Black Woman's Burden

SYB BABE: Tisha
QUESTION: "I work out 3-5x a week, and my blowout and scalp are becoming a dirty mess. Is there a product I can use in between my weekly blowout to keep my scalp so fresh and so clean? Washing my hair every other day is not an option."
TIA'S 2 CENTS: Oh, Teesh. Isn't this so the black woman's burden? "But...but, my hair!" is the excuse I've used for years to excuse myself from working out (and quite honestly, the phenomenon isn't limited to us...I know quite a few Jewish girls who'd rather gracefully accept the pudge than disrupt a blowout). The great thing is, hairstyling-guru-to-the-stars Oscar Blandi has invented a wonder product that solves the entire problem, stat. Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo ($10) completely cleanses your hair and scalp without water, in like, two seconds flat. This lemon verbena-scented dry spray contains natural rice, oat and tapioca starches that absorb excess oil, dirt and product, while tea tree oil treats dandruff. It's fabulous! Just spray it all over, concentrating on roots, and marvel at your squeaky-clean, fresh-smelling, Pantene-commercial-ready hair.

PS: The other major working out issue we have is the whole sweating-out-the-roots thing. Well, my sister Devon/Brownie is a MAJOR gym bunny, and her adorable Nicole Ritchie bob always looks sleek. Her secret? She puts her hair in a ponyail, and then slides a terrycloth elastic headband just over her hairline. It protects the roots around her face and the "kitchen" from frizz-making sweat...and it keeps the hair flat (seriously, when you take off the headband, it'll look like you just got a touch-up). Try American Apparel's Flex Terry Headband ($6)...it comes in tons of cute, now-you-have-no-excuse-for-skipping-spinning-class colors.