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When the summer humidity soars, flash thunderstorms can strike without warning, wrecking your picnic and your perfect curls. With a few extra precautions, you can ensure your hair won’t puff up in the downpour. Along with the tips below, follow our Frizz Forecast which can help you plan out your regimen for those super sticky, muggy days.
Decide in advance how you plan to wear your hair, and then stick with your decision
Many of us curlies make the mistake of over-manipulating our hair when the weather is working against us. That over-manipulation leads to frizz, which leads to more manipulation, and then more product until our curls have either completely lost their definition, or they are weighed down and lifeless from too much product. There is no one right rainy-day style for everyone, however, if you do opt to pull your hair back or create an updo, make sure to use a Snappee to avoid damaging your curls.
Use products that will work well in rainy weather
Rain-friendly hair products should have the following characteristics:
- They should provide hydration without being overly heavy or greasy.
- They should contain no or little glycerin. This type of humectant can cause your hair to expand in higher humidity.
- They should be water soluble.
These products worked for me when I got caught in a flash flood in New Orleans. I was stepping off of a river boat cruise when the sky cracked open and spewed out hail and buckets of rain. I was sure my hair would be wrecked, but to my surprise, my curls stayed intact.
Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
Besides providing deep moisturization and conditioning to curls, Curl Rehab has excellent slip. It can be used as a hair mask or a leave-in. I prefer to use it as the former, and then follow it with Beauticurls.
Curl Junkie Beauticurls Leave-in Hair Conditioners
One of my first post-transition leave-ins is still a holy grail. It works in a variety of climates, and provides frizz-evading moisture that lasts.
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel
This gel has a thin, slippery texture that makes coating every strand of your hair a breeze. It locks in moisture, and keeps the cuticle sealed for smoother waves, curls, and coils. I like the medium hold of this gel. If you prefer a stronger hold, Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel- Stronger Hold is now available.
Don’t scrunch out the crunch
After you have applied your moisturizer (s”> and stylers and allowed a gel cast to form, avoid breaking the cast. The humidity in the air will slowly break the cast for you, leaving you with well-defined curls. Bring along a pick to fluff out your roots, if desired.
Smooth over your edges and flyaways with pomade
Pomade, when used very sparingly, can give your curls a little shine enhancement, and keep your edges moisturized and less prone to becoming hairline flyaways. Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade has shea and cocoa butters to moisturize your hair while making it stronger. Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade contains castor and coconut oils for a healthy sheen. Kinky-Curly Gloss Pomade is comprised of a blend of nourishing oils to give your curls a glossy, glassy shine.
How do you keep your hair from frizzing in the rain? Let us know in the comments. For more stormy weather tips, check out this Rainy Day Curly Routine.