verb for strands of hair

[alpacinou]

Hello,

I am writing a short story. In it, I want to describe a girl with a bun who dances. Imagine a girl has a bun in the back of her head, and then there are some loose strands of hair hanging from her head.

First, what is a verb for describing that? Can I use "cascade" to talk about a few strands of hair in front of her head that fall over her face?

Second, when she dances, those strands of hair move in the air. How can I describe that?

 

[Rollercoaster1]

Second, when she dances, those strands of hair move in the air. How can I describe that?

Her strands of hair dance along with her dance steps.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Cascading suggests lots of hair, not a few strands.

The loose strands might:

- swirl
- float
- dangle
- sway
- toss

. . . or any number of things.

It kind of depends on the dance. And the dancer.

 

[alpacinou]

Thanks. And how can I complete the sentence?

1. She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands of hair swaying in front of her face.?

2. She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands of hair floating in the air?

3. She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands of hair swirling vigorously as she danced to the tune. ?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes. Get rid of "of hair" and they're all good.

 

[alpacinou]

She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands swaying in front of her face.
She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands floating in the air.
She had her hair swept up in a tight bun with a few loose strands swirling vigorously as she danced to the tune.

 

[Tdol]

I am not a great fan of swirling.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I am not a great fan of swirling.

It makes me dizzy. I avoid it at all costs.

 

[alpacinou]

Maybe I can use "swirl" if the character is drunk and doing some crazy dancing!

 

[tedmc]

Maybe I can use "swirl" if the character is drunk and doing some crazy dancing!

To swirl is to spin in a spiral. It happens in ballet dancing maybe.

 

[emsr2d2]

I want to describe a girl with a bun who dances.

I've never seen a dancing bun!

 

[alpacinou]

I've never seen a dancing bun!

I mean the girl who has a bun dances.

 

[emsr2d2]

I want to describe a girl with a bun who dances.

I mean the girl who has a bun dances.

I know that's what you meant but I hope you can see how it could be read in a more amusing way. To avoid any ambiguity, you could use "I want to describe a girl who is dancing, with her hair in a bun".