How to Maintain Your Curls While Exercising: Our Top Tips and Tricks

Maintaining your curls while exercising can be challenging. Whether you're hitting the gym, going for a run, or enjoying a yoga session, the combination of sweat and movement can lead to frizz, tangles, and loss of curl definition. However, preserving your curls is possible with the right care and techniques. Here we share our essential tips and tricks to keep your curls looking fabulous!

Before you start exercising, try a few simple techniques to protect your curls from sweat and friction:

1. Apply our lightweight Hydrating Creme.

After shampooing and conditioning, apply our Hydrating Curl Creme when styling your hair to protect your curls from the effects of sweat and friction. This adds moisture and creates a barrier to prevent frizz. Our Hydrating Creme is specially formulated to provide lightweight hydration without weighing your curls down.

2. Use protective hairstyles.

Style your hair in a way that minimizes movement and friction. Our silk scrunchies and claw clips are perfect for securing your curls during workouts. Try one of these protective styles to maintain your curls:

• Pineapple: Gather your curls into a high, loose ponytail at the top of your head. This keeps your curls in place and avoids flattening them.
• Braids or Twists: These styles keep your hair secure and reduce the risk of tangles and frizz. As a bonus, these styles can leave you with defined waves or curls after your workout.
• Low Bun: A loose, low bun at the nape of your neck can keep your hair out of the way without compromising your curl pattern.

Check out this quick and easy gym hairstyle to keep your curls in shape!

You can see our full range of curly hair accessories here, including our Satin Lined Baseball Caps. These are another great option for protecting your curls at the gym.

3. Use a silk or satin headscarf.

Wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf before exercising can reduce friction, prevent frizz, and keep your curls intact. Unlike cotton, which absorbs moisture and can cause breakage, silk and satin help maintain your hair’s natural oils and keep your curls smooth. Our satin tie-front Pineapple Protectors are perfect for this!

Sweat is inevitable during a workout, but here are some tips for keeping curls frizz-free while you exercise:

1. Use a moisture-wicking headband.

A moisture-wicking headband absorbs sweat from your scalp and forehead, preventing it from soaking into your hair. Our Microfibre Headbands are designed to pull moisture away from your curls, making them a perfect gym accessory.

2. Avoid touching your hair.

It’s tempting to adjust your hair during a workout, but try to avoid touching it as much as possible. Touching your hair causes frizz and disrupts your curl pattern. Trust that your protective style has got it covered, and focus on your exercise routine.

After a workout, use these tips to refresh curls and revive curl definition:

1. Let your hair dry naturally.

If you’ve worked up a sweat, resist the urge to immediately wash your hair. Allow your curls to air dry first. Often, a bit of fluffing is all they need to regain their shape.

2. Wash your hair with gentle products.

If you go to the gym regularly, try to avoid over-washing your hair with shampoo which can lead to dryness. Use our Cleansing Co-wash to gently cleanse and maintain moisture. It’s also great for a quick wash day as you can go straight to your styling products after rinsing out the Co-wash. Try alternating wash days with our Cleanser and Co-wash to get the perfect balance for scalp and hair health.

3. Revive your curls with our Refresh Spray.

Keep our Curl Refresh Spray in your gym bag to bring your curls back to life after a workout. This fabulous product is designed to reactivate your curls and eliminate frizz. Simply spritz it onto your hair and scrunch. Try finger coiling any stubborn areas that need a little more definition.

1. Deep condition regularly.

Sweat and frequent washing can lead to dry hair, so it’s important to deep condition your curls regularly. Use our Deep Hydration Hair Mask once a week to replenish moisture and keep your curls soft and manageable.

2. Trim your ends.

Regular trims are essential to keep your curls looking their best. Trimming your hair helps prevent split ends and breakage, ensuring your curls stay bouncy and healthy. Check out our Salon Locator to find your nearest curly salon.

3. Stay hydrated.

Healthy hair starts from within. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your scalp and hair hydrated, which is especially important if you exercise frequently.

Maintaining curly hair while exercising doesn’t have to be a struggle. With these tips and tricks, you can protect your curls before, during, and after your workout, ensuring they stay bouncy and defined. Remember to keep our mini 100ml products in your gym bag so you can style your curls after a workout. Our Mega Hold Mini Pack has everything you need for the perfect post-workout curl routine.

What’s your best curl care tip for exercising? Let us know your go-to styles and curl care hacks—we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at hello@onlycurls.com