You take care of your body when you hit the gym, but what about your hair?
How often do you go to the gym, work on conditioning your body, nourish your skin with everything it needs afterwards and then just whip your hair up into a top knot?
It might seem the easiest way to deal with your ‘do post workout, but in actual fact, if you give your hair the attention it needs post-exercise, it’ll give you so much more back in the long run.
Follow these simple rules for hair that feels as good as your body does post-gym.
BRING YOUR OWN SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
During a workout your hair takes as much of a battering as your skin, so wash it with a shampoo that will help remove product build-up and counteract any negative free radical damage, like pollution. The Herbal Essences biorenew range has been formulated with histidine (an antioxidant able to penetrate the hair shaft and work to remove any mineral impurities), aloe (which promotes nutrient absorption) and sea kelp (a natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, and E).
PICK YOUR ELASTIC WISELY
If you tie up your hair after a shower, use an elastic that won't snag when you take it out. Go for an invisibobble. And remember, your hair swells with water when you wash it in the shower, which can put more pressure on your hair than when it’s dry, so don’t tie it too tightly.
DO YOUR PREP
Just like the rest of your body, your hair needs some TLC pre-workout, as well as a lot of love after the hard work is done. Take a few seconds to apply a dry shampoo to the roots of your hair before you hit the gym floor. This will help your hair to absorb sweat during your workout/fitness class, allowing you to avoid any potential, “My eyes! My eyes! It’s in my eyes!” style faux pas. You’ve built up your fitness rep diligently. Don’t blow it now.
AIR DRY YOUR HAIR
Heat saps moisture from your hair, so if you have time, let it air dry after your shower while your get dressed and do your makeup. If you don’t have enough time to let it dry completely, try to wait until it’s at least 70% dry and then use a hairdryer on the cool setting to finish off the rest.
USE A HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY
Styling tools can take a toll on your hair, damaging the pigments that give it colour and leaving it prone to breakage. So if you do need to dry your hair, safeguard it first. Heat protection sprays coat your hair in a protective barrier and seal the cuticle to prevent moisture loss.
PUT MOISTURE BACK IN
If your hair feels dry, give it a boost of hydration with argan oil, using a product like Herbal Essences bio:renew Argan Oil of Morocco conditioner. Known for its moisturising abilities, this ‘liquid gold’ absorbs into the core of your hair quickly to nourish it from the inside out. Not only is it extremely rich in beneficial nutrients including fatty acids and vitamin E, making it the ideal hair conditioner, it also has the added benefit of taming frizz and making your hair look shiny.
Get inspired by nature and discover the Herbal Essences bio:renew range, which is 90% naturally derived, at Waitrose