As an active person, working out everyday and getting sweaty has its challenges when it comes to my hair routine. You may ask yourself, what the hell do I do with my hair post workout so I can still look put together after a HIIT or spin class. I’m no hair stylist or expert but I have been working out and doing my hair for quite some time so thought I’d share the routine that works for me!
It’s taken me a while to find a good group of products that I can use post-workout that still provide my hair nourishment, hydration and absorb the sweat so it’s clean without needing to use a traditional shampoo & conditioner!
Here are my tips and go-to products for how to balance working out yet not having to wash your hair everyday.
DRY SHAMPOO
+ Finding the right dry shampoo is KEY for your post-workout routine. I have multiple uses for my dry shampoos and have lots of favorites but only two truly make it to the top of my list for my sweaty hair when I want a solid refresh.
+ This one by Living Proof I’ve been using for YEARS and it’s one I truly swear by. It’s one of the only dry shampoos on the market that actually cleans your hair. It removes dirt, oil and odor for a truly fresh start all thanks to their Healthy Hair Molecule technology that keeps your hair cleaner for longer. I like to spray this in 3 big sections at my roots, let it sit for 30-60 seconds so it can work it’s cleaning magic and then massage in. I only use this on my hair after I blow dry since the sweat/powder mixture can create more buildup and residue which is what we DO NOT want.
+ Another dry shampoo that’s a little newer on the market but was specifically formulated for sweaty hair post-workout is this one from Bumble and bumble. What’s special about this is it’s a dual-phase mist formula versus an aerosol like the PhD from LP. The white bamboo extract and silica helps absorb oil and refresh your sweaty hair. The only thing that differentiates this for me versus the other one, I prefer to follow up with a blow dryer when using the mist to help speed up the drying process for a quicker style.
LEAVE IN CONDITIONER
+ This is such a key part to my routine that genuinely makes the biggest difference for the overall health of my hair. I apply from the mid-shafts to the ends and brush though. Helps detangle, provide moisture and shine, de-frizz and adds heat protection since I always go in with my blow dryer. This is what I’m currently using, I also love this one and this one!
+ This is the only brush I use on my wet/damp hair which quickly and painlessly takes out all my post workout tangles & knots. Definitely a must have!
DRY OIL MIST
+ I get pretty frizzy once I massage in my dry shampoo so I like to lightly spray my damp hair with this dry oil mist from Alterna to help de-frizz and add shine when I blow dry. You can use this product on dry hair as well but I love blow drying it into my hair which really brings life back to my hair and makes it look and feel less dull!
HAIR DRYER
+ I live, breathe and swear by my Dyson Supersonic. It’s hands down the best hair dryer I’ve ever used. Dries my hair so quickly and the different heat + air flow options makes it super versatile for all hair types and necessities. Once I apply all of the above products, I’ll go in with the dryer (no attachment) and just rough dry until it’s about 90% dry. I’ll then add the smoothing attachment to really de-frizz, add shine and fully dry my hair; game changing!
+ If you’re looking for more of a blown out look, I’d highly recommend using this or this. It literally combines a hair dryer with the benefits of a round brush for a perfect blowout, every time. I still like to have my hair about 80-90% dry before going in with this as it’s hard to fully dry your roots with this tool.
DRY CONDITIONER
+ I’ve only added this into my routine recently but has made such a difference in the smoothness of my hair! Usually post blow dry, my ends can still feel a little dry and brittle but adding a Dry Conditioner has helped boost the softness to the touch of my hair. What I also love about this one specifically is that it has heat protection benefits. If you want to follow with a hot tool to straighten or curl, this is the product you need! It also makes your hair smell AMAZING, definitely a must post-workout.
LEAVE IN SERUM / HAIR OIL
+ This step is definitely not necessary but because I have such dry ends, I’m obsessed with this leave in serum from Kerastase. It’s advertised as a night treatment but I honestly use it whenever I want to add back some moisture. This in combination with the dry conditioner is a HUGE favorite of mine. I use it every night of the week + it smells divine! I like to apply from mid-lengths to my ends.
+ Sometimes I like to add even more nourishment to my hair which also helps with de-frizzing and adding lots of gorgeous shine. I’ll add a few drops into my Kerastase leave in and my hair just drinks it up. This one from Gisou is one of my favorites but I also love this one and this one!
OTHER TIPS
- Apply a hair mask/treatment prior to working out. Most masks you have to leave on for 15-20 minutes anyway and rinse so if you are showering post workout, it’s an easy way for loads of hydration and nourishment. I love using Olaplex No. 3 prior to my workout every so often so it can work its magic prior to my shower!
- Wear your hair in a braid to prevent any tangling! Use can also wear a bun, but I have to admit, it is harder to style when I remove from a bun because of all the creasing.
- Use the right hair ties. I like to either use these or these. I hate using anything that is way too tight or causes my hair to crease! It makes it incredibly hard to restyle with too many creases and kinks.
- If you’re a crazy sweater like myself, reach for a hat or a headband. I’ve noticed a huge difference in how easy it is to style post workout when I wear a headband. This is my favorite one from Lululemon!
- Always brush your hair after a workout! According to Allure, brushing your hair post workout can actually nourish your hair by evenly distributing your natural oils as well as break up any congestion at your roots. I love using this to help run through my hair so I’m tangle free!
- Blow drying will help extend your style and really dry out the sweat. I always blast the cool setting on my Supersonic after my hair is completely dry to lock in the shine, de-frizz and cool it down.
And there you have it! Truly the most game changing post-workout hair routine that I swear by. It’s taken me a while to find the right group of products that not only work together but truly cleanse my hair by absorbing the sweat, oil and odor while also making it look super fresh and frizz-free.
