Hacks for Styling Frizzy Hair in Humidity
Living in the UK, we’re lucky to even have a hot summer, let alone a humid one. But we do get the odd couple of weeks scattered across the warmer season when it’s particularly hot, and your hair, having grown used to average-to-cold temperatures in general, might freak out at the sign of any sort of humidity.
It’s pretty normal for your frizz to get worse than ever when it’s humid, and the air is carrying a higher concentration of water molecules. These tiny droplets of water bind to your hair, and (thinking back to GCSE science), water contains hydrogen molecules, which cause hair strands to bind to each other and “fold up”. This is why relatively straight hair takes on a wavy or curly frizz in the heat.
If you’re wondering why your BFF’s hair looks just fine in the humidity, while you look like you’ve been electrocuted, this is because not all hair reacts the same way. Some hair is more susceptible, especially hair that is already quite dry or damaged (blame your heat styling tools for this). If your hair is curly or fine, you’re also more likely to deal with a bit of extra frizz when it’s humid. Additionally, if your hair is more porous, and can absorb more water, it’s obviously going to go a bit crazy when the air is humid.
You can’t really ever prevent your hair from being affected by the humidity, but you can learn how to deal with it best on the occasion. Some good ideas include:
1. Use hair spray
Hair spray seems a little left behind on today’s personal beauty counters, but it’s still as effective (perhaps even more so) than it was back in its heyday. If you’ve just styled your hair and you don’t want it to be instantly ruined when you step outside, spray a little hairspray before you leave. Hairspray isn’t a miracle worker – not unless you use so much that your hair is literally stiff with the stuff – but it’ll still help things to stay in place for longer.
2. Make sure you’re using the right shampoo
If you’re brand-loyal and tend to buy the same shampoos and conditioners again and again, check your products to see if they’re intended for your hair type. If you’re not sure what your hair type is, but if gets frizzy in the humidity, assume it’s dry/frizzy. There are plenty of haircare ranges that contain multiple shampoos and conditioners for certain hair types, and it’s not hard to find an attractive product that is intended for frizzy or dry hair.
3. Don’t keep washing it
Overwashing your hair is one of the biggest causes of dry hair. Every time you step into the shower and give your hair a scrub, you’re stripping it of some of its natural oils, which means it’s going to react more exaggeratedly to the heat and humidity. You only need to wash your hair two to three times a week to keep it clean and healthy, so if you’re an every night washer, it’s time to cut down.
4. Use oil
Speaking of stripping your hair of its natural oils, if you’re sensible with how often you wash your hair but you still find it’s too dry, adding a little outside oil might do the trick. For instance, coconut or almond oil can give your hair that added bit of moisture, and it’s incredibly beneficial to your hair, too (see our list of benefits of almond oil to hair here). Just add a little oil to the palms of your hands, then rub it gently onto your hair from the roots to the tips. Be warned: if your hair is prone to greasiness, it’ll hate extra oil. This tip is only really handy for people with very dry hair.
5. Use a hair mask or leave-in conditioner
Another way to lock moisture into your hair before leaving the house is to use a hair mask or leave-in conditioner. This will give your hair that much needed shine and strength, and will prevent the dryness of the outdoors from causing breakage and damage. Look for commercial hair masks that need to be left in for 10 to 20 minutes for the best results, or consider making your own.