not very lady-like: sweat and long hair

[intothemist1999]

Any advice from those of you who have either very heavy hair, or very long hair, how to cope with perspiration in hot weather?

The back of my head is perpetually damp now. I'm probably more comfortable with my hair in a pony in this weather, but then that leaves the back of neck exposed, meaning anyone can see the sweat dripping down :wail: I've been sticking to half-ups when I can, pulling the top hair into a pony. I can't do that for work though.

If I have it in a bun or twist, it's gets REALLY hot under all that bunched up hair, and again, the sweaty neck is there for all to see (I was very self-conscious in the store line-up today...or when I'm playing piano and everyone is sitting right behind me!!).

I kept rubbing the sweat off my neck a couple of days ago, and that started to create skin problems *sheesh* I stopped doing that and it cleared up, thankfully.

[EvaSimone]

Hmmm.. I don't really sweat as much as you do and I don't know if my hair is considered very long but I do think it's semi long so I'll try to help.

I just came back from Arizona and the temperature was in the area of 115 degrees, I would leave my hair wet and then bun it. I think my damp bun actually kept my head cooler.

Do you dry bun or damp bun? Because if you are damp bunning then I guess my idea won't help...

The other idea is to do an english braid or wear a cotton headband that way the sweat will soak into the headband and not the back of your neck or maybe a bandanna??

(If you look at Igor's blog she has some cute ideas for wearing bandannas and scarves)

Also what types of clothing are you wearing?

I tend to dress modestly (no tank tops or shorts) and I wasn't sweating too terribly when I was in Arizona but I did wear lots of cotton dresses. So maybe if you cover up quite a bit or wear fabric that doesn't breathe it could be adding to the problem...

HTH

[walkinglady]

I have the same problem. The best thing I have come up with is a damp bun. If the bun is lower I don't see the perspiration as much although it is hotter on my neck. Possibly carrying a small cloth with you to blot the perspiration off would help. I have also used paper towels in restrooms when I'm really miserable. I will be checking back to see if anyone comes along with some good ideas!

[darkwaves]

Hasn't it been 35 degrees in B.C. lately? Maybe it will cool off, and you'll be fine!

I don't have a problem when my hair is up, no matter how hot and heavy it is. As long as my neck and upper chest are exposed, I don't sweat excessively. (So it's not so much my hair as my clothes. Hot days = low necked tops, with lots of skin exposed. I see this as a celebration of the sensuality of the older woman.)

But when my hair is loose, or in a half-up, and it's hot... Wow. Sweat city.

[Finoriel]

Aw, that´s bad I do not like high temperatures either, even though I´m not a very sweaty person, but my hands and feet swell when it´s too warm.
This year damp bunning absolutely failed for me, even though it worked before. No idea why. It did not really cool my head, feels more like a warm humid clump even warmer than a dry bun and I´m not sure about how good it is for scalp and hair to be held constantly damp additionally to the sweating.
For me the best solution is to wear braided ponytails, French or Dutch braids or a high English Braid. Every braid which does leave the back side of my head as early as possible. Two braids are also fine as they hang down at the sides.
If you are self conscious about exposing your neck, you could try to wear a light neck scarf. I do that to stop the annoying drippies. When it really get´s bad you can wet the scarf with cold water. While it drys again it develops nice evaporative heat loss and feels cool a long time. Works better in dry climates than in ones with high humidity.
Last but not least, at those temperatures everyone is sweating. That´s just human. Next time in the store line-up just look at the others who suffer from the same problem :wink: most likely they will be to self conscious about their sweaty neck or armpits to even notice your sweaty neck.

[darl_in1]

I always used to do a bun really high up on my head in the hot weather, which helped keep my neck cool etc.............until it got too long and heavy to be able to do a high bun......then I just used to b*tch.

[Delilah]

Humans sweat when they're hot, if it's hot enough for your neck to get sweaty then they are all sweating too. I think it's one of those things like wearing a slightly wrinkled shirt or having a blemish on our chin that we stress about on ourselves, but nobody else notices at all. If anything seeing a bit of sweat on someone else would make that person think of how hot they are.

Something that may work if you position it right is to put your hair in a low pony, then pull it only 3/4 of the way through on the second twist through the pony holder so you're left with a loop hanging down and some short ends you can hide under the loop. I'm not sure what the style is called, some call it a lazy bun or a messy bun.
I know on my hair I can make the loop part hang over part of my neck, perhaps at your length you can make it cover enough to make you feel ok. The nice part is that the hair will hang in front of the area you want to cover while not completely touching it so you will get some air.

[ecumaniac]

I have to have my hair up completely off my neck in hot weather. I also have a neck cooler (http://www.kooltubes.com.au/) scarf thing which I got at a local market. You soak it in water and it cools your neck as the water evaporates. It's also possible to make your own. (http://www.instructables.com/id/Sew-Very-Useful-Neck-Cooler/)

[Phalaenopsis]

I couldn't stand my thick hair when it's hot, so I just put it up all the time. And indeed, it's just sweat. Everybody sweats when it's hot.

[FrannyG]

Well if sweating is not lady-like, then I've been very unlady-like all of my life. When the weather gets anywhere above 28 C, especially if it's humid I sweat like a madwoman. My hair isn't thick, but like you, my entire head becomes wet. I wouldn't be able to stand wearing a half-up, as my neck would protest.

I think you have to chalk this up as nature doing what it needs to do to keep your body functioning properly, and don't worry about sweat. It's completely natural, and some of us do sweat more than others. I've found that especially since I passed my early 40's I sweat even more than my usual heavy sweating. I think part of it could be hormonal.

The best thing you can do is remember that you're human, and that this is not something to be overly self-conscious about. :flowers:

[jel]

Hot days = low necked tops, with lots of skin exposed. I see this as a celebration of the sensuality of the older woman.

I love this, Darkwaves!

Intothemist1999, my older sister has *short* hair, and her head/neck get sweaty a lot in warm weather. As others have said, it's just a human physiological trait. For me, the cool damp buns on the top of my head still work well, but then there's hardly any heat here in the UK :(.

[liseling]

damp bunning totally doesnt work for me. It seems like if my hair is damp, it encourages my skin to sweat more?!? Weird eh? But it really makes a difference whether it's dry heat or whether it's humid. For someone in Arizona, say, where it's very dry, damp bunning might work better because the water actually evaporates and cools you off. But if it's fairly humid then the water wont evaporate as quickly, leaving moisture near your skin. It seems like that would exacerbate the problem with the excessive sweat.

[lora410]

Have you tried a BUFF yet? you can wear it a thousand ways even with hair up.

[Delenn]

Hot days = low necked tops, with lots of skin exposed. I see this as a celebration of the sensuality of the older woman.)

Hmm. I like the idea behind this, but some people could do with a little toning down of the "sensuality" factor. Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean everyone needs or wants to see your goods. :o

I have a very effective internal cooling system, i.e. I sweat. I hate it but what can I do? The worst is getting out of my car and feeling like my butt and my back are all wet. Blah. I wear my hair up on hot days, wet buns seem to feel hotter to me than dry hair like they hold the heat in from my head. Otherwise I just blot myself when things get drippy, better than it landing on someone. Ugh, that's just nasty.

[Lady Godiva]

Hmm. I like the idea behind this, but some people could do with a little toning down of the "sensuality" factor. Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean everyone needs or wants to see your goods. :oWell, if they don't like it, that's their problem, and they can get over it. :wink:

The easiest thing to do regarding sweat and worrying about other peoples' opinions that we're "not ladylike enough" :rolleyes: is to ditch worrying about other people's opinion's that we're not ladylike enough. We're human animals, and sometimes we sweat. That's reality. Life's a lot more fun and relaxed when we quit living to please others.

[Lamb]

I sweat when it's hot, too. Even more outrageously, I get wind on the stomach when I bolt my food. The burden of the flesh... ;)

Seriously, don't worry about it. The weather is what it is here in Hungary (meaning well over 30 C), so it is by no means extraordinary to see people literally dripping with sweat. Believe me, all those people in the grocery checkout line are probably thinking nervously about the nice little streams of their own instead of frowning upon the drops on your neck.
Besides, sweat is a clean thing, if you are well hydrated and take a shower every day. It only becomes smelly when it is affected by too many bacteria.

[FrannyG]

Hmm. I like the idea behind this, but some people could do with a little toning down of the "sensuality" factor. Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean everyone needs or wants to see your goods. :o

Quite frankly, as a woman who covered up far more than I wanted to in my 20's and 30's in order to make others feel at ease, I feel that I'm old enough to wear what I please. No one needs to see my goods, and they don't have to look if they don't want to. I for one, am happy to celebrate the sensuality of the older woman. :)

[Kirin]

Though sweat is natural, it can be very uncomfortable. My hair isn't very long yet, but scalp and back of neck sweat plagues me terribly. I have very thin hair, so scalp sweat makes me look like I've either perpetually just got out of the shower, or, have extremely greasy hair, 24 hours a day.

I started CO with one weekly shampoo about a week ago, and find that the CO makes the scalp/neck sweat worse. The problem is, I refuse to keep drying out my hair to stop scalp sweat. I have yet to find anything for the scalp sweat, but the back of neck sweat I have found a few things that help.

Daily in the morning when i put my hair up I swab the back of my neck with a cotton soaked in witch hazel. I let that dry, then apply aloe vera gel. It doesn't stop it, but it seems to reduce it somewhat.

HTH

[harley mama]

Well, if they don't like it, that's their problem, and they can get over it.

The easiest thing to do regarding sweat and worrying about other peoples' opinions that we're "not ladylike enough" is to ditch worrying about other people's opinion's that we're not ladylike enough. We're human animals, and sometimes we sweat. That's reality. Life's a lot more fun and relaxed when we quit living to please others.

Well said Lady Godiva. People are suppose to sweat-even us ladies! There are more important things to be concerned about than someone sweating! :D



Hot days = low necked tops, with lots of skin exposed. I see this as a celebration of the sensuality of the older woman.)

I love your style woman!:eyebrows:

[may1em]

On hot days, nothing beats a bun combined with either a narrow scarf or bandanna tied around my head (or a stretchy headband). Gets all the hair off my neck and out of my face.

When airflow is an issue, I keep the bun as loose and messy as possible so air can go through.

I do this other thing, too, that I may or may not have invented myself. You need a ponytail holder (elastics and small scrunchies work well, so do sections of old pantyhose), 8 long bobby pins, and a cloth headband or bandanna:

1. Put hair in ponytail at back of neck. It doesn't matter what you use to do this with as you'll be covering the ponytail anyway. A super thick scrunchie is not the best option, though I've been okay with the small, thinner ones.

2. Divide hair in four even sections. The division lines should form the letter X, not a plus sign.

3. Take one section (I find it easiest to do the top section first, then the sides, and the bottom part last) and roll it away from the ponytail as if you were putting it onto an invisible roller ( I sometimes wrap it around a tube of mascara or a magic marker, then slide that out when I'm done). While you do this, take care not to turn the section of hair into a rope, you want it to be flat like a ribbon.

4. You should end up with that section in a shape that would look like a 9 from the side. The tail of the 9 is the hair closest to the ponytail. Keeping the tail side of the nine to the outside, tuck the roll of hair under and secure with two long bobby pins. The bobby pins go on the non-tail side of the 9 loop. Don't put any hair that doesn't form that part of the 9 in the pins. I put the two in from the opposite sides of the roll.

5. Repeat with the other three sections.

6. The rolls you've pinned down should create something that looks like a circle with a hole in the middle (like a donut). The donut of hair is hollow on the inside because it's created by rolls. The effect you get from this can be really casual and messy if you're not super precise or be really sleek if you are. Either looks great.

7. Finish with a cloth headband or thin scarf tied around the head.



I've also heard that military ladies with long hair sometimes do sock buns with socks they've wet and frozen. Won't stop the dripping, but at least the drips will cool you off.

[soprano]

I find that if I wear my hair down in warm weather, all it does is make me feel hot. In the summer it is always either up or braided. After I wash it I try to sit quietly somewhere cool until it is dry enough to put back up.

We're on our 20th-something day of +100 temps (+37 for you sensible Celsius folks) and I ride my bike everywhere. When I get off of the bike and go inside anywhere, I usually start dripping sweat - it will just pour down my legs in little streams. I don't worry about it - everyone knows that it is hot out! If my sweat bothers them, then that's their problem, and if they are looking at my legs so closely that they notice the sweat, then they have also probably noticed that my legs look pretty good these days!

[Delenn]

Hey, by all means uncover all you want, but don't get pissed off if someone makes a comment then. It goes both ways. ;)

[Shorty89]

I agree with what others have said. This may not help, but I found that I could hide an icecube or two in a bun and it helped keep my head cool :D I don't know if that would help much with the sweating though.

[Darkhorse1]

For me? I will usually wet/soak my hair, then do a french braid so it stays wet all day long, hence, I stay cool. I'm lucky my hair isn't heavy or I don't sweat as much as you--though I do sweat buckets, just not under my hair.

Another thing you can get is a nice bandana. Wet that, and keep it around your neck, so when your hair is up, you will get cooled by the wind against the damp bandana,and it will hide any persperation.

Just remember, sweating is your body's way to cool itself down. Remember to replenish your fluids (ie, drink lots of water) on hot days.

I work outside/with horses, and sweat like mad!! But, I get to sweat in more embarassing places..like under my boobs. Apparently, we have sweat glands there. Nice huh?

I remember when the weather first got humid/hot in my area, I'd was my hair in the morning, then french braid it--it kept it neat and it stayed wet/damp all day, thus keeping me cool. Maybe try that?

[trolleypup]

I'm just glad that when it is warm here, it is almost always dry...so the sweat running down the body I remember from growing up in North Carolina is just a memory. End of a long hot day here, mostly, I just feel nasty sticky ready for a shower. Since air circulation is everything, I keep my hair up. If I am particularly physically active, something like a pony scrub or other absorbent headcovering over my hair will absorb and evaporate the sweat rather than having it dripping...of course, by the end of the day, that makes for really attractive salt crusts on the fabric...better there than on my hair or skin though.

Sweaty hair? A nice cool water rinse will get the sweat out.

Exposing skin: You know, really, showing skin is like showing hair, it really isn't anyone else's business. "I'm not here to decorate your world!" I know that people will comment (positive or negative, *shrug*), but that is a comment on them, not me. Dress as suits your inclinations, and keep your head high!

[spidermom]

This doesn't seem to be much related to long hair. If your hair were short, you'd still sweat. I once had long hair cut short because I was so hot, and guess what? It didn't make one bit of difference. In fact, if anything, it was worse. I could pull my long hair up completely away from my neck. With short hair, I was stuck with it plastered to my neck with sweat.

If it's hot and I'm sweating, I assume that everybody else is, too, but it's not something I particularly notice. I assume other people don't particularly notice whether or in what ways/places I am sweating, either.

[Katze]

This doesn't seem to be much related to long hair. If your hair were short, you'd still sweat. I once had long hair cut short because I was so hot, and guess what? It didn't make one bit of difference. In fact, if anything, it was worse. I could pull my long hair up completely away from my neck. With short hair, I was stuck with it plastered to my neck with sweat.

If it's hot and I'm sweating, I assume that everybody else is, too, but it's not something I particularly notice. I assume other people don't particularly notice whether or in what ways/places I am sweating, either.

I agree with Spidermom. After three years toughing it out in NYC (and being too poor to have a "summer home" near the ocean) I got used to being sweaty, getting on the subway where everyone else was sweaty, crammed in with strangers who were also sweaty = big deal. Skin showing? Big deal. This was one of my favorite things about NYC.

If I do sports and it's warm, and if I do sweat (I'm not a very sweaty person generally) i actually LIKE the feeling of sweat in my hair, and I like what it does to my hair (piece-y waves). Am I the only one? Most people here seem to have to wash right after athletic activity. Me, I revel in the feeling of sweaty hair, to a point. If it bothers me, I put it up, but usually I leave it alone and let the sweat add to my hair's wild waves.

My favorite updo for really hot humid weather is coronet braids. Especially if my hair already looks like crap, I can brush it smooth and slick it down with oil and it's up along the top of my head instead of sitting on the back of the neck. If I am REALLY hot, I just pour water on my head, or put a wet headscarf on.

Slightly OT hot weather tip - cool water on the back of the neck, inside of the arms, and inside of the knees really helps cool down. Amazing how many people in this normally cool, damp climate (northern Germany) do not know this!

[burns_erin]

I sweat buckets myself, and while admittedly I ignore it, on the rare occasions when I find it to be very inconvenient, I use antiperspirant deoderant on the back of my neck and behind my ears where I sweat the most. I also make extra sure my hair is very dry so my hair can soak up the extra sweat from my scalp. Opposite of what most people suggest, but it is very humid here, and keeping my hair damp seems to make it worse. Just remember, technically and biologically speaking it is not a good idea to stop or hinder the sweat process, but in a pinch and only on occassions, antiperspirant deoderant can do the trick (just remember to get the kind that dries clear, then rub and excess residue off with a very dry cloth).

Additionally, if you have access to a freezer, you might try applying those gel ice packs to your head periodically throughout the day.

[intothemist1999]

Something that may work if you position it right is to put your hair in a low pony, then pull it only 3/4 of the way through on the second twist through the pony holder so you're left with a loop hanging down and some short ends you can hide under the loop. I'm not sure what the style is called, some call it a lazy bun or a messy bun.
I know on my hair I can make the loop part hang over part of my neck, perhaps at your length you can make it cover enough to make you feel ok. The nice part is that the hair will hang in front of the area you want to cover while not completely touching it so you will get some air.


Great idea - camouflage! Thanks!!

[intothemist1999]

Have you tried a BUFF yet? you can wear it a thousand ways even with hair up.

No! Thanks! I never thought of that. I had been eye-balling them online during the winter. I'll check those out again!

[intothemist1999]

Well, if they don't like it, that's their problem, and they can get over it. :wink:

The easiest thing to do regarding sweat and worrying about other peoples' opinions that we're "not ladylike enough" :rolleyes: is to ditch worrying about other people's opinion's that we're not ladylike enough. We're human animals, and sometimes we sweat. That's reality. Life's a lot more fun and relaxed when we quit living to please others.



I guess I shouldnt have used the phrase in my OP since coming across as convincingly ladylike isn't important to me. It's just the sweat is so icky and uncomfortable!! :(

[intothemist1999]

I started CO with one weekly shampoo about a week ago, and find that the CO makes the scalp/neck sweat worse. The problem is, I refuse to keep drying out my hair to stop scalp sweat. I have yet to find anything for the scalp sweat, but the back of neck sweat I have found a few things that help.

Daily in the morning when i put my hair up I swab the back of my neck with a cotton soaked in witch hazel. I let that dry, then apply aloe vera gel. It doesn't stop it, but it seems to reduce it somewhat.

HTH


Oh! Interesting! I'll try that!

I was just thinking about that point about the CO earlier today. I have been using SLS shampoo the last several days,which I'm not wild about. In milder temps I can get away with washing the hair every other day...not so now. Since I'm washing every day, the CO will be plenty to clean the hair.

[intothemist1999]

On hot days, nothing beats a bun combined with either a narrow scarf or bandanna tied around my head (or a stretchy headband). Gets all the hair off my neck and out of my face.

When airflow is an issue, I keep the bun as loose and messy as possible so air can go through.

I do this other thing, too, that I may or may not have invented myself. You need a ponytail holder (elastics and small scrunchies work well, so do sections of old pantyhose), 8 long bobby pins, and a cloth headband or bandanna:

<snip>

I've also heard that military ladies with long hair sometimes do sock buns with socks they've wet and frozen. Won't stop the dripping, but at least the drips will cool you off.


FROZEN SOCK BUNS!! I LOVE IT!!! :D

I like your idea of doing a donut minus the sock...which could add bulk = heat. Unless frozen lol

I really have to get into experimenting with scarves.

[intothemist1999]

I just came back from Arizona and the temperature was in the area of 115 degrees, I would leave my hair wet and then bun it. I think my damp bun actually kept my head cooler.


The other idea is to do an english braid or wear a cotton headband that way the sweat will soak into the headband and not the back of your neck or maybe a bandanna??

(If you look at Igor's blog she has some cute ideas for wearing bandannas and scarves)

Also what types of clothing are you wearing?



Thanks for your input! Damp 'do's keep my head cool but only AFTER I let it down and the air can get to the dampness. I find my scalp gets hot and itchy and can develop problems if I keep up a damp 'do (it stays damp).

A braid is a thought....they kind of itch my neck, but I'll test it. I like the headband idea...I haven't worn those in years.

Thanks for the tip about Igor's blog.

As for clothes, when I'm there sadly I DO wear a blend of largely polyester pants, because I hate hate hate ironing. I don't have time to iron my pants every day (and I can't afford to buy a different pair of pants for each day and do ironing once a week...and especially not in this heat!) No doubt that doesn't help.

[intothemist1999]

Hasn't it been 35 degrees in B.C. lately? Maybe it will cool off, and you'll be fine!

.


I hope so! It's supposed to rain tonight or tomorrow, so it'll be warm but damp -- yipee, humidity!

The weird thing is, everyone else seems to love it!

At work we don't have a/c (old folk's home....they are always cold! :) ) usually the fireplace is turned on, and I'm ALWAYS warm there....until the last few days, some staff were still wearing sweaters or vests, and now sitting in the sun so I know they aren't feeling it!

The replies in the thread that mention others feel it got me thinking...I know an awful lot don't seem to (hubby is perpetually cold). I guess I'm very paranoid about sweating at work because I've had some rude comments from a couple of staff members a few years back over gaining weight (mainly people who didn't know I started as a large person, but they met me at a thinner stage in my life). One old lady (ok, I CAN excuse her) said to me, "you're hot because you're FAT!" Gee, thanks.

I guess I feel very self-conscious about that because I feel that's what alot of people would be thinking. However, when I was considerably thinner, I always sweated alot there, too...I felt I could get away with flimsier fabrics and was always horrified my clothes would be soaked.
Come to think of it, I didn't have as much hair back then, either...it was shoulder length and all layered. In fact taht was one reason I wanted to grow it out!! lol - I wanted enough length to COVER the sweaty hair at the back of my neck.

By the way, today when I got into my car it was 45C/120F after sitting only from 10-12. :(

[intothemist1999]

=Possibly carrying a small cloth with you to blot the perspiration off would help. I have also used paper towels in restrooms when I'm really miserable. I will be checking back to see if anyone comes along with some good ideas!

Yes, I actually dug out a bandana to pack in my bag on the weekend...and paper towels! In the car I've been using tissues, but they pretty much dissolved! :shrug:






For me the best solution is to wear braided ponytails, French or Dutch braids or a high English Braid. Every braid which does leave the back side of my head as early as possible. Two braids are also fine as they hang down at the sides.
If you are self conscious about exposing your neck, you could try to wear a light neck scarf. .


Thanks for the 'do ideas! And the scarf - seems contrary to logic, but it's a good idea!

[az_sweetie01]

Ah yes, summertime and sweat :) As an Arizona native, the best thing for me is for my hair to be in a bun. Period. No braids, no ponytails. Buns. Because that way I don't have hair clinging to the sweat on my neck. I do however, make a deep side part and then braid that side and pin in back THEN bun the rest. Keeps hairs off my face in a nice way :) I was driven nearly to insanity last night at the gym wearing a ponytail. Let me just say, I never knew I could sweat so much! *Great visual, I know*

Stay cool!

[Islandgrrl]

I'm a very sweaty girl. I solve my problem with wet hair. If it's very hot out, I put my hair into a loose french braid and then mist it until it's fairly well saturated. The coolness of the braid on my heck helps enormously. Other than that, I just pile it all on my head and try not to worry overmuch about it.

[jenna]

Have you tried a BUFF yet? you can wear it a thousand ways even with hair up.

these things?
http://www.buffwear.com/
http://www.buyabuff.com/

how interesting. -browses the sites-

[blue_nant]

For me? I will usually wet/soak my hair, then do a french braid so it stays wet all day long, hence, I stay cool. I'm lucky my hair isn't heavy or I don't sweat as much as you--though I do sweat buckets, just not under my hair.

Another thing you can get is a nice bandana. Wet that, and keep it around your neck, so when your hair is up, you will get cooled by the wind against the damp bandana,and it will hide any persperation.

Just remember, sweating is your body's way to cool itself down. Remember to replenish your fluids (ie, drink lots of water) on hot days.

I work outside/with horses, and sweat like mad!! But, I get to sweat in more embarassing places..like under my boobs. Apparently, we have sweat glands there. Nice huh?

I remember when the weather first got humid/hot in my area, I'd was my hair in the morning, then french braid it--it kept it neat and it stayed wet/damp all day, thus keeping me cool. Maybe try that?

This is good advice. When the temps and humidity get really high here, I French braid. I feel my hair less piled higher, but if its anywhere around my ears or neck i feel totally hot.

Humidity makes my sweat just hang around like a cloak, so anything I can do do help it evaporate is good. In low humidity, I don't have problems because its the sweat that bugs me, not the heat. My ears and neck are heat radiators and a single french braid (too lazy for two) (and I get them uneven) keeps the hair off them. My "girls" are, too, but usually hair is not the problem with them.

I also wear as little as possible because every bit of clothing holds in moisture, ugh.

Bandannas are the best accessory. Wet it down and use it to cool yourself. I wear one wound around nape to hairline. When it's done (hot or dry or both) I either rewet it or switch to a different one that I've kept in the fridge. Back and forth.

HTH. I never could "lay out" and get a tan (when it was the thing to do) because of sweat and bugs. Bleah.

[intothemist1999]

Something that may work if you position it right is to put your hair in a low pony, then pull it only 3/4 of the way through on the second twist through the pony holder so you're left with a loop hanging down and some short ends you can hide under the loop.


As it turns out, I tried this this morning! I really liked the look of it. However I did it though (took a couple of attempts), the ends were sticking UP :D I had a couple of mini fakkares which I used to flatten them and it looked quite good! Thought about taking a picture to add to my albums, but I was in a hurry. Needless to say by the time I arrived at work some had come loose and the whole thing was looking a bit ragged (why can't my hair ever look the same at home and work??! :( )

I tweaked it at work, but it never was quite right (I can't do anything without my bathroom's 3-way mirror!). However, I really did like the look and will keep practicing.

I learned something new. It was terribly humid today and the back of my head and neck did not stop sweating. Usually if my hair is down/half-down, I like to fluff it constantly to get air in there. Or course, I couldn't do that with this 'do, and I wouldn't be able to with something like a bun. The hair was fairly tight against my head and except for the nape I didn't feel the drippiness...and the rest of my head didn't feel particularly hot. I rather liked that since when the hair IS down, I normally can feel it running all they way down my head. TMI :D

[Darkhorse1]

Thanks blue_nat---the worst is showing with the heat/humidity. You have to wear tall black boots, black helmet and breeches. Thankfully, most show commitee's excuse jackets when it's 115F with the humidity, but you still wear a show blouse that buttons up your neck.

BLEUCH! So, the wet hair under the helmet was my only way to survive. This also helped many of my students that don't handle heat well.

Thankfully, there are new fabrics out there that wick away sweat when exercising. They now make show blouses out of this, and I'm forever greatful!! They should make bandanas out of this material---it absorbs sweat and keeps you cool!!

I don't know how people can live heat/humidity. It's just GROSS. Uncomfortable and miserable.