Any soccer (or, ahem, football) fans out there? With American icons of the sport like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Mia Hamm inspiring millions of girls in the U.S. to lace up their cleats, soccer has never been more popular among women of all ages. Today, more than 30% of girls between 7 and 11 play soccer in the country. All of us at Lu love the beautiful game, too. It's one of the reasons we became the first-ever beauty sponsor of Mexico City-based Liga MX Femenil soccer team, Club América. We also wanted to prove that women can rock stylish and cute hairstyles (with the right hair products) for every occasion, whether they're hitting the gym, the red carpet, or the soccer field.
The amazing athletes at Club América prove that hair can look good and feel great no matter what you do for a living, and what you put your hair through during your work day (or workout day). To celebrate the club's 105th birthday, we released the Club America Special Edition of our Rescue Collection. It's the perfect antidote for the sweat, stress, and long matches in the sun that can leave hair dry and damaged. With every purchase, you'll score five Club América women's tickets to a game of your choosing.
If you love scoring a diving header, pulling off a last-ditch slide tackle, or leaping for a last-minute save, these cute sporty hairstyles and tips will keep your hair performing at your level for 90 minutes and long beyond the final whistle.
1. The Pineapple
It’s no surprise that a hairstyle named after a fruit native to Latin America leads off our list of best sporty hairstyles. The pineapple, famously rocked by style icon Rihanna, is a loose ponytail on top of your head that will reduce frizz, keep hair out of your face and eyes while you play, and show off your curls while you celebrate the winning goal. It's the perfect hairdo for women with curly hair or heavy hair. Here’s how to get this simple, sporty look:
- Bend forward and gather your hair together.
- Slip on a scrunchie to the base (but keep it loose) and allow your curls to fall naturally.
- Add a sweatband or silk scarf for added security and to keep your hair from falling over your forehead and into your eyes.
Score this look with:
The Freedom Collection. For curls that bounce, shine, and look their natural best, you can't beat our Freedom shampoo, conditioner, and styling cream.
2. Upside Down Braid
You don’t need to hang upside down to achieve this easy and sporty hairstyle. Even though the upside down braid requires a little more time than the pineapple, it's a chic way to wear your hair and gives you a more structured top knot that will stay secure all game long. You can go for an upside down French braid or Dutch braid. Check out how to lock it in here:
- This look, like a soccer match, is split into two halves. Divide your hair into a front and back section. Clip the front section away for now, bend forward, divide into three sections, and braid the back half by crossing the left portion of hair under the middle, and then crossing the right portion underneath the middle. Secure with a headband.
- Now, gather the front section into a high ponytail, twist the ends to create a bun, and fasten into place with hairpins.
- Finish off the look by wrapping your braid around the base of your bun and securing it with more hairpins.
Score this look with:
The Rescue Collection. Braids are a great idea for workouts and a popular gym hair style, but tight braids can tug on your hair follicles, which can cause your hair to lose its tensile strength (resistance to breakage). Just like a great fullback, you can play defense with our Rescue Shampoo, Conditioner, and Intense Therapy Leave-In Cream. They work together to nourish your hair back to health and keep it looking and feeling as strong as your winning mentality.
3. Space Buns
Popularized by The Spice Girls in the 90s, this is the perfect hairstyle for running into green space without worrying about hair falling into your eyes. It's a great 'do for women with long or thick hair. (If you have short hair or curly hair, go for a messy bun instead.) From music festivals to the big game, space buns will never go out of fashion. Read on to find out how to blast off on the field with this out-of-this-world look:
- Brush your hair long and part it down the middle.
- Gather into two low pigtails on either side, and tie each one (not too tight) into place.
- Twist your loose hair into two rope-like pieces, and coil each rope braid into a high bun around the base of the pigtail.
- Pin it in place with bobby pins or hair ties.
Score this look with:
The Control Collection will tame your frizz, block flyaways, and give you the best base to start styling your striking look.
4. Boxer Braid
The name says it all. This one’s a real knockout for any committed athlete and one of the best sporty hairstyles for women. Boxer braids are two reverse French braids. They help keep your hair close to your head, give you extra hold on your mane, and keep your focus on the game. Follow these instructions and wrap it up before kick off:
- Part your hair down the middle.
- Take three small sections of hair at the front of your head to start your braid by crossing the first the left portion of hair and then the right, under the middle.
- Keep going backwards toward the nape of your neck, picking up new sections of hair as you go, and then tie it in place.
- Repeat the process on the other side and tie it to complete the look.
Score this look with:
The Rescue Collection. What works for the upside down braid will work just as well for boxer braids!
5. Faux Hawk
The faux hawk, which gets its inspiration from the mohawk, is a durable and versatile updo that will have you ready for game day. An athletic hairstyle with an edge, it's sure to leave the competition in the dust. Transform your hair into a faux hawk with these steps:
- Separate a layer of hair at the top of the head with a clamp or knot. Then, starting just below the clamped area on one side of your head with your first section, twist your hair around itself, stop halfway down your gathered section, leaving the bottom half of your hair loose. Keep the twists in place with a hairpin or hair tie.
- Repeat going down your head, twirling and pinning as you make your way toward the nape of your neck, creating new sections as you go. Depending on the length of your hair, you should have at least five rows by the time you move on to the other side of your head and repeat.
- Remove the clamp from your top layer to reveal the faux hawk section, which should fall backwards. You can pin it in place if needed.
Score this look with:
The Freedom Collection. Before you begin styling, shampoo your hair with a rich, nourishing shampoo that will give your strands a shiny, healthy gleam.
Your Natural Pre and Post Workout Partner
Soccer may be our favorite sport, but Lu will be in your corner no matter what workout hairstyles you want to try out for your next spin class, yoga session, trip to the gym, or whatever your favorite workout happens to be. So if you want to get your glisten on with nothing more than a rubber band and a ponytail, we're all for it! Lu is gentle for all hair lengths, types, and styles, from short hair to long curls and everything in between. And the best part? Everything we make is cruelty-free and free of sulfates, parabens, colorants, and phthalates. Before you exercise, exercise your right to have amazing, healthy hair!
