One thing that is SO different for me now that I am in menopause is my thinning hair. When I was younger my hair was fairly thick…good thing, too, because I grew up in the 80’s so big hair ruled!

My thinning hair is made worse by running because of the sweat and the constant hat wearing or pony tail. I actually had a permanent crease in my hair and there was a huge hunk of it that was gone!

I knew I needed to stop wearing my hair in a pony tail every day, but thought that if I wore my hair long and loose it would drive me crazy on the run.

One morning I just decided to go for it. I didn’t wear a hat or a pony tail and just went out like a wild woman.

It was fine! When I am running there is enough wind that it keeps the hair off my face and kind of just flows behind me. I know what I must look like, but my hair REALLY needed to be free.

Products I Recommend

Of course there are other things that I do to get my tangled mess of hair under control.

Deep conditioning once a week has helped immensely. When I was younger I didn’t ever use conditioner because I felt it left my hair really greasy.

Now, with dryer hair as an older woman, my scalp loves the conditioning.

I’ve tried several different products, but the one I recommend the most is Nexxus Keraphix. Every Monday when I take a shower I use this product all over my whole head.


My shampoo routine seems a little weird to some, but I only use it on the top half of my head (ear line and above). I color my hair and between that and my sweaty runs I find my hair is super dry. When I was shampooing my whole head I was creating these impossible to de-tangle clumps of straw that had to be ripped out. Not great for hair! Once I limited the shampoo to the upper half, that went away.

In my YouTube video last year on the topic, I talked about using a product from my salon called Oway. I also mentioned Bumble and Bumble.

I actually have gone back to Bumble and Bumble. I just love how thick and creamy it is.

When I am just doing my regular hair-washing (not the deep condition) I only condition from the ear line DOWN.

This prevents that greasy look that I can get if I condition the top of my head. Again, when I do the deep condition that doesn’t happen, but with “normal” conditioners it does. Not sure why.

I used to use de-tangler before combing my hair with a wide-tooth comb, but have started using a wet brush and I love it! My daughter used on my granddaughter’s hair and it worked so well for her I bought my own.

The John Frieda Hair Serum is another lifesaver. Just a few drops on the ends of my hair works wonders at keeping frizz and split ends at bay. If I don’t have to blow dry (and I rarely HAVE to), this is what I use to have smooth ends.

When I do have to blow dry, it usually means I am going out. Which also means I will either be using a curling iron or straightener on top of the blow-dry…so lots of heat.

I use Hot Toddy by Drybar to protect my hair from that heat.

The final product I can’t recommend enough is a silk pillowcase. This is another “life changer”. When I started using a silk case I was able to wake up in the morning without tangles or even a bad case of bed head.

I can just run a comb through my hair and it is ready to go if it needs to be.

Ponies, Hats and Buns

I still will wear my hair in the occasional ponytail or bun, but I don’t pull the hair back as tight as I can.

I find if I gently pull it back and put it up loosely I get far less breakage.

My go-to bun is a sock bun. I love it! So easy and soft on my hair.

Throwing a hairband over the front of my hair keeps little hairs from tickling me and keeps everything in place.

A hat is sometimes necessary if I know I will be sweating a lot, because it keeps the sweat from pouring down my face.

I pile my hair on top of my head, pull on the hat and tuck in any strays. That way I don’t get the rubber band bump, or an indentation from the hatband over my hair.

Monday is the Day!

I am finishing up this post as Buffalo is opening back up. My husband was able to get a haircut yesterday, and my color and cut is set for a few days from now.

I am planning to get a few inches taken off that seem pretty unhealthy. It will take a bit to grow back to its current length, but I’m excited for the change.