There’s something about summer that brings a certain effortlessness to everything it touches. We’re more relaxed, more in touch with movement and being outside, and a little bit more sun-kissed and glowy. That breeziness is even reflected in our hair; whether stick straight or ultra curly, it all tends to get a little wild with the humidity and heat. And while there’s nothing wrong with a little seasonal wispies (it usually means you’re enjoying yourself outside!), the frizz can quickly veer into lion mane territory.
It’s nice to know that for days when you just don’t want to deal with the frizz, there’s actually something you can do about it. The key? Building moisture into every step of your routine!
With all the humidity that summer brings, it can actually be a surprisingly drying season for hair. Chlorine from pool water, salt water from ocean dips and those extra intense UV rays can leave your hair high and dry. It’s especially true when hair is extra parched from heat styling and chemical treatments, leaving strands looking for moisture anywhere they can get it (i.e. the air). When the cuticle of the hair is open, moisture from the hot, humid air penetrates the shaft and causes the frizzy flyaways we’re all too familiar with during the steamy summer months. By locking moisture into the hair shaft, you help lock out the moisture in the atmosphere.
Check out the eight best ways (& our fave products!) to keep your hair moisturized, unruffled and healthy all summer long.
featured image by matilda djerf
photo by jessica attie
1. Brush your hair as little as possible.
Every time you run the brush or comb through your hair, you stimulate frizz. Keep it at a minimum!
2. In the shower, use an ultra hydrating shampoo + conditioner.
Start your hair routine with some extra moisture! Also, keep in mind over-washing could be doing more harm than good. Washing too often can cause your hair to dry out causing more frizz. Spreading out your shampoos allows your hair’s natural oils to do the work to help keep your hair moisturized. Pro tip: Really wet hair rinses out easier, so hair gets truly clean and requires less agitation to do so.
3. Rinse your hair with the coldest water you can handle.
Once the summer heat really hits this becomes my favorite part of my shower! Cold water closes the hair cuticle blocking out future humidity.
image by freepeople
4. Make time for a mask.
Apply it from roots to tips on dry strands and leave it for 15 mins in the shower. Or if you’re trying it out of the shower, leave it for an hour or sleep with it overnight. Rinse it out to find softer, more hydrated strands that can better handle the moisture outdoors.
image by matilda djerf
5. Gently blot or twist to dry—never rub.
Rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it is essentially creating extra frizz. This goes for your post-pool dry off too!
6. Double up on conditioner.
Before you comb or brush through add some leave-in conditioner. More moisture = less combing and brushing.
image by claire huntsberger
7. Apply a hair serum to strands.
If you’re needing some extra moisture, add some hair serum! It creates a slip that helps strands from swelling up when they meet moisture outdoors.
image by BFB Hair
8. Wear your hair up.
Ultimately, the easiest way to keep your hair under control, especially if you’re prone to extreme frizz, is to put it up! For ultra curly hair, styling it wet with a braid or bun is a great stylish way to look great and beat the humidity. If you’re going to wear your hair down, keep your style close to your natural texture for best results (i.e. if your hair is board straight, a muggy day isn’t the best time to try smooth large curls!). Finish with an anti-humidity spray!
At the end of the day, even pros admit that there isn’t a totally foolproof way to completely eliminate frizz. So embrace the undoneness of the season – it means you’re enjoying lazy days, salted air and sultry summer evenings outdoors!
