It’s officially “get that body tight” season. With swimsuits and vacations quickly approaching, hitting the gym is a priority for many women. Straight styles, especially on unrelaxed hair, usually succumb to the power of going hard on the elliptical while rocking out to a workout playlist, and can also have a big impact and big curls. Here are ways to keep your hair as smooth and fabulous as possible while getting your workout on.
Wear a wrap.
Hey, it’s not cute, but the only women trying to be cute in the gym are the ones that aren’t trying to work out. A doobie wrap, a du rag (don’t hate on the tail) or a wrap cap keeps hair taut and in place. Even Nicole Ari Parker’s Save Your Do Gymwrap is a winner! Just wait until you’ve cooled down to unwrap.
Use an anti-frizz smoothing product.
A dollop of an anti-frizz product like Smooth ‘N Shine Diamond Dazzle Glistening Conditioning Gel smooths ends, holding them in place to maintain your style while you exercise.
Slick those edges back.
If you refuse to rock the du rag-and-wrap combo, a high, tight ponytail with a bandanna or cute scarf around the hairline helps.
Show some restraint!
An arsenal of carefully placed Bobby pins and duckbill clips in various sizes will keep your hair from nudging and from reverting during your workout.
Perform double duty.
Kill two birds with one stone by applying an oil treatment like this Olive and Tea Tree Penetrating Treatment Oil by Smooth ‘N Shine.
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Get a style.
Here’s a quirky solution: Put your hair in rollers while you work out (or if you sleep in them, don’t remove them before your morning workout). Large rollers when rolled with the right amount of pressure will hold your roots right, preventing waves and kinks at the root.
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Let your hair dry.
Don’t hide a sweaty scalp underneath a hot hat–how about a nice scarf? Let your hair air dry under a silk scarf or use the cooling option on your hair dryer to keep your hair from frizzing up too much (and just to keep it from smelling a gross, sweaty mess).
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Clean your scalp when you can’t wash your hair.
Not everyone has the time or even want to wash their hair after every sweaty workout, but when you feel your scalp getting dirty and want to keep your head clean and do so quickly, dry shampoos and moisture cleanse products/sprays go a long way. Part your hair in sections. Get a clean towel or wash cloth and dip it in warm water. Spray your scalp with the moisture cleanse product (Taliah Waajid’s is great) and then wipe your scalp clean with the towel. Let your hair dry and then it’s back to being fresh!
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When your hair is fresh, focus on strength training.
You’ll sweat whether you like it or not if you work out hard enough, but if you recently did your hair, focus on less strenuous workouts that cause you to sweat profusely. Strength straining can help you tone up, decrease the sweat, and keep your hair together.
