5 Race Day Hair Styles for Women on the go!

Whether it’s race day, yoga class, or you just need your pull it back, these 5 hair styles will take you from work to workout. They’re simple, and don’t require much in the way of skills. Brush up on your braiding skills (no pun intended), and you’re good to go!

French Braid Pig Tails

Tools you’ll need:
* Comb
* Hairbrush
* Ponytail holders

This is a classic. I love the pigtails because for me, they stay better than one French braid. All of the post-baby hair loss issues off of my forehead are easily tended to with some hair spray or a headband, as well! They’re really cute and fun, so let’s try them out!

1. Start by brushing your hair out completely.
2. Part your hair down the middle, taking your comb from the center of your forehead and back down to the nape of your neck.
3. Gather one side immediately and put it in a ponytail off to the side. Then run your brush through the loose half of your hair again.
4. Gather the loose hair into a French braid, working from the top down- starting as close to the forehead as needed to make sure your bangs are off your face.
   Gather hair at top of head; divide into three sections
   Starting at the hairline, gather enough hair from top of head to start a regular braid. Divide hair into three equal sections. Hold right section in right hand, left section in left hand, and middle section between thumb and another finger of either hand.
   Cross the sections
   To begin braid, cross right section over middle section, then repeat this move with left section, smoothing hair down as you go. Pull sections fairly tight; you don’t want the braid to be loose and come undone.
   Add hair to the section
   Before repeating your cross-over motion with the right section, gather a little bit of additional hair from the head’s right side, and add it to this section; now cross this larger portion of hair over the middle section of the braid.
   Add hair to the section on the other side
   Gather a small section (of equal size to the one you just gathered) of the remaining hair on the left side of your head up and into the left section and cross that over the middle section.
   Repeat adding hair and crossing sections  of hair until you’ve gathered in all additional hair strands and finish at the bottom with a regular braid.
5. Once you reach 1-1½” left of your hair, tie it up with your ponytail holder.
6. Repeat on the other side, taking it out of it ponytail, brushing, braiding, and securing.

It’s that easy… and a great way to get your race day hair on point!

Tips:
* To make your hair style stay better, try working with “day-old” hair versus freshly washed.
* Smooth it out as you go by running your fingers over any bumps.
* Keep sections of hair as even as possible so your braids aren’t lopsided.

The Headband Braid

Tools you’ll need
* Comb
* Hairbrush
* Pony tail holder
* Bobby pin

This is one of my go-to for days when I have to hit the office up before my workout and only want one style. It’s a super sweet look that is also perfect for bangs that are growing out and are still too short for traditional ponytails. It’s nice to not have to wear a headband some days when hitting the gym, too, so let’s go ahead and craft your own out of braids!

1. Start by brushing your hair out until it is smooth. Using your comb, make a deep, off-center part to one side of your head.
2. Make a 2 inch part, running perpendicular with your off-center one, from the front of your head. Push that hair aside and hold the rest of your hair back with a ponytail holder or hair clip.
3. Comb out the small section of hair you have and start to do a small French braid from the part down towards your ear. Once your braid goes behind your ear, secure it there with a bobby pin.
4. Repeat the same steps to part your hair on the larger section.
5. Begin a French braid from the part, moving down towards your ear. Once you reach behind your ear, gather up the rest of your hair into a low ponytail and secure it.

Boom. Bangs braided, style achieved! Do you love it!?

The Perfect Bun

Tools you’ll need:
* Hairbrush
* Ponytail holders
* Bun ring
* Bobby pins
* Comb
* Hairspray
* Hair net (optional)

If you’re like me, you may pull your hair through to make a messy top knot during workouts, but when it comes to race day, I want to be on my game, from my hair to my prep. The perfect bun gives me poise as I hit the pavement, or trail… and I feel like a gazelle, even if I run more like an elephant.

Why else is the bun ideal? Because this beauty goes from work to workout without missing a single beat. There is no doubt when you walk into a boardroom with your head held high, nary a hair out of place, that you mean business… and then you hit the gym and #bossbabe it there, too. Try this out and tell me you’re not in love!

1. Brush your hair out REALLY well. You don’t want any knots or bumps to hamper your style.
2. Put your hair up into a high ponytail. (If you go low, it may not feel comfortable running or working out)
3. Put your hair through the bun ring, and slide it down to the base of your ponytail.
4. Fan your hair out over the bun ring, then, using a ponytail holder, secure your hair down. Gather up the loose hair and twist together, working around the base of the bun. Secure ends into place with bobby pins.
5. If you want the style to STAY, grab a hair net and wrap your bun once, then pull the net together and wrap again. Secure the hair net into the base of your bun using bobby pins.
6. Spray your finger tips with hair spray and gently run them through the crown of your head, or anywhere you see fly-aways. Finish off putting them in their place with a swipe of your comb.

Could this style be anymore classic or beautiful? I add a sparkle headband whenever I can to give it a special touch and I absolutely love my style all day long!

TIP: Be sure your hairnet is as close to your hair color as possible!

Cascading Ponytails

Tools you’ll need:
* Hairbrush
* Ponytail holders

This is the easiest style! I enjoy this one because your hair is both off your neck AND totally secured! There is no way you’re hair will fall out of this style!

1. Brush hair out thoroughly.
2. Gather ¹⁄³ of your hair into a pony tail, starting from the top of your head.
3. Gather another ¹⁄³ of your hair into another ponytail and secure it into place with the first one, just below.
4. Repeat step 3, incorporating the other 2 ponytails.

Sweet. Simple. Race on!

Two-Become-One Ponytail

Tools you’ll need:
* Comb
* Hairbrush
* Elastic hair ties
* Ponytail holder

This is a take on the cascading ponytail, but it allows those of us with bangs that are growing out to pull those back a bit, too. I always add a headband, or I look too juvenile with the top pigtailed, but you can choose not to, because this style will surely keep your hair out of your face without one!

1. Brush out your hair then, using your comb, create a center part.
2. Gather up just the top section of hair on one side of your part, comb through and secure into a high ponytail with an elastic. Repeat this on the other side.
3. Using a ponytail holder, gather just the two tails together.
4. Then gather the remaining hair into a pony tail with the first one, and secure.

This style works best for working out and running, but I don’t suggest it for the office… too many cute comments!

So, which one was your favorite? What’s your go-to style for race days and workouts? Can’t wait to hear about it in the comments!