

Image:@alittlealeja
Curlies in hot, dry climates may find themselves fighting with dry, brittle strands this season. Heat may be a contributing factor to the dryness of your hair, but finding the true culprit can take some digging. Blckduck needed some help on summer dryness and inquired in our Curly Q&A for assistance.Question
How can I keep my hair moist in the summer heat? I have tried coconut oil to no avail. I have tried the avocado mask as well as the banana/honey/olive oil mixture, but my hair still gets dry after being outside. I do try to wear a hat, but I don’t want to do that too often for fear of damaging my hairline. Also, I work out 5 to 6 days a week.Answer
First, you may want to incorporate a moisturizer. Oils seal in moisture, but they do not provide moisture. Most oils will help to retain the moisture that is already in your skin and hair, but it cannot moisturize on its own. Summer can be drying with the intense heat, so here are a few tips for keeping your hair moisturized all summer long. Hair masks are a great start, but these additional tricks will help you hydrate your hair.Water is the best moisturizer
Nature provides the #1 source of moisture for our bodies and our strands. Nothing is better than water, and while many mistakenly assume that oils are moisturizers, that simply is not true. Humectant ingredients such as aloe vera, honey, and glycerin are great for attracting moisture and staving off dryness, so check your ingredient lists. You also need to use water-based moisturizers (water will be at the top of their ingredient list”> or simply apply water directly to your hair before adding an oil or serum to seal in the moisture.Use a travel size bottle
Carry around a small spritz bottle of moisturizer to keep hair pliable throughout the day, as sometimes we need that refresher to keep curls hydrated and soft. I always carry one, especially in the summertime. Fill it up with:- water
- leave-in conditioner (use more or less leave-in depending on what your hair needs”>
- a few drops of your favorite oil
Shake the mixture and spray it on your curls to refresh them mid-day.