How I Keep My Curls Frizz-Free During the Summer

I have a love-hate relationship with summer beauty.

I love the neon nail polish colors, the yummy smell of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, and that it's perfectly acceptable to apply copious amounts of bronzer.

I hate that the warm weather turns my curls into a frizzy pouf of epic mushroom-shaped proportions.

While some women gush over the fact that summertime is the season of wash-and-wear hair, carrying on about the benefits of blow dryer-free mornings, I have to contend with time-consuming humidity prep, scrunching in smoothing creams, frizz-fighting serums, and heavy gels in hopes they'll tame my rogue waves into some sort of acceptable style. How often does this haphazard method yield workable results? "Pretty much never" would be a fair assessment.

Determined not to give up and just throw my hair into a messy knot all summer, I decided to chat with curly hair guru Lorraine Massey. The founder of Devachan Salon immediately zoned in on where I was messing up and shared her expertise on how to right those (numerous) wrongs. If you're part of the clueless ringlet clan or just want a few tricks on how to win the war on flyaways this season, check out her tips below along with a few of my now-favorite products.

Swap out your shampoo
"Most shampoos contain sodium (salt) sulfates and even [some] harsh detergents that are found in dish-washing liquid and laundry detergent," says Massey. "These sulfates strip hair of its natural oils, which can be disastrous for curly hair because it leads to frizz and dryness."

To end this dry and brittle effect, I recommend DevaCurl No Poo Cleanser, $18.95, which is completely free of sodium sulfates.

Moisturize like it's going out of style
Curly hair will dry out and expand in heat. The first line of defense against this unraveling process is conditioner, which will lock in moisture keeping curls tight. "Leave conditioner in your hair after cleansing, which will keep the cuticles of the hair closed, replenished, and sufficiently hydrated -- this stops the frizz and dryness," says Massey.

It's also a good idea to use a conditioner that's specifically formulated for curly hair. Try Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Deep Moisturizing Treatment, $5.99.

Use a gel that doesn't stick or crunch
High alcohol gels will dehydrate your curls -- exactly what you're trying to fight. "Try a gel before you buy it by rubbing a small amount on your palm," says Massey. "If it makes your hands sticky, it will do the same to your curls."

Take the weekend off
"Skip the shampoo for three days," says Massey. "It allows your scalp to naturally adjust its oil production, and both your hair and your scalp will look and feel healthier than ever."

During the weekend, she recommends keeping your scalp refreshed with a homemade lavender spray. Just add 10 drops of organic lavender oil and about 2 tbsp of coconut oil to 2 oz. of water and mist at roots.

So, what do you say? Want to give these tricks a test and see whether they work as well for you as they did for me? If you do, let me know by posting a comment below. Thanks!