So, summer is here and now I have to get outside, run a chainsaw, get running and all that good stuff.  So, I want to know what recommendations everyone has for protecting my hair from the dirt, sweat and sunshine.  I have warn a baseball cap for years, but am worried now if this is wise.  I know I need something!!!  Suggestions please?

My hair reaches to the base of my shoulder blades.  I want to grow it to my waist.  I have fine, but thick hair, grey... colored by a professional back to my previously natural blonde color (highlights twice a year and root dying every 2 months).  I try to wash my hair no more than 3 times a week, but have severe psoriasis so have to use a tar shampoo (which I keep off the length).  I follow with a good conditioner and then a leave in conditioner mist.  Once a week I deep condition with a shower cap over night and once a week I use a hot oil treatment.  When I am running most days, instead of shampooing, I just wet down and use conditioner.  I do not blow dry, curl, etc my hair.  I use a wide tooth comb when it is wet and I use a boar bristle brush throughout the day.  It helps brush out some of the flaking skin from the psoriasis.  I also tie my hair up at night and use a silk pillow case.  In other words, I follow the ultimate hair care guide provided by this site.   

So far I usually wear my hair lose at this point as it it not long enough to get caught in things.  At times I put is up in a pony tail using a hair scrunchie.  I am looking forward to trying new styles now it is long enough, but am not very good at it.  I think the videos on this site will help me.

I worry about wearing a hat in the summer to protect my eyes from sweat and the sun and also to keep some of the dirt out of my hair.  I would like advice about what to do with that.

I hope I have supplied enough info for you all now.  Please let me know if you have any questions that I have not addressed.

Ok, I tried a braid today (forgive me, cat is helping me type here)  and while I can braid...I need a lot of practice doing it on me!!!!"LOOSE  has a whole new meaning for me!!.  Ok, bun I have not tried.... will watch videos on this website (thank God for small mercies).  On the bright side, while I will run all summer, I think I am down to 3 days of chainsawing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After 2 years on a brand new property, this is a blessing!!!!  Please, forget my hair for a moment and pray my chainsaw will keep going for 3 more days....hey...in 3 days I can worry about my hair...for now...property value is big since this is short term!!!  DO LOVE MY MEDIUM LENGTH HARI THOUGH....AND REALLY WANT IT REALLY LONG!!!

My hair is about classic length - it reaches just below the bottom of my rear.  My arms aren't long enough to measure it with a tape measure easily.  My hair has been "resting" for the past year, so I have not gained much length (and I also had a significant trim).

I also do a lot of outside work.  I bicycle 12 miles to work each day (and back!!!) and on weekends we go to our land up north where chainsaws, loppers and other tools of cutting are used to clear trails thru the heavy woods.  Our poor chainsaw is 31 years old, but keeps chugging away!  I hope yours will also get the job done for you.

When measuring your hair, most people start at the hairline in front, go over the top of the head and down the back to the longest hair in back.

In general, I keep my hair contained but to what degree, depends on what I am doing.

If I'm just outdoors on a sunny day, I simply tie a scarf for sun protection, or wear a cap of some sort.

If I want to protect my length, I wear a scarf bun (directions in Casual Hairstyles section).

If I work in the garden, I wear a straw hat, scarf cap (bandana pinned to cap shape), or snood.


If you are worried of your length getting caught in somewhere, bunning is enough to keep it out of the way (provided that you don't have lot of whispies that could get caught). If you are worried about sun, dirt, etc. you may want to wear a headcovering of some kind. Baseball caps are certainly not the only option. I have never worn one!
Braids work well for some activities, but remember that they can get caught in things.

A couple of links:
www.headcoverings.com Sells very nice scarves and soft caps, as well as a very wide variety of bandanas.
www.prayercoverings.com Sells old-fashioned caps, wonderful cloth snoods and also bonnet-type hats. I know that bonnets look strange to modern eye, but they accommodate a bun wonderfully.

Straw hats can be found from many stores, and they are great alternative if you want to shade your eyes.