Dancer Says the ‘Painful’ Hours-Long Process to Take Out ‘Horrendous’ Ballroom Hairstyles Often Leaves Her in Tears (Exclusive)

**Emerging Dancer Makayla Andrews Juggles Competition Dance and Content Creation**

At just 21 years old, Makayla Andrews has made a name for herself in the competitive ballroom dance scene. Having transitioned from ballet to Latin ballroom dance at the age of 16, she has developed a unique signature style and impressive fan base, often going viral for her candid insights into the often overlooked realities of competition preparation.

Unlike her former ballet training, which focused predominantly on technique and performance, Andrews’ new passion involves not only dance skills but also a keen understanding of presentation. “Judging in ballroom competitions is quite different. Appearance matters significantly; judges look closely at costumes, grooming, and overall presentation,” Andrews told PEOPLE. “You need to step into character, and the expectations are quite high. Tan, hair, and makeup must be on point. You can come off looking like a completely different person.”

Part of the extensive grooming process includes intricate hairstyles, with Andrews opting for fingerwaves, which she discovered on Pinterest. “I was immediately drawn to fingerwaves and decided to try it for my next competition. It became my trademark,” she explains. Her hairstyling routine for competitions is labour-intensive, often taking around 45 minutes to style her hair and an additional 45 minutes for makeup.

Andrews frequently takes to social media to demystify the arduous task of both preparing for and recovering from competitions. Her unique videos detail the astonishing lengths it takes to remove layers of hairspray, make-up, and fake tan after performances. “I often film the hair removal process, which I describe as horrendous,” she admits. “I don’t follow the recommended method of showering; it’s simply not entertaining enough for my viewers. Instead, I bring a dramatic flair to it.”

One of Andrews’ viral hits, titled “Taking My Ballroom Hair Out Gone Wrong,” quickly drew around 70 million views. The video features her struggling to remove her tightly styled hair, bringing to light the complexities involved. “It was the first time my mum and I tried to take out my hair without a shower. We had no clue what we were doing and ended up experiencing a lot of frustration and pain at 3 a.m. It was an ordeal,” she recalls.

Recovering from the competition’s heavy grooming products is no small task either. “I typically spend an hour or more in the shower after each event, sometimes going back in the next day if I still don’t feel clean. The products can become quite stubborn,” she stated. Andrews has cleverly discovered that applying jojoba oil can help to break down the products, reducing the washing time significantly.

Yet, this intense commitment to her craft does not come without its challenges. Balancing her dance career with her studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and her content creation demands can often feel overwhelming. “It’s a lot to manage. I wish I could dedicate more time to dancing, but I’m also a full-time student and content creator,” she shared. Her daily routine typically involves three hours of dancing followed by significant social media engagement.

A recent competition saw her leaving home at 5 a.m. and returning just before midnight, following a long day of performances. “After such an exhausting day, I don’t have the energy to do anything else for at least two days. It’s quite a taxing experience,” Andrews explained.

As she navigates through her busy life, Makayla Andrews continues to inspire and entertain her followers, turning the behind-the-scenes realities of competitive ballroom dancing into relatable and engaging content. With her signature style and eye-catching social media presence, it’s clear that Andrews is a rising star not only in her dance career but also within the realm of online influencers.