As much as we love summer weather, it tends to aggravate hair frizz, thanks to wind, humidity, and heat. Sometimes, an entire morning of hairstyling goes out the window the second you leave your door—talk about frustrating! We feel your pain, so we’ve found effective ways to battle this common summer hair problem. From tips on avoiding frizz in the first place to solutions for already frizzed-out hair, we’ve got you covered! You’re only a few steps away from finally controlling your wild mane.
Preventative measures
Here are a few steps you can take to stop hair frizz before it starts!
1. Skip the Shampoo
Every time you wash your hair, you strip away natural oils that can help tame frizz and prevent tangles. Instead of shampooing daily, try shampooing every other day to let those oils form and naturally calm your hair. If your scalp feels oily after one day, opt for a dry shampoo, such as Batiste Dry Shampoo, $7.99, or Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo, $7.99.
2. Look at Labels
Some hair care products you’re using could actually be drying out your hair. Always check product labels and avoid anything that contains isopropyl alcohol or sodium lauryl sulfate (or sodium laureth sulfate). These detergents not only remove moisture from your hair, but they can also irritate your scalp.
They could also cause other damage to your hair, too. Anna Joy, a hair and beauty artist at Salon Elle in San Diego, CA, says, “[Sulfates] also remove color molecules, which is why sometimes you leave the salon with a gorgeous rich hue only for it to turn lackluster after a couple of washes at home.” To keep your hair healthy and vibrant, look for products like Just Natural Frizz Hair Lotion, $19.99, that use all-natural ingredients.
3. Beat the Heat
Exposure to extreme heat—from curling, flat ironing, or blow-drying—can damage your hair, causing it to look frizzy and distressed. However, Joy says you can still style your hair any way you want as long as you’re smart about it. She recommends using a heat protectant to “prevent damage, breakage, and fly-aways that appear extra visible in humidity.” Try got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protect N’ Flatten Flat Iron Balm and Gloss Finish, $5.99, for heat protection with a shiny finish. Many protectants, such as CHI Silk Infusion, $24.50 for a 6-ounce bottle, also have nourishing benefits that leave your hair feeling silky smooth.
Tip: Apply the serum to your comb instead of your hands for a more even application!
4. Gentle Dry
Regular towel drying tousles your hair and causes unwanted volume around your hair’s cuticles, causing that ‘fro look. If you need to dry your hair after you shower (and you don’t want to use a hairdryer, which can also cause frizzy ends), gently pat dry your hair with a microfiber towel, such as Eurow’s Microfiber Hair Turban, $29.95 for a six-pack. It easily wraps hair into a bun, so it’s convenient to use. If you don’t want to invest in new supplies, you can also pat your hair dry with a regular towel instead of a microfiber towel (it will just take a bit longer).
Alternatively, Joy recommends using paper towels to dry your hair after a shower. “Little pieces of lint on a towel tend to aggravate the outer cuticle of our hair, but removing excess moisture with a lint-free alternative does wonders for preventing fly-aways!” she says.
5. Snip Snip
Split ends can also contribute to a frizzy look, so be sure to visit the salon every two months for a trim. Don’t be afraid to treat split ends at home in between hair appointments; use thinning shears to prevent choppy cuts. You can reduce the amount of split ends you get by using a wide tooth comb in the shower after you condition—this untangles knots and lessens breakage.
6. Halt Humidity
According to Joy, a crucial step in maintaining control over frizz is finishing your style with a high-quality anti-humidity spray. “This will put a protective layer over your hair and ‘fill in’ tiny pockets, creating a barrier, which makes it more difficult for moisture in the air to sneak in!” she says. Joy’s personal favorite is Kevin Murphy Session.Spray, which you can find on Amazon or eBay.
Quick Fixes
Need a solution now? Check out the following frizz fixes that take 30 seconds or less!
1. Moisturizing Magic
If you’re short on hair supplies, use your daily facial moisturizer as a hair cream. Just dab a dime-sized amount onto your fingers and apply it to your hair. Avoid the roots as much as possible because the moisturizer can make your roots greasy.
2. Oil it Out
Joy recommends applying a small amount of natural oil, such as Kevin Murphy Young.Again, available on eBay and Amazon, to conquer frizz quickly. Joy says, “Our hair is made up of up tiny scales, like shingles on a roof, and elements like humidity cause them to stand straight up. A serum will help calm the cuticle and keep locks in line.”
3. Static Solution
You can also rub a dryer sheet over your hair (starting from the roots) to remove static buildup and put fly-aways in place. The dryer sheet works both new and out of the dryer.
4. Conditioner Cure
Spray your hair with a leave-in conditioner like Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-in Conditioner, $2.97, and brush through it gently. You can also spray your hair with a rose water formula like Heritage Store Rosewater, $9. Rose water is a natural moisturizer, great for strengthening hair follicles and maintaining optimal hair porousness.
With the right hair care regimen, you can stop frizz from ruining your summer style. Do you have a hair product or taming trick you swear by?