I need your head/sweatband recommendations.

January 11, 2014 8:32 PM

I get sweaty when I work out. I get REALLY sweaty when I practice yoga in a 105 degree room. I need a headband that will 1) help keep my hair out of my face when I'm in down dog and 2) help prevent my hair sweat from joining forces with my face sweat.

Challenges:
- My head is small and oddly shaped and my hair is smooth, which makes for a very slippery surface to try and keep head gear stuck to. I've had the best luck keeping wider headbands on my noggin.
- Did I mention that I get REALLY sweaty? Normal elastic headbands just don't cut because they can't absorb much moisture.

Things I'm Already Doing:
- I wear my shoulder length hair in either a tight bun on the top of my head, or a ponytail that I braid. These seem to work best with keeping my longer layers out of my face and off my neck, but I need something to deal with my bangs and wispy hairs.
- Vaseline on the eyebrows to help keep some of the sweat out of my eyes.
- Hand towel for dabbing my face when I get a chance.
- Drinking a LOT of water to avoid dehydration.

So MeFi, do you have any recommendations for head gear that I can wear that will keep hair and sweat out of my face and stay firmly in place?

posted by gumtree to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

My (sweaty) husband just ties a absorbent microfiber bandana around his head, Rambo style. Not super-fashionable but it can be as tight as he wants and nothing gets in his eyes.
posted by charmedimsure at 8:48 PM on January 11, 2014

When I had bangs, criss-crossed bobby pins helped. Perhaps that for keeping your hair out of your face, plus whatever other method?
posted by loulou718 at 8:50 PM on January 11, 2014

I use a headband like this, but am sure to scrunch down the bottom part that sits just below my hairline. Somehow this keeps the hair up and collects enough sweat that I don't have my glasses covered in sweat.
posted by mynameisluka at 9:05 PM on January 11, 2014

I really love my Buff headband. No other headbands stay in my hair at all, but I can run and dance in the Buff with no problem. And it's wide enough to keep my bangs out of my eyes and wick sweat. I can't stand to work out without it anymore!
posted by Empidonax at 9:26 PM on January 11, 2014

I use a Sweaty Band headband (on my phone but I bought it at Nordstrom and they also have a website) held in place with a reversed bobby pin on each side of my head. By reversed I mean pointing the open end towards your ponytail.
posted by serelliya at 9:51 PM on January 11, 2014

I use a Sweaty Band. I got it off Amazon and it really stays on and is pretty cute. I put my hair in a high top knot so the length doesn't get my neck sweat on it. Eww, I know. I just rinse it out in the sink if I had a really good sweat.
posted by stormygrey at 11:29 PM on January 11, 2014

I just use a regular old cotton bandana, folded corner to corner, then folded into a 1 or 2 inch band and tied in back. Like this. At the end of my workout I can literally wring it out. If I don't wear it I drip.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:49 AM on January 12, 2014

It's stupidly overpriced, but I love my Bang Buster. It stays put and no hair escapes.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:19 AM on January 12, 2014