This problem stinks (literally)

March 5, 2025 by
 |  12 Comments  |  Leave Comment

For the first time in my adult life, I have long(ish) hair, down past my shoulders. A couple of years ago I abandoned short cuts like pixies and French bobs, allowing my mane to grow with abandon. Part of the reason for this transformation is that since I entered menopause, my formerly stick-straight hair has developed into gorgeous (according to my coworkers) beachy waves. My morning routine consists of little more than a dollop of product and a scrunch, a far cry from the blow drying and styling needed to keep the short hairstyles looking good.

There is one drawback to these new, carefree tresses, and it involves food (in case anyone was wondering why I am writing about hair on this forum). My hair attracts cooking odors like an MRI sucks up any metal that comes within 20 feet of it, and it seems like bad odors are especially drawn to it. Tonight I made pot pies for dinner, and the filling bubbled over to the catch tray and burned in a couple of spots. Now I cannot escape the burnt smell because it is affixed to my head. This is a real problem because I can’t wash my hair every time I have a slight cooking mishap. This never happened when I had short hair. Even when the aromas are pleasant, I don’t necessarily want to smell like dinner for hours afterward. Pot pie smells great but not for the whole night.

People who have long hair: are you nodding in commiseration or wondering what the hell is wrong with me? If the former, what is your solution to this problem? Wearing a hat while cooking? Braids? Dry shampoo? Talking a walk to air out the tresses? A more powerful exhaust hood? Suck it up, buttercup? Never allowing anything to burn? Sadly, I’m afraid the last is not an option for me. My husband used to say dinner wasn’t ready if the smoke detector hadn’t gone off. I have (thankfully) improved upon that level of burning foods, but oven spills and scorching seem inevitable. If this is just a me problem, please feel pity as I may be headed to the stylist’s chair for a chop if I cannot find an effective solution that doesn’t involve thrice daily hair washing.

Category: Antipasto

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12 Comments

  • FuzzyChef  on  March 6, 2025

    Huh, dunno, I haven’t had this problem and I’m pretty sure I have more hair than you. Maybe try a different conditioner?

  • Kinhawaii  on  March 6, 2025

    I had long hair for ages & recently cut it short but I never thought it worse with long hair. I take the dog out often & I never noticed anything lingering for very long- so maybe your idea of airing works?

  • EleanorWhitby  on  March 6, 2025

    I have thick, long hair and you have described my woes perfectly! Braiding does actually help for some reason, even just tying it back into a bun alleviates the weight of cooking odours. I have thought of a shower cap, but I have yet to implement it. Other than that, I try to align days with heavier cooking with the day before I need to wash my hair.

  • racheljmorgan  on  March 6, 2025

    I have long hair to my elbows that also tends to take on cooking scents. The only real solution I’ve found is to wrap it up in a tichel-esque hair scarf.

  • Jenny  on  March 6, 2025

    I have long hair and never had this issue. I do take a shower every night before bed including washing my hair and often I take a shower when I wake up really early to help with my muscle pain.

  • Rinshin  on  March 6, 2025

    Maybe that dollop of scrunch you use is attracting the odor. My hair has always been longer and I do not have that issue but I do not use scrunching solution in my hair.

  • Mariarosa  on  March 6, 2025

    I have this problem and I have short hair. If I remember beforehand, wearing a shower cap works. If not, I have found dry shampoo to be helpful.

  • reader1trees  on  March 7, 2025

    I have hip length straight hair that I wear pinned up and don’t have this problem so I’m not sure what to suggest you do. I usually wash it about once every fortnight or so because it’s such an effort and it takes ages to dry. I use any old mid range shampoo and the Johnson and Johnson leave in spray on conditioner for children so you could try using that and pinning your hair up before you start cooking. Good luck with finding a solution.

  • LeilaD  on  March 7, 2025

    My hair smells like barbecue smoke for days after going to a BBQ restaurant, but I haven’t really noticed any other food scents clinging to my hair- my hands and clothes are a different matter.

  • Nancith  on  March 8, 2025

    Maybe the hair odor thing is like the asparagus odor thing–only happens to some people? I’m still waiting for my WAY-past menopausal stick-straight hair to morph into waves–lucky you!

  • campusbrownie  on  March 8, 2025

    I also have this problem, particularly with onion odors, and the stale coffee smell when I’ve been in a coffee shop. I find the problem is worse with smells that are carried on airborne oils (like the coffee) because they don’t evaporate off your hair in the same way. This is why totally covering your hair helps. I do find that a bit of citrus can help; try the juice and oil of a slice of lemon in some water and spritz it on your hair.

  • Pigasus  on  March 9, 2025

    Had this problem my whole lIfe. The only thing that has worked is using Prose hair care products. The odours don’t get as stuck now.
    They’re not cheap but a little goes a very long way.

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