Heat, humidity and wind. All are common in summer months, and all can do a number on your lovely locks. Want to prevent the harsh sun, strong breezes and sea salt from messing up your mane this summer? Following are seven tips for fighting frizzy hair from June through August.
1. Skip the shampoo.
Every time you lather your locks, you strip them of natural oils that can help fight frizz. Instead of washing your hair daily, try skipping a day between shampoos so you can produce those mane-taming oils. If your scalp looks or feels greasy on your off day, apply a dry shampoo like Acure Organics Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types, which absorbs excess oil on contact.
2. Check your labels.
The same products you rely on for thick, shiny strands may actually be drying out your hair. Check the labels to see if your hair care staples contain harsh detergents like isopropyl alcohol or sodium lauryl (or laureth) sulfate, which can strip hair of vital moisture and irritate the scalp. Acure Organics Seriously Soothing Coconut Argan Oil has zero questionable ingredients and is a naturally moisturizing treatment for both hair and skin.
3. Take it easy.
Towel drying your hair can cause unwanted volume at the cuticle, resulting in—you guessed it—frizz and flyaways! If you must sop up extra water from your tresses with a towel, consider using a quick-dry variety. A soft, super-absorbent towel will be much gentler on your locks and can even reduce blow-drying time.
4. Don a mask.
If deep conditioning doesn’t do the trick, apply a moisturizing mask to your hair and scalp. A plant-based DIY hair mask is the perfect antidote to severe summer sun -- and requires very little effort. In 20 minutes, you'll have a shinier, healthier head of hair.
5. Say so long to split ends.
Split ends can fuel the frizz, so be sure to see your stylist regularly (approximately every two months) for trims. To help stave off split ends, run a wide-toothed comb through conditioned hair in the shower. This can help untangle knots and reduce breakage.
6. Give the heat a rest.
Summer is a great time to let loose and wear your hair au naturel. So give the blow dryer, flat iron and curling iron a break to help prevent thirsty hair from becoming completely parched. If you must heat style your mane, be sure to use a protective product like Desert Essence Hair Defrizzer and Heat Protector. This coconut-scented spray “protects hair from heat styling damage caused by flat irons and other heat styling appliances and helps smooth damaged hair.”
7. Wear protection.
Head gear is a definite do if you want to protect your ‘do during the summer! We’re talking about a stylish straw hat or your favorite ball cap here. These not only look fashionable, they can help block wind and rays, preventing them from drying out and damaging your carefully styled tresses.