Heat + humidity + dry or damaged hair = a recipe for frizzy hair! And though we live in an area where we get plenty of heat and humidity in the summer, fortunately there are a lot of simple changes that can go a long way in taming and even abolishing frizzy summer hair altogether!
Check the Ingredients
The first step to dealing with frizzy hair is to check what you’re putting on it! Sulfates are a very common ingredient in shampoos because they allow grime and dirt to be lifted off and washed away with water, but the downside is that sulfates can be very drying because they strip your hair and skin of their natural oils! Look for a sulfate-free shampoo that is loaded with good, moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, argan oil, avocado oil, camellia oil or coconut oil.
Skip the Daily Washes
Speaking of shampoos, don’t be afraid to skip the daily washes! Our hair’s natural oils are good and even essential for healthy hair, and also combat frizz. Wash your hair no more than 4 times a week - some hair types can even go up to a month between washes! - and use a dry shampoo as necessary. When you do shampoo, wash and rinse your hair in lukewarm or cool water - a cold rinse closes the cuticles of your hair, making your strands smoother.
Condition!
After you’re done shampooing, squeeze extra water from your hair and gently work conditioner through from root to tip using a wide-toothed comb. Use a conditioner that is right for your hair type, and leave it in for at least 2 minutes before rinsing. Using hair masks and deep conditioners once a week is also highly recommended!
Ditch Your Regular Towel
Avoid using cotton terry cloth towels to wring or rub your hair, as that creates friction, causing breakage and split ends. Gently squeeze (never wring!) out most of the water from your hair after washing, flip your head over, wrap it in a microfiber towel and scrunch up (again, gently!). Microfiber towels are very absorbent and don’t disturb the cuticle like terry cloth towels do.
Cut Down on the Heat
We know it can be tough to break from a regular styling and blow drying routine, but even the best styling tools apply tons of heat to our hair, which is drying and damaging. Let your hair air dry 80-90% of the way before blow drying, and lower the temperature on all your styling tools! Try using a diffuser attachment with your blow dryer, and always use a light heat protectant before blow drying or heat styling.
Comb, Don’t Brush
If your hair is especially dry or damaged, or whenever it is wet, avoid using a brush at all costs! Brushing will just increase the frizz and potentially cause breakage. Use a wide tooth or detangling comb to smooth out tangles, and start from the bottom up - ends to middle to roots.
Sleep On It
Cotton can be rough on hair, especially if we’re constantly shifting against it while we sleep! Silk and satin pillowcases can help protect hair while sleeping by reducing frizz-causing friction, thanks to their smooth finishes. You can also try wrapping your hair loosely in a silk or satin scarf! And for hair in dire need of extra TLC, try sleeping in a hair mask overnight covered by a shower cap.
Bonus:
Spray a clean toothbrush or mascara wand with hairspray to smooth down those baby flyaways!