by Brandi Holness, RUNGRL Contributor

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Societal beauty standards that have plagued Black women for centuries about what's "beautiful" regarding Black hair continue to influence our thoughts. However, time and money spent on hair maintenance is also a factor. In the National Library of Medicine's 2017 study, "My Hair or My Health," both exercisers and non-exercisers reported, "sweating out my hairstyle" as a barrier to exercise. By "barrier," they're talking about the extra time and money needed to maintain their mane after a sweaty workout. Resources and tools to simplify hair routines, especially during season changes when time and money spent on hair care can quickly fluctuate, would be beneficial to overcoming hair-related obstacles.

Seasons change, and so do hair routines. Figuring out what works for your hair isn't always easy. We caught up with Kim Cutler, Head Stylist at Ulta Beauty; Necole Jackson, an exercise enthusiast and Content strategist; and Marisa Peal, a hair care consultant for their perspectives on the best hair management tips for active Black women. Whether you're rocking your natural curls, chemically treated, or straightened hair, these are some of the best hydration and styling tips to help you simplify your hair routine after your routine.

Use a light shampoo in warmer months

"You always want to do something to help keep the moisture you already have in your hair," says Cutler. For natural, non-chemically treated hair, she suggests a light moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for warmer months, such as Pureology's Hydrate Sheer collection. "We absorb more moisture in our skin and hair during warmer months, and for someone with natural hair, hydration is important, and it starts with keeping the water and moisture in the hair from the shampoo and conditioner."

Peal suggests using a masque to hydrate the hair in warmer months and protect it from UV rays. The sun can be especially damaging to chemically treated and heat-trained hair. She advises using a hair masque to help protect and rebuild damaged hair. "To protect your hair from UV exposure, heat styling, and environmental factors, Joico's Defy Damage Collection has ya' covered. The Defy Damage Masque and the Protective Shield rebuild broken hair bonds and protect the hair from damaging heat/UV Rays. This makes the hair 4X more resistant to breakage during heat styling."

Use heavy, moisture-rich shampoos in cooler months

Adding more moisture to the hair tends to be beneficial in the cooler months when the frigid air tends to be more drying to the hair, skin, and scalp. Before running or hitting the gym, wash the hair with heavier shampoos and conditioners in cooler months. "Co-washing the hair with a low lather shampoo or opting for moisture-friendly shampoos like Mizani's Moisture Fusion and Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask will wrap hair in honey, argan oil, and cupuaçu butter," says Peal. The colder months are also the best time to use heavier styling creamings, like shea and mango butter, to seal in moisture, unlike the warmer months when hair and skin create more natural oils.

Cutler agrees that using a heavier, moisture-rich shampoo is beneficial for locking hydration into your strands in the cooler months. But for chemically-treated or straightened hair, she also recommends using a protein shampoo. "Your hair is made of proteins, and when you chemically treat it, some of those proteins are lost, so if you add protein to your hair, it will strengthen it, and then follow with a moisturizing conditioner."

Jackson, who runs and works out about five times a week, suggests sitting under a dryer to let conditioner penetrate the hair to achieve maximum hydration. "Whatever conditioner I use, I have to sit under the dryer, and I have to let the conditioner penetrate my hair or wear a cap to get the most out of my conditioning," says Jackson.

Let Air Hit the Scalp

Sweat can ruin any style and dry out the hair. Cutler suggests avoiding scarves, hats, visors, and headwraps to reduce sweat. "If your hair is straight and you wrap it, take your scarf or bonnet off your head. Instead, use very long bobby pins to secure your wrap or pin curls because you want to get as much air to the scalp as possible."

Cutler also recommends giving your hair time to dry completely before taking it down to allow the hair to reset itself into its original style.

However, if you must use a head wrap, Peal suggests using the Gymwrap by Nicole Ari Parker for people with relaxed or thermally straightened hairstyles. "The sweatband is patented with EvapoTECH, a revolutionary process for maximum sweat absorption that allows heat to escape while letting cool air in. It's a foolproof option to keep edges on fleek even post-workout," says Peal.

Peal agrees with Cutler that sweat can be damaging to the hair. "Trapped moisture in the hair for too long can lead to odor-causing bacteria, and nobody wants to smell like a damp basement," says Peal. She recommends refreshing the scalp with Bread Beauty Supply's Scalp Serum and Treatment to Promote healthy hair growth. "It's a yummy scalp elixir, hands down!

Consult with a professional for color maintenance

Jackson rocks blond tresses and wears her hair both straight and curly depending on the season. She loves her blond hair and is always looking for ways to keep it healthy from season to season, and she highly believes consulting a professional is the key to maintaining healthy, colored hair. Jackson also emphasizes the importance of using color-specific products to treat colored tresses. "With my blond hair, I'm very cautious about what I do with my hair, especially since I work out so much,” says Jackson. “I think my blond hair is in good condition because I go to a stylist that knows what they're doing."

"As a professional, we can set realistic goals to complement the client's lifestyle and hair health," says Peal. To preserve cool and warm red hair color tones or minimize fading, season over season, Peal advises using the Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid shampoo and conditioner. "It's all that! The milky high-foam lather is sulfate-free yet gently cleanses the hair while maintaining the vibrancy of fast-fading colors." Pair the conditioner and shampoo with Keep Me Vivid Color Lamination Spray to get the best results.

Simplify styling and play with accessories

Jackson believes simplifying and maintaining hairstyles starts with figuring out the best way to manage your hair quickly. "I think we can be hard on ourselves when wearing our hair straight. I have an amazing curl pattern, and I love my curls, but sometimes, my hair is easier to manage when it's straight. If you have thick hair, find the best way to manage it, even by wearing it straight."

For people who aren't afraid to apply heat to their hair, try Jackson's method before working out in the wintertime: Blow dry, but do not flat iron the hair after washing and conditioning it. Then, pull the hair into a ponytail or bun. After your workout, pull the hair down. "It may get a little frizzy during the workout, but it will still be presentable."

Try a wash and go or braids for easy styling in the summer months. "Braids are so clutch because you can go to the gym, work out as much as you want, and all you have to do afterward is slick down your baby hairs and keep it moving. If you have box or knotless that are sort of old, you can pull them into a bun or ponytail and still look good."

Cutler recommends one or two french braids or braiding the hair from the base and adding a rubber band to hold it. "Braids are good because there is no band or anything that causes tension, says Cutler." If you have to use rubber bands to secure the hair, try Cutler's method: Stir the rubberband in oil or serum before applying it to the hair to help reduce breakage.

There are many ways to style and maintain hair before running or working out. You don't have to put your fitness goals on pause because of your hair. You can choose your health and your hair. Like, Peal says, "So, go ahead, and RUNGRL."

Get more #MyRunningHair tips and learn ways to prioritize your wellness while also maintaining healthy hair on our My Running Hair page.

5 Tips to Simplify Hair Maintenance for Your Run