Through the stages of each season, it can be hard to know what our curls need – especially when it comes to the most humid days or environments. No need to spiral, these tips are sure to keep your curls together through even the toughest of weather!
Those still experimenting with what a new season may mean for them and their hair start with the basics - ensure your hair has the right amount of moisture.
As Curlies, we are constantly ensuring that moisture and protein are balanced. However, during the humid summer months, an emphasis is needed on ensuring your hair either retains the right amount of moisture or allows the right amount of moisture in.
Here’s what you need to be aware of to help determine what your hair needs:
Humectants & Anti Humectants - What are they?
Humectant ingredients add moisture to the hair by pulling moisture from the surrounding air. In high humidity conditions, humectants may attract too much water from the surrounding environment into the hair, making it swell or 'puff' out, which means the curl or wave loses its definition and becomes frizzy.
Some ingredients (but not all) to look for: Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hyaluronic acid, Sorbitol, Glucose, Fructose, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera)
Anti-humectant ingredients help block unwanted moisture from the surrounding air entering the hair.
Some ingredients (but not all) to look for: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
So how should we use products with both humectants and anti-humectants to ensure we have beautifully defined curls all summer?
Layer your ingredients! Laying down products in relation to their core ingredients and what they're set out to achieve will give you the best results. Prepping and styling the hair should be approached the same way we think about our skincare or makeup; the order in which you apply products will determine the final look and longevity. Using your face cream before a serum or primer on top of your foundation will not give you great results! The same applies when thinking about what we're putting on our hair.
Types of Weather:
Dry Heat/ Low Dew points - If the air is dry, it will have a drying effect on your hair. Your hair will need products with moisturizing ingredients (humectants) that draw in and allow moisture to enter the hair from the surrounding air.
Styling Recommendations - Try using a leave-in conditioner such as Aloeba Daily Conditioner* that contains Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera), a mild humectant. Follow it with either Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion, or Gelebration Spray for finer hair, which contains both Aloe Barbadensis & Glycerin to help draw moisture into your curls while providing incredible bounce. Seal with a Glycerin-free gel such as Spiralicious Styling Gel to prevent moisture from escaping the hair shaft.
*All Jessicurl Conditioners are dual-formulated for leave-in & rinse-out.
Wet/humid heat/High dew points - Air full of moisture will be absorbed by the hair cuticle if allowed. Allowing too much of this extra moisture into the hair shaft will cause it to expand and lose its definition, becoming frizzy. Your hair will need products with moisture barrier ingredients (anti-humectants) that stop this excess moisture from entering the hair.
Styling Recommendations - Try using a leave-in conditioner such as Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner* that contains Shea Butter, an anti-humectant. Follow with a curl enhancer to provide structure and bounce such as Gelebration Spray, for finer hair, or Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion, for medium to thick hair. Add a curl cream such as Confident Coils Styling Solution to hold off humidity while providing definition. Seal with a Glycerin-free gel such as Spiralicious Styling Gel to prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft. Both stylers contain a balance of conditioning agents and anti-humectants, such as Jojoba Seed Oil, which provides incredible frizz control by hydrating & creating a barrier against humidity.
*All Jessicurl Conditioners are dual-formulated for leave-in & rinse-out.
Top 5 Tips for Moisturized, Humidity Resistant, & Defined Curls:
- Make sure you’re clarifying regularly - when incorporating some of these ingredients into your summer routine, using Clarifying Shampoo becomes essential to ensure build-up doesn't occur. For more information about using Clarifying Shampoo read here.
- Build a good foundation with hydration - start by laying down a good moisture base to ensure your curls/waves are hydrated. This can be done with a leave-in. If your hair is dry or protein sensitive, use products containing no protein or Glycerin such as Deep Conditioning Treatment, and if you want to use protein at this point, use products with lighter protein such as Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner that contains hydrolyzed oat protein. This first layer will create the base to ensure curls/waves are moisturized and provide hold.
📌Tip - Try adding a few drops of your favorite leave- in to a water bottle instead of applying the leave-in straight to the hair; this way, you get the benefits of the leave-in but can still use cream as your first styler without it being too heavy!
- Enhance & Define - We still want to ensure we have defined curls, coils, and waves that are set to withstand the heat, so now we need to add a product that contains Glycerin to help provide hydration and hold such as Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Solution, or Gelebration Spray for finer hair. These products contain Flaxseeds which provide structure similar to protein, without the potential for overload. At this point, we need to add a product that contains a balance of polymers, conditioners, & anti-humectants to help structure and hold such as Confident Coils Styling Solution.
- Seal - To ensure the moisture and definition we have laid down stays put, and to stop any more unnecessary moisture from entering, apply a small amount of a gel that contains no Glycerin, such as Spiralicious Styling Gel.
- Lock it in - Finish with Oil Blend - oils don't hydrate here; they seal in moisture and whatever is already on the hair. Applying a small amount of lightweight oil will form a barrier and help stop the hair cuticle from expanding, causing unwanted frizz.