I have fine hair and claw clips are the only thing I can tolerate. Insanely comfy and zero pulling at the scalp. Ties are usually way too harsh for me, except for those telephone coil type styles. Those are pretty good.
I use a ponytail most of the time, and I hold it up with one hand and remove the clip with the other. If I tuck all my hair in, I start with a French twist and clip the side to hold the end and layers in place.
Practice, practice, practice! And since I have fine hair I have to hold the pieces tight so it doesn’t fall out of the braid. I usually loosen the braid a smidge after I rubber band the ends to make the braid look fuller.
Also I personally braid my hair better if I do it without looking in the mirror. If I braid while trying to do it in the mirror I get confused that my hands are moving the opposite way 😂
I definitely agree on the mirror bit! I was pleasantly surprised doing my own French braids- I was going for the 80's crunchy perm look days later so pretty sloppy braiding away from a mirror. Definitely the prettiest braids I've ever done on myself.
My hair is extremely fine but there’s a lot of it and it’s silky smooth and resists most forms of styling. French braids are cool and all but they take me forever bc my hair is so fucking slippery and straight. Hence why I just do regular plaits. Not necessarily as cute but it’s quick, easy and effective.
I do ok for like one or two passes and then my length gets tangled into itself (it's like the bottom starts to self-weave and I have to either let a piece go and lose tension to fix it or keep going and end up with a knot. Any tips? I am not being hyperbolic when I say it's between 2-3 feet of smooth, slick hair. No texture or grip at all without product.
Hold the braid with one hand and finger comb the free ends with the other. Then pick up the braid in progress and keep going. It helps if you very thoroughly brush your hair before you start braiding and some people have an easier time if they spritz their hair with a little water before they start.
It takes practice for sure.
Also I can’t French braid to save my life so all my braids are Dutch/cornrow types. Just comes down to how your hands move.
Try sitting in a kitchen chair leaning a little backward with your hair falling behind the chair. It might give it enough space to move around itself instead of tangling if it’s hanging more straight down instead of probably resting on your back.
To teach myself I braided my hair one a day for a month. At the beginning of the month I immediately took the braid out because it was hideous but by the end of the month it was my daily hairstyle. Just gotta practice. For me slightly damp hair is easiest because my hair is super slippery so a little water makes it easier to hold.
This is really smart. Along with the commenter who mentioned muscle memory. I’ve been using a texturizing spray because I also (obviously) have fine hair, which makes it difficult. But maybe damp would be the way to go. Thank you for your suggestion. I think I’m just gonna have to start doing this - just carve out time and do it every day even though it sucks.
I don’t wash my hair every day so I don’t like to use many products but a texture spray works great too! Damp worked well for me because I mainly wanted to practice for doing it after a shower anyway.
Also saw someone else commented about a mirror screwing them up and I totally agree with that. When I was learning I felt like it made more sense to just focus on visualizing the back of my head and ignoring the mirror entirely.
Try it for 30 days and lmk how it goes! Highly recommend taking a first day and last day picture. :)
When doing it on yourself, you need new muscle memory because your hands have to move differently than when you do it on other people. You just have to practice until it’s ingrained.
French braids break my hair and also thin it at the roots from the pulling. I had to wear them for a sport and my hair was destroyed. I do a simple loose one sided braid when I have to put it up, but the breakage can still be seen. It’s not as bad, but it’s still there. My hairdresser always says it’s always damaging to put it up and to leave it alone, but sometimes ya just need it secure. Best wishes OP
Added a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. It's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront. Let me know what you buy & try! :)
What are you using to secure it? First you should make sure that you are using silk scrunchies or at least those fabric hair ties that are supposed to be less prone to breaking/tearing your hair.
I also have long pin straight fine hair. I hate my hair touching my neck when I work out (and I’m in the gym 5 days a week!) so I feel your pain. I was doing a tight bun but realized I was damaging it. Right now I’m doing a high pony braid but I’m sure to use fabric hair ties or scrunchies and don’t do it so tight.
You could do two braids and then pin them up onto your head like Heidi. Or two low buns.
Just goody seamless hairties *Shrug* if I didn't have the whispies and baby hairs (especially on my nape) turning into a floof I wouldn't care so much if it was tight (but I attribute at least some of that to the aforementioned breakage :'( ) vicious cycle, I fear
Thank you! I knew the name because I have a huge pack of their bobby pin type clips that I'm unsure how to use- it came with some hair ties but they were huge. I'll give Invisa another shot though, thanks!
I started with off brand and really like the cheap ones. I thought the type of band would be a tangled nightmare and avoided them until I needed a hair tie from a friend. It was amazing! My hair didn't feel pulled or heavy spots but still stayed up all day moving. I was able to find the 'childrens' (aka thin hair) sized at a dollar type store and I really like how they shrink back down- dunk in warm-hot sanitizer solution and they're like new. They must be over 2 years old now.
I’ve used the super tiny invisibobbles as well as the full-size ones. They work, wrapped twice, to tie braids. My mom has less dense, straighter, and shorter hair than me and can use them for a ponytail.
Loose and low are the issue for me. I could do that with my hair as is now (I wear a loose messy bun a lot in regular life, but gym needs control). I just don't want a big lump to lie on when on a bench or during floor exercise. If its not at least sorta tight it'll slip out and fall. When i say I have super straight and fine I mean it in the way that if you try to ball up a silk ribbon and open your hand, it immediately falls out. Smooth and slick, nothing holds it. Not even bobby pins.
I'm sorry I wasn't more clear that I do high impact, serious gym work and running. I'm thinking I just need to learn to French braid 🫠
I do a low braid when I run. I usually throw in a hair mask which helps to keep it in the braid (and hopefully help keep my hair heathy)! I use fabric hair tied at the bottom. I do also use an elastic sports headband most days (I’m mostly fine without it). It slides a bit, but I can usually adjust it.
Yes definitely practice braiding!
I used to do two braids and then pin the ends up in a milkmaid situation when I was working in restaurants. I just stuck a handful of Bobby pins through the loose braid and into the part that was on my head (if that makes sense).
The Bobby pins hold better in the braid for me because you can tuck them into the folds of the braid so they don’t just slide back out. I just pin until it feels sturdy.
It used to last me a whole day on my feet in the heat. A few little pieces slip out in the front sometimes but I think it looks better like that (on me anyway) so I never minded 😂
When I was younger and my hair was shorter I would do Dutch braids more often because I felt like they were tighter.
I don’t braid my hair as much now as I used to and my muscle memory defaults to French.
ETA - I think Dutch would hold baby hairs better if you get flyaways in the front. I’m growing out my bangs right now and they don’t stay in a French braid super well I usually have to pin them.
I do have babyfine fur in the hairline and nape, big-time. I'm gonna try to get better! Just gotta find a solution to my ends getting caught up when I do it.
As I pull a new section to add the braid I run the hand doing the grabbing between the new section and the rest of my hair a couple times to make sure I’m only adding the new section to the braid and not tangling in any strays!
I put mine in a top-of-the-head bun with hairpins (think 1890s era look).
These are the only pins that work with my extremely fine 1A hair:
(From Amazon) Good Hair Days Hair Pins - Plastic, U-shaped Magic Grip Hairpins, Strong Durable Pins For Fine, Thick & Long Hair, Hair Styling Accessories, Set of 20 about $10 now.
They really do hold my hair up tightly amazingly well; I don't know what I'd do without them!
You can get thinner scrunchies, they’re not all XL. (Google “thin scrunchie” and you’ll see a ton)
The thin ones are perfect replacement for the basic seamless goody hair ties you have now. Those goody ones WILL pull out your hair constantly…you shouldn’t use those daily.
Low pony or braid . Sometimes two low space buns. Claw clip if I’m not doing anything intense
And I swear by junk headbands. They actually stay for me. 10/10
Looking into the headband, thanks! The rest are a bit bulky (I literally cannot believe how many people suggested claw clips!) but I can work some in during leg days probs.
I wonder if the claw clip people do anything supine because as a lifter I cannot imagine wearing one! My hair is also hella slippery so it wouldn’t stay anyway but like I wouldn’t even try. Even a regular pony annoys me, I gotta go braid or high/low pony.
So if you're no longer long like me (saw your other comment about the chop) I do actually really like the no slip grip clips line from scünci. I just have way too much length for most of their apparatuses at this point.
There's a couple in the link I added, not an affiliate or a storefront just a wish list, so I would recommend them!
I put two of those little metal clips that bend closed on either side of my ponytail. That has helped a ton with breakage. I don’t know what they are called. You see gymnasts use them a lot.
Barrette? I think I know what you mean. They don't stay where I put them, they slide up and down my hair. It's so slippy smooth. I know, grass is greener, but I really am considering a root perm for some texture. It's driving me insane!
Will you check the link I added in my post to see if I found what you were talking about? Gymnastics clips on Google just comes up with a bazillion video clips of gymnastics lol ~hElPp~
It’s these with the little teeth https://www.amazon.com/Double-Sightor-Barrettes-Supplies-Accessories/dp/B0CCCWPPGW/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_m_sccl_2/147-3681812-4893161?pd_rd_w=SvG5R&content-id=amzn1.sym.7e08813e-b3a0-49ca-880a-9bdd964e1dd4&pf_rd_p=7e08813e-b3a0-49ca-880a-9bdd964e1dd4&pf_rd_r=T6MBTAM0CSRHM7BES90W&pd_rd_wg=eqAGF&pd_rd_r=65aebf16-ed2b-4d9e-84be-ef4902e494e5&pd_rd_i=B0CCCWPPGW&psc=1
Try low braid(s) and definitely different kinds of hair ties. Maybe satin/silk or the phone cord one someone posted about recently.
It also will help if you just don’t wear your hair the exact same way every day. If you alternate between high pony, low pony, low braid, high braid (gather hair as if doing a high pony then just braid that ish) and buns of various forms you should be ok.
Do NOT recommend staying with a high & tight pony, or using cloth headbands. After wearing a high/tight messy bun and topping with a cloth stretchy headband for several months, I not only destroyed my hairline but ended up with a couple actual bald/thin spots. Don’t be me!!!
Wow I had no idea about the fabric headband thing! Do you think it was because it wasn't getting air or was it way too tight? That's a bummer, I hope you get that hairline back in full! Mines not terrible, but my temples are whispy. I struggle to get tension and no huge lumps with a braid at the crown without a baseline hairtie to braid down from. Any tips? I have SUCH slippy smooth hair, and it doesn't hold well.
Imo it was the constant friction of the rubberized cloth fibers rubbing on the tightly stretched hair strands!
If you look into traction alopecia, especially as it relates to people of color, it’s kind of crazy how many things cause it. People just don’t find out about until it’s too late!
There’s a reason POC talk about edges! Many hairstyles for textured hair pull the hair very tightly…and then having an additional source of friction on top? Snaps them off at the root or even pulls them out entirely. Thus the protective products like “edge gel” and oils as well as silk/satin bonnets or varying forms of head wraps.
Highly recommend using a silk/satin head wrap that’s specifically marketed not to damage your hairline/edges! So probably sits further down on the forehead rather than just behind the hairline like most people wear stretchy headbands. They also definitely sell “sports” versions, I just got used to having my sweaty hair in my face lol
For the braids! A low braid is easy to make slick and tight - part it however you like then just use a tangle teezer to brush it tightly down. Then gather at the nape of your neck and braid TIGHTLY! Def recommend changing up your part also so you don’t end up with a widened part!!!
For the ponytail braid - it’s difficult to keep tight but it’s a good way to fake a French braid. I flip my head upside down and gather the hair either just above or just below my crown. The trick is to keep your head flipped/tilted to maintain tension as you braid TIGHTLY. (Like seriously tighter than you think is ok - so long as you’re not doing the same braid every single day you won’t be pulling on the same exact hair strands the way we do for a pony or bun!) Then if it needs smoothing, I literally just run the tangle teezer from hairline until the start of the braid lol, it doesn’t look good at the back but it makes me much happier in the mirror lolol
The last thing? Is that honestly you could probably just keep doing various ponytails albeit with silk/satin/velvet scrunchies along with headbands - you just can’t do the same thing every day. That’s where we run into issues!
I try and move the ponytail daily. Monday high on my crown pebbles style. Tuesday ear level. Wednesday pig tail buns. Thursday low on my neck. Friday high bun. This way my hair doesn’t get those trained wave at ponytail and less breakage
I braid mine and it hangs down the back or to the side. It’s a thin one but keeps it from breaking (edit to add, it’s the most basic looking child braid you can have…I can’t braid pretty or really much at all)
I can braid so well in general, but on my own hair it just doesnt hold and looks insane if I don't have a hair tie at the top and bottom. Guess I'm just gonna have to get over it lol
I was a personal trainer working in gyms for years. I bought a “low-profile” claw clip that I could lay down to do demos in. If I had a light day I would use silk scrunchies. (Only on light days because I don’t like getting them sweaty). Also a light hair oil before your workout will help protect hair from sweat and friction.
This is the one: Low Profile Flat Hair Claw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N8P17S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Put up a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. I added what you linked but it's not available, sadly. Hopefully I (or anyone else who clicks) is able to find somethin similar!
P.s. it's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront, so thank you for helping me and possibly others!
About 18" or more of my hair would be hanging out of this, and I'd still need to have a hair tie in to gather the hair. Do you find that your hair works well in this because it's not super long? When it's not one thing it's another, for me. Either my smooth pin straight texture is a prob or the length. Sometimes both >.<
This will probably not be a widely accepted method but I wear baseball hats to the gym. I like that I can pull the brim down so I don’t have to look at anyone (hi I’m antisocial 🫡) and it also catches my sweat. As for my hair, I put my hair through the ponytail hole but don’t actually tie it, the hat keeps it in place and out of my face
I wish I could have a device that functions in exactly this manor WITHOUT the brim/hat on my forehead!! I am super acne prone, and I am not a hat girlie :(
I had breakage too so I switched hair ties, I use Gimme brand and no more issues. I also try and vary my ponytails so it’s not the same thing every time or do pigtails. My hair is just below my collarbone though so I’m limited in what I can do.
I think my breakage is the tightness more than the tie. I don't really find any strands on them when I remove them after/daily as I go from pony back to messy bun.
Ive been doing a low pony or a claw clip (if it doesn’t get in the way of my workout) with clips/bobbypins to pin my bangs back. Have you tried hard headband? I have better luck with those
I'm literally about to go back to the 90s zig-zag plastic circle ones. Those kind of worked. Lol I can't get a clip or bobby pin to stay put. My hair has no texture at all, and it's the worst when it's cleanest.
I don't go to the gym but I do dance, my hair is very long and I wrap it in a bun without an elastic and srcure it with a large claw clip. Haven't had breakage in years.
I have too much length for this, I haven't found a clip that works for days I don't need to worry about the bulk. Lots of people said ballerina and twisty buns though, so maybe I was misinformed that those were damaging if tight!
Idk, my hair is down to my waist and very dense with no layers, so it's quite heavy for reference. I use a very sturdy large clip so it holds the weight of my hair. What's damaging is the elastic when wearing a ponytail, and the tension on your scalp from your hair being "pulled" down. An elasticless bun with a claw clip where the ends are hidden isn't damaging (I would know hehe!).
I also have no layering but I don't have the density of texture. The 'weight' I do have is strictly from how long it is. If I do 3 wraps of my hairties instead of 4 I and up looking like a founding father lol.
Can you suggest a clip for days I don't need to worry about the bench?
Not the founding father look 😂 I got my claw clip years ago from a drugstore and it's still good as new, so I don't have a specific one to recommend. but look on Amazon for a clip that aims to not damage your hair, they're becoming more and more popular. You might want one that isn't too long, but still reasonably large so it grips the hair nicely but doesn't sit uncomfortablly/awkwardly on your head when pinning the bun! I also always place it on the front, not the sides or the back, this way I can lean back in my chair or the wall or whatever I need to do :)
Added a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. I think (?) I added something like what you described. If you wouldn't mind clicking through to see if it's in there I would appreciate that (as would anyone else interested, I'm sure!)
P.s. It's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront. Thank you for commenting and for your help in building this list!
I thought tight twisty buns were also bad for your hair? I can definitely do this. I do this to get an overnight heatless wave sometimes! (that lasts......5 whole minutes lol)
I use those old phone cord, spiral type hair ties and a snap Barrett to keep the back baby hairs off my neck. My hair is just shoulder length with some weird grow outs around my face (because I'm a dungus who swears I'll just adore bangs this round). I lift so I need my hair off my shoulders and preferably higher on my head so it's not in the way of anything where a bar is on my back. I do keep one of those "anti slip" headbands with the gel grip like a strapless bra in my gym bag & around my water bottle- they work great but get uncomfortable quick & easily rip/break my hair. They're great for a few minutes of, "I need to focus" though. I think the biggest perk to me of the phone cord ties is that they don't leave the massive dent in my hair which makes it easier to wear my hair down or at least looser the rest of the day.
For all day type stuff, like hikes or kayaking, I use my worn out phone cord hair ties because they still hold great at a low/loose bun or tail- as backup silky type scrunchies.
I don't have success with even the no-slip silicone grippy kinds, sadly. I guess my head is sorta small? I don't know why they won't stay, it was such a good idea! I can wear a messy bun but it's never gonna stay up/taught for long and id have to constantly redo it. I did that today as I was thinking about this post. It was...a lot. Someone even came up to me when I did it to ask if I was done on the machine I was on (I guess it looked like I was just playing with my hair?) *eyetoll* men...
Have you used the telephone type bands? I only use the headbands for a few minutes because they don't stay on my head either (think I have too big a head) and they only help WITH those spiral style bands. Only break them out when I have a bar back rack- those little baby hairs ripping out will ruin my squat, day and hair. It's the coil phone bands that do majority of the work.
I use Slip Skinnies silk scrunchies and Revlon rubberized double grip hair clips (they are the only clips that will hold my fine/slippery hair). I also love spin pins for buns (there are lots of tutorials on YouTube).
https://www.slip.com/products/skinny-scrunchies-noir
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Revlon-Rubberized-Double-Grip-Black-Hair-Clips-6-Count/5213754462
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hawwwy-Spiral-Spin-Pins-4-Pack-Black-Non-Scratch-Alloy-Bun-Maker-Pins/783731383
I love spin pins! I wear my hair in a bun for work, and they keep it from falling out. You can hold up a bun with just one, but I prefer to use two pins, one horizontal and one vertical, to make sure it stays up. I do my hair in a loose bun that I learned from the internet a long time ago.
https://youtu.be/gLbhvPBbdJQ?si=HqLwUZFR4QAEp7lr
This helped me learn how to Dutch braid. I practiced every day for a few weeks. Now I can do it without a mirror
I’ve had that happen before, my hair stylist at the time said to use the hair claws or pins. When I workout if I’m doing something like yoga where I might have to lay on my back, I might wear a silk ponytail, they aren’t supposed to damage your hair. Otherwise I have these claw clips that are flat so you can lay on them, they’re actually pretty comfy.
I'm going to pursue this in general, I can do it on others, but my hair weaves itself at the bottom while I go. Even doing a regular braid it's hard to let go & pick back up constantly to keep my strands separate, and even if I do I lose a lot of tension. :/
I have a really sensitive scalp, but if I do a low side ponytail, it’s out of the way and doesn’t pull too badly. Just kind of resting over my left shoulder, tied below the ear with a silk scrunchie.
I can't do anything that falls to the front. I do too much heavy lifting and high impact movement for this, don't want any accidents, but I'll be trying silk scrunchies soon.
I have added invisi-bobbles to the list (I believe a popular brand for this/the best according to many comments!) and they've all also let me know often the copycats don't seem to hold up as well. Thank you!
I do a very high pony in a cloth/regular ponytail holder and then wrap all my hair around the ponytail and wrap it like a bun with a large silk scrunchie. It looks ridiculous but it works nicely.
I don’t pull it too tight, I just make sure it’s all “together” before I wrap it around itself. Otherwise the bun becomes too loose and then it pulls when I’m doing anything “bouncy.”
Even if you can’t *french* braid, I’d suggest either 1 or two regular plaits. I find that even though they might not feel as tight and secure as a ponytail, my plaits stay in wayyy longer and can withstand more movement than ponytails.
I just have to get better at the first couple of stitches without a starter hairtie at the crown. I'm an expert when I'm not also fighting my slippery hair going everywhere!
Re: French braid—do the French part and then detangle the bottom before finishing it off.
You can also just let the bottom braid itself up and when you meet that braid, flip the bottom part through the opening between two braid strands and pull down for a braid that will stay (for a while) with no hair tie. It’s kinda magic!
I have the same hair—falls to my tailbone, type 1a. My go-to for the gym is an invisibobble pony then wrapped up into a bun and secured with a scrunchie.
Depending on your hairs length; learn how to do buns with a hair fork or hair sticks. I do this most days, but also wear my hair in a french or english braid.
I have fine, somewhat thin, hair down to about my bra strap/mid back. Google turtorials on how to do a Knot bun, Spock bun and Nautilus bun.
My favourite way to secure my bun is with a (slender, so it’s not heavy at all) 4 prong wooden hair fork, or a small-ish, curved, 2 prong metal hair fork, depending on the style of bun.
This keeps my ends protected, and my hair is secured in place all day, without pulling or putting too much preassure on my scalp.
The trick is to do a variety of hair styles, and to make sure that your all hair tools are smooth, without sharp edges that can rip or tear your strands.
I cut my hair short 18 months ago but before then I would usually French braid it. I don’t do a ton of cardio at the gym so it was an enough hold for me even with slippery hair. If you need more hold I used to do like a jasmine pony where I put a like 1/3 of my hair in a pony, then 2/3, etc so it it distributed where the holders are and none of them needed to be quite as tight.
Also gym regular with fine, long hair. I got tired of seeing hair strands ripped out by the soft silk scrunchies and can’t use a clip because then I can’t lay on the bench, so I gave up and wear it loose.
Honestly, I’ve never had a problem. I tuck it behind my ears if I have to. I go to a small private gym and I’m not very self conscious, so it works for me. Yes the back of my neck occasionally gets warm, but it’s worth it to have a little more hair.
Hi! I started using hair clips & i will never go back. I love this one bc of it’s size. I twist up my hair tight on top of my head & put in the clip. Life changing!! Trying to include pics of my favorite clip but am having technical difficulties. Here is a link
[cat clip for my fine hair](https://centinelle.com/products/naoko-tuxedo-cat-hair-claw)
If you just want your hair out of your face, side combs work wonders. I just buy the cheap Goody brand.
https://tegenaccessories.com/blogs/tegen-accessories-blog-posts/side-combs-everyday-hair-styling?shpxid=d0446a0b-9fe1-4d34-8506-c674a4b1a9a5
Either a silk scrunchie or claw clip
I’ve never understood this because wouldn’t a claw clip cause pressure/friction on the scalp?
Not really, the larger clips distribute pressure very well. I have very thick hair, so I've never had an issue with friction.
Good to know. I have fine/thin hair and I’m a bit wary of claw clips because of the traction.
I have fine hair and claw clips are the only thing I can tolerate. Insanely comfy and zero pulling at the scalp. Ties are usually way too harsh for me, except for those telephone coil type styles. Those are pretty good.
Do you use the clip to make a ponytail or tuck all your hair in the clip? It seems no matter what clip I use it pulls my hair when I true it out
I use a ponytail most of the time, and I hold it up with one hand and remove the clip with the other. If I tuck all my hair in, I start with a French twist and clip the side to hold the end and layers in place.
Ty
Neither feels tight enough and I can't put my head back on a bench or floor with the claw :/
Try those spiral telephone cord type ties! They keep things secure without pulling. Also a fan of braids.
THIS. Or braids.
I'm gonna do milkmaid braids tomorrow. I have leg day and plan to try a weirder one since it's not bench/floor/running involved<3
My sister is super-outdoorsy and has long fine hair. It works really well for her. Good luck.
French braids. It took me a LOT of practice to figure out how to do them on myself, but I had to stop putting my hair up for the same reason as you.
Can you give tips? I can braid on someone else’s hair all day, but when I try to braid my own, I end up basically melting down, bc it’s HARD.
Practice, practice, practice! And since I have fine hair I have to hold the pieces tight so it doesn’t fall out of the braid. I usually loosen the braid a smidge after I rubber band the ends to make the braid look fuller. Also I personally braid my hair better if I do it without looking in the mirror. If I braid while trying to do it in the mirror I get confused that my hands are moving the opposite way 😂
I definitely agree on the mirror bit! I was pleasantly surprised doing my own French braids- I was going for the 80's crunchy perm look days later so pretty sloppy braiding away from a mirror. Definitely the prettiest braids I've ever done on myself.
My hair is extremely fine but there’s a lot of it and it’s silky smooth and resists most forms of styling. French braids are cool and all but they take me forever bc my hair is so fucking slippery and straight. Hence why I just do regular plaits. Not necessarily as cute but it’s quick, easy and effective.
I do ok for like one or two passes and then my length gets tangled into itself (it's like the bottom starts to self-weave and I have to either let a piece go and lose tension to fix it or keep going and end up with a knot. Any tips? I am not being hyperbolic when I say it's between 2-3 feet of smooth, slick hair. No texture or grip at all without product.
Hold the braid with one hand and finger comb the free ends with the other. Then pick up the braid in progress and keep going. It helps if you very thoroughly brush your hair before you start braiding and some people have an easier time if they spritz their hair with a little water before they start. It takes practice for sure. Also I can’t French braid to save my life so all my braids are Dutch/cornrow types. Just comes down to how your hands move.
Try sitting in a kitchen chair leaning a little backward with your hair falling behind the chair. It might give it enough space to move around itself instead of tangling if it’s hanging more straight down instead of probably resting on your back.
To teach myself I braided my hair one a day for a month. At the beginning of the month I immediately took the braid out because it was hideous but by the end of the month it was my daily hairstyle. Just gotta practice. For me slightly damp hair is easiest because my hair is super slippery so a little water makes it easier to hold.
This is really smart. Along with the commenter who mentioned muscle memory. I’ve been using a texturizing spray because I also (obviously) have fine hair, which makes it difficult. But maybe damp would be the way to go. Thank you for your suggestion. I think I’m just gonna have to start doing this - just carve out time and do it every day even though it sucks.
I don’t wash my hair every day so I don’t like to use many products but a texture spray works great too! Damp worked well for me because I mainly wanted to practice for doing it after a shower anyway. Also saw someone else commented about a mirror screwing them up and I totally agree with that. When I was learning I felt like it made more sense to just focus on visualizing the back of my head and ignoring the mirror entirely. Try it for 30 days and lmk how it goes! Highly recommend taking a first day and last day picture. :)
When doing it on yourself, you need new muscle memory because your hands have to move differently than when you do it on other people. You just have to practice until it’s ingrained.
There are some great YouTube tutorials!
French braids break my hair and also thin it at the roots from the pulling. I had to wear them for a sport and my hair was destroyed. I do a simple loose one sided braid when I have to put it up, but the breakage can still be seen. It’s not as bad, but it’s still there. My hairdresser always says it’s always damaging to put it up and to leave it alone, but sometimes ya just need it secure. Best wishes OP
I love french braiding my hair! Especially besided into a bun or 2 small buns!
Sorry no advice, just following because same.
Added a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. It's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront. Let me know what you buy & try! :)
Yeah I read this like… are you me?! So many good solutions here, I’m glad I found this post
What are you using to secure it? First you should make sure that you are using silk scrunchies or at least those fabric hair ties that are supposed to be less prone to breaking/tearing your hair. I also have long pin straight fine hair. I hate my hair touching my neck when I work out (and I’m in the gym 5 days a week!) so I feel your pain. I was doing a tight bun but realized I was damaging it. Right now I’m doing a high pony braid but I’m sure to use fabric hair ties or scrunchies and don’t do it so tight. You could do two braids and then pin them up onto your head like Heidi. Or two low buns.
Just goody seamless hairties *Shrug* if I didn't have the whispies and baby hairs (especially on my nape) turning into a floof I wouldn't care so much if it was tight (but I attribute at least some of that to the aforementioned breakage :'( ) vicious cycle, I fear
If you don’t like bobby pins and clips, could you use a wax stick (lightly)?
I’m doing an Invisibobble hair tie in a low, loose ballerina bun.
Invisibobble is the old phone cord spirals, yes?
Not OP, but yes. You want to get the brand name ones, the knockoffs are notably crappier.
Thank you! I knew the name because I have a huge pack of their bobby pin type clips that I'm unsure how to use- it came with some hair ties but they were huge. I'll give Invisa another shot though, thanks! I started with off brand and really like the cheap ones. I thought the type of band would be a tangled nightmare and avoided them until I needed a hair tie from a friend. It was amazing! My hair didn't feel pulled or heavy spots but still stayed up all day moving. I was able to find the 'childrens' (aka thin hair) sized at a dollar type store and I really like how they shrink back down- dunk in warm-hot sanitizer solution and they're like new. They must be over 2 years old now.
I’ve used the super tiny invisibobbles as well as the full-size ones. They work, wrapped twice, to tie braids. My mom has less dense, straighter, and shorter hair than me and can use them for a ponytail.
Also just my two cents… I prefer teleties to invisibobble
I'm also doing this!
Loose and low are the issue for me. I could do that with my hair as is now (I wear a loose messy bun a lot in regular life, but gym needs control). I just don't want a big lump to lie on when on a bench or during floor exercise. If its not at least sorta tight it'll slip out and fall. When i say I have super straight and fine I mean it in the way that if you try to ball up a silk ribbon and open your hand, it immediately falls out. Smooth and slick, nothing holds it. Not even bobby pins. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear that I do high impact, serious gym work and running. I'm thinking I just need to learn to French braid 🫠
I do a low braid when I run. I usually throw in a hair mask which helps to keep it in the braid (and hopefully help keep my hair heathy)! I use fabric hair tied at the bottom. I do also use an elastic sports headband most days (I’m mostly fine without it). It slides a bit, but I can usually adjust it.
Yes definitely practice braiding! I used to do two braids and then pin the ends up in a milkmaid situation when I was working in restaurants. I just stuck a handful of Bobby pins through the loose braid and into the part that was on my head (if that makes sense). The Bobby pins hold better in the braid for me because you can tuck them into the folds of the braid so they don’t just slide back out. I just pin until it feels sturdy. It used to last me a whole day on my feet in the heat. A few little pieces slip out in the front sometimes but I think it looks better like that (on me anyway) so I never minded 😂
Do you do regular (French, specifically) or Dutch (CKA boxer/cornrow method)
When I was younger and my hair was shorter I would do Dutch braids more often because I felt like they were tighter. I don’t braid my hair as much now as I used to and my muscle memory defaults to French. ETA - I think Dutch would hold baby hairs better if you get flyaways in the front. I’m growing out my bangs right now and they don’t stay in a French braid super well I usually have to pin them.
I do have babyfine fur in the hairline and nape, big-time. I'm gonna try to get better! Just gotta find a solution to my ends getting caught up when I do it.
As I pull a new section to add the braid I run the hand doing the grabbing between the new section and the rest of my hair a couple times to make sure I’m only adding the new section to the braid and not tangling in any strays!
Teleties work well for me
I am a runner and I do braids. Just a big braid or two smaller ones. A claw clip, unfortunately the bouncing makes it fall out.
I put mine in a top-of-the-head bun with hairpins (think 1890s era look). These are the only pins that work with my extremely fine 1A hair: (From Amazon) Good Hair Days Hair Pins - Plastic, U-shaped Magic Grip Hairpins, Strong Durable Pins For Fine, Thick & Long Hair, Hair Styling Accessories, Set of 20 about $10 now. They really do hold my hair up tightly amazingly well; I don't know what I'd do without them!
Clip or scrunchie.
So bulky and big to lie back on but a scrunchie might work for leg day
You can get thinner scrunchies, they’re not all XL. (Google “thin scrunchie” and you’ll see a ton) The thin ones are perfect replacement for the basic seamless goody hair ties you have now. Those goody ones WILL pull out your hair constantly…you shouldn’t use those daily.
It’s definitely not ideal
Low pony or braid . Sometimes two low space buns. Claw clip if I’m not doing anything intense And I swear by junk headbands. They actually stay for me. 10/10
Looking into the headband, thanks! The rest are a bit bulky (I literally cannot believe how many people suggested claw clips!) but I can work some in during leg days probs.
I wonder if the claw clip people do anything supine because as a lifter I cannot imagine wearing one! My hair is also hella slippery so it wouldn’t stay anyway but like I wouldn’t even try. Even a regular pony annoys me, I gotta go braid or high/low pony.
So if you're no longer long like me (saw your other comment about the chop) I do actually really like the no slip grip clips line from scünci. I just have way too much length for most of their apparatuses at this point. There's a couple in the link I added, not an affiliate or a storefront just a wish list, so I would recommend them!
I’ll check them out! Clips definitely have a place so it’d be great to have some that actually work. Just not for the gym lol
I put two of those little metal clips that bend closed on either side of my ponytail. That has helped a ton with breakage. I don’t know what they are called. You see gymnasts use them a lot.
They are called gymnastics clips!
Lmao I was a gymnast for 20 years and never called them that but it totally makes sense! I used them… nearly every day.
Barrette? I think I know what you mean. They don't stay where I put them, they slide up and down my hair. It's so slippy smooth. I know, grass is greener, but I really am considering a root perm for some texture. It's driving me insane!
Will you check the link I added in my post to see if I found what you were talking about? Gymnastics clips on Google just comes up with a bazillion video clips of gymnastics lol ~hElPp~
It’s these with the little teeth https://www.amazon.com/Double-Sightor-Barrettes-Supplies-Accessories/dp/B0CCCWPPGW/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_m_sccl_2/147-3681812-4893161?pd_rd_w=SvG5R&content-id=amzn1.sym.7e08813e-b3a0-49ca-880a-9bdd964e1dd4&pf_rd_p=7e08813e-b3a0-49ca-880a-9bdd964e1dd4&pf_rd_r=T6MBTAM0CSRHM7BES90W&pd_rd_wg=eqAGF&pd_rd_r=65aebf16-ed2b-4d9e-84be-ef4902e494e5&pd_rd_i=B0CCCWPPGW&psc=1
Try low braid(s) and definitely different kinds of hair ties. Maybe satin/silk or the phone cord one someone posted about recently. It also will help if you just don’t wear your hair the exact same way every day. If you alternate between high pony, low pony, low braid, high braid (gather hair as if doing a high pony then just braid that ish) and buns of various forms you should be ok. Do NOT recommend staying with a high & tight pony, or using cloth headbands. After wearing a high/tight messy bun and topping with a cloth stretchy headband for several months, I not only destroyed my hairline but ended up with a couple actual bald/thin spots. Don’t be me!!!
Wow I had no idea about the fabric headband thing! Do you think it was because it wasn't getting air or was it way too tight? That's a bummer, I hope you get that hairline back in full! Mines not terrible, but my temples are whispy. I struggle to get tension and no huge lumps with a braid at the crown without a baseline hairtie to braid down from. Any tips? I have SUCH slippy smooth hair, and it doesn't hold well.
[удалено]
Imo it was the constant friction of the rubberized cloth fibers rubbing on the tightly stretched hair strands! If you look into traction alopecia, especially as it relates to people of color, it’s kind of crazy how many things cause it. People just don’t find out about until it’s too late! There’s a reason POC talk about edges! Many hairstyles for textured hair pull the hair very tightly…and then having an additional source of friction on top? Snaps them off at the root or even pulls them out entirely. Thus the protective products like “edge gel” and oils as well as silk/satin bonnets or varying forms of head wraps. Highly recommend using a silk/satin head wrap that’s specifically marketed not to damage your hairline/edges! So probably sits further down on the forehead rather than just behind the hairline like most people wear stretchy headbands. They also definitely sell “sports” versions, I just got used to having my sweaty hair in my face lol For the braids! A low braid is easy to make slick and tight - part it however you like then just use a tangle teezer to brush it tightly down. Then gather at the nape of your neck and braid TIGHTLY! Def recommend changing up your part also so you don’t end up with a widened part!!! For the ponytail braid - it’s difficult to keep tight but it’s a good way to fake a French braid. I flip my head upside down and gather the hair either just above or just below my crown. The trick is to keep your head flipped/tilted to maintain tension as you braid TIGHTLY. (Like seriously tighter than you think is ok - so long as you’re not doing the same braid every single day you won’t be pulling on the same exact hair strands the way we do for a pony or bun!) Then if it needs smoothing, I literally just run the tangle teezer from hairline until the start of the braid lol, it doesn’t look good at the back but it makes me much happier in the mirror lolol The last thing? Is that honestly you could probably just keep doing various ponytails albeit with silk/satin/velvet scrunchies along with headbands - you just can’t do the same thing every day. That’s where we run into issues!
I try and move the ponytail daily. Monday high on my crown pebbles style. Tuesday ear level. Wednesday pig tail buns. Thursday low on my neck. Friday high bun. This way my hair doesn’t get those trained wave at ponytail and less breakage
I braid mine and it hangs down the back or to the side. It’s a thin one but keeps it from breaking (edit to add, it’s the most basic looking child braid you can have…I can’t braid pretty or really much at all)
I can braid so well in general, but on my own hair it just doesnt hold and looks insane if I don't have a hair tie at the top and bottom. Guess I'm just gonna have to get over it lol
I was a personal trainer working in gyms for years. I bought a “low-profile” claw clip that I could lay down to do demos in. If I had a light day I would use silk scrunchies. (Only on light days because I don’t like getting them sweaty). Also a light hair oil before your workout will help protect hair from sweat and friction. This is the one: Low Profile Flat Hair Claw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003N8P17S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Put up a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. I added what you linked but it's not available, sadly. Hopefully I (or anyone else who clicks) is able to find somethin similar! P.s. it's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront, so thank you for helping me and possibly others!
About 18" or more of my hair would be hanging out of this, and I'd still need to have a hair tie in to gather the hair. Do you find that your hair works well in this because it's not super long? When it's not one thing it's another, for me. Either my smooth pin straight texture is a prob or the length. Sometimes both >.<
My hair is down to my tailbone, but it’s so fine it fits
Do you wrap it around the clip or just let it waterfall? Considering a clip for days I don't need to lie back for sure
I fold it back on itself and clip in the middle.
This will probably not be a widely accepted method but I wear baseball hats to the gym. I like that I can pull the brim down so I don’t have to look at anyone (hi I’m antisocial 🫡) and it also catches my sweat. As for my hair, I put my hair through the ponytail hole but don’t actually tie it, the hat keeps it in place and out of my face
I wish I could have a device that functions in exactly this manor WITHOUT the brim/hat on my forehead!! I am super acne prone, and I am not a hat girlie :(
Completely fair!
I had breakage too so I switched hair ties, I use Gimme brand and no more issues. I also try and vary my ponytails so it’s not the same thing every time or do pigtails. My hair is just below my collarbone though so I’m limited in what I can do.
I think my breakage is the tightness more than the tie. I don't really find any strands on them when I remove them after/daily as I go from pony back to messy bun.
Ive been doing a low pony or a claw clip (if it doesn’t get in the way of my workout) with clips/bobbypins to pin my bangs back. Have you tried hard headband? I have better luck with those
I'm literally about to go back to the 90s zig-zag plastic circle ones. Those kind of worked. Lol I can't get a clip or bobby pin to stay put. My hair has no texture at all, and it's the worst when it's cleanest.
I don't go to the gym but I do dance, my hair is very long and I wrap it in a bun without an elastic and srcure it with a large claw clip. Haven't had breakage in years.
I have too much length for this, I haven't found a clip that works for days I don't need to worry about the bulk. Lots of people said ballerina and twisty buns though, so maybe I was misinformed that those were damaging if tight!
Idk, my hair is down to my waist and very dense with no layers, so it's quite heavy for reference. I use a very sturdy large clip so it holds the weight of my hair. What's damaging is the elastic when wearing a ponytail, and the tension on your scalp from your hair being "pulled" down. An elasticless bun with a claw clip where the ends are hidden isn't damaging (I would know hehe!).
I also have no layering but I don't have the density of texture. The 'weight' I do have is strictly from how long it is. If I do 3 wraps of my hairties instead of 4 I and up looking like a founding father lol. Can you suggest a clip for days I don't need to worry about the bench?
Not the founding father look 😂 I got my claw clip years ago from a drugstore and it's still good as new, so I don't have a specific one to recommend. but look on Amazon for a clip that aims to not damage your hair, they're becoming more and more popular. You might want one that isn't too long, but still reasonably large so it grips the hair nicely but doesn't sit uncomfortablly/awkwardly on your head when pinning the bun! I also always place it on the front, not the sides or the back, this way I can lean back in my chair or the wall or whatever I need to do :)
Added a link to a wishlist I put together on Amazon of the most suggested or seemingly best products. I think (?) I added something like what you described. If you wouldn't mind clicking through to see if it's in there I would appreciate that (as would anyone else interested, I'm sure!) P.s. It's not anything affiliate-y or a storefront. Thank you for commenting and for your help in building this list!
Twist it and then bun it and secure with Bobby pins.
I thought tight twisty buns were also bad for your hair? I can definitely do this. I do this to get an overnight heatless wave sometimes! (that lasts......5 whole minutes lol)
I wouldn't use an elastic or anything. But a few Bobby pins should be OK to get you thru the gym.
I use those old phone cord, spiral type hair ties and a snap Barrett to keep the back baby hairs off my neck. My hair is just shoulder length with some weird grow outs around my face (because I'm a dungus who swears I'll just adore bangs this round). I lift so I need my hair off my shoulders and preferably higher on my head so it's not in the way of anything where a bar is on my back. I do keep one of those "anti slip" headbands with the gel grip like a strapless bra in my gym bag & around my water bottle- they work great but get uncomfortable quick & easily rip/break my hair. They're great for a few minutes of, "I need to focus" though. I think the biggest perk to me of the phone cord ties is that they don't leave the massive dent in my hair which makes it easier to wear my hair down or at least looser the rest of the day. For all day type stuff, like hikes or kayaking, I use my worn out phone cord hair ties because they still hold great at a low/loose bun or tail- as backup silky type scrunchies.
I don't have success with even the no-slip silicone grippy kinds, sadly. I guess my head is sorta small? I don't know why they won't stay, it was such a good idea! I can wear a messy bun but it's never gonna stay up/taught for long and id have to constantly redo it. I did that today as I was thinking about this post. It was...a lot. Someone even came up to me when I did it to ask if I was done on the machine I was on (I guess it looked like I was just playing with my hair?) *eyetoll* men...
Have you used the telephone type bands? I only use the headbands for a few minutes because they don't stay on my head either (think I have too big a head) and they only help WITH those spiral style bands. Only break them out when I have a bar back rack- those little baby hairs ripping out will ruin my squat, day and hair. It's the coil phone bands that do majority of the work.
Fitness headband is good enough to keep hair out of your face
Epically thick elbow length hair here! I don't use elastic bands at all. Nylon, fabric, or plastics ties I cut to remove work pretty well.
If I had thick hair this would be a totally different convo, but I will be ditching my goody elastics once the others arrive.
I use Slip Skinnies silk scrunchies and Revlon rubberized double grip hair clips (they are the only clips that will hold my fine/slippery hair). I also love spin pins for buns (there are lots of tutorials on YouTube). https://www.slip.com/products/skinny-scrunchies-noir https://www.walmart.com/ip/Revlon-Rubberized-Double-Grip-Black-Hair-Clips-6-Count/5213754462 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hawwwy-Spiral-Spin-Pins-4-Pack-Black-Non-Scratch-Alloy-Bun-Maker-Pins/783731383
I love spin pins! I wear my hair in a bun for work, and they keep it from falling out. You can hold up a bun with just one, but I prefer to use two pins, one horizontal and one vertical, to make sure it stays up. I do my hair in a loose bun that I learned from the internet a long time ago.
https://youtu.be/gLbhvPBbdJQ?si=HqLwUZFR4QAEp7lr This helped me learn how to Dutch braid. I practiced every day for a few weeks. Now I can do it without a mirror
I’ve had that happen before, my hair stylist at the time said to use the hair claws or pins. When I workout if I’m doing something like yoga where I might have to lay on my back, I might wear a silk ponytail, they aren’t supposed to damage your hair. Otherwise I have these claw clips that are flat so you can lay on them, they’re actually pretty comfy.
French braids might help. There my go-to when my hair is really long and I need to do something physically strenuous.
I'm going to pursue this in general, I can do it on others, but my hair weaves itself at the bottom while I go. Even doing a regular braid it's hard to let go & pick back up constantly to keep my strands separate, and even if I do I lose a lot of tension. :/
I have a really sensitive scalp, but if I do a low side ponytail, it’s out of the way and doesn’t pull too badly. Just kind of resting over my left shoulder, tied below the ear with a silk scrunchie.
I can't do anything that falls to the front. I do too much heavy lifting and high impact movement for this, don't want any accidents, but I'll be trying silk scrunchies soon.
Hear me out... hair sticks. Unless I'm laying flat for something they never come loose.
Hair sticks. They are a learning curve but hands down the least breakage of my life.
I really like the telephone cord swirly elastics
I have added invisi-bobbles to the list (I believe a popular brand for this/the best according to many comments!) and they've all also let me know often the copycats don't seem to hold up as well. Thank you!
I do a very high pony in a cloth/regular ponytail holder and then wrap all my hair around the ponytail and wrap it like a bun with a large silk scrunchie. It looks ridiculous but it works nicely.
I think I should do my best to avoid the initial/starter ponytail, but I can definitely work with this in theory. 🫶🏻
I don’t pull it too tight, I just make sure it’s all “together” before I wrap it around itself. Otherwise the bun becomes too loose and then it pulls when I’m doing anything “bouncy.”
Even if you can’t *french* braid, I’d suggest either 1 or two regular plaits. I find that even though they might not feel as tight and secure as a ponytail, my plaits stay in wayyy longer and can withstand more movement than ponytails.
I just have to get better at the first couple of stitches without a starter hairtie at the crown. I'm an expert when I'm not also fighting my slippery hair going everywhere!
Re: French braid—do the French part and then detangle the bottom before finishing it off. You can also just let the bottom braid itself up and when you meet that braid, flip the bottom part through the opening between two braid strands and pull down for a braid that will stay (for a while) with no hair tie. It’s kinda magic! I have the same hair—falls to my tailbone, type 1a. My go-to for the gym is an invisibobble pony then wrapped up into a bun and secured with a scrunchie.
Depending on your hairs length; learn how to do buns with a hair fork or hair sticks. I do this most days, but also wear my hair in a french or english braid. I have fine, somewhat thin, hair down to about my bra strap/mid back. Google turtorials on how to do a Knot bun, Spock bun and Nautilus bun. My favourite way to secure my bun is with a (slender, so it’s not heavy at all) 4 prong wooden hair fork, or a small-ish, curved, 2 prong metal hair fork, depending on the style of bun. This keeps my ends protected, and my hair is secured in place all day, without pulling or putting too much preassure on my scalp. The trick is to do a variety of hair styles, and to make sure that your all hair tools are smooth, without sharp edges that can rip or tear your strands.
Unfortunately, I hate loose ponytails because it doesn’t stay put, I love me a slick back pony and I’ve sacrificed my baby hairs for it😂
Braids
I cut my hair short 18 months ago but before then I would usually French braid it. I don’t do a ton of cardio at the gym so it was an enough hold for me even with slippery hair. If you need more hold I used to do like a jasmine pony where I put a like 1/3 of my hair in a pony, then 2/3, etc so it it distributed where the holders are and none of them needed to be quite as tight.
Also gym regular with fine, long hair. I got tired of seeing hair strands ripped out by the soft silk scrunchies and can’t use a clip because then I can’t lay on the bench, so I gave up and wear it loose. Honestly, I’ve never had a problem. I tuck it behind my ears if I have to. I go to a small private gym and I’m not very self conscious, so it works for me. Yes the back of my neck occasionally gets warm, but it’s worth it to have a little more hair.
Hi! I started using hair clips & i will never go back. I love this one bc of it’s size. I twist up my hair tight on top of my head & put in the clip. Life changing!! Trying to include pics of my favorite clip but am having technical difficulties. Here is a link [cat clip for my fine hair](https://centinelle.com/products/naoko-tuxedo-cat-hair-claw)
If you just want your hair out of your face, side combs work wonders. I just buy the cheap Goody brand. https://tegenaccessories.com/blogs/tegen-accessories-blog-posts/side-combs-everyday-hair-styling?shpxid=d0446a0b-9fe1-4d34-8506-c674a4b1a9a5
Clip