Keeping-hair-out-of-face question

[salsabike]

I am about to cut my hair by several inches. It'll be about chin level, maybe. I absolutely hate getting wisps of hair in my face when I ride, so I've kept it long for quite a while so I can pull it back in a ponytail. But I am all of a sudden totally tired of the length and care it requires, so want it shorter so I can just toss some gel in it and be done after I wash it.

Aside from headbands, I would appreciate any tips from people with hair this length on how they keep it out of their faces when they ride.

[bounceswoosh]

I just tuck it inside the helmet band and it stays put ... I may have relatively well-behaved hair, though.

[salsabike]

Yeah, mine is full of life, so definitely not well behaved.

[Trekhawk]

You could try a Dowrap
http://www.dowrap.com/
or a Buff.

I started wearing these (I have buffs and dowraps) when my hair was shorter and I found they kept it from blowing around my face. Now my hair is longer I still wear them as they stop sweat from getting in my eyes and if I have to take my helmet off in public places I don't scare as many people with my helmet hair.:D

[Fujichants]

Can you somehow tuck it all under one of those cycling caps (the ones that look like a swim cap). I can't imagine this to be comfortable though.

[Alex]

I love Wickie Wear stuff. It's cut a bit smaller than the unisex Headsweats stuff, so it fits my head better. It will keep the hair and sweat out of your eyes and looks pretty darn good when you take your helmet off, too. I'm a fan of the tie-back bandana style.

Alex

[Trekhawk]

I love Wickie Wear stuff. It's cut a bit smaller than the unisex Headsweats stuff, so it fits my head better. It will keep the hair and sweat out of your eyes and looks pretty darn good when you take your helmet off, too. I'm a fan of the tie-back bandana style.

Alex

Yep the Wickie Wear are the ones I like too.:)

[velogirl]

I just cut my very long hair this spring. It's a bit longer than chin-length now, and I like to put it up into two pigtails. The secret with very short hair is to use vinyl ponytail holders.

[NbyNW]

My hair seems to stay out of the way when I'm wearing a helmet.

For other kinds of exercise, I cut sleeves off of old T-shirts and use them as adjustable-width headbands. I guess it's sort of like a buff, but less material. Pretty much the only thing that has worked for me over the years, and on cold days it's an extra layer of insulation under my helmet without making my helmet too snug.

They've got "stay-in-place" headbands at Lucy, but they weren't strong or wide enough to keep my hair in place.

[shootingstar]

I can see what your problem could be..if chin-length. Maybe pin up your hair somehow??? Of course helmet might press down.

I have hair shorter than that....for past 2 decades. I prefer it cut over my ears. But my hair is naturally straight and grows fast and my problem occasionally is bangs..which I must curl with curling iron or it will fall into my eyes. In the end, I end up getting haircuts every 4-5 months.

Hair length and style is to me, a realistic consideration if one cycles regularily.

I wear lycra headbands only to keep my ears warms in cooler weahter. Nothing to do with my hair.

Otherwise I jam helmet on my hair, if hair is getting long over eyes, I shove it once or twice around inside helmet. Then later, try to look beautiful with brush in hand afterwards.

What I really don't like is hair that grows long and itches me around the nape of neck when I wear helmet plus the light standup collars of jersey, fleecy plus outer jacket. which what is happening right now....that means a haircut soon.

[jesvetmed]

I like to put it up into two pigtails.

I second that... my hair is shoulder-ish and layered, so doesn't make it to one ponytail in the back. But I can easily do one on each side, braided or just in ponytail. And they fit nicely behind my ears and under the helmet strap... no problems whatsoever!

And.. pigtails make you feel younger!:D

[Velobambina]

A buff works for me, long or short hair. Very versatile.

[malkin]

Pigtails are cute too!

[Hammer]

I find that I have to keep my mid back length hair in a tight double layered ponytail. If I haphazardly do a double pull through, then it flops around in the wind and blocks my view from my glasses mirror.

I was hoping to grow my hair long enough to chop and donate to locks of love. Even if I cut it chin length, I don't think it's long enough. While it is long, it won't grow longer. It just stays. :( Prenatal vitamins and all. So, who knows how long I'll keep it. I'm considering shoulder length with a few layers. Something easier to care for. But we'll see what I decide will be easiest for biking and running and low maintainance.

[7rider]

The only thing worse than helmet-head is Buff-head! I do use a Buff or Do-wrap for my short hair, but it requires that I wear it long past the ride, too, if I'm not at home right away.
Another thing I do when I don't wear anything under my helmet is tilt my head way back and comb the hair back with my fingers and tuck the hair behind my ears. I put the helmet on in that position, then straighten up and and adjust. I find that helps to keep the hair back and out of my face.

[bmccasland]

Do any of the buff wearers live in hot country? Helping keep heat in is not something I want to do during the summers down here. I've been known to pour water through the holes in my helmet to cool my brain. But I also seriously dislike the whispy bits of hair, those not quite long enough to pull back into a pony tail. Drives me nuts. I've thought about getting a buff, but if it holds heat in during the summer, I wouldn't wear it. Why buy cycling gear if I'm not going to use it?? Can spend the money on something else :D

[sundial]

Beth, I have a CoolMax Buff that I put on after the ride. It doesn't seem hot but I haven't ridden with it on either. Hubby has worn his during the ride and he prefers the Halo.

[Trekhawk]

Do any of the buff wearers live in hot country? Helping keep heat in is not something I want to do during the summers down here. I've been known to pour water through the holes in my helmet to cool my brain. But I also seriously dislike the whispy bits of hair, those not quite long enough to pull back into a pony tail. Drives me nuts. I've thought about getting a buff, but if it holds heat in during the summer, I wouldn't wear it. Why buy cycling gear if I'm not going to use it?? Can spend the money on something else :D

LOL - I think Australia qualifies as "hot country".

I have had no problems wearing it on very hot summer days. I like that I can pull it over the top part of my ears and protect them from the sun.

[F8th637]

My hair is chin-length and it is full of life and sometimes a mind of its own. I typically tie it back with a bandanna or a cloth elastic headband that you can get at Target. I have also done the old t-shirt sleeves thing and I definitely think those are the best.

[bluebug32]

The sides of my hair always sneak to the front of my helmet and get in my face when I ride. Generally, I just pin it back with some kind of clip and the hair stays out of my face.

[imdeanna]

You could try a Dowrap
http://www.dowrap.com/
or a Buff.


I checked out that site....and ordered a couple (one for me and one for bf) they have Free shipping.....AND if you use coupon code "IPMBA " You get an ADDITIONAL 25% off the head wraps!!!

Sweet!

[SouthernBelle]

I wore the Buff pirate-style last summer in 100+ temps. It is very helpful in keeping sweat from running into my eyes.

[aicabsolut]

I have long hair but a ton of wisps around my face. I pull those up in barrettes or wear a cap.

Most of those I know with shorter hair go the pigtail route for the rest.

[indigoiis]

I bought some mesh elastic hairbands - very lightweight - I think Goody makes them. They are very thin material - like a strip of pantyhose material with elastic sewn in - and they are just the right width and loose enough that you don't get a headache.

[Tokie]

My friend calls her bike racing/riding pigtails her "Power Pigs"! I like it! Tokie

[malkin]

I'd love to see a photo thread with bad helmet hair!

[Brandi]

I got one word for you, Buff! Look up head buffs at Sahalie or at Terry they are so cool. and fit great under a helmit! I have two and use them for everything!

[KnottedYet]

I checked out that site....and ordered a couple (one for me and one for bf) they have Free shipping.....AND if you use coupon code "IPMBA " You get an ADDITIONAL 25% off the head wraps!!!

Sweet!

OOOH, thanks for the heads up and coupon code! I might have to do this! My poor little scalp is quite exposed (I don't have much hair) and gets burned easily. These look easier and a bit more comfy than a bandana.

[mimitabby]

check this out!


http://www.pre-wrap.com/prewrapyourhair.html

[GLC1968]

Do any of the buff wearers live in hot country? Helping keep heat in is not something I want to do during the summers down here. I've been known to pour water through the holes in my helmet to cool my brain. But I also seriously dislike the whispy bits of hair, those not quite long enough to pull back into a pony tail. Drives me nuts. I've thought about getting a buff, but if it holds heat in during the summer, I wouldn't wear it. Why buy cycling gear if I'm not going to use it?? Can spend the money on something else :D

I could not ride in NC summers without a buff! I cut mine in half so there wasn't quite as much material under my helmet, but then I would douse them in water. They stayed wet longer than hair, and they kept me cool!

I started riding with super short hair. Now it's quite long (I'm donating it as soon as I can find a good hairdresser here). Buffs (cut in half) were the only thing that got me through the in-between stages. I still use them to keep warm or cool - and they minimize breakage too. :)

[VeloVT]

I know you mentioned you weren't interested in headbands, but I have a short bob and these work really well under my helmet:

http://store.haloheadband.com/halo_II_pullover_s/9.htm

http://www.sweatvac.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SweatVac&Category_Code=WWHeadband

[cyclinnewbie]

I have a short layered bob with no bangs, and use a small headband with these little rubber knobbies on it. It's very narrow and made of cloth, very comfortable. Anyway, I wear that under my helmet, and it keeps the flyaways in the helmet, where they belong, and not in my eyes or mouth.

[BeeLady]

I have chin-length hair that is quite curly and can go into overdrive after sweating under a helmet.

Since the hair on the top of my head is shorter I sometimes part in the middle and make 2 short braids and pin each with a barrette while letting the hair in the back do its own thing.

The easiest thing is to wear a Ficarre headband. These are metal but are the most comfortable headband I've ever worn, especially under a helmet. Plus they are very nice; I wear them riding and then again out to dinner at nice places (with my St. John suit for instance).

http://www.ficcare.com/Products.aspx?collId=36

So, when I'm hot and sweaty, I can pull off my helmet, pull off my headband, fluff my hear and be somewhat presentable.

[salsabike]

This thread is great. Thank you. I have a buff. Have ordered a tie-back bandanna-type thing from the Dowrap website. Am still pondering how to find those Goody's mesh elastic headbands and what the one with the little rubber knobbies looks like and where to find THAT. And I am about to order a metal hairband with glitter on it.

[Wahine]

The pre-wrap stuff that Mimi linked to works great. You can buy it at a PT clinic or online and it's very easy, just wrap around your forehead/base of skull a couple of times, break off the piece and roll it as far back on your hair as you'd like. It's soft and foamy so it still works under a helmet.

[salsabike]

One roll of green, one roll of purple pre-wrap duly ordered. THAT looks cool.

[Dianyla]

For those who have mentioned donating, you may wish to read the wikipedia entry on Locks of Love (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locks_of_love) beforehand so that you are making an informed decision. :)

I use a buff to keep wispies out of my face and absorb sweat. It's very comfortable. :D

[Velobambina]

I wonder if pre-wrap would damage your hair, particularly if you're hair is chemically treated.

[treece]

We haven't had any issues with pre-wrap damaging hair, but I would treat it like any other hair accessory. If you wear a ponytail, you should move the location of the pony around because if you put the holder in the same place every time, you can experience some breakage there.

Treece

[jobob]

Wow, nifty stuff! :cool:

Oh my, check out the story behind Pre-wrap: http://www.pre-wrap.com/fairgame.html