Picture this: you’re competing in a soccer game and you’re one goal away from winning. You get the ball and have a clear shot, but your hair comes untied and completely gets in your face, so now you can’t see a thing. Or, maybe you’re running a marathon and have had to retie your hair a thousand times, but there’s still one bit pulling on your scalp that’s driving you crazy.
Your hair shouldn’t be a distraction from your performance. Whether you’re hitting the gym or competing in a critical match, sports hairstyles can help you focus.
In this blog, we share our favorite sporty hairstyles, ensuring you’re comfy and can compete at the highest level. Or, maybe you’re just feeling the sporty look and want some ideas for cute sporty hairstyles. Either way, we’ve got you covered.
Why Secure Sports Hairstyles Matter
You shouldn’t have to choose between great hair and performing well at your chosen sport. As the saying goes, get you a girl who can do both! You should be able to have a beautiful hairstyle that suits your locks, whether they’re long, short, curly, or poker straight, and play sports without it hurting or annoying you.
Getting a secure sports hairstyle isn’t just about hair staying put when you need it most, it’s also about making sure that it doesn’t tug and hurt you.
The sporty girlies will also know that tying your hair up all the time, especially into tighter sports hairstyles, can be super damaging. Not only does it cause hair breakage every time it goes up and down, but it can also lead to a lot of tangling.
Plus, with all the sweat and extra washing (or even chlorine damage if you’re more of a water-sports person), the least you can do for your hair health is to put it into protective hairstyles, using protective hair styling accessories.
What to Avoid When Styling Hair for Sports
Do you often find yourself distracted by your hair at the gym or in games? Or does your hairdresser tell you that you have damaged hair from all your athletic sporty hairstyles?
Whatever your hair type or length, here are some common styling mistakes to avoid:
1. Avoid loose hair ties
If your sports hairstyles constantly come loose and you have no idea why, you probably have loose hair ties. They often slip out and require constant adjustment, which is frustrating. No one wants to keep pausing to tie their hair up in the middle of a match, or put their sweaty hands all over their clean hair to re-tie it, and have to wash it after every session.
Hair ties can become loose over time, especially cheaper ones that aren’t made to last. If you’re looking for a firm, comfortable hold, opt for TELETIES hair ties.
2. Avoid Plastic Headbands
Anyone who has worn a plastic headband for a long time knows that they can be a real headache. Literally. They give you such a headache as they dig into your head.
Plus, plastic headbands aren’t great for particularly intense sports or exercise. They’re often a key cause of hair breakage and slip and slide all over the place.
If you need a headband that doesn’t give you a headache and keeps your hair in place, a spiral headband gives you a better, dent-free fit.
3. Avoid Heavy Clips
Similar to plastic headbands, heavy clips dig into your head, especially if you’re using them to create a tight hairstyle. This can become pretty uncomfortable over time, which isn’t ideal when you’re competing in a sporting event. Heavier clips are also prone to falling out, especially if you’re doing a more dynamic activity, like tennis or dancing.
Instead of a heavy clip, go for lightweight hair clips that give you a strong hold.
Best Hair Accessories for Active Days
Wondering which hair accessories you need to keep in your sports bag? Here’s your checklist:
1. Hair ties
But not just any old hair ties. Make sure you get good-quality hair ties that hold your hair in place with minimal or no breakage. If you play sports regularly, check out sports hair ties designed specifically to hold those tighter, more secure sports hairstyles.
2. Spiral headbands
If you have shorter hair or bangs, spiral headbands will be your new best friend. They keep those shorter strands that aren’t quite long enough to be tied back out of your face.
Spiral headbands will give you the best no-slip, no-dent design here.
3. Silk Scrunchies
When you’re not in sports mode but still want your hair up and out of the way, opt for a silk scrunchie. They’re much gentler on your hair strands. Plus, they look pretty! It’s nice to add those decorative elements while you’re not in the gym or on the field.
4. Hair Clips
If you’ve got bits of hair that just never seem to stay put, then you may want to try a snap hair clip. They’re comfy, making them a great option for flyaway control pre-, mid-, and post-game.
Flat clips are also great for holding up your hair in a more comfortable style while playing sports.
Easy Sports Hairstyles for All Hair Types and Lengths
Different hair types work better in different sports hairstyles. Here are some easy hairstyles for sports best suited to your hair type.
Sports Hairstyles for Long Hair
Braided High Ponytail
Stuck between a braid and a pony? This hairstyle brings the best of both worlds, keeping your hair secure with a sporty edge.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieve this braided look. To keep it locked into place, go for a TELETIES tiny hair tie.
Low Bun or Puff
Low buns are a go-to for longer, heavier hair. They help keep you cool and secure even during the toughest of matches. Add a spiralled headband for extra hold for those shorter strands.
Here’s a quick tutorial for putting your hair into the perfect bun.
Sports Hairstyles for Medium Hair
Double Twists or Flat Braids
Flat braids are ideal for sports sessions where your hair absolutely cannot get in the way. They keep your hair close to the scalp and are unlikely to come undone. This style is particularly effective for coiled hair, helping to keep those pesky flyaways in check.
Sports Hairstyles for Short Hair
Short Hair Slick Back with Spiral Headband
For this style, think Bend It Like Beckham. If your hair is too short to be tied back securely, then a spiral headband is exactly what you need. This style is particularly handy for bobs or pixie cuts.
Half-Up Clip Style
If you want a slightly more relaxed hairstyle, a half-up look will do the trick. This one works particularly well for curly, wavy, or layered hair, keeping you cool with more airflow without having to scrape your hair back.
Depending on how much hair you have, a small flat clip or medium flat clip will keep your half-up do in place.
After-Sport Haircare Tips for All Hair Types
Sports can take their toll on your locks. Here are some tips to help you manage sweat, product buildup, and hair damage, so you can keep your head in the game.
1. Let your hair breathe
When you’re not in match or training mode, try to stick to looser hair styles and avoid applying extra products to your hair. We recommend loosening your sporty styles right after workouts to relieve tension on your scalp and give it a chance to breathe.
2. Dry Sweat with a Microfiber Towel
Microfiber towels are excellent at absorbing moisture quickly. Plus, they’re gentler on hair. Rough towels can contribute to frizz, tangles, and breakage, while microfibers are much gentler on the hair. This makes them especially helpful for fine, textured, or curly hair.
3. Refresh with Silk Accessories
Save your stronger hair ties and hair clips for when you’re competing, performing, or even just working out. To keep your hair out of your face in day-to-day life, go for a silk scrunchie. Not only does it help to reduce frizz and breakage, but it also looks super cute. Win-win!
4. Detangle Gently
Sporty girls are more prone to tangles. It’s an unfortunate side effect of keeping your hair up in tighter and more secure styles, using lots of hair products, sweating, and so on.
To keep your hair in good condition, it’s important to gently remove the knots and tangles to prevent breakage and further hair damage.
Start by detangling with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to avoid breakage, especially after sweating. Then, use detangling products or a leave-in conditioner to help tease out the remainder of the tangles. Before bed, put your hair into braids to keep knots at bay.
Explore more styling tips and athlete-focused haircare on the Teletimes Blog.