Hair question (probably very stupid, too)

[gingerale]

I have what is probably a really idiotic question. But still, I have to ask. I have short hair. It's also fine and a little on the thin side (okay, more than a little! lol). I have an upcoming ride and have an idiotic question. When I'm done riding a long ride, my hair looks awful! Last summer, we did a week long ride and every day I was so embarressed to take my helmet off. So I took a girlie bandana with me and would put it on over my hair after I took off my helmet to hide the hideous mess until we could finally get back to a shower. Does anyone have any suggestions other than wearing a hat about what to cover my head?

[Crankin]

Squirt your hair with water from your bottle and keep a teeny bit of gel or some product in your car or seat bag. Style it with your hands and you'll be fine.

[OakLeaf]

- why don't you like the do-rag?

- when I'm sweaty, gritty and skuzzy from all day in the saddle, my hair is the least of my concerns :rolleyes:

- lots of gel? Doesn't work for me, as my hair is thick, coarse and tends to be oily, and no amount of gel will revive it unless I've washed it immediately before, but might for you.

- if you're not squeamish about public restrooms and if your hair looks better air-dried than it does with helmet hair, wash your hair in the sink.

[gingerale]

It's not that I don't like the do rag, necessarily. I just feel silly in it and look like I've been whipped and set aside for trash pick up.

Actually, wetting it and some gel sounds okay.

[alpinerabbit]

would be my least concern on a long, multiday, ride, I'd be more concerned with being proud of what I did.

Pride first, shower later, I say.... (shall I make that my new sig line?)



But you asked about covering your head. Instead of a run-of-the-mill baseball cap, that is bulky, why not get a classy, classic, euro, and more portable cyclist cap?


http://www.elevengear.us/images/poseur-cp.jpg

[gingerale]

Yes, yes. I know that my head is the least of my worries after those long rides. And it is, right up until I begin to recover and realize that I look like dried snot.

A cap is a possibility, too. Thanks.

[jobob]

The funny thing is, your hair probably didn't look half as bad as some of the others on the tour. Hopefully it didn't matter as much to them (or, they weren't near mirrors :D )

I like the idea of the bike cap.

[Biciclista]

This morning I arrived at work, having ridden. I went into the lady's room, where a lady was putting on her makeup, spritzing her hair. After i put my helmet into my locker (she was gone now) I did my best to make my hair look like I brushed it and went to work.
I guess it's about priorities. I'd rather be healthy and not quite so primped.
being healthy with rosy cheeks is its own kind of beauty. And people do notice.

[Norse]

When my hair was longer it was easy - just pull it back and put it in a pony tail. Now though I usually am wearing a Headsweat band that I keep on or I have a post-ride cap available.

[KathiCville]

I sympathize with you! I have short baby fine hair that rarely emerges from the helmet looking presentable. Spritzing with water, leaning over to comb it through and tucking the ends under is about the best I usually do in dealing with it post-ride, till shower-time. That being said, I just poked around online to see what lightweight, summer-friendly alternatives might be out there for you and hit on some nice-looking fabric headbands of varying widths on Etsy, the big website for artisans.

There appear to be loads of choices (search on headband or hairband), but this one gal (mixbaby) had several items on her site that grabbed my eye. Her fabrics are interesting, which would help to distract attention from your hair and send it to the headband and the face framed by it. Just a thought! :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5049460

Edit: Here's another gal on Etsy who has some nice-looking headbands (BCharmer). Her fabrics are great and most are reversible:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5062517&section_id=5051072

OK, OK, I can't resist adding another link (Zummi): http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5642743&section_id=5517143

Now you've got me thinking *I* should nab a couple of these in case I run errands post-ride and don't want to scare small children and animals with my helmet hair, LOL!

[Becky]

I have short, fine hair that generally gets sucked through the vents in my helmet, resulting in something that looks like Chewbacca from Star Wars after a long ride. I'll either rock the "wookie hair", or just wear a baseball cap.

For commuting to work, I wet my hair down with a spray bottle, comb flat, and air dry. A little hair goop once dry makes it presentable enough for the office.

[katluvr]

do-rag or buff!
Best for short flat hair!
:)

[ASammy1]

I wear a buff that has skulls and crossbones on it! I feel tough when I wear it!

[Blue_Wildflower]

When I ride to work, I put some product in my hair and put it in a low pony tail or a bun.

Any other time, I leave it down and put on a hat.

[shootingstar]

In reading this thread..I am reminded that I need a haircut ...well at least before Christmas. Otherwise my growing hair starts to itch my neck..when doing sports.

I have fine but lots of hair, that tends to go flat, straight after cycling for a few hrs. I've never paid attention to how I look when I get off the bike and walk around stores or even walking into the workplace.

As I get older, I care less how my hair looks, vs. my weight, fitness and overall health. Right now I'm more concerned that I don't look tired in the face. A haircut helps abit, but not completely..

More people seem to comment (in a positive way) on my overall body shape in relation to my age, rather...than my hair.

[kjay]

I realize you want suggestions other than hats/caps, but really the only thing that's fairly lightweight and that covers most of my head is a baseball-type cap with visor. I don't leave home without it anymore.

[sundial]

TE sells cute beanies and cycling caps. I don one after my rides and I'm ready for anything.

[indigoiis]

I do the whacky part. I part it all over the place and then stick those little barrettes everywhere.

It doesn't always work.

This isn't me, but this is the whacky part:

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/11/small_hair.jpg

[Lifesgreat]

I wear a buff or else my hair pops out from the sides of my helmet like Bozo the Clown.

http://www.tvparty.com/bgifs17/brittenbozo.jpg

[PamNY]

Is this the buff being discussed?

http://www.buffwear.com/

Gingerale, I hope you can find a solution that makes YOU comfortable. I cringe when discussions of this type are predicated on the assumption that one is eager for external approval.

Pam

[ASammy1]

PamNY- That is one that I have! I like the Animal Invict (skull and crossbones). It makes me feel like a bad a$$!

[Bicibellacey]

Well,

I think if you got a tattoo right across your neck it would keep a lot of people from even noticing your hair. Or if you stretched your ears out real big, then you could put your plugs in and distract in that manner:)
haha
No, I kindof have a similar problem, only my hair is really really long and tucking it and then sweating all thru it makes it a nappy day up top, so I have acquired quite the collection of cycling caps (they make some blank for you to decorate or draw on yourself)- my boyfriend likes to cut the top off his caps to create a visor-cycling cap. looks cool, keeps the air flowin and it may appear your hair is fun and wild sticking out of a cut cap?
this is funny, but im glad we can tackle it b/c sometimes the little things make all the difference and I believe cyclists should know that more than anyone...

wigs work too :) or ribbons :) or an audrey hepburn sash scarf thingy :)
or go balls(ovaries) out and shave it all off:)

Or just love it, embrace it, and let other girls feeling the same way rock their sweaty doo's too!

[Miranda]

My hair is baby fine, thinner, and long. I look like someone poured a bucket of water on me after any exercise. Guess I'm not a dainty sweater:rolleyes:.

I hate hats. I think the suggestion of trying to scrunch it up in some gel might help. I have a couple fun print buffs. Mine are so gross from wearing them in spin class here lately.

Seems like the less I do, the more people it draws (when really I'm praying no one notices me looking that way). I'm so bad. I'll just go to the coffee house with my gross sweat head, bike shorts on, caked over with salt crystals..."as is":o.

The funniest part is that always (pretty much the grosser I look in the glamour department) some man eye balls me like that. Then, they want to chat:eek:. Umm, back off buddy, or my b.o. might cause fainting.

[StressFree]

How about sports gel? Would that help keep it in place?

[pinkbikes]

It's all about the cut I reckon. I always looked like a limp dishrag after any activity because I'm not a dainty sweating person and my hair would be plastered to my head and my face a nice beet red.

Well I can't do a thing about the colour of my face, but I have worked out the hair.

I have had it cut fairly agressively layered (textured in some continents?) and put a few lighter coloured foils in the front around my face. My beauty regime consists of combing it through, turning my head upside down and running some mousse through it (not gel) and then heading off for my ride. Actually I do just exactly the same when I go anywhere else too!

After I take off the helmet it is all wet and this seems to re-activate the mousse. So I just ruffle my fingers through it to stand it back up a bit and get some shape into it, and then the mousse re-sets and the hair looks pretty respectable and just like it did before I put on the helmet. Shame about the red face though!

[buddha_bellies]

I have had it cut fairly agressively layered (textured in some continents?) and put a few lighter coloured foils in the front around my face. My beauty regime consists of combing it through, turning my head upside down and running some mousse through it (not gel) and then heading off for my ride. Actually I do just exactly the same when I go anywhere else too!

How short did you cut your hair? Do you have fine hair too?

I have the problem with my mid-length bob. It looks terrible 'cos I'm in the "in-between hairstyles" style. I'm trying to grow it out so eventually I can tie it in a ponytail and be done with. But right now, esp. in winter, I wear my headband or beanie. By the time I get to work, I have flat and sweaty hair. Yuck! I wear a hairband but I still don't care for it much. Almost feel like bringing my hairdryer to work.

[Trigress]

I've learnt a new word today: do-rag!

I have the same problem though - my hair is shoulder length, incredibly thick and wavy. Add sweat and a helmet and you get something that looks a bit like felt. It's not long enough to sit nicely in a ponytail and so there are kirbys all over the place. I always think it's almost embarrassing to be out in public with it, so I always wear a cycling cap or a do rag afterwards. Living in Norway they're quite useful too as it's often quite cold in the mornings when I go out. I bought a really nice bandana on TE (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCI_H6094.html) that I quite like, and there are other cool ones that you don't have to tie as well.

[pinkbikes]

How short did you cut your hair? Do you have fine hair too?

I have the problem with my mid-length bob. It looks terrible 'cos I'm in the "in-between hairstyles" style. I'm trying to grow it out so eventually I can tie it in a ponytail and be done with. But right now, esp. in winter, I wear my headband or beanie. By the time I get to work, I have flat and sweaty hair. Yuck! I wear a hairband but I still don't care for it much. Almost feel like bringing my hairdryer to work.

Well - it's not too short all over because DH really likes me to have long hair! So it's sort of shoulder length or just a bit longer at the back and then sort of jaw length around the sides and then about 2 inches on top....


EEEEEK! I think I have a mullet! An expensive mullet, but a mullet nonetheless! Maybe I should forget about being able to have good hair post-helmet and grow this mullet OUT!

[momof4greatkids]

Is this the buff being discussed?

http://www.buffwear.com/

Gingerale, I hope you can find a solution that makes YOU comfortable. I cringe when discussions of this type are predicated on the assumption that one is eager for external approval.

Pam

That is the Buff in question. Those headbands on Etsy are also cute. I was fortunate to pick up (just one, was all that was left) a similar item at the dollar store for ....you guessed it, one dollar.

I suppose you could make them by the dozens w/a small amt of fabric and basic dexterity skills w/a sewing machine.

I want to know why the models on the Buff ads look like they stepped off Madison Avenue when they wear their Buffs, but when I wear mine I look like a haggard Irish wash woman after a long day at the washtubs :) Oh well, I guess I could stay coiffed and perfectly manicured if I stayed on the sofa all day, but who wants that?

Colleen

[sundial]

I wear a buff or else my hair pops out from the sides of my helmet like Bozo the Clown.

http://www.tvparty.com/bgifs17/brittenbozo.jpg

As a kid, I was on the set of Bozo the Clown. Didn't win anything. :mad:

[Crankin]

Hey, I was on Bozo, too and I did win something. But, it was rigged, I think. My uncle was friends with Bozo in real life (Frank Avruch, for you Bostonians). They shoved a Tiny Tears doll in my hands and did a commercial. A few weeks later a package arrived at the back door and I had a brand new doll.
I bought a buff and I look like a washwoman in it. My head is too small! It looks OK as a very expensive headband. I am sticking to my son's 10 year old cycling beanie for cold weather.

[Brandi]

During the winter my scalp get's really sensitive so washing it is bad. I try and just wash my hair every 4 days. But I discovered Dry Shampoo. It helps with greasy hair and it is super light wieght to carry with you on a bike trip. You sprinkle it on your hair and brush in.

[Brandi]

Is this the buff being discussed?

http://www.buffwear.com/

Gingerale, I hope you can find a solution that makes YOU comfortable. I cringe when discussions of this type are predicated on the assumption that one is eager for external approval.

Pam
Sahalie has good buffs of all kinds! http://www.sahalie.com/shopping/msearch/search_results.jsp?history=&freeText=buffs

[Becky]

I bought a buff and I look like a washwoman in it. My head is too small!

There are smaller sized Buffs available! I bought a women's slim-fit buff and it perfectly fits my tiny noggin! www.buyabuff.com/WomenSlimFit/women.htm
I was told that they're the same size as the Junior Buffs, but in more grown-up prints. Definitely fits me better than DH's "grown-up" sized Buff....

[GLC1968]

I bought a buff and I look like a washwoman in it. My head is too small!

I don't have this problem because my head is huge, but I have cut all my buffs (except my one winter one) in half. They work for hair coverings just as well, you get two for your money, and you don't end up with tons of extra fabric everywhere.

I also have super short hair again, but I do have tons of it. I basically either do the baseball hat (I have a small canvas one that I'd throw in my handlebar bag), dump the remaining water from my water bottle on my head and try to make some type of 'style' of my hair...or, most often, just wore my buff as a head band.

While I'd love to not care that I looked like total crap after a century (or whatever ride), reality is, I do. At least, I do when I see the photos the next day and cringe at how disheveled I look!