To keep wispy, long hairs out of your face when you’re working out, Attar recommends old-fashioned bobby pins. “Combs, barrettes, and clips grab your hair and can tear fragile strands,” she says. “I like big barrettes with wide claws that hold the hair without tearing the strands. As for combs, look for high quality and wider teeth; they won’t cause breakage.” Also try i|m no-slip, rubber tread ponytail holders and wraps ($4.99, Studio i|m) or Goody StayPut Elastics ($4, Goody).
Swimming presents a different set of problems, including that unattractive green tinge from chlorine. It’s caused when copper from the pool’s pipes reacts with chlorine in the water and, ultimately, your hair.
To fight it, try a shampoo specially formulated for swimmer’s hair. These products remove the copper buildup and help return hair to a normal color. Another option: Before you put on your swim cap, apply a leave-in conditioner like EasyStraight Frizz Block Smooth and Repair Serum ($8, drugstores); it’ll help keep the copper from penetrating the hair shaft in the first place. The Advance Techniques line by Avon ($3.50, Avon) also includes products to fight this problem.
Feeling good about your hair is the first step to treating it well. “We athletes take care of ourselves, but also like to look feminine,” Exiner-Walters says. “It’s just a priority thing. When I take care of it, I love my great head of hair.”
By: Sally Farhat Kassab
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