Warm weather is here to stay and it’s time to spend all the time we can outside before winter comes around again. All those outdoor activities are fun and all, but excessive time outdoors can take a serious toll on your hair, especially for curly hair. Are you tired of spending the summer trying to tame the frizz? Unfortunately, if you don’t change up your hair routine along with the seasons, you’re going to be dealing with a lot of frizz. Read on to discover how to switch up your washing, styling and protection routine to have beautiful, bouncy curls all summer long!
When changing your routine, it’s best to go from start to finish and hair care always begins with a wash. The sun, humidity and sweat are just some elements that cause the stripping of the oils in your hair. If you’re use to shampooing your hair every time you wash, then all you’re doing is stripping even more oils out of your hair causing your curls to frizz up. Instead, invest in a co-wash like Aveda’s Be Curly Co-Wash. A co-wash is gentler than a shampoo and is to be used in between washes. Co washes contain no sulfates, so they don’t strip any natural oils from your hair, but will still clean out any product build-up you may have. On the days you do use shampoo, get a good moisturizing or hydrating shampoo to help give your hair an extra boost. MoroccanOil and Aveda both carry shampoos specifically made for curly hair types which are made to add extra moisture. Talk to your stylist about which shampoo would work best.
A deep conditioner is just as important as shampoo and will help keeping curls nice and smooth by deeply penetrating your hair. A weekly deep conditioner is what your hair is going to need to stay hydrated, bouncy and full of luster this season. If your hair is thick, MoroccanOil’s Intensive Hydrating Mask is perfect to moisturize deep in your hair and help give extra hydration. If you have finer hair, don’t worry! MorroccanOil also carries this mask in a light version, so you don’t have to worry about it being too powerful and weighing down your hair. Simply apply a deep conditioner once a week after you shampoo and leave in for 30 minutes. After, you can style however you would on a normal wash day.
After you shower, you should think about which products to add. Hair styling products are just as important as your shampoo and conditioner when it comes to keeping your hair healthy. Once you’ve washed and towel dried your hair, you need to think about products for lasting protection and hydration. Invest in a good leave in conditioner or hair oil to add a layer of protection that lasts throughout the day. MoroccanOil’s Intense Curl Cream or Aveda’s curl enhancer are two great leave-ins that help combat frizz, moisturize hair and even intensify your curls to make them bounce like never before. Creams not your thing or you feel like they’re not enough? Add some hair oil to the mix and create a conditioning hair cocktail. MoroccanOil’s Oil Treatment or Aveda’s Dry Remedy Oil are two options for hair oils.
There are two key things to remember when styling curly hair in the summer and that’s: stay away from heat tools and keep within moderation. Heat styling tools only help aid in drying out your curls and leaving them a frizzy mess as soon as the humidity touches it. Instead, rock your natural hair during the hot months and leave the heat tools for cooler days. If you feel the need, use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer to ramp up your curls. When applying products, it’s important not to use too much. Too much product can weigh down your hair and cause your curls to lack bounce. A little goes a long way and if you use too small of an amount, then you can always add more.
Swimming is the best way to cool off during the most brutal of days. Whether you’re swimming at the beach, in the pool, in the ocean or in a lake, swimming will cause some harm to your hair. Before you swim, rinse your hair with cool water. Then, use some of your leave in conditioner or hair oil to create an outer layer on your hair. This will help create a protective coat stop most of the chemicals in the water from getting inside. When you’re finished swimming, rinse your hair one last time to get rid of any excess chemicals from the water that may still be on your head.
You should also invest in a good UV protection for your hair. The sun’s rays dry out and damage your strands which is why curly hair gets even frizzier in the summer months. Aveda’s sun care line is designed to help protect against these rays and get rid of any excess chlorine or salt that remains in your hair after a day of cooling off. Aveda’s Sun Care hair veil is a spray designed for UV protection. Mist a little all over your hair before you leave for the day. If you’re planning a day outside, keep it in your bag to sprits after swimming or throughout the day if you’re spending it entirely in the sun. The Sun Care line also has a cleansing shampoo. This shampoo is great for getting rid of chlorine and other harmful chemicals from your hair, but keep in mind that cleansing shampoos tend to fade color quicker, so talk to your stylist about protection after a swim to see if this is right for you.
So, yes, the summer can be brutal to our curls and yes, the curse of the frizz is very real for all of us. However, with a little extra care and a little extra protection we can all enjoy long days at the beach and cool nights by the fire without worrying if our hair is getting too much sun time. Follow this guide to achieve beautifully shiny, bouncy locks all summer and don’t forget, have fun this summer and protect yourself from the elements.
