Hair commuting misery

[headintheproverbial]

Please help!

I've just started commuting occasionally again (London - overground and tube). I'd completely forgotten the misery of damp days, hot trains and my hair being a frizzy mess when I arrive at the office.

I used to keep a hairdryer at work but we have now gone completely open plan and I no longer have a private place to keep a hairdryer (or use one).

I think masks and potentially my age aren't helping - I get so so hot on the train even if I take off my jacket and I can literally feel my hair getting puffier as I go! Yesterday I almost cried - had a really important meeting and when I arrived I literally looked as though I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards. By that point brushing doesn't help - the smoothness is gone and the style is ruined.

Anyone have any bright ideas??

What's your hair type and length op? Would you do an up do in the working week? That way you can use product to keep flyaways under control.

I remember the misery of Tube Hair (I have mid length wavy hair) during the winter (and summer heatwaves, tbf!)

Also (apologies I am a millennial stuck in a time warp) but I find GHD straighteners are the only thing that tames my frizz ball hair (humidity is my mortal enemy!)

I did have Brazilian keratin treatment thingy once and that worked to keep my hair straight but I have very fine hair so it killed my volume sadly

Hoping more stylish people will have suggestions that help.

Could you keep a chargeable travel straightener in your locker / desk then take it to the loo and give it a quick iron in there?

I'm thinking this...

www.haircareclub.co.uk/best-cordless-hair-straighteners-reviews/

Only other thing would be to keep it in a plait on the tube, take the plait out when in work and have beach waves?

GHD have portable hair straighteners now if you can’t bring a full sized one in. Maybe worth a try?

Something that helped me was spraying with a medium weight oil and brushing it out with a tangle teezer when I got into the office. That didn’t make it perfect but did avoid the rats nest look.

Perhaps have a Keratin straightening treatment; not cheap, but should help a lot

I've given up and just wear my hair up on damp days though am getting a keratin treatment done soon and have high (probably too high!) expectations.

A silk headscarf and a hat were my commuting saviours - initially for cycling, but then used for a 15 minute walk and 20 minute train journey as well.

Color wow Dreamcoat! It's on Amazon lookfantastic etc. Pretty expensive though, I only use it when I have something important on and I know the weather is going to be bad for my hair. It lasts about 2 washes for me.
Otherwise a GHD heat straightening brush. I have a plug in one, not sure if they come in a travel version

A hat or perfect day 5 in1 styling cream.

@SpangoDweller

A silk headscarf and a hat were my commuting saviours - initially for cycling, but then used for a 15 minute walk and 20 minute train journey as well.

Didn't you get sweaty and therefore get frizzy hair?

Thank you for all the suggestions! I don't straighten my hair anymore - tend to have a slightly bouncier blow dry look, but actually a portable straightener could be good for an emergency tidy up in the loo. I'll also look into the products mentioned.

I've never really liked my hair up but perhaps I need to find a good up do to try!

To the person who had the silk scarf - what did you actually do with it? I did have a winter headband / ear warmer thingie which I sometimes used... maybe will dig it out and try.

And also the plait idea might be worth a try though the slightly shorter bit at the front is half the problem!!

Back in the 1990's I had a set of curing tongs powered by a little gas cylinder that I would use at work sometimes

Does your office have a meeting room which is private and can be locked? Ours does - it's for women expressing milk (we call it the milking room lol). Could you "take a call" in there and do your hair?

Seconding the plait. Expanding on that, I often use a thin silk hair scrunchie in a neutral colour (I use the slip silk brand as they don't leave a dent in my hair) in a low ponytail then take it out when I've arrived.

I've also tried the Dreamcoat spray mentioned here, and agree that it's actually good, but it's activated by dryer/straightener heat.

Get a kebelo smoothing treatment.
The Living Proof overnight hair mask is good too.

@PearLime - we do but because of sodding covid we can't now leave any personal possessions at the office and as I tend to use a hairdryer it's quite tricky. Also all meeting rooms are glass fronted!

Most hair ties tend to leave a dent but I'll try the silk ones (and maybe pack some Kirby grips to deal with rogue fringe).

Great suggestions! Have also ordered the spray mentioned from Amazon although reviews seem either to be 5 star or 1 star 🤷‍♀️

As someone with frizzy hair I feel your pain! I was the worst when I was in south east Asia. Heat and humidity.

Looked like Monica from friends

I find colour wow dreamcoat and John Frieda's Secret Agent Touch Up Creme keeps my hair smooth and unfrizzed.

Came on to say portable mini straightners. Not necessarily to straighten, but to smooth. Make sure you can find a loo with a plug hole