Gelatin—a flavorless, colorless food derived from collagen—is celebrated for its joint health and hair protein benefits. DIYers also love to consume it in tablet form for stronger nail beds.
As it turns out, the staple product is also a must-have inside the Summer Olympics village.
Maria Koroleva and Anita Alvarez, members of Team USA’s Synchronized Swimming team, told Vogue that the Jell-O ingredient
actually comes in handy during competitions.
“We don’t wear swim caps. When we compete, we put Knox gelatin in our hair. It’s like unflavored Jell-O. We mix it with water, and it turns into a gooey mixture,” dished the resourceful duo.
“You comb or brush that into your hair, put it up in a bun, and put a headpiece over that, so when it dries, it gets really hard and your hair doesn’t fall out when you swim. We like to add glitter and other decorations to it. It’s easy.”
What a simple, yet brilliant hair hack! Although we have yet to see a naturalista try this waterproof styling method, a simple pre-conditioning will likely keep your locks from getting too sticky and tangled.
Are you game to try it before your next beach trip? Tell us in the comments.