Hair and mask problems?

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I use a squid lid! It's like a baseball cap but it's made of neoprene! I wear it backwards and it works awesome!
 
wolfgirl:
:bonk:
Hello- I'm sure this is pretty common, but I don't see any posts on it. Does anyone else have problems with their hair interfering with or getting tangled in their mask staps, or difficulty adjusting a mask on your head when you have a pony tail? I'm still in my Open Water class, and when I bought my gear, a woman at the shop advised me to get this fabric thing (don't know what it's called) that you slide over your mask strap to prevent it from getting caught in your hair (the fabric is smooth and slides easily). My first problem is that it's almost TOO slippery and I feel like my mask might slip off with this thing. Also, I have long hair and put it in a ponytail when I'm in the water. But since you are supposed to have your mask around your neck when it's not on your face, it's very hard for me to slip it back UP OVER my pony tail and arrange it on my face when I need to put it back on. I usually have to take it all the way off my head and put it on again by sliding it down from the top of my head to get it on properly (you're probably not supposed to do this because you could lose the mask, right?)

Do any women out there have a good way to maneuver so they're not constantly fighting with their hair and mask?

Thanks!

wolfgirl
Bula Vinaka Wolfgirl,i would be pleased to hold your hair during the dives........
 
Wow! how many messages about a subject we all share nightmares over!

I have spent many a post dive afternoon bearing a crunchy lump of matted hair hanging in a single dreadlock at the back of my neck.

Every solution has advantages and disadvantages:

I first tried the high pony tail top-knot stylee, keeps all those fringey bits and layers in control but the top knot can get in the way of replacing your mask strap when you put your mask back on underwater. As for putting it around my neck at the surface, I always leave it on my face until I am on the boat… always recommended on a drift dive anyway. Putting it on your head is a no no, but I have never heard of having to remove it from your face the minute you reach the surface.

The low pony tail results in the shorter layers of my hair floating around my face and creating a bit of a tin tin effect under water when they stand on end. Again great fun in the mask removal and replacement. But at least I can slide the strap easily over my head.

I haven't tried the plait, as that sounds like too much hard work before the dive, but I think it could well be a winner, especially the French braid. You'd have to live with permanently kinky hair tho.

The last time I was diving, it was a little chilly, so I had a hood, and that combined with a low pony tail was great. All was out of the way too for masky stuff. Though I guess in warm weather this would be a pain.

I saw a student with a bandana once, and that seemed to work well, though I'd imagine it would be a pain if it slipped off. I would also look a touch like axel rose too, so probably not the best for me… call me vain.

I must admit, I have opted to stick with my low pony tail, simplest yet. I have also discovered that if you chuck a load of your normal conditioner on while your hair is still wet at the end of the days diving, you may even not have to deal with a crunchy, matted dreadlock in the evening.

I guess each of us finds our own way of working it out, trial and error works best. Just make sure you let us know if you find a magical solution!
 
Oh yes, and by the way, I use a neoprene slap strap too.

I know it feels a little slippy at first, but you do get used to it, and the strap doesn't need to be over tight for the mask to still sit nicely on your face. The fabric certainly prevents that nasty tangle of hair and silicone that can occur and cause underwater nightmares!
 
Had a hard time learning to pull my mask down not up. Even when down around the neck a mask is uncomfortable. My solution. I attached a large snapring to my BCD. When I surface and need to take the mask off, I remove the mask completely and snap it into the ring until I want to put it back on.
 
Another solution (possibly mentioned already, I didn't read every post) is the neoprene beanies. They are a smooth cap with a velcro strap that fits under your chin, very lightweight. I have medium short hair- too short to put in a ponytail and too long to stay out of my face. Sooo, this solution has worked well for me.

Foo
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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