I’m constantly getting e-mails asking me what I do with my hair – how often do I wash? How do I style it? What’s going on with MY hair?
Not a single thing.
I’m serious – I’m so low-maintenance when it comes to my hair that it’s a wonder that I still have any. And while I probably could still answer all the hair questions, the fact remains that every person’s hair is different. What works for one won’t work for another; what works for my lifestyle might not work for yours; what my “decency regulations” require might be different from yours… and, quite frankly, I’m a hippie. I straightened my hair for a while, and now I’m kind of just enjoying my Angela Davis style.
For workouts, I braid my hair into two pixie braids a la Pippi Longstocking, and go to work. I rinse my hair out with water and coconut oil, then I braid it back up unless I’m going right into my curls or my ‘fro. I don’t use heat on my hair, just a soft towel. I rinse it maybe every other day, and don’t use shampoo very often at all.
See that? Low maintenance. Those of you with high-fangled hair routines are probably wagging your fingers at me right now… I’m sorry. I hope you still e-love me.
That being said, what’s going on with YOUR head? Are you relaxed? Natural? How are you caring for YOUR hair during and after your workouts? What are you using on it? Let’s hear it!
103 comments
I’m natural and I alternate between a head full of the braids you described (which produces a kick-arse braid out!) or what I call my Saturday special. Saturdays mean two hours in the gym so before going, I wash with a combo of cheap conditioner and baking soda before oiling my scalp with castor oil and covering it with a light but deep conditioner. I slick the whole thing back into a ponytail and hit the gym. All the heat and sweat acts as an intense activator for the deep condish and when I was it out and let it air dry in time for my Saturday night date with the hubs, my curls are unbelievable!
On a sidenote? My hair was an excuse for not working out for a LONG time. I was scared to ‘sweat out my style’ or go near water but thinking back, my hair was beautiful but my body was AWFUL. It really wasn’t worth it. ‘Beauty shop’ friends often make sly remarks about my bush but while they’re still paying Lane Bryant $60 for one lousy, elastic coated pair of jeans I’m sporting the ones I picked up from Gap on clearance for less than 15 bucks…and they fit!
MrsSaditty, I loved your response. I never thought about things that way. My hair looks good but my body is a mess. Thanks for that motivation.
The best decision I ever made (concerning my hair) was to go natural and loc my hair. I used to not workout just because I did not want to workout or if I did workout I tried to “half do” a workout because I didn’t want to sweat my hair out. That is crazy! Why would I allow something as simple as HAIR keep me from reaching my fitness goals. I started loc’ing my hair 9 mthns ago while I was still pregnant with my 6 mth old daughter. Now that I am back to working out I love the fact that I don’t have to worry about a hairstyle. I love my natural hair. I maintain it by washing it every two weeks. I style my locs in different styles but my hair is so easy to maintain its ridiculous and I love it!
I have been wearing my hair natural for 11 years now. Started letting my TWA grow out with the birth of my 1st son now with 2 boys thinking about cutting the length is more than I care to deal with so its a ponytail most days. I like the idea of conditioning it before the gym and will give it a try. Otherwise, I two-strand twist it and wear that for about a week then a twist out 1 week and old faithful ponytail week 3.
I used to use my hair as an excuse not to work out as well. But I finally decided that regular conditioning and reducing the amount of heat and stress on my hair would support my fitness plan.
I have my hair relaxed every 5 weeks and have my hair dresser keep it trimmed just above my shoulders.
As much as I would love long luxurious hair, I know I love me 59 lbs lighter and I can always buy a wig or wear a hat. 🙂
I relax my hair as well, and really don’t want to go natural— I was natural for 5 yrs and wanted a change. It’s a bob, so it’s too short for a full pony tail — growing it longer for this reason. I’m a busy med student at the beginning of my ‘living healthy’ journey. Trying not to my hair stop me from working out. Currently, I blowdry and straighten my hair everytime I workout. I know that this is too much heat. Do you have any ideas on how to reduce the heat usage/ time post-workout?
Perhaps you could try a wet set so you aren’t putting as much heat on your hair. Also try co -washing which is washing with conditioner instead of shampoo. You have to massage a little more vigorously, but you don’t strip your hair of it’s natural oils as much as if you were using shampoo.
My hair is short. I find it easier to wrap my hair and tie it up before working out. This way I dont know have was it blow dry it everytime. I thought I would get a lot of funny looks at the gym but no one pays any attaction everyone is focused on thier workout. I also like to swim with my daughter. I wrap my hair and then toss on a swim cap and am good to go.
I am Natural and wear my hair in twists about 90% of the time. I love the easiness of just doing my hair every two weeks. I cowash and and oil with coconut oil as needed. Usually I just put my twists in two pig tails while working out.
Love that picture of you, Erika!
I’m a heat-free natural and pretty low maintenance, too. I don’t get into products or elaborate styles, because honestly – I don’t know what I’m doing. Just give me a good conditioner, some shea butter, castor/grapeseed/olive oil and a spray water bottle and I’m good to go for my professional, everyday and fitness life. I shampoo (homemade black soap concoction), every other week and co-wash twice a week.
Specifics on workout upkeep: I generally wear my hair bunned, or braided enough for my run cap to fit, lol. I can’t wear it loose when I trek outdoors in the Summer, because I bring home creepy, crawly, insect friends, lol. Indoor workouts: I’m just free with it most times – throw on a headband, rinse if I’m too worried about the sweat and keep it moving.
LOL That pic was from the Sade concert you roasted me over. ROFL
I DO need you to come up off that Black soap tip, though. I use this homemade bar that’s either Shea butter or vanilla and patchouli, but it’s pricey… and I’m cheap. LOL
1/4lb of Raw black soap (trust me when I say, it stretches for this!)
1/2cp of Purified/Distilled water (boiled)
2-3tbps of any hair-healthy oils and/or essential oils
Break down the soap in a bowl, with all of the other ingredients until smooth (as possible). You can blend them, or I usually let mine sit to mesh and mix manually – until I get the consistency I want. I bottle the rest, for next time; it keeps for about a month. And c’est tout! Been doing this for years.
And I’m assuming this picture was taken BEFORE the concert, seeing as you were looking all vibrant/awake an’ stuff, lol. ;oP
Shading my boo Sade in my mentions is ONE thing…shading her on my blog? You better add kickboxing to your repertoire, boo! ROFL!!
Don’t you blog anymore?
*steps in to speak for Paula*
Nope – she’s focused on her studies, and stepped away from social media for the time being!
OK, thanks for the reply *sad face* I’m sad she stopped blogging.
Interesting topic!
I too am natural and have been since high school. I just recently got Sisterlocs which I’m absolutely in love with.
Working out did prove a problem for me. Before my sisterlocs locked, the washing process was long and tedious. Bundling it and only going under low water pressure, couldn’t be done everyday.
At the moment they are still not completely locked but I do rinse my hair after a work out. I love this style because it is low maintenance, beautiful, and stylish at the same time.
When I first began working out, my hair was a big issue for me. I work out early in the morning so, when I leave the gym, I’m headed to work and the hair has to be on point. Not only that, my hair was destracting me from getting a good work out because I was so concerned about the sweat messing up style. Let me say, this not being shallow, this is just being real. This was a big issue for me and I’m happy that you are addressing it. I tried perming it (not good for daily sweating and I’m not big on chemically treating my hair), then I tried the braids. The braids didn’t work because I’m tender headed and the braids are painful (got rid of those quickly). So I did what I had to do. If I was going to work out, I had to CUT THE HAIR OFF. That’s right, I cut it off. I have a cut that if I want to wear it natural-I can and if I want to get it curled and styled, I can do that too. I have to say, initially, I was afraid that the short hair was going to somehow make me look a little manly and unattractive, but it’s actually very sexy (if I must say so myself). Sexy hair-sexy body.
SO BITTER! Had this long heart-wrenching write-up about how I love my hair and don’t do much to it like you guys…and then I lost it. LOL…suffice it to say though that I agree 100%–my locs have been amazing for me, both with ease of maintenance, and support for an economical, healthy life-style. Just some general points I put in:
–Castille soap is my friend, but shampoo is not.
–So is Mango & Lime Lock Creme, though I wouldn’t recommend it (too much reliance on mineral oil)
–Pipe cleaners are a great way to do something routinely interesting to your locs.
Thanks for sharing this post!
I LOVE that pic! Gorgeous!
Since I’m now locing my hair, I really don’t do anything for workouts except maybe put a headband on to keep it out of my face.
As far as washing is concerned, I wash every 3 weeks and in between will rinse or clean my scalp, if needed. I also spritz with Oyin Handmade Greg Juice if it needs moisture.
Nice pic! That is an amazing fro!
Usually I wear a braid out, but lately I’ve been a wash and go kind of girl. I cut my hair to ear length, so my wash n go’s are much easier now. I just co-wash in the shower and add some product. I will have to figure something out once the weather changes since I am in chicago.
I love my natural hair. Talk about a hidden treasure! I’ve went to my friend 6 years ago and said but it ALL off. She was pissed cause it was nice and long also too thick for me. I kept it short for 4 years and then wanted a change so I let it grow. In can’t the micro braids. I wore them for 4 months. When I took them out my curls where still there. So every since I’ve been washing my hair with shampoo only as needed. I do rinse in a conditioner at least 3 times a week. I grease my scalp with coconut oil. Put in leave in conditioner, pink oil and use a large tooth comb. Talk about a treasure. People don’t believe that’s all I do and get beautiful curls. I’m just blessed in the hair department. Now I have no excuses about workouts and i love it.
I am 6 months natural, and I too, am very low maintenance. My hair is short and curly, so my “routine,” if you can call it that, is to co-wash with a cheap conditioner, apply a leave-in conditioner, comb gel through my hair so that it doesn’t frizz, and let it air dry. I do this every 3 to 5 days, depending on how my hair looks that night before I go to bed. I also sleep with a satin bonnet on my head at night.
Natural hair here, and I basically hate dealing with it, I brought a natural curly looking wig, and i rock that when i leave the house. If i’m working out I tie a scarf around my head, and keep it moving. Don’t know , now of those hair products work on my hair, and it’s just a course and weak mess.
Michelle, I feel your pain…
When I first began my diet and weightloss journey, hair wasn’t an issue, I just had a sew in or a ponytail and worked out.
A few years ago, my hair started coming out in the top. Not to mention, my edges looked a mess. At that point, I decided to go natural – thinking it would be easier to manage and help my hair grow back.
I’ve been natural for almost two years now, and the hair in my crown just WON’T GROW. I’m also on medication for hypertension as well as high blood pressure. My primary care physician changed my meds, my hair is beginning to look a little better, but I still have very little hair in the top of my head.
It’s heartbreaking. I’d give almost anything to have a full head of hair. In the meantime, I’ve become the wig queen. My hair underneath is a coarse mess. It makes me sad to think about it.
When I work out, I just tie on a bandana and keep it moving…
I meant to say Hypertension and Birth Control pills…LOL…couldn’t go back and edit it!
First, let us address the magnificence that is that picture of you! Wonderous!
I’m getting some good tips on conditioning that I may use. Thanks!
I am natural and curly most of the time. I co-wash with Giovanni 50/50 conditioner and then use Shea Moisture products or just leave the coditioner in. But when I want my hair stretched and straight I bring my ionic hairdryer with the comb attachment, natural shea butter, heat protection stuff and my good flat iron and just do it. I don’t do heat often but sometimes I want to change my look up so I bought a good dryer and a very good flat iron and went to work. Straight or curly, my hair has never hindered my workout. But I also have always liked doing my own hair, so there’s that too.
Hi Erika!
I’ve exercised for years w/ a relaxer. It is time consuming, but I never let my hair hold me back from exercising. My hair is short, and I wear a wet look on occasion and then I wrap it and curl it too! I have to shampoo my hair after I exercise. I’ve heard women say that they can tie it up with a scarf, exercise, and let it dry and comb it out. That never really worked for me. I shampoo it and set it under the dryer at night, because most of my workouts are in the evening. I’ll sit under the dryer for 30 min. and then let it air dry thru the night. I still add a few curls in the morning, and overall my hair is healthy. I exercise 4-5 days a week, and my hair adds about an hour to my evening ritual. It can be done, it just takes a little more time.
I’m natural. My hair is loc’d up and I’m loving it. I was never the type to keep up with a perm anyway. I wash my hair twice a month but do a good maintenance once a month. I do oil my hair like every other day. I know it may seem a lot but it seems to work on my hair.
I have been locing for almost two years now and I am still trying to figure out different styles to put my hair in. All in all, going natural seems to be working out for the best for me. It’s low maintenance and great work out hair.
I have locs and I love the easy maintenance of them. That said, when I did have relaxed hair I didn’t care about sweating it out and doing what I had to do but I love my hair how it is now.
To avoid too much frizzing when I’ve re-twisted I just tie something around my hair when I work out and that usually does the trick.
I wash my hair with Aubrey Organics honeysuckle shampoo and conditioner, keep my hair and scalp moisturised with hair smoothie when I feel it getting dry and that’s it. I like to keep it real simple.
Confession time!!!! I usually wear tightly curled half wigs that match my half natural, half permed hair as much as possible. I wash, condition, and trim my hair every week and a half. If it itches, I spray some dr miracles on my scalp. This is the easiest for me until I grow my perm out and will probably become completely natural. Works well during workouts, because when I perspire, My hair in the front becomes more curly/crinkly
I have no helpful advice to offer but I love, love, love that picture. The eyeshadow, hair, jewelry, and the top all together? Fantastic. Vintage in feel without being gimmicky. Great look.
I struggled for years with my hair. In 2000 I noticed that my hair was thinning out in the top. I went to my dermatologist and he told me that if I didnt let the chemicals go I would be bald in a matter of a year. That is when I started my natural journey. I wore a fro for a while and like Erica I do practically nothing to my hear and I barely wash it. I now have sister locs and I love the freedom… I use jane carter natural products…. So I say free your hair…….. Wink
I’ am still newly natural so I’ am wearing my hair in a tweeny weeny puff for now but when school starts up for me I’ am just going to get it braided so it is one less thing I have to worry about during the semester and since I usually up my work out for some reason during school time having it out of my way makes it even better. But usually I do a quick co-wash after have my trusty leave in and grapeseed oil on deck and go
My hair is relaxed, but I haven’t gotten another one since March, so it’s been five months growing it out now. It was kind of a two-fold decision to do so, one to see what my hair texture looked like (it’s been relaxed since I was around 5) and also because a lot of people say going natural when you’re working out is easiser. And ehhh, it’s kind of on notice right now, honestly! I actually sweat a LOT more with the unrelaxed new growth than I did with keeping the relaxers current, seriously my face will be drenched….it sucks, cause it dries my hair out and I look a slam mess. :\
On the other hand, I’ve been trying different styles than when I had it relaxed…then it was just a wrap at night with the CHI Silk Infusion, comb down in the morning, and mid ponytail during working out. I was actually a low-maintenance relaxer person, I didn’t do styles cause I couldn’t afford them (I do home relaxers, which are cheap and I only got one about every 10-12 weeks). But that doesn’t work anymore, so I’ve been on Youtube trying to find something to do with it (there are so many YT tutorials, it’s crazy!), currently it’s flexirods or bantu knots in it….with varying success 1) cause it’s humid as crap out and 2) my natural hair is very fine and doesn’t want to hold a style.
Soooo, idk about long term…the dryness issue and the lack of it holding a style is making me think I’m going to have to settle for braiding my hair in some protective style all the time, which just seems depressing, plus I hate braids and intricate braids are expensive, but on the other hand, I’m hoping as the months go on that it doesn’t turn out to be so bad. So yeah, the hair is on notice. One day I’m hoping to have access to one of those Dominican hair salons and let them deal with it!
I’m with you on the low maintenance thing! I get my hair straightened maybe 1 or 2 times a year, otherwise it’s either pulled back in a “bun” or out and curly. For workouts I either leave it in my bun or if I had it out I literally tie it up in a ball on the top of my head (the benefit of having long hair) and stick a hair pin in to keep it from falling out. Post workout I rinse it out, put some leave in conditioner on it and sleep with a towel on my pillow. I rarely use shampoo as well, I’m talking, like, quarterly. My parents thinks this is gross, but my hair started growing significantly when I stopped shampooing it all the time so they can say what they want.
I have Sisterlocks and my hair is very low maintenance. I love it because I’m lazy – I mean I’m a busy mom of 2 young boys. 🙂 I do the standard snatchback (ponytail) for my workouts, or 2 ponytails that look like my own tribute to princess leah from star wars, or I keep my hair in the braids or cornrows that I slept in. I work out first thing in the morning. I shampoo weekly and braid or cornrow my locs at night (when I don’t crash in the bed). I use witch hazel between shampoos to freshen up. I sleep on a “satin” pillowcase or I use a bonnet.
Most of the time I do what is called a freestyle, where I just shake and go or I take the time to curl my hair at night – if I am that lucky.
I’ve been natural for about 4 years. If my hair is out (I have a fluffy, coily fro), I wear a bonnet/stocking cap to sleep and fluff on the morning before tying a bandana in the front and hitting the gym. Otherwise it’s twisted up, and I wear the twists in two cornrows with a bandana. I rinse about every other day, and fluff and refresh with gel/water/rose water, style and go to work. Easy as pie! Only thing, I can’t really do attested styles (like braid outs or twist outs) without planning, because once sweat/moisture hits my hair it’s coily automatically. But the trade off of health and a hot body is worth it!
Let’s see.. I guess if you had to call it anything, it’d be known as ‘natural..ish’. I’ve mentally told myself that I would give up relaxers, since I’d merely sweat them out anyway in a matter of days/weeks. Still, after 3 months or so of going cold turkey, the new growth is piling back on, and things are becoming pretty hectic. Braids have been taken into consideration and all, but in the end I’ll probably keep it as is, wash and condition often, flat-iron only when I’m actually going somewhere, and let it dangle in a half-arsed mess of a ponytail. Otherwise, I’ll just use a clip to hold the hair from blocking my view and keep the back down.
My hair is natural and has been for about 7 years now. This year I had to shave it a few times (long story) so right now I rock a short haircut. It’s great because it’s also low maitenance. But due to my hair sometimes being kinda dry and me dying my hair red, I moisturize like crazy. I co-wash everyday for moisture and due to the fact that I workout everyday and I’m in the military, so my hair gets pretty filthy. So co-wash, spray with some oils, and leave in condtioner then I brush my hair and I’m done. I use Shea Moisture Brand products. Once I grow my hair out longer my routine will probably change but we’ll see. I do enjoy not having to do much to my hair.
Running 4 miles every morning was my reason for going natural. Plus my body looked awesome in a swim suit and I wanted to swim, not sit around pool side looking cute! lol. I just couldn’t deal with having to pin my hair up and the sweat and craziness. You know the transition period was the worst-2 hours a day. One day I had enough and cut off all of the relaxed hair. I’ve never looked back. Now, I’ve put on weight since then so I’m back to square one but now I don’t have an excuse not to work out. I don’t know how folks stay active (or swim) with a relaxer but hey, whatever floats your boat.
I forgot to add a routine. Laziest hair routine ever: Clean with apple cider vinegar once a week and Dr. Bronner’s every other week. If I’m not being too lazy I will steep herbs with the ACV for a week. A little jojoba oil the morning after I clean it. I need to start making some concoctions with herbs and oil, though.
My hair has been natural for years. It’s finally long enough to do something besides wear a wash ‘n go, but I’m not super confident with doing the other styles I see online so I usually just wear my ‘fro with a headband.
I cowash almost daily. I deep condition a lot and I moisturize with shea butter. When I get fed up with how thin my hair is and how easily it knots, etc. I get braid extensions.
I’ve just joined the ranks of the napturals. I’ve always wanted to do it since relaxers were stealing my hair with impunity. I have balding edges and a nice vacant spot dead in the center of my crowning glory. It’s been abused, so it had no choice but to fight back. I’m now using a nightly mix of jojoba oil, emu oil, sweet almond and lavender oil to massage in my hair.
I wash twice weekly with conditioner….no shampoos….too harsh. I used to use Suave coconut conditioner, now I swear by Herbal Essence’s hello hydration….it really hydrates and cleans. There is a really expensive product called Wen that is a great product, but I found one that is very similar and only cost 4.99 that I picked up at Ross….so I use that to cleanse my hair because its not harsh.
The Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Smooth-n-Hold Pudding is a godsend for 4.00+. If you use twist or otherwise….this is great. I like to roll my hair on satin rollers (they actually exist), so when I use the pudding it takes a while to dry. I will only use it on Saturday night and unroll for work on Monday. Otherwise, I will use Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel currently on sale for 2.99 at Sallys. It works miracles without the alcohol. It will hold a curl and keep your hair soft.
When I wash, I will use a shea butter/jojoba/sweet almond/grapeseed oil mixture. I make sure that I get my ends really well, but avoid the scalp because the shea will coat it.
Yes! I love Smooth and Hold pudding! It’s the perfect moisturizing gel. It holds well without making your hair crunchy and hard and with almost no buildup.
I’m fairly low maintenance with my hair as well. I wash it weekly, moisturize every other day. I may relax it every 2-3 months just to be able to glide a comb through it. My hair is dense, but like my mom its also fine, so neither of us need to straighten very often. For styling, I just pin it back and wear a “quick weave” or “half wig”. These are the hair pieces that have combs in the front and back and you can choose to comb your hair over on top of it, or to avoid too much styling like me, just wear a small headband to cover the edge of the hair piece. These allow me to switch my hair style up without having to pay a lot for it or without heavy styling. I have a high stress career and my hair tends to break in certain areas when the stress is really high, so intense daily styling it out for me.
I am natural. I workout 5 to 6 days a week so i wear my hair braided or twisted to keep my hair stretched to avoid knots and tangles when time to wash for the week. right now I am on a hair journey so I just wear protective styles 99% of the time. for working out I tie my hair with a satin scarf to keep my hair from frizzing due to the excessive sweating in my head. If my hair starts to develop an odor from sweating i rinse it during the week. im not pressed on afros and styles right now my number 1 objective is good health holistically.
Erika you look fabulous!
I am also natural and go between sew-in weaves and lace front wigs. The wigs have been working well for me this summer. I can take them off whenever I want and wash and condition my hair. I am very serious about the grow and healthy of my natural hair. I want my hair to grow out as I shed these pounds so I can a new look by the time I get to my goal weight.
Oh, I’ve been natural for almost 18 years now. At first it was close shorn, but now I just twist and go. I’m still trying to figure out how to keep it moisturized since I’ve started Bikram yoga, but I’ll work it out while I’m on my way to a beautiful body again.
I have locs..its been 7 yrs..when I work out..the sweat unravels the new growth that I just re twisted..which can get on my nerves..so I may get lazy and only re twist the front and sides..which my stylist frowns at….any who!!!!! I was every 2 weeks..should be every week..but!!! I love my low maint. hair!!!!
I too have a low maintinance routeen for my hair. Home care is 1 wash per week with a shaebutter base shampoo and quatrly deep conditioning at my fav Solon, http://goodhairsalon.com/. Just had my treat today of strong hands wash’n out the stress and build up, Hmmmm
Thank’s for the great info.
Health is health, and taking care of your hair is just as important as taking care of your health. I learned a lot from your motivation vs inspiration blog which came down to taking responsibility for yourself. That being said, I take that same approach to my overall health-hair, skin, nails, weight, etc. What I’ve learned (or realized) from my “hair journey” is that my hair care routine has benefits for all of me -hair, bones, skin, nails, heart, blood, ect…We cannot produce healthy hair unless we are healthy overall. We can’t separate of assign priority to one part-we must embrace all (it’s not just about outer appearance or weight it’s also about what’s going on inside) to achieve total health…
ladies what does cowash mean? I do rinse my locs and scalp with witch hazel..but looking at now using coconut oil.. I have psoriasis…and it drives me nuts…I have tried Wen..it works great..have to leave it on for a long time though…I just ordered Carol’s Daughter…it was on todays special on HSN..I cant tie it up while working out..cause i sweat too much….Sleep on a satin pillow..sometimes I tie it up. My hair grows like a weed..I have cut my locs at least 4 times..I am greying fast…I can dye it and almost before a week is over the grey is showing….so annoying..I hate dryers so i air dry..I need to use a moisturizer daily or oil every other day.. will be locing till I die!!!
Co-washing is just washing your hair with conditioner. When you cowash it wont strip the natural moisture like shampoo…and if you do use shampoo try to get a paraban and sulfate free brand to prevent stripping. Since you dye try to find a conditioner that is easy on the hair also. Also for sweating target has a sweatband in “our section” but it really does help get all the sweat around your edges without pulling. And what your doing with the witch hazel is good because you are cleansing your scalp which is where the sweat buildup is.
I suggest getting mix of essiential oils like I use olive oil, tea tree, jojoba and grapeseed right now. I put it in a spray bottle and spritz it, it normally keeps it moist. I heard peppermint(stimulates the scalp), rosemary, coconut oil are really good oils for the hair also. Hope this helps.
If there are more readers who still relax and have more suggestions I would love it.
I run every other day and inline skate/walk/aerobics/yoga on the off days and my hair well its short and relaxed but it pays the consequence. I couldn’t be high maintenance where my hair is concerned if you paid me, I just don’t care enough. But I want to keep it healthy atleast. Help?
I’ve been natural since early 2007 and did my chop in 2008. I do remember my relaxed routine though. I was a roller set girl (as in didn’t own a flat iron or blow dryer until I stopped relaxing). Depending on your length you may not want to do the roller set thing but the whole point is to use heat as little as possible. When I worked out I would pin curl my hair and not wrap it up in a scarf. Wrapping it up is a sure fire way to effectively steam your hair. When the workout was over and the shower was done and makeup applied, I would take the pins out and let the curls fall. My roots lived in a state of not completely straight but frankly the curls hide that. That way I only applied heat to my hair with my bonnet dryer once a week when I washed. In the summer I washed and set twice a week (good time to get work done or bills paid since dryer time was 2 hours with the good bonnet dryer). My mother is currently natural and this is still her routine. She washes and sets her hair when she gets home from water aerobics.
My current natural routine depends on the time of year. Since it’s fall, I’m either straight or twisted with an end goal of a twist out. If Im straight, I pin curl my hair pre spin class or whatever with the understanding that my hair will be a little bit more bushy when I leave. I’m okay with bushy roots; goal is to keep ends straight. If I’m twisted that’s easy. I unpin my twists (generally pinned up for work) so my scalp can breathe. Then I pin them back up once my scalp is dry and I’ve sprayed some leave-in on. Then on the weekend I take the twists out for the might going out twist out. In the summer I alternate between wash and go and the twists.
Why did I think I was an anomaly. I thought I was th only woman dealing with the hair issue, lol. My hair is natural (2yrs now), & I prefer to wear it straight. And my hair thick is thick – a co-worker said I look like one of the Supremes (remember their wigs?). I sweat so much in my hair, so I wash it often. I have tried many options: braids, wigs, scarves, etc. I used to get frustrated and use that as an excuse to skip workouts. Now I just go w/the flow. I wash it, curl it, rock ponytails w/my bushy bush ball attachment, or whatever I feel like doing with it for that day.
I have been locing my hair for about 3 months now so I really havent gotten into a solid maintenance routine. As of now I blow dry my hair after working out. Then I use seabreeze and a cloth to scrub my scalp. I wash my hair every two weeks. I moisturize with Carol’s Daughter loc butter
i work out 7 days a week.i pre poo shampoo and deep condition then moisturise and seal…put my hair in mini twists and keep them in for 1 week.i rinse well under a powerful shower mid week for 5 minutes so 4 days after i wash i just rinse well to get rid of sweat and buildup.i make my own products(Mahogany Naturals) and use my moisturising daily leave in every day.i only seal on wash day and mid week when i rinse well.
i can only keep my twists in for 1 week because they get fuzzy plus i love to feel my loose hair and get rid of shed hair weekly
I’m sort of low maintenance. My hair is loc’d. I co wash probably once a week and shampoo every 1 -2 mths or if I feel build up. when I co-wash I set my locs on bendy rods or perm rods . If I go to water aerobics I wear a bathing cap, working out I pull it into a pony tail. If I feel my scalp getting sweaty I use a little witch hazel on a cotton ball.
I love my locs. They are easy to maintain and I can let them flow for every day or curl & pin up for dressier times. I also don’t have to worry about my hair reverting back to nature because of it getting wet or sweating.
I like to consider myself semi-natural. I started coloring my hair 2 years ago to cover up my grey hair. I started early!!! I usually get bi-weekly blowouts and sadly I did at one point let it effect my workouts. However now I just tie my hair back in a tight bun. If it gets to messy I will wash it and go curly. Also I am trying some dry shampoo. Has any one else tried it?
I work out 3x a week. I used to do the treadmill but now I do dance cardio and Zumba. I wash my hair once a week. I twist my hair and pin the twist back into a bun for 3-4 days then I untwist and wear it out. If my hair is pinned up I just put a scarf over it or a satin headband to exercise. If my hair is down I put it in a low puff then tie a scarf over it.
Your hair is glorious!
I’m also very low maintenance with my locs. I wash them every 2 wks and get them re-twisted about every 6 weeks. I barely use any products and having my hair like this has been the best decision for me. I can workout, swim, and get up and go with no worries. 🙂
I was also low maintenance (minimum heat and products) when I had a relaxer too.
With the new year I really what to loss this “extra person/small child-40lbs” that I have been walking around with!! How ever I must admit, I am a hair girl, I truly believe it is the biggest and best accessory a girl has. So my problem is how can I regularly exercise without sweating out my hair or have to constantly put heat in it? I’ve been natural for about 2-3 years now and my hair is healthy and looks GOOD if I do say so myself!!! Someone HELP, please!!!!!
Wow, I had no idea hair could be so complicated! I’m Indian and my hair just sort of hangs there, poker straight. It gets washed, conditioned and dried every day… at which point it does exactly what it always does… hangs there, completely straight. And you know what, I’ve always wanted curly hair!!
Oohh, my grandma makes a gorgeous conditioner that I use every so often – a homemade mixture of coconut oil, rose water and other lovely smelling and conditioning goodness 🙂
Naturalista over here too! Almost two years now…big chopped in late 2010, and I’m loving my curls.
Absolutely no heat on my hair in all that time, I just wash and go everyday now and I can’t imagine ever going back. Thankfully it is shoulder length now so I don’t do anything but put a band on it to keep it in place for workouts, but as it gets longer (and it is growing at warp speed) I’ll have to come up with another solution.
I am the epitome of high maintenance…My hair is permed. I was wearing a short mohawk cut for about two years, getting it done faithfully at 10am every Sunday. However, since I’ve stepped my workout game to 5x a week, i needed something that could handle both my workouts and my divadom. Hence, a full sewn in weave. I wash and condition the weave and my own hair 2x a week and let it air dry. During my workouts, I wrap it around doobie style and tie on a silk scarf. Although costly as hell, i love it. I get a new one every 10 weeks.
I have relaxed hair and I must admit I love it! I’ve had a relaxer since I was 16 and I’m 29 now. The texture of my unrelaxed hair was thick and coarse and going natural just isn’t my thing. I’ve never let my hair hinder me from any activities. I have gone through phases where I would take care of my hair and then I wouldn’t take care of it at all. My hair was a little pass my shoulders and then I chopped it all off( I loved it then got tired of it after 6 months). I noticed it wasn’t really growing but I assumed because it was short I didn’t need to do much to it. Wrong!! Because i was going to the gym about 4x a week, I was washing, blow drying, and flat ironing too often. I now wash it once a week using a sulfate free shampoo by Creme of Nature and I longer blow dry anymore. I deep condition under a hooded dryer and do a reconstructor the week before and the week after my relaxer. Either I air dry or sit under the hooded dryer and flat iron.
I just wanted to jump in here with this – whatever you are doing with your hair in that picture is STUNNING. 🙂 You look lovely.
I went natural about 10 years ago and wore press & curls, twists, twist-outs, braids, and the big afro. I cut my hair down to a TWA over three years ago. Right now, I wear a buzz cut (a la Sinead O’Connor), and I love it! It ain’t for everybody, but I can say that people are always surprised when I tell them I’m 41. I know that my hair has a lot to do with that.
My maintenance routine is an occasional $15 haircut, a weekly shampooing/conditioning followed by a little Dax hair pomade (light), and a quick brush down each morning. I refuse to be a slave to something that other people love more than I do.
I love that picture of you, just lovely.
My hair doesn’t hold me back from working out…sometimes I’m just lazy and don’t. I shall not unfairly blame my hair!
I don’t have a relaxer, but I do blow out and flat iron my hair…that’s a few inches above my waist. Yes, it’s alot and yes sometimes I absolutely dread dealing with it. When I work out I usually put it up in a bun or a braid and tie on a bandana. That’s it. I do use shampoo and conditioner. However, after reading some of the comments that say just using conditioner works, I may have to try that.
Locs – I use Carol’s Daughter Loc Butter and oils. Love it. I got my first perm at 6 years old, and my last one 14 years ago at age 32. Now at 47, my hair is the best it has ever been, a few grays notwithstanding.
I’m so glad I found this site and this discussion. I’ve been wondering what to do to maintain my hair better – keep it healthy w/ less heat. I have a relaxer and I’m not ready to leave it yet and need suggestions b/c I work out about 4x a week. There were some great suggestions that I didn’t know about, so thank you everyone who commented.
I am loving your fro..I noticed for me I couldn’t keep my hair relaxed and still have a very active lifestyle. So I decided to just keep it natural. Now my hair is falling out due to I feel scalp damage from maybe the use of relaxers done by a beautician who burned me.
So I still keep it natural, looking to keep it more moisturized and activate my natural curl. Been through the braiding, wigs, relaxers. Yet my hair like just to simply maintain it with washing and a good conditioner. Looking for a great gel to keep it moisturizered. I want to get it big and thick like I use to have it. Right now I keep it protected in a few braids then were I am out with headbands and scarfs.
I started going natural three years ago. It took a while to find the right products for my hair. I have extremely curly hair. I used sulfate free shampoo on my scalp 2-3 times a week. I condition my hair every other day or every two days. The products that I put on my hair are leave in conditioner and gel. The days that I don’t wash my hair, I use coconut oil. I need to start doing hot oil treatments. My hair is now in great condition since I don’t put any chemicals on it.
Here are the products that I use:
Deva Curl No poo
Deva Curl One Condition
Burts Bees Soy & Pomegranate Conditioner (OLD formula) OR Burts Bees Rasperry & Brazil Nut (OLD formula) for a leave-in conditioner
Deva Curl Angell
I’m natural for 3 years now. I’m also low maintenance. I co-wash weekly and wash & deep condition my hair about every other week. I wet or dampen my hair every day, put on my product, finger comb it and leave it as it is. I put on a headband for workouts. I sleep in a satin bonnet. I don’t comb, twist, braid or clip my hair. I use different products all the time, right now I’m experimenting with Aveda products. The only constant product I do use is “Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today” as a leave in conditioner. #thatisall!
This topic is a Godsend. I’ve been natural for about 9-10 years, & my hair is the healthiest it’s been. 2 strand twists is my preference. I JUST taught myself to do it last yr. lol. I’ve heard of co washing & plan to try it. Question: For the women who rinse weekly, I assume you do that with your twists in? I’m fearful that running water through it will make it look “ragged.”
I tried to go natural after some really bad hair mishaps and it lasted for about a year and a half. This year In April I decided to relax my hair again because it was too much of a hassle . I used an at home organics olive oil, which I used in the past, well it just made my hair curly. I waited 8 weeks and went to a hairdresser and it happened again. My roots got straight, but the majority of my hair is curly. Needless to say I have given up on relaxers and it has been about a month since my last relaxer and I now just wash it and put it in a clip and wear it as is. I need to know how to manage or care for my hair to go completely natural without cutting my hair. also products, etc. If anyone can give me some input I would love it, because I too am beginning my workouts for better health and my hair will not hinder me! 🙂 Thanks
I am also natural and I pull my hair away from my face with a leg from a pair of stockings for my workout. Its like a stretchy headband with more control and hold for my very coily hair. Other than that I do pretty much with it what Ericka does and I’m out! It’s so easy it does seem it should’ve all fallen out but 4yrs in and it’s still here!
I am transitioning … 3 months of new growth..and to mask the difference in textures, I wash it, put hair pudding on it…twist it..let it air dry – and GO!!
I wear my hair in braids at the gym, and when I come home…I rinse, put leave in conditioner and let it air dry.
I’m relaxed but thinking about transitioning to natural. I work out by walking, jumping rope and running about 5x a week. I usually just pin it up. I’m a product junkie so I have a ton of hair products so I don’t mind washing it frequently but there have been times that I didn’t work out as hard to maintain a fresh do but I end of sweating anyway. I’d rather be healthy than walk around out of shape. Folks tell me I look better with a pony tail anyway. LOL!
I have a relaxer & I usually just make sure my hair is completely picked up into a ponytail to keep my ends from getting wet from sweat. As soon as my work out is done I take the ponytail out so as not to hold in the moisture. By the time I make it home from the gym it’s ok to wrap or roll. Whatever the case, I stay away from heat (flat iron & blow drying) between washing my hair (once a week.
I wore my hair very short and natural for many years (for financial reasons, not fashion ones). Now, I’m growing my hair back out. I use a relaxer every 6-8 weeks and wash it once or twice a week. For me, the best thing to use as a moisturizer for my scalp and hair is actually the prep cream. For workouts, I just throw it back in a pontytail or two and get on with it.
I am natural I get my hair sraightenedonce a month so it can be trimmed, and I keep it that way for about a week. I never really have a problem except right up front, I just go back over that section with a flat iron and wrap it with the rest of my hair.
I have been natural now for about a year. The creamy crack is calling my name. My problem is that I have two different texture hair….cutting the remaining relaxer off is not a option for me…. any other solutions.
I must admit that my hair has been an issue for me or maybe I should say an excuse for me to not workout for many years. Thank God I finally “stopped” and asked myself;”how important is my health?” The answer was that my health is more important to me than my hair. I of course still want to look nice but for now I wears wigs. I have a wig I wear to the gym and aerobics class that allows me to pull it back into a ponytail, if I choose to. I also have a short wig that I wear to the pool when I swim. Or I wear just a swim cap and none knows the difference. My hair is permed and I keep it trimmed and well conditioned. It is actually growing because I am not putting all of the heat and stress on it like I have in the past.
As women we have options. I can wear my hair dyed, fried, laid to the side, natural, locked or covered with a frock. However, I choose to wear my hair is not as important as choosing to live a healthier life.
By the way, Erika I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this site. It gives me inspiration to continue my weight loss journey as a 45 year old mother of 4 teenagers.
Erica, First I have to say, I love the fro in that pic. You wear it well!
My hair routine is fairly low maintenance. I am lazy when it comes to relaxers, I’ll go 4-5 months then decide I need one. My hair is about mid-way down my back and for the most part healthy.
For regular maintenance, I wash and condition about every three days. If I get extra sweaty from workout, and I just washed the day before, I’ll co-wash. I either put a bit of moroccan oil in, let air dry some & add in mixed chicks leave-in conditioner (for the frizzes) or moroccan oil, blow dry and flat iron.
Just depends on what I’m doing that day…
For work out, it generally goes in a haphazard bun on the top/back of my head… I figure I’m not in the gym to look pretty, I’m there to work-out…
Love this topic! When I initially decided to go natural 3 years ago I go so much negative feedback. But it didnt stop it. My determination was that while I had been working out for years I always kept my hair short because it was always a sweaty mess from my intense workouts. I got sick of throwing away money and hours at the salon only to sweat my hair out two days later. I am not going to say its easier to maintain but I definitely dont put as much effort into it as I use to. If I feel like twisting I will otherwise off with the fro I go. Although there are still a few “friends” who still havent grasped the concept of my natural hair others have converted over and absolutely love their hair and as Mrs Saddity said their new clothes! We have got to stop using our hair as an excuse not to be healthy and fit.
I am natural a la a head full of sister locks. My locks are the best decision I have made for myself in my 41 years of life and now that I have them I feel like I can really get my work out on and not have to worry about sweating my hair out.
Freedom is a beautiful ting 😉
First let me say how glad I am to have found this site. I was 327lbs and am in the process of getting down to my healthy weight. My stop & start approach over the last few months (leaving me at 312lbs) has been partly due to the seemingly perpetual maintenance with relaxed hair. I relax every 3 months and have struggled to find products that keep my hair from drying out. Thank you all for the good tips!!
Since I dont work for myself, I must be mindful of how my hair looks for work. I have been natural since high school and I am one year from turning 40. I was natural when it was not popular, before Youtube, when tutorials did not exist and fancy natural hair products was a jar of grease. I developed three signature conservative natural styles (protective styles) for work that are okay to sweat in and take turns every other week doing twist outs (and wear them untwisted) These styles are low maintenance and dont take long to create (I even sleep on them! -I am not big on rags). You just have to find the products that work best for you hair, teach yourself how to create your signature style (after some research) and figure out what “type” hair you have (check out YouTube), so you dont try to do styles that were not meant for your hair type (Erika- you look like you could be a type 4b or 4c, like me). It can be a discouraging process but it is a great journey. Good luck!
I have been for the past few years and am now wearing a half wig with every so often switching to a phony-pony or weave. I workout and run a lot and sweat a LOT my hair is drenched after I’m done. I usually rinse it and let it air dry. I was looking for something different which brought me to this page. lol
Kinky twists for life! I absolutely hate messing with my hair. When I work out I know I must look like the wild woman from borneo cuz I’ve got a pony tail sticking straight up on the top of my head and I do not care lol, as long as its off my neck I’m good to go. I see women coming in with hair all layed and wonder how long thats gonna last.
For my workout schedule, Sisterlocks were the only way to go. I have 9-10 inches of natural hair, and I am the consummate ‘scalp sweater’. Nothing in this world beats being able to hit my workouts ( weights and cardio) hard AND rinse and go. I wash my hair once a week and massage a light oil mix into my scalp to combat dryness and itching. When I feel inspired, I do braid outs and pipe-cleaner curls, which are super easy and I get complimented on all the time.
Erica, thanks for this post. I appreciate the open discussion about how we can help each other out with our ideas for keeping our hair tight while we keep our health and fitness tight! Peace and blessings!
I have relaxed hair that I usually wear in a shoulder length bob. I usually don’t have too much of a problem with my hair during my work outs, until it’s almost time to relax my hair again. I didn’t want that to keep me from working out, so I bought a cheap but cute wig that I wear only to the gym. I picked out one that was close to my hairstyle so it wasn’t that much of a difference. I wear my hair tightly wrapped under the wig and wait until it’s dry before I unwrap it. As for the wig, when it gets old and kind of stinky, it goes in the trash and I get another one. Problem solved.
I’ve been natural for a year now. My hair is about six inches long but whenever I twist it the twists tend to kink up. Therefore I can’t see the length. Any suggestions?
I wear my natural hair straight. I workout and get a wash/press every 2 weeks. My hair is very soft (I call it cat fur), and a flat iron doesn’t cut it. I wrap it very tightly during workouts and let it dry that way – the first week after a work out is fine. The second week I’ll have to add some curls for some kind of movement/volume. If you’re having difficulty with a style, I’d recommend using a hot comb/curling oven. Something about the old school tools that keep my hair way straighter than a flat iron through workouts.
I feel so lazy reading these…
Natural hair, normally in two strand twists unless I’m doing a twist-out or a specific style. For the gym I put the hair in a few bantu knots (to keep it out of my eyes) and go. When I get home I *might* rinse it… maybe. I don’t like putting my hands in it if I don’t have to. It gets rinsed every other day anyway.
I also *might* take out the bantu knots when I get home. What? It’s a convenient style, roots are protected and hair is out of my face.
I honestly find my hair boring and uninteresting. I don’t know but I have no choice because I have to keep it long so my face appear smaller.
My hair has been locked for 4 years now, the traditional kind – sisterlocks are beautiful but to small and time consuming. I try to wash my hair once a week and retwist maybe twice a month. Before I locked, I wore natural hair anyway – wore fros, kinky twist, and lace front wigs. My hair is So thick and I sweat so much that it just made sense to lock my hair.
My hair is naturally curly. I prefer to wear my natural curls because I have been though the relaxers and flat irons and it destroyed my hair. By the time I was 16 I had to cut off all of my hair. I wore a low cut for 10 years. Last year I began to grow my hair back and I love it!! but yes, properly caring for it is annoying. I have to rinse it everyday to keep looking moisturized….I have to use leave in conditioner and argon oils. Its gets washed every week, usually Saturdays, in the kitchen sink because I have been banned from using the shower or bathtub since my hair clogs the drain. for workouts, I do buns or ponytails with a headband. I sweat so much that my headband is totally soaked and the only dry part of my hair is usually the ponytail or the bun lol. I usually rinse it the next morning. I haven’t noticed any issues with the headband or issues with not rinsing it after my workouts….yet. I usually try to put some oil in it pre-workout because of all the sweating and the heat from the sun.
The Karmin flat iron is one of the best i have used and keeps my curly hair straight all day.
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