GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

Summer Hair Survival Guide

Whether you're suffering in swamp-like humidity or heat as dry as the Sahara, we've got the answers to your summer hair dilemma
Photo 3/7
Survival Tip No. 2: Keep your products handy
Even a well-prepped style might start to frizz or go flat, so be sure to pack a few style-savers in your bag.

If your curls are frizzing, apply a smoothing serum, like Redken Outshine 01 Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk, $13, and touch them up with a curling iron.

And if your hair starts feeling limp and greasy, keep a can of dry shampoo handy to soak it up. We like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $19.50. You can also change your part midday to add volume. If you normally part your hair in the middle, try a deep side part like Kimberley Garner's. Or if you're already working a side part, just switch sides for an instant boost.

Photo 4/7
Survival Tip No. 3: When all else fails, think braid
If frizz is driving you bananas, or a monsoon hits, or you're heading to the beach or pool and want your hair out of the way, a bun or a braid like Berenice Bejo's is your best bet.

But before you start that braid -- this is key -- apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair. This will protect your hair from the chlorine or saltwater and the sun. You can also apply more leave-in conditioner or a hair mask after you rinse post-swim.

If you need style ideas, check out this roundup of pretty ways to style wet hair.

Photo 5/7
The Weather: Hot, Dry, and Windy
Survival Tip No. 1: Lock in that style

Dry heat can cause curls to deflate and straight hair to, well, stay straight. Tomich says you might as well work with it. Before you head to Palm Springs or Phoenix, give yourself a blowout like Jaime King's, using plenty of smoothing serum to lock in moisture.

Another bonus to a blowout ahead of time: no need to style your hair when you're there. Just freshen it up with dry shampoo at your roots and rub shine serum on your ends (Tomich likes Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine, $24.99).

Photo 6/7
Survival Tip No. 2: Make shine serum your new best friend
Even healthy hair can start to feel dry when there's zero humidity in the air, so keep your shine serum handy to reapply to your ends. And if your scalp starts freaking out and producing more oil to counter the dry air, a spritz of dry shampoo, like Dove Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo, $4.89, can help.

If you want your style to last in this weather, try sleeping in a high ponytail. It'll give your hair volume when you take it down the next morning and you can smooth any kinks with a flat iron for a look like Coco Rocha's here.

Photo 7/7
Survival Tip No. 3: Give your hair a break
If your hair is looking dry and scraggly, it's time to bring in reinforcements. "One of your best summer allies is a leave-in conditioner," says Ricardo Dinis, Aveda Artistic Director, Hair Cutting. "It instantly repairs damage and detangles, protecting from breakage." This is especially important if you're in a hot zone that's also windy.

Try applying plenty of leave-in, then putting your hair in a French Twist or ballerina bun like Uma Thurman's. And Tomich says if your hair is already feeling the heat, definitely stay away from the styling tools. "Less is more. The less heat and stress your hair is under, the better," she says.

For all that's great about summer -- the travel, the sun, the pool parties, the excuse to knock back drinks with umbrellas -- there is one major downside for most of us. When the heat and humidity pick up, our hair either turns into a giant, frizzy orb or a limp, greasy mess. Either way, not pretty.

But summer 2013 is going to be different. This year we've got a few genius tips to keep our hairstyles intact no matter what the weather is like where you live or where you're vacationing. So before you hop on a plane (or leave your air-conditioned bathroom), check out our expert advice for curls that stay curly, and blowouts that don't fall flat.

And because we know the weather can be so bad (think: summer storms or temps above 100) that no curling iron technique or finishing spray holds up, we're arming you with a few foolproof braids and updos as backup hairstyles for frizzy hair. Instead of the requisite feet-in-sand or extreme-closeup-margarita vacation shots, may we suggest a collage of your perfect beach waves and fetching fishtail instead? With our collection of hair tips, we guarantee your summer 2013 hairstyle will make your 'do Instagram-worthy.
BY SARAH CARRILLO | JUN 20, 2013 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.