nykoelle

I've searched and searched about how to deal with getting to work sweaty and most either take a quick shower (not an option for me) or are ok after putting on fresh deodorant and changing. I have hair though

So ladies, how do you deal with the sweaty commute and changing at work and getting hair and make up done? I'm a minimalist in make up, but I have frizzy wavy hair that needs to be ironed out most of the time. Are there any tricks or products? For the sweat are there any wipes or particular products you find work the best? Also what do you keep at work and what do you bring with you?

shubonker

Baby wipes suck.

Indie

The wipes I've had recommended to me are a military-issue thing called Hoo-Ahs. Apparently they're tougher than baby wipes and won't disintegrate, and don't have the diaper-deodorizer scent. Check military surplus stores for them.

My office manager has long curly-frizzy hair, and bikes to work more often than I do. She usually just runs a brush through it and ties it back in a ponytail, and it looks quite presentable.

nykoelle

my hair isn't long enough for a pony tail, on bad days it usually goes in a bandana but that's not work appropriate. I'm thinking clips or some sort of miracle spray you guys know about. I'll look into the Hoo-Ahs, thanks for the tip off.

HardyWeinberg

My wife wears a survivor-style buff under her helmet. But her hair is not gravity-defying in any way shape or form.

bats

Well, when I work at the bike shop, I don't have to worry about showing up sweaty or in bike clothes. But today is my first day of my new job complete with business clothing and apperence.

I wear my bike clothes on the ride, change in the bathroom, comb my hair and dry my face. I'm pretty lucky that my hair doesn't get that frizzy--all I have to do is smoosh it down a little. Oh, also a little reapplication of deoderant. I don't wear make up, so that's not a problem. I'm going to keep my shoes here, but that's about it. I have a little bag I carry my comb and deoderant in.

HeIncreasesMe

I have natural hair so I usually keep it pinned up in some sort of style. I usually never wear it straight because it will get poofy on the ride to work.

I use baby wipes certain days and soap and towel on other days. It's like soap and water to all the parts that might start smelling due to the presence of sweat.

Now for me that is usually around the boobs. I have big boobs...my neck and in between my legs and my booty.

I think baby wipes work well...but you MUST shower before you ride to work EVERDAY.

I never never smell. I have two great co-workers that would let me know IMMEDIATELY. Lol

I wear makeup. I usually put it on at work after I have washed and changed clothes. By that time I have cooled down and am no longer sweating.

I look great usually. For the hair..I have invested in bobby pins, hair clips, and hair bands that go over hte top of your head. These items keep my hair back or up in a professional way.

Folks ask me all the time...did you ride your bike today? They think I would look dishoveled or something..lol I always say yea I did.

Oh and I wear stockings too and heels of course.

sbhikes

I think it's important to choose a hair style that supports your way of life and not try to fight your hair all the time. For some that means really short hair. For me it means really long hair.

545h4

I picked up a dry shampoo spray at Sephora. I don't look like I just took a shower, but I also don't look like Heath Ledger in the new Batman...

HeIncreasesMe

Such a great comment. That is why I leave my hair in it's natural state. I like to be active..go out into the rain..shower and not have to blow dry or flat iron. I leave it curly. And I never look bad because I work with my hair and not against my hair. I let it do it and just gently push and pin it in a nice style or way I want it to look. So that involves ponytails..pinning back..Up dos etc... But, not blow drying straight and flat ironing etc.

nykoelle

dry shampoo, awesome idea. My hair looks like a greaseball after I work out, very oily fine hair. I'm curious how I'm going to wipe down with a rag and soap at work in a bathroom stall, without making a wet soapy mess. How do you do it, HIMe?

I'm thinking about cutting my hair really short, just not sure if my boyfriend will be down with that. Hm.

KimberlyL

OK, well, I shouldn't probably reply because I haven't really started bike commuting to work yet, but plan on it in two weeks when i get back to my regular office that's not 40 miles away. I am a supervisor in a professional office, but will be the computer guy after I get back, so might not need to dress as nicely. LOL!

Anyway, I'm pretty girly. My plan at this point for hair is to just stick in a ponytail for the ride in, but I bought a travel hairdryer and a round brush to try to straighten out my hair, and will keep these at work. My hair is about medium length, fine and gets REALLY frizzy. I usually use a straightening iron, but have sometimes used the brush/hairdryer option. I also have no showers at work, so will hopefully not get too nasty on the way in. Bought unscented adult flushable wipes and body mist/spray too. Tried this out at home after a long ride the other day and it seemed OK for me. Will do makeup after I get to work. I usually do half the time anyway, even when driving. I'm just hoping that I don't need to actually wash my hair for this setup to work out. We'll see. I think if it isn't raining, and if I'm not a speed demon (won't be with my 8 year old setting the pace most of the ride in) then I should be OK for the most part. I'll post after I've actually tried it out.

I've also purchased some garment bags to keep in the coat closet in my office for extra clothes. I'm debating about bringing clothes every day or just bringing them in on Monday for the three days I'm going to be in that office. Same with food/lunches. Will plan on keeping a full extra outfit, including socks/hose, shoes, top, bottom, underwear, bra that I will leave at work all the time in case I do forget something.

I got a bag for toiletries - wipes, deoderant, body spray/mist, make-up, Downy de-wrinking spray, etc. Will keep all that at work. Not sure about hair products - I sometimes use them and sometimes don't bother. Probably will keep some gel or spray or something there just in case.

On an interesting side note, I did a whole weekend car free. Rode my bike everywhere... Pizza place for dinner Friday night, Farmer's market, bike store and restaurant Saturday, Grocery & bank & coffee shop on Sunday. Nice weekend. Lots of exercise. Only one person threw anything at my head.

Good luck!
Kim

Freakin'Chickin

I have two situations in my life where I have to get ready after my commute: school or office. Since my office is a pretty casual one, I don't need any fancy attire, and I am not a "make-up" kind. But, anyway. We don't have access to a shower in my office (unless you are a member of the gym there), so after my hilly 10k commute, I use "Bacti-Control" wipes, change all my clothes, deodorant, and since most of the time I take my shower before leaving, I can somewhat style my hair there (cause they are still wet).

In school, it's easier: we have a shower there, so all of my shower stuff is in my locker, and I just get a fresh start after another 10km hilly commute. No need for little wipes... I hope I'll find an alternative to those!

ctwxlvr

https://www.hooahhs.com/hooahhs.cfm?PageID=3500

Indie

With regards to hair length -- my hair is harder to maintain when it's long than when it's short. It's fine and prone to split ends, and it's thick enough that it's heavy and insulating when it's long. The best thing I've found for looks and practicality is a short pixie/boy cut. On an average day I can towel-dry and comb it, and by the time I'm at the subway it'll be dry; if I want it to look really snappy I'll comb it with a bit of styling milk and blow-dry it with a round brush.

The funniest thing is that I come in on the bike at work, take my helmet off and towel the excess sweat out of my hair, and once it's dried I start getting compliments on the new hairstyle. Guys, it's helmet head! But yes, I agree that it's sexy.

novas

i'm lucky - i bike very early in the morning in a great climate (not too hot, not too cold) so i don't usually get too sweaty and i wear scrubs at work (never have to worry about what to wear.)

JMRobertson

I was really hoping for pictures.

tballx

Not a lady but may I suggest a microfiber towel and an 8 oz. spray bottle with 2 parts water, 1 part witch hazel and 1 part wintergreen rubbing alcohol. Add a few drops of your choice of essential oil such as sandlewood, tea tree or rose and you will be surprised. Try it a couple of times instead of your after work-out shower before you officially commute with it and you'll see. It works great. I basically shave my head so no hair help. Sorry. Oh, and I don't have big boobs either.

Allycat24

I'm pretty lucky since I shower at work every day so maybe this post won't help anyone, but thought I'd share anyway. I wash my shoulder-length hair and let it air dry. I use some styling gel to style it once it is dry, if it starts to frizz. I'm not a big hair-product person, but my hair salon recommends a few products for after-workouts, when you can't wash your hair. I think it is called Redken Recharge or something like that. When I don't wash my hair, I just wet it with my hands, and spray this stuff on it (it is not sticky) so it looks reasonably nice.

nykoelle

Awesome ideas guys. Thanks. tballx, where did you come up with that mix, do you have to wipe it off or anything?

Kim, how long does it take you to do all that and get ready?

sHANDRIL105

Can you french braid your own hair?

nykoelle

Me? No, it's medium length and layered and I have bangs and whatnot. Kind of a punkish do. Debating about shaving it though, be a rebel. Till then though, wanna make sure I'm still hot

SDBluefish

I keep a bunch of work clothes at the office, plus hair goo and deodorant. I'm usually pretty sweaty & sometimes dusty when I get here in summer, but find I do fine just cleaning up at the sink with a microfiber towel. My hair is chin length and curly, so I usually wet it in the sink or spray some water on it and scrunch it up to refresh the curl. Use the hair goo if it's too frizzy. (I like Bumble & Bumble products - pretty good for curly hair.) I have a wet head for the first 15 minutes at the office, but no one cares.

Don't wear makeup, just sunblock, so can't help you there.

tballx

Came up with the mix via trial and error and ideas on this board. Search the commuting forum for "witch hazel" for more input. I tend to use a fairly high percentage of alcohol and witch hazel. Some mix a teaspoon or so of mineral oil to combat the astringent effects of the alcohol and witch hazel. The alcohol pretty much kills any odor causing bacteria. The wintergreen is usually a synthetic essential oil that's added to the alcohol. I tend to smell like scope for a little while but it beats sweat. Since the alcohol is highly evaporative, you get quite a cooling effect. I use all 8 ounces intentionally so I can really feel clean. I towel off as I gos. If you go to an auto parts store, they sell small microfiber towels that fold up to nothing and are highly absorbent. They're pretty much for drying your car after washing and detailing but they work very well. They come in very small sizes. I bring 3. 2 to stand on since I'm in a stall and 1 to wipe off/dry with. It works very well and I am an extreme shower weenie and hate being dressed and feeling sweaty.

zeppinger

Buzz your head, I think short hair is hot! Im not kidding....