While I don’t consider myself a naturally sporty person, I do like to get moving throughout my day to counter the hours I spend typing away at my desk. When I get some free time in my schedule, you’ll find me stretching on my yoga mat, doing reformer Pilates, or taking a walk through the park with a matcha latte. That said, I wouldn’t be completely honest if I didn’t mention the monumental role my natural coils and heat-treated tendrils have played in my wellness journey.
It wasn’t until I became a beauty editor that I was allowed to edit my hair product lineup to perfectly match the new lifestyle I was living. Toward the tail end of the pandemic, I began taking three Pilates classes a week and ended up mastering a haircare routine that could keep up with perspiration and tension from pulling my hair in buns and ponytails. Now, whether I decide to wear my curls in a protective style or straight doesn’t matter as long as I have a few products in my routine.
Wondering which products made the biggest difference for workout-ready hair? Below, discover 21 of my favourites across several of the industry’s most beloved haircare brands like Briogeo, Curlsmith, Gisou, and Color Wow.
1. Cleansing With a Focus on Scalp Health
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal and Tea Tree Buildup Detox Spray
Key Ingredients: Triple-acid complex, charcoal, and humectant complex (hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA)
With endless hair styling inspiration available at the touch of a button, It’s easy to forget that the health of your strands start with the healthy of the scalp. Briogeo’s Scalp Revival and Tea Tree Buildup Detox Spray is one of my favorites because it removes all traces of buildup and flakes from the scalp and unclogs hair follicles.
Customer Review: “Love this! It’s the first thing I’ve used that actually made my scalp feel and look better. Works as well or better than detox shampoos as well. A definite rebuy for me. I use it every few weeks when I feel like my scalp needs it and it’s been great.”
Davines
Curl Cleansing Cream
Key Ingredients: Noto almond extract
As someone with thick, coily hair, I’m always in the market for a lightweight co-wash to refresh my tendrils. Davines’ Curl Cleansing Cream for curly hair tackles the impurities like the sweat and buildup that accumulates during work out sessions, leaving my hair soft and bouncy. It’s also infused with almond extract which flushes the hair with proteins and vitamins. I’ve also noticed a lot less frizz after working out (even following laying back on a Pilates reformer).
Customer Review: “I love this co-wash! It’s very easy to spread through hair and it even suds up a bit. Leaves hair feeling clean, soft and conditioned. Great for in between more intense washes. And the smell is amazing!”
Davines
Love Curl Enhancing Conditioner for Curly Hair
Key Ingredients: Noto almond extract
If you’re a fan of Davines’ Curl Cleansing Cream, then you’ll love the brand’s Curl Enhancing Conditioner. Enriched with proteins and vitamins to help boost elasticity and volume, the conditioner also helps enhance your hair’s natural texture while fighting against frizz and dryness. Plus, it smells like a dream and leaves your hair with a clean fragrance that lasts all day.
Customer Review: “I highly recommend this conditioner! A little goes a long way, it’s thick and has a great slip. This conditioner smells very clean and fresh, which is a plus for me. It’s highly moisturizing and helped to define my type 4 curls. I am new to the Davines brand but the Curl Love line has made me a major fan!”
Curlsmith
Clarifying Detox Microbiome Scalp Hair Set
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, perlite, peppermint, and tea tree essential oil blend
What better way to kick off your gym-ready hair journey than with a set that has just about everything? This clarifying trio features a detangling primer that helps lock in moisture, a two-in-one wash and scrub to target buildup and dirt with exfoliation, and a conditioner to help restore moisture and pH levels. Each of these formulas feature a blend of peppermint and tea tree essential oil to soothe and refresh the scalp.
Customer Review: “This kit is truly amazing! I suffer from super, super, super dry hair, especially during the colder months, and this kit has been a lifesaver. As someone with low porosity hair, I struggle with retaining moisture, so I always look for products that will hydrate my hair without weighing it down and this is exactly what this kit did.”
2. Restorative Treatments Between Workout Sessions
Fable & Mane
Deep Moisture Repairing Hair Mask
Key Ingredients: Coconut cream, banana, mango butter
Following 14 long years of classical ballet training, I began to notice breakage right wear the elastic would hold my bun taught. To help bring my hair back to life and promote growth, I began using hair masks weekly. More recently, the HoliRoots Fable & Mane Hair Mask has been one of my most frequently used products since it is specifically formulated for stressed and damaged hair with a transformative blend of coconut cream, banana, and mango butter.
Customer Review: “I use this in lieu of conditioner on most of my wash days and just wow. My hair feels softer, hydrated and less frizzy afterwards, and the smell is great. I love that this product spreads easily in my hair, and I need to use a lot less compared to other products to cover my hair. I can’t wait to try more of these products.”
Olaplex
No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (patented bond-repairing technology)
Whenever I ask my fellow beauty editors which hair masks have made the biggest difference in the health of their strands, this moisture-boosting mask by Olaplex enters the conversation. Crafted to treat dry, damaged hair, the concentrated mask delivers weightless moisture and shine in a matter of minutes, thanks to the brand’s Bond Building Technology.
Customer Review: “My hair is extremely thick and coarse/textured. I wash it maybe once every once or every second week. I use this every wash day and it’s been a godsend. It makes my hair so soft and manageable. It also helps cut down on blow dry time!”
Gisou
Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey and bee garden oil blend, biomimetic ceramides, panthenol, low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
Honey has been a hero product in both my haircare and skincare product lineups over the past couple of years, but it’s ultra-hydrating hair masks like this one by Gisou that truly catch my eye. It’s powered by Mirsalehi honey and ceramides to deeply nourish and hydrate your hair without weighing it down. Its formula also includes low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (which is a fancy way to say you’ll notice your hair holds a lot more hydration).
Customer Review: “I bought this on a whim after running out of my other hair mask. I had pretty low expectations as I’ve been underwhelmed with other products from this brand. However, this blew me away! I actually noticed a change in my hair. My hair looked and felt shinier and more healthy.”
Act+Acre
Conditioning Hair Mask
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, shea butter
The last hair mask I’ve enjoyed using after my lengthy Pilates sessions and walks is the Act+Acre Restorative Hair Mask. Its fast-acting formula features an infusion of 2% glycerin and shea butter: a dynamic duo that hydrates the hair while working overtime to lock in moisture. You can use it weekly as a deep conditioning treatment during your “everything” showers or as a temporary conditioner substitute for hair that’s been through the ringer.
Customer Review: “This mask is a game-changer! After just one use, my hair feels luxuriously soft, deeply nourished, and full of life. It works wonders on dryness and frizz, leaving my strands smooth and manageable without feeling heavy. My hair looks shinier and healthier, and it’s the perfect addition to my weekly routine. I have curly hair, and my curls have not felt this hydrated in a while!”
3. Having Lightweight Styling Aids On Hand
Living Proof
Frizz Vanishing Oil
Key Ingredients: Amaranth seed oil, biomimetic 5-oil blend, hemisqualane
Since my high-energy workouts are frequently followed by a cool shower at the gym, I like to cut down or hair styling time with frizz-fighting vanishing oils like this one by Living Proof. In addition to taming frizz, flyaways, and static, it hydrates strands while also blocking humidity for a smooth, shiny finish. The hero ingredient in its formula is a biomemetic 5-oil blend, which works to support the health of your hair like the natural oils on your strands.
Customer Review: “I absolutely love this hair serum! It is so light and doesn’t leave a residue on my hair or leave it feeling oily. I notice a huge difference when using it compared to leaving my ends bare. It’s such a light scent with the oil that it’s not competing with my perfume. Oiling my ends has become a nonnegotiable now!”
Mizani
Coco Dew Curl Defining Refresher Spray
Key Ingredient: Coconut extract
If you have curls and coils, there’s a good chance you prefer how they look when they’re healthy, bouncing, and popping. Using Mizani’s curl-defining, refreshing spay will keep them looking fresh no matter what workout you put your strands through with improved moisture and hold. Its layerable formula uses coconut extract, which defines curls and coils with a soft hold and shine.
Customer Review: “I have 2c-3a fine curly hair and really love this curl refresher! I have tried so many different ones and I’ve learnt that many of them dry out my hair or weigh down the curls. This one leaves them curly, moisturized and light-weight. Totally recommend it.”
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray for Frizzy Hair
Key Ingredients: Proprietary anti-humidity complex, chamomilla extract, glycerin
Another frizz-fighting product I like to use when my hair is straightened to keep my silk presses going strong is Color Wow’s Dream Coat Supernatural Treatment Spray, paired with a sweat-wicking headband to save my roots. It helps block humidity and prevent frizz, leaving my hair looking silky, glossy, and frizz-free. If you love the look of glass hair but aren’t willing to give up your weekly workouts, you need this.
Customer Review: “I’m impressed with this product! I bought the mini version and decided to use it for the first time today. I applied it according to the instructions, then straightened my hair, and later, I was out in the snow—but my hair is still frizz-free! It looks like I just came from the salon. You should buy it!”
4. Using Low Tension & Sweat-Wicking Accessories
Bread Beauty Supply
Bread Puff: Hair & Wrist Scrunchie
Even though my favorite fictional New York icon, Carrie Bradshaw, refuses to acknowledge that modern Manhattan women do wear scrunchies, I’ll always be partial to them (especially to help quell any sweat during my workouts). This one, by Bead Beauty, helps keep my hair out of my face while working to enhance my curls with its satin finish. It also won’t leave any dents or tug on my strands while I’m on the move.
Customer Review: “I absolutely adore this scrunchie! I have an extremely thick afro and it can be very hard to find scrunchies or hair ties that fit all of my hair without hurting and this one definitely does the job. I love how large it is and the material it is made out of. It didn’t leave a crease in my hair when I took it off and it was so comfortable to wear. This is the perfect scrunchie for thick, voluminous curls.”
Alo
Performance Conquer Headband in Black
Remember when I mentioned my dedication to the classic anti-humidity spray and sweat-wicking headband combination to preserve a silk press? Alo’s best-selling Performance Conquer Headband has an extra-wide fit and sweat-wicking, breathable material that keeps sweat and hair out of my face. If I slide the headband back so that it sits just behind my ears, my edges end up dry to the touch.
Customer Review: “The headband feels comfortable when wearing it as I don’t get headaches. The fit is great, and the material feels nice as it’s soft. I find it helpful when I wear it to the gym as it blocks the sweat from running down my face and getting into my eyes.”
Slip
Skinny Scrunchies in Dame
I’m a huge believer in using skinny, silk-lined hair accessories to help keep my hair out of my face while I’m getting active, and my all-time favourites are the SlipSilk Skinny Scrunchies. They use an anti-crease and anti-breakage design that doesn’t tug on your strands or contribute to damage. Plus, they’re beyond aesthetically pleasing to wear in and out of the gym.
Customer Review: “These scrunchies are amazing for sleeping in because they’re thin. They feel luxurious and hold the hair well with a few twists without stretching out or tugging on the hair. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked them up, but they have quickly become my favourite!”
Gymshark
Diffuse Sweat Headband in White
The other sweat-wicking headband I use on near constant rotation is the Gymshark Diffuse Sweat Headband. (thank you, TikTok!) Designed with the Black community and all hair types in mind, it crafted from a durable, sweat-proof fabric and stays put through all your training. It’s also super comfortable to wear and has impressive stretch to it, which is perfect for anyone with thick, protective styles that need some extra support.
Customer Review: “So far, I’ve used it once while running. I currently have a week-old silk press and laid my baby hairs down. After running for 40 minutes I took the headband off and… no frizz! Hair pretty much remained the same! The headband is super tight and slides up my forehead a bit, however, it got the job done! Definitely recommend, will be buying in more colors!”
If you haven’t tried using gentle, spiral hair ties like these, you’re completely missing out. I always keep them in my gym bag for the times when I know my workout will be a little too heavy for silk scrunchies (I’m not a huge fan of having to wash them constantly). These spiral hair ties are perfect for curly hair since they prevent strands from tugging and tangling when removed, which leads to breakage.
Customer Review: “‘Normal’ hair ties pulled my hair out when removed and were difficult to get all my loose strands into. These not only hold my hair in place easily, but they don’t grab and tear neatly as much when removed. I intend to buy a couple more boxes of these soon. I don’t ever want to go back to old-school hair ties!”
5. Refreshing Post-Workout Strands
SachaJuan
Protective Hair Perfume
Key Ingredients: Silk amino acids, keratin
SachaJuan’s Protective Hair Perfume features a unique formula with UV protectants, silk amino acids, and keratin to boost the look and feel of hair while promoting its overall health. I’m also a huge fan of its fresh and clean scent, which includes a bright blend of green apple, peach, rose, and more.
Customer Review: “Here is one multipurpose hair perfume that truly makes using it worthwhile. It comes with a unique anti-odor technology that protects your hair from harmful UV rays and refreshes your strands. There are notes of green apple, peach, rose, cedar, and white musk to give your hair that signature fragrance that can only be from SachaJuan.”
Gisou
Wildflower Infused Hair Perfume
Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, argan oil
If you’ve been looking for another way to reap the benefits of nourishing Mirsalehi honey in your haircare routine, this is the easiest way to make it happen! The Gisou Wildflower Infused Hair Perfume refreshes and scents the hair with sweet honey while adding hydration and shine in every spritz.
Customer Review: “This hair perfume is perfect for shine, softness, and a fresh floral scent on the go. The honey and wildflower fragrance feels like a dreamy spring garden, while the lightweight formula adds a healthy, radiant glow without heaviness. The mini size is ideal for travel, making it easy to refresh your hair anytime, anywhere!”
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