HAIR , MONAÉ E VERE T T/KEN BARBOZ A .COM . MAKEU P, COLBY SMITH . MANICU RE, MAY U MI ABU KU USING DIOR VERNIS/RONA REPRESENTS .
Work It Out
INSTEAD OF NIXING A GYM SESSION TO SAVE YOUR DO, TRY A SWEAT-FRIENDLY STYLE BY NYKIA SPRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA PESTKA
STRETCH AND FLEX The one thing often standing in the way of achieving our fitness goals is maintaining a cute look while we exercise. “A healthier body equals healthier hair,” says Monaé Everett, stylist and author of Stunning Braids (Ulysses Press). Here, Everett folded the hair into two headbands so it stays in place and doesn’t swell too much as you sweat. Lift on top helps. “Most styles look better with volume at the crown,” says Everett.
HAIR
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HAIR : EXERCISE-FRIENDLY STYLES
CROSSTRAINING
Rihanna made bantu knots acceptable for street wear, but they’re also perfect for high-impact workouts. Think of the do as a way of setting your hair. Arrange the back and sides into flat two-strand twists. “I find that when your back and sides are secure, you get a lot of leeway to try a ton of different styles,” says Everett. She then twisted bantu knots on top using large asymmetrical parts. Post-gym, once your hair is dry, unravel the knots and you’ll have wide-spiral curls.
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ON THE RUN
A slicked-back pony is ideal for most workouts, especially running. To create this version, Everett mixed DevaCurl SuperCream Coconut Curl Styler ($28, 5.1 oz, devacurl.com) and Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil ($39, 3.4 oz, bumbleandbumble.com), for extra shine, to smooth the front. For even more control along the hairline, dab on just a bit of Mizani Edge Taming Gel ($14, ulta.com). Too much gel can flake and is less flexible for restyling. Instead, wrap a satin scarf around the front. “You’ll get the best edges in the world after you let hair dry and take off your scarf,” says Everett. w
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HAIR : EXERCISE-FRIENDLY STYLES
YOGA PRACTICE
Braids are a no-brainer for exercising. Here, Everett made two parts, starting behind both ears and meeting in the center. She then French-braided the back of the hair from the nape to the crown. “Tilt your head forward, with your elbows on your knees, and braid upward,” she says. The rest of the hair was gathered into a topknot.
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