You found a company that meets your requirements. Now what?
How To Choose A Style
When deciding on options for the style of your team’s uniform, always keep in mind the school or organization that you are representing and make sure that you are in line with their reputation and regulations (such as required skirt length). Don’t forget to check the rules for any competitions that you plan on entering too! Your team will be made up of girls that are different ages and sizes, so be sure to pick something that is appropriate for all of them.You also need to focus on the fabric of the uniforms. Consider your geography and the typical weather during cheerleading season. If you have a hot and humid season, make sure that you look for a fabric that can breathe. If you have a colder season, or cold evenings, get a thicker fabric that will keep your team warm.
If your team does a lot of
tumbling and stunting, make sure you get a uniform that is comfortable
and flexible. It won’t do your team any justice to look stylish, but flub their moves because their uniforms are restricting.Before you get anyone else involved in the process, narrow down the potential uniform to a few choices (I suggest a minimum of 3 choices and a maximum of 5 choices).
Your favorites are picked. What’s next?
How To Stay In Charge
Once you have your top options, get any administration approvals that are needed and then have a quick pow-wow with the team captain (not so she can pick her favorite, just to make sure you haven’t overlooked any important considerations).Since your cheerleaders will actually have to wear the uniforms, they should have a say in the decision. Brief your team on the options, including the benefits and costs of each. Then put the choices up for a team vote and
commit to ordering whichever uniform wins the team vote. If you end up having a tie, let the captain break it (make it clear before the vote that the captain will have the final say if there is a tie).Check back every Wednesday this month for my ‘all about ordering’ series!
Have your own first-hand experience words of wisdom? Comment below!
As a cheerleader, you have to be good AND look good. The cheer look is different than your average beauty routine” ”
for a good reason. Achieving the best hair and makeup look for your squad is important with school starting soon and the competition season not far behind. Here are some tips to keep in mind:- Don’t overdo your makeup and end up looking like a clown, but remember that you will be performing a ways away from the audience and judges, so apply accordingly. You might want to get stage makeup, which is designed with this scenario in mind.
- Do a practice run a few days before the event. This way you’ll know that you are happy with the products, and you’ll have time to experiment and find the look you have in mind. This will cut down on prep time competition day.
- Keep in mind that you want to be looking your best at performance time. If you do your makeup first thing in the morning, it could wear off by the time your team takes the floor. Figure out when the optimal time to do your makeup is, and don’t forget to reapply your lipstick.
- One way to get a look everyone will notice without going overboard is to use glitter makeup. The makeup comes in plenty of colors, so you can find one that matches your team uniforms.
- Glittered makeup stars will help your team look spirited, united, and fabulous. You can get them in various sizes and colors, or get extra creative and buy blank ones to customize yourselves! Glitterbug Cosmetics has lots of makeup inspiration ideas, as well as free tutorials to help you get the look.
Of course, your look isn’t complete without the hair. You’ll want a style that is both glamorous and practical. Ponytails, braids, and buns are excellent for cheering.
- You can never go wrong with a classic high ponytail. Create variations on the traditional “do by curling it, spraying your hair with glitter hair spray, and adding ribbons. Try twisting or braiding some strands at the front and pulling them back into the ponytail.
- A bun will keep your hair out of your face while you’re cheering, and it’s a nice, clean look that’s sure to impress. Incorporate braids, ribbons, and glitter to add flair. Wrapping some hair, or even a braid, around a bun is a fun way to get creative with your cheer hair.
- Braids are really popular right now” “and it’s easy to see why. They keep your hair secured so you can focus on your performance, and they look really cool! You can do small braids back into a ponytail or bun as mentioned above, or you can do one French braid from the top or bottom of your head into a bun or ponytail. Use a braid as a crown or braid your entire ponytail, and even a simple French braid or pigtail braids are a solid cheer style that you can build on with glitter and ribbons.
Check out our
Pinterest board for more ideas. Chasse Cheer
has a good one too!Once you’ve got the foundation of a good hairstyle done,
it’s all about the bow. The bow is like the finale of cheer hair. Hair bows come in a variety of sizes, prints, designs, and colors, so gather your team and
pick your favorites.Be careful to check competition requirements for makeup and bows beforehand!
What are your favorite hair and makeup looks?Cheerleading uniforms are the most important piece of cheer gear, so picking them out and ordering them right is essential! Your uniforms say a lot about your squad before you even start to perform. But don’t worry‚ choosing and ordering uniforms doesn’t have to be stressful! We have covered your uniform essentials, so you can order them then get onto focusing on your cheers! Here is what you need to know:
- When it comes time to order new uniforms, a lot of coaches and cheerleaders find themselves wondering if sideline squads always wear double knit. The short answer is that you can wear anything you want. Of course, you will need to consider what the rules of your school, team, or organization are, but those will likely not specify the types of fabric you can choose.
- You spend a lot of time picking out the perfect cheerleading uniforms for your squad. Uniforms are the most important part of your ensemble, after all! Once you’ve chosen your perfect uniform, make sure you’ve considered these five things before placing your order.
- Now that you have considered those important factors, you’re almost ready to place your order! Avoid any hassle and headaches by going over this final checklist before you order.
- Now let’s have some fun! Your uniform represents your school, team, town, and sport‚ but ultimately, we think it says a lot about your squad’s personality! Whether it’s because of where you’re from or all the time you spend together at practices, cheer camps, games, and competitions, squads develop a group personality even though they’re full of cheerleaders with strong personalities of their own. Take a look at these uniforms and what we think they say about your squad’s personality.
What kind of uniforms is your squad getting this year?
You probably spend a lot of time picking out the perfect cheerleading uniforms for your squad. Uniforms are the most important part of your ensemble, after all! Once you’ve chosen your perfect uniform, make sure you’ve considered these five things before placing your order:
- Sizes. Make sure you have all the sizes you need! Double and triple check with your team to ensure there were no typos or other errors made on your sizes list. Also, be sure to check the sizing charts of the brand or company you are ordering from as sizes can vary from brand to brand. Request a fit kit to ensure you have the best-fitting uniforms for your team and avoid the hassle of returns and exchanges. Many companies offer free uniform fit kits so you can see what will work best for your team.
- Return policies. Make sure you are familiar with the company’s return policy before placing your order. Many companies will refund or exchange defective items within 30 days of receiving the order if you keep your receipt. It’s also a good idea to check your order as soon as it arrives to make sure you received everything you ordered. This will give you as much time as possible to get any mistakes corrected so you have all your cheer gear in time for your first cheer event. Also note that companies don’t usually allow returns or exchanges on customized items unless they are defective. So double check your order before finalizing it!
- Extras. Not being uniform-ready by your first cheer event is every coach’s nightmare. You order early to avoid this, but issues still arise when one of your cheerleaders wrote down the wrong size, you meant to order six mediums but only ordered five, or you get a late addition to your squad. By the time you realize you need another uniform, the uniform could be out of stock or unable to get to you in time for your first event. Avoid this headache by ordering an extra uniform in each size.
- Shipping times. When do you need your cheer gear by? How long will your order take to arrive? These are two dates you need to know before you order. There is no point in spending the money on something if you won’t get it in time to get full use out of it. So look at the dates and then be sure to order your items as soon as you can. Cutting it too close will leave you less time to deal with any problems in your order.
- Shipping fees. Many companies offer free shipping over a certain amount. Ask about any special offers on shipping for large orders, and then be sure to pay attention to your order total! If your order is just under the free shipping amount, adding another item to your order could actually be cheaper than ordering fewer items and having to pay shipping fees. Pay attention though: Sometimes a company has a different free shipping requirement for phone orders and online orders. When in doubt, just ask! The extra time is worth the savings.
Are you a uniform-ordering pro? What are your tips for a seamless experience?
Even after the football team scores its last touchdown of the season, cheering is still in full swing. Beside competitions, many squads continue to get the crowds pumped from the sidelines for winter sports like basketball or ice hockey. Rocking the wild
makeup of the competition mat or the Thanksgiving Day game is a glittery thrill, but makeup for cooler weather and indoor sports means changing up your style a little bit. Here are some tips for easy game day makeup this winter:Eyes
Drama, drama, drama. For winter, be bold with your eye makeup. Blend dark colors on your lids with bright contrasts in the upper crease for seriously smoky eyes. Don’t shy away from winged eyeliner and dark mascara
‚ daring outlines will draw focus to your eyes and make them seem wider and more awake. Shimmer and shine are always welcome, too. You don’t need to whip out the super glitter from the competition mat, but
a little sparkle always helps the eyes pop.Cheeks
Since you’re likely cheering indoors, under more direct light, and closer to the spectators, you don’t need to go for hues as vibrant as you might for a night game on the football field 30 feet from the stands. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone and blends easily with your foundation. Softer pinks, plums, and bronzes will bring a natural glow to your cheeks. Try going a shade darker or brighter than your usual makeup. With more natural foundation and blush, dramatic eyes and lips will stand out more.
Lips
Winter is a season for bold colors: deep purples, rich browns, and classic reds. Choose a dramatic color that highlights your lips to draw attention to your cheers. A matte lipstick with a little gloss gives just enough shimmer under the court or rink’s bright lights. Be sure to apply lip balm generously, too, so your lips aren’t dry and cracked.
What are your favorite winter looks for game days? Keep the fierce going, even when the weather gets colder!2012 is going to be a great year for cheerleading fashions!
Cheerleading Uniforms Blog is excited to announce that brand new
Chasse Cheer products, along with other cheer apparel and gear favorites, will be available soon from Omni Cheer and Campus TeamWear!Order your catalog now!
Click to
request your free Omni Cheer catalog.
Click to
request your free Campus TeamWear catalog.Shop your favorite cheer brands for the best prices! Omni Cheer and Campus TeamWear carry Chasse Cheer, Nike Adidas, Kapea, Soffe, Asics,
Glitterbug Cosmetics and more!Here are a few reasons to order your
Chasse cheerleading uniforms, warmups, practice wear, pom poms, bags, shoes and accessories sold exclusively from Campus TeamWear and Omni Cheer:- Most items are in-stock and ready to ship. No waiting, no backorders.
- Let your spirit shine! Tackle twill, rhinestone and embroidery customization available for many items.
- Fabric for everyone! Find your comfort zone by choosing from cheer gear in cotton, Lycra, poly, jersey, C-dri Performance, stretch metallic, double knit polyester and more.
- Find all the most popular school and team colors, with adult and youth size options available for select items.
- Save money with package specials – available for camp wear, warms and uniforms!
About Omni Cheer
Shop Omni Cheer to meet all your cheerleading apparel needs! From uniforms to shoes, and all supplies in between, find a huge selection of modern, trendy and classic options, in-stock and ready to ship. Quality products, value pricing!Click here to request your free Omni Cheer catalog.
About Campus TeamWear
Campus TeamWear’s extensive selection makes it the one-stop shop for all your cheerleading needs! Style is a huge component of performing and competing effectively in cheerleading, and our selection of contemporary cheerleading uniforms, apparel, bags, gear and accessories will give your squad the competitive edge on and off the sidelines and mats.