Lifestyle

Beauty on the Bike: Dry shampoo and Dry Showers

Here are some tips for staying fresh when you step off of the bike

However you ride, freshening up afterwards is an issue. Adele Mitchell seeks out the best options to get clean and fresh when washing isn’t an option.

Commuting to work is a wonderful thing – but once your ride is over the chances are you’re not going to be able to slip into a power shower and blow dry bar before you sit at your desk.

If you’ve ever finished a long ride coated in sweat and grime you’ll know just how uncomfortable and smelly you become if showering straight away isn’t an option.

And if you’re coated with mud or dust after a mountain bike ride and don’t want to be barred from every tea shop between the trail and home then you need to be able to remove the worst of it.

Thank goodness then for the ‘spruce me up in seconds’ wonders that are dry shampoo and dry shower products.

How to use dry shampoo:

Couldn’t be simpler really, just spray the powder into the roots of your needy hair, massage through the roots for a few moments then brush out. The powder absorbs excess oil and dirt, leaving your hair refreshed and clean.

Dry shampoo also adds body to your hair making it easier to style – it’s especially good for smoothed-back ponytails and up dos.

A couple of dry shampoo words of warning though: they’re scented so you need to choose carefully because the fragrance isn’t always subtle, and they can dull your hair slightly so you might like to add a little shine enhancing serum to the ends.

For your hair

Batiste Dry Shampoo – The beauty classic available in variants that offer a choice of fragrances, a hint of colour or add extra volume. But for your bike? Look out for the pannier-perfect On The Go 50ml travel size. Batiste is available here from £1.50.

Lush No Drought – Fresh lemony scent and no aerosol: just squeeze the powder onto your hand and work through your hair. Lush’s No Drought is available here from £4.50.

For your body

Muc-off – Anti-bacterial foam to ward off odour forming bacteria and remove sweat and dirt. Smooth it on and either leave to evaporate or wipe grime away with a towel. Free from parabens and alcohol, and based on coconut which also provides the fragrance. Available here from £4.50.

Chapeau – Simply smooth the gel onto your skin then wipe off with a towel. Non-sticky, anti-bacterial and powerful enough to remove the chamois cream. Leaves behind a long lasting fresh citrus fragrance. Available for £9 here.