containing long hair for sports

[midnightwriter]

DD (8) doesn't like ponytails / braids (she is sensitive about how they feel). Her hair is below her shoulders.

I can't get it out of her what is the reason for them not feeling right. I think it is the combination of tightness and how the hair feels (not smooth?)

Are there any other hairstyling options? Are there any differences in hair elastics that we can try? What else can make a difference?

[luv-my-boys]

would she be willing to wear a headband? They make fabric sports ones that have rubber *grips* on the side that touches your hair so it stays in place better. I believe goody makes them. Have you tried placing the pony tail in a direction position, for example a high sitting pony tail or lower at the nape pony tail, maybe the postion change will feel better.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by luv-my-boys

would she be willing to wear a headband? They make fabric sports ones that have rubber *grips* on the side that touches your hair so it stays in place better. I believe goody makes them. Have you tried placing the pony tail in a direction position, for example a high sitting pony tail or lower at the nape pony tail, maybe the postion change will feel better.

Thanks, that's an idea! Where would I get one? Here Shoppers carry goody, but I haven't seen any in stores. We've tried others several months ago, and they don't stay well at all. Especially not for martial arts--lots of falls and tumbles.

[texmati]

I've had long hair for a long time-- What about a bun on the top of her head? I just recently got these goody spin pins and am loving them!!! They hold my hair up, but aren't murder getting them out bobby pins.

I lived in a 'half up' pony tail through school-- just the top portion of my hair in a rubber band or clip.

Before this i used bear claw clips all the time, but they break easy. There are lots of products out there to experiment with!

As for elastics-- I always use elastics covered in fabric-- never the ones where the rubber is exposed. Thin is better than thick, and no metal parts.

For comfort-- is she old enough to do her hair by herself? Sometimes pigtails and braids can just pull way too much. Are you rubberbanding twice (once at the top and bottom) or once? Once I was able to do my own hair-- you can control the tightness yourself. And even the ouches don't hurt that much. Finally, does she have thick hair? Some times the weight of my hair in a pony tail is uncomfortalbe.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by texmati

I've had long hair for a long time-- What about a bun on the top of her head? I just recently got these goody spin pins and am loving them!!! They hold my hair up, but aren't murder getting them out bobby pins.

I lived in a 'half up' pony tail through school-- just the top portion of my hair in a rubber band or clip.

Before this i used bear claw clips all the time, but they break easy. There are lots of products out there to experiment with!

As for elastics-- I always use elastics covered in fabric-- never the ones where the rubber is exposed. Thin is better than thick, and no metal parts.

For comfort-- is she old enough to do her hair by herself? Sometimes pigtails and braids can just pull way too much. Are you rubberbanding twice (once at the top and bottom) or once? Once I was able to do my own hair-- you can control the tightness yourself. And even the ouches don't hurt that much. Finally, does she have thick hair? Some times the weight of my hair in a pony tail is uncomfortalbe.

Thanks you, this is very helpful. I had boy-short hair as a child, and as an adult I don't mind an occasional pony tail, so my experience is limited

I think she would be able to do it herself. We will get more products and try the half up.

She is not keen on a bun, though.

I have no idea what you mean by the bolded part? Like one elastic to hold her hair in a ponytail, and one in the bottom of the ponytail to contain the tip?

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by midnightwriter

I have no idea what you mean by the bolded part? Like one elastic to hold her hair in a ponytail, and one in the bottom of the ponytail to contain the tip?

I think that's exactly what she means.

Have you only done one braid in the back, or have you tried pigtails? I like pigtails way more.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by midnightwriter

Thanks you, this is very helpful. I had boy-short hair as a child, and as an adult I don't mind an occasional pony tail, so my experience is limited

I think she would be able to do it herself. We will get more products and try the half up.

She is not keen on a bun, though.

I have no idea what you mean by the bolded part? Like one elastic to hold her hair in a ponytail, and one in the bottom of the ponytail to contain the tip?

well yes, when you do a braid. Sometimes it's more comfortable to just do the braid and fasten at the bottom.

these are pins I mentioned (the first picture). They are so ouchless compared to bobby pins. These are the other clips I was talking about.

I hope you find something that works!

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

I think that's exactly what she means.

Have you only done one braid in the back, or have you tried pigtails? I like pigtails way more.

Thanks! We only tried one braid so far.

So is it better to double elastics might be better for a braid?

We are off to Shoppers for some splurging!

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by texmati

well yes, when you do a braid. Sometimes it's more comfortable to just do the braid and fasten at the bottom.

these are pins I mentioned (the first picture). They are so ouchless compared to bobby pins. These are the other clips I was talking about.

I hope you find something that works!

Thank you! I want to try those pins myself now!

I think she shouldn't have anything sharp / metal in her hair for martial arts, though, as lots of falling is involved. She is not supposed to fall on her head, but just in case, kwim.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

when I used to have longish hair I would cut the sleeves off a tshirt (to make a sleeveless tshirt) and then use the sleeve for a headband, it was tighter and wider than a store bought headband (more like a bandana) and kept the hair out of my face and off my neck.

Like this but not so fancy, just cut it off and use it!

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by tbone_kneegrabber

when I used to have longish hair I would cut the sleeves off a tshirt (to make a sleeveless tshirt) and then use the sleeve for a headband, it was tighter and wider than a store bought headband (more like a bandana) and kept the hair out of my face and off my neck.

Like this but not so fancy, just cut it off and use it!

Speaking of which... how about a bandana?

[mommy2maya]

I love using bandanas to keep my hair back! It isn't as cool on my neck as a ponytail but definitely effective in keeping the hair from blowing around.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by midnightwriter

Thank you! I want to try those pins myself now!

I think she shouldn't have anything sharp / metal in her hair for martial arts, though, as lots of falling is involved. She is not supposed to fall on her head, but just in case, kwim.

I see-- the clips would be out, but the spin pins are surprisingly flexible.

[abcdefg]

http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/

Let her pick what she likes from these cute choices.

[Oubliette8]

Have you tried different types of elastics? I haven't had long hair for years, but did as a kid. Some of the elastics pulled at my hair or tangled, or were too tight on my scalp. Two things that helped were-

A. learning to put in pony tails by myself. When other people do them, it can be uncomfortable, too tight, etc. When you do them yourself, you can adjust them to where its comfortable for you

B. Trying out a variety of different elastics. In the end I really liked a thicker, cloth-covered, no metal clasp type. They were advertised as no pinch or no tangle or something (yeah, its been a long time) But your DD may find she likes a different type better. when I was little my parents used bands that were basically like rubberbands, and I HATED how those felt, plus they caught, tugged at, and broke my hair.