WINNING HAIR FORMULAS TO SEE YOU THROUGH A SUMMER OF SPORT
From Wimbledon and the Euros to the Paris Olympics, there’s only one thing on everyone’s mind during this unofficial summer of sport (OK, maybe just ours...), and that’s how these sporting superstars manage to maintain stand-out strands *and* their winning streak. Whether you’re serving up aces, making a splash or simply sitting courtside (FYI, being a spectator very much is a sport in our books), there’s nothing that can throw you off your game faster than your hair falling out of line.
So, we thought we’d be a sport and offer a helping *fore*-hand (too much?) by compiling everything we know – and the styling staples and treatments we swear by – when it comes to keeping our locks primed for a podium finish.
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
The best hair care for sports depends on your tress type, any hair goals you might have and what sport you’re playing. We’ve divided our hair-oes into two teams: sweat- and pool-proof pros and strand-styling stars.
STYLE-SECURING ESSENTIALS
As much as we’d like to argue otherwise, it’s the taking part that counts – not what your hair looks like. With that in mind, here are the gels, waxes and creams that will keep your lengths looking match-ready through to the final whistle so that you can crack on with the important stuff.
19
£20.00
There’s hair gel as you’ve known it before, and then there’s Briogeo’s Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Sleek Stick... This silky wax is ideal for putting your hair back in position at half-time or between sets. Simply swipe the stick over your strands for 24-hour hold *and* serious shine courtesy of a blend of B vitamins and seed oils. We reckon it’s probably header-proof too... While we’re on the subject, Briogeo’s Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème doesn’t just add definition to blow-dried strands, it also doubles as a nourishing pomade and will keep flyaways at bay when smoothed over a slicked back look.
1
£26.00
Our favourite styling staples will always be those that combine hold with healthy hair benefits. Bouclème’s Seal + Shield Styling Gel is designed to be applied to wet curls and dries to create a cast that will hold firm through all manners of movement. At the same time, a healthy infusion of babassu oil and panthenol hydrates and protects against the effects of humidity to leave curls, coils and waves with defined high-shine. Those with straighter strands should get to know Innersense’s I Create Hold Styling Gel. An antioxidant-packed medley of eucalyptus, aloe and rooibos tea supports shiny, flexible tresses while making sure that no hair falls out of place, whether you’re racing to the finish line or hitting a winner.
102
£20.00
When you want to keep your locks out the way while keeping a little movement, a styling cream or pomade should be your go-to. OUAI’s Matte Pomade offers lightweight hold that adds texture to short hair, tame flyaways and emphasize bounce in ponytails and half-up styles. If you keep your afro-textured hair in protective braids, locks or twist outs for your sporting endeavours, Pattern’s Styling Cream is a nourishing treat that helps to extend the life of your style with its lightweight hold and a moisturising medley of shea butter, cacay and sweet almond oils.
SWIM, SWEAT AND SHOWER-PROOF STAPLES
Whether you’re a front crawl aficionado or just cooling off on holiday, sweat, salt and chlorinated water can wreak hair havoc (read: a recipe for straw-like strands). Luckily, the lifeguards aren’t the only ones looking out for you...
5
£24.00
Philip Kingsley’s Swimcap Water-Resistant Mask (developed at the request of the first US Olympic synchronised swimming team, no less...) is essential packing for any swim session. It boasts a blend of castor and olive oils that help to lock moisture in while hydrolised elastin coats your lengths to keep the drying effects of salt and pool water at bay. Plus, it offers UV protection for your locks (something that isn’t given as much attention as it deserves), making it a beach bag must-have.
54
£32.00
If one formula had to take home the trophy for waterproofing tresses, Color Wow’s Ultra Strength Dream Coat Ultra-Moisturising Anti-Frizz Treatment would be a very close contender. Thanks to an infusion of flex-elastic polymers, it creates a shine-bestowing barrier around your hair that blocks out humidity for up to four washes (or a dunk in your local lido). It has also been formulated with kinky and curly strands in mind and helps to keep your natural pattern looking defined and feeling hydrated for longer.
56
£38.00
Sweaty locks are an inevitable byproduct of any sporting activity. In fact, you’ll regularly find me with damp hair plastered to my forehead just to make sure everyone knows that I *did* in fact go for that run... However, busy schedules mean we can find ourselves going straight from the gym to more glamourous surroundings with little time for a spruce up. Enter: Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo. While fast-absorbing powders soak up sweat and excess oil, conditioning agents (hello glycerin) promote shine for that fresh-out-the-shower feeling.
12
£12.00
When your damp strands could do with a revamp, but you don’t have time for a blow dry, JVN’s Complete Air Dry Cream is another staple to get to know. It gives gentle hold and enhances natural texture to leave your locks looking smoother and shiny.
So, whether your summer sporting plans involve winning Wimbledon or walking the dog, it’s also worth remembering that your locks don’t have to look gold medal-worthy *all* the time. What matters is that you’re out, moving your body and having fun — a good hair day is just an added bonus.
