Save Your ‘Do: Nicole Ari Parker’s GymWrap
Oh, my fellow curly haired sisters…my sista girls who fear the sweat that ruins the ‘do. I feel your pain. I have tight curly hair that I like straightening from time to time, but I work out almost every day—which means I either have to keep blow drying and straightening every night or I have to forgo the gym. Just writing that makes my butt twitch. I know it happens though…a lot, actually. The Surgeon General DID say that women have to stop using their hair as an excuse not to exercise. The SG apparently doesn’t have a fro like moi.
A lot of my gal pals with weaves, perms—basically any hair style that is allergic to sweat—complain to me about the dilemma of working out and the hairy consequences. A lot of us gals can’t wash our hair every day unless we don’t mind dry, brittle coifs, so we forgo the runs and push-ups. Because of this stress, I was more than happy to try out actress Nicole Ari Parker’s GymWrap. She was on the right path. Her headband boasts a revolutionary (patent-pending) Edge Control Technology that minimizes the sweat absorption into one’s hair through a unique blend of material that allows heat to escape while letting cool air in. Basically, it promises to wick much like our workout clothes do.
My first reaction: Are you kidding me?! Had this angelic woman actually created a contraption that could end the hair/workout excuses for good?! I was more than happy to test one out.
So one day, I straightened my hair, and then I put on the headband. I felt like a bad arse for sure.
First, I couldn’t get the darn thing to stay on my head. I decided to take a cardio weight class to ensure I’d sweat. I had to stop jump-roping three times to retie the darn thing. One perk of the headband, no matter how tight you tie it, it will not hurt your noggin. After the class, I raced to the locker room to see if it had worked. 
Don’t know if you can tell or not but that’s mad curly rat’s nest on my head. It didn’t work! Oh, the agony! I swear I’m not a sweaty beast. It takes me awhile to even work up a sweat, but even with my wussy sweat glands I was still able to sweat out my hair. You don’t know how sad I was.
At the very most, it keeps the sweat off of your forehead and it’s mad comfortable to wear, but don’t think you can visit the salon and then head straight to the gym. It retails for $24.95 ($29.95 for the Full Triangle version) which isn’t bad if you’re looking for a comfortable sweat band. Can you tell I’m bummed though? I promise on my fit bottom that I WILL find a product that actually keeps my ‘do in tact. Promise!
Does your hair keep you from working out? Found anything that helps? Let’s discuss! —Tish
Comments
I bought this too. I thought I was alone. All the women on the site gave it rave reviews. My head looked worse! I think I’m going to return it.
I constantly deal with this problem, too. It’s either go natural (No ma’am) or wear braids all the time. It’s so unfair, but I won’t let it keep me from the gym. What good is a beautiful hair do on a crappy body?
I don’t have curly hair, but I have odd length; not quite bangs but longer than baby hairs that always get in my eyes, ears, mouth and at the nape of my neck, UGH, too short to stay in a hair tie.
I just have to use Got2B hair gel.
I LIVE in Sparkly Soul headbands – for working out and everyday. I have crazy curly hair and straighten it alot and this keeps it all out of my face and doesn’t move even during my most intense workouts. I initially bought one bc I was skeptical – but it didn’t move an inch and didn’t give me a headache – all day. I now have a Sparkly Soul in almost every color. It is full elastic and full glitter, which is different than others I have tried – absolutely love it! http://www.sparklysoul.com
Really? Just embrace your curls! I’ve got a thick mop of curly hair that I style without a blow dryer. After a run if I really don’t want to shampoo due to the mop being really dry I give my scalp a good rinse and condition.
During a long hot run I wear braids. I can redo them post run and just go
Perhaps the real thing here is to drop the need to heavily alter and control a persons appearance
I have big hair, it’s as much a part of me as the mole on my cheekbone
Aw man, I’m sad to hear it didn’t work. I’m a sweat-er, and it seems like my hair gets soaked during any intense workout. I don’t style my hair; like Marion, I’m a shake and go kind of girl (although mine’s just wavy, not curly). But if I go somewhere after a work out and don’t wash my hair, it looks dirty or greasy, and I have a ponytail or headband crease. Mostly, having hair that’s wet from the inside is just uncomfortable. It would’ve been great to have something that helps with that.
Dang, I was reading this and got so very excited that I might find something to help! This is one of the most annoying things about working out, and I’ve definitely skipped the gym because it was a good straight hair day. (I know, shame, shame!) But – it seems based on the comments I should try braids? That doesn’t really solve the straight hair days though!
@Ivori, what about the Buff Band? It might at least keep the little hairs off your face…http://www.buffusa.com/collections/17
Hey Tish,
I have that same problem. I am a “sweat monster” unfortunately it’s so gross. I found that when using “sweat bands” etc. after the workout I had to blow dry my hair after the workout with the band still on my head. But blow drying after works for me. Try it. Good luck!
Thank you for reviewing the product. I was going to buy one. Now I can save me money!
Thank you for the reviews as well. I had credit card in hand about to order a few but now I will save my money towards braids as well!
I’m sooooooooooooooooooo dissapointed! I straighten my tight curly hair with every run, cxfit workout or whatever I do on a daily basis, yes ladies thats 30 minutes of pulling at my hair with a hairdryer and GHD. I got so excited when I saw this and was deflated like a baloon at the end of the article. WHY CAN’T I HAVE STRAIGHT HAIR!!!!!!!
Because you’re not white, Mel! hahaha But seriously, we as black women have got to learn to love what we have. This constant chasing of the European ideal is killing us…..literally!
I have learned, if it stays on your head while exercising, you are supposed to keep it on AFTER you exercise too until the hair is dry. You can either let it air dry or use a blow dryer to dry it faster.
I was soooo disappointed as well. I watched the reviews carefully and was convinced. I purchased the narrow headband. My hair is cut in a short style. My hair was soaked after I finished a 35 min brisk walk with 3lb weights. I get the same results with my mesh hair wrap (that cost $1.99). I prefer to workout in the mornings but because of my hair, I do it in the evenings. At least that eliminates the blow dryer. Unfortunately, in the mornings, my hair is straight as a board, not a curl or crimp in sight. I so wanted this to work. Some people commented, you have to keep it on until your hair is completely dry. Isn’t Save your Do advertised to keep your hair DRY?
Hi there, I don’t care how my hair looks during or after a workout, but am looking for something to keep the sweat out of my eyes during hot yoga. Was this product good at absorbing sweat? Thanks.
THANK YOU! My stylist suggested this sweatband, she hadn’t tried the product but had heard about it. I was about to buy it, but said let me check for independent reviews. TG I did! Guess I’ll stick with my $1.00 headband from the beauty supply store!! 🙁
You’re not supposed to take the head band off immediately after you work out. You’re supposed to wait until you cool down and then take it off. But looking at your hair even if you take it off, I’m not sure it will work. Thanks for the review. It was helpful!
I bought one and it works by keeping the sweat off of my forehead. I do keep it on until after I cool completely down. I work out with Zumba 5 days a week so you can just imagine how my hair looks. I have tree braids now because it does’nt matter how much I sweat or how my hair looks you can’t see it. I like the product, no complaints here. If you like it keep it, if you don’t return it.
I bought save your do and it works wonderfully. I use it during my lunchtime workouts. I leave it on until I cool off and take my shower. My hair is left dry!
You didn’t use it right. You’re supposed to leave the wrap on until your body cools down. It clearly says that in the instructions.
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