Helmets, essential accessories for motorcycle trips, can be quite harsh on your hair. When you arrive, you end up with the same mess you had when you first woke up. Your hair is a mess, your locks are full of static, and your morning look is ruined. To keep your hair looking perfect and avoid looking like you just woke up in a chaotic mess, here are a few helpful hair care tips.
The invisible harmful effects of the helmet on hair
When you hop on your bike to cycle to work, you're doing a good deed for the planet… but not so much for your hair. When you take your helmet off, you have the same wild hairstyle as a troll. Tangled hair, an illegible part, visible knots —all those brush strokes beforehand were for nothing. You have to start all over again in a hurry in front of the tinted window of your building. There's no way you're showing up at work with hair like that.
While a helmet protects your head from potential impacts, it doesn't do the same for your hair. You've probably already experienced "helmet hair," or the helmet effect, without even realizing it. In movies, actresses sport vibrant hair and a sleek blowout when they take off their helmets. But in real life, the result is far less impressive: your hair lies flat and bears the marks of the helmet.
Besides suffocating your scalp, the helmet literally frizzes and weakens your hair. As a result, your hair breaks more easily. Another side effect is perspiration. It can sometimes be a veritable sauna under your helmet, and that doesn't bode well for your scalp. Hello dandruff, irritation, and greasy strands. In other words, your hair is running wild (no pun intended).
These essential preventative measures to limit the damage
With a few preventative measures, you can protect your hair throughout your bike ride. Hairstylist Jay Birmingham, who works with celebrities, recommends not wearing your helmet directly on your head. He suggests wearing a protective barrier. You can emulate the Italian women of la dolce vita, who adorn themselves with a silk scarf before hopping on their Vespas. Alternatively, for a less glamorous and refined option, there's the ever-popular hairnet. If you have textured hair, opt for satin bonnets, which offer more coverage.
These easy-to-find accessories act as shields, preventing any damage. You're guaranteed to arrive at work looking presentable. Keep a nourishing serum handy to "prepare" your hair for this protective ritual. And if your hair is a little unruly, opt for a leave-in detangling treatment like Hairlust's Split Fix™ Leave-in Conditioner.
These hairstyles are compatible with the helmet to be reproduced
As you probably suspect, a ballerina bun or a high ponytail aren't the most helmet-friendly hairstyles. However, there are plenty of other creative options, accessible to everyone (even those with less experience). Wearing a helmet is a great excuse to try new hairstyles and step outside your comfort zone. On TikTok, urban bikers are leading the way and sharing their favorite hairstyles for riding with their hair in place. Here's a great selection:
- 90s-style space buns. Princess Leia was the first to wear them, then the Olsen twins gave them a modern twist. Here, it's not about forming two buns above your ears, but about creating them at the nape of your neck.
- The twisted ponytail. It's a more sophisticated version of the classic ponytail.
- The Jasmine ponytail. As its name suggests, it is inspired by the Indian princess and is bouffant. It is defined to the ends by several elastic bands.
- The low bun. A sure thing. You can do it in a "messy" style or structure it more, by hiding the elastic with a strand of hair.
- The simple braid. The guarantee of beautiful wavy hair upon arrival.
@becky_goescycling Think you can't have cutesy hair under your helmet because you chopped it off? WRONG! Just cause we don't have much to braid doesn't mean we can't look good! Here are some little hairstyles you can wear under your helmet if you have shoulder length hair or shorter 💓💓 hope this helps my fellow cycling girlies! Which one is your favorite? Using @SILKE London and @Kitsch Road cycling, cycling girl, girls who cycle, cycling tips, cycling lifestyle , cycling problems, helmet hair , cycling hairstyles #cyclingtiktok #cyclinggirl #cyclinggirls #cyclingtips #cyclingproblems #cyclinglifestyle #helmethair #cyclinghair #roadcyclist #cyclingtips ♬ QKThr - Aphex Twin
Wearing a helmet doesn't have to compromise on beauty and style. With these few tips, there's no need to pop back to the office restroom to freshen up your haircut. Your hairstyle won't budge an inch, and your hair will retain its vitality.
