Whatever your hair type, it is very likely that they tend to curl and become frizzy with moisture anyway. The first step to solve the problem is to hydrate them deeply using a conditioner and a nourishing mask; after that, you will need to apply a special anti-frizz serum. There are also special techniques that ensure you dry them completely and seal the cuticles. If all of these strategies seem not to work, there is still something you can do to get the straight and disciplined hair you want; read the article to find out more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Moisturize the hair
Step 1. Use conditioner to prevent hair from losing its moisture
Dry hair, especially curly hair, needs to be hydrated a lot. Compared to straight hair, curly hair tends to be naturally much drier. If your hair is curly or dehydrated, proper hydration is the key to preventing them from becoming frizzy due to humidity.
- Choose a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for curly hair care. Some of these products also offer special protection against moisture.
- After washing and rinsing your hair, gently squeeze it to remove excess water, then apply the conditioner from the roots to the ends. If you have thin hair, it may be better to distribute it only on the lengths and ends, avoiding the roots; if they are thick, you can safely use it on all hair.
- Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Step 2. Feed them even deeper with a mask
Very curly or frizzy hair may require additional hydration. Compared to normal conditioners, hair masks keep them much more hydrated; as a result, they are even more effective in preventing your hair from curling up due to humidity.
- Leave the mask on for at least 5-10 minutes to deeply nourish your hair. In the meantime, if you are taking a shower, you can take care of the rest of your body, for example by shaving or cleaning your face. If you're just washing your hair, wear a plastic cap, then keep doing your normal daily activities until it's time to rinse.
- You can also slightly warm the mask before applying it; in this way the hair is likely to be able to absorb the product better. Put the jar in a bowl full of hot water, then wait about ten minutes before applying the mask to your hair. Generally, hair absorbs oils and nutrients more easily when it is hot.
Step 3. Squeeze your hair to get rid of excess water
Don't ruffle your cuticles by rubbing them with a towel. Similar to small scales, the cuticles form the outer covering of the hair; when you rub them with the towel, you force them to open and lift, the resulting uneven result is the famous frizz effect. Instead of scrubbing your hair, just squeeze it gently between the folds of the towel.
- You can also simply use your hands and gently squeeze your hair to get rid of as much water as possible.
- In addition to a classic terry towel, you can also use a microfiber one or an old cotton t-shirt. Again, just wrap them around your hair and then squeeze them gently, never rubbing.
Step 4. Apply a serum or cream to damp hair
When used correctly, anti-frizz serums and creams help to fix moisture in the hair. In addition, the oils contained in the product coat the hair forming a barrier that protects it from moisture and keeps it disciplined.
- Use a serum made from natural oils, such as argan oil. The hair is able to absorb them more easily, while often the synthetic ones simply coat it on the outside.
- If you have thick, dry or dyed hair, a cream may be more suitable than a serum.
- If you have thin hair, apply the product only on the lengths and ends, avoiding the roots. Even if you have thick hair you should particularly focus on the ends, but you can apply the serum or cream all over your hair.
- Straightening creams can help you straighten curly hair and prevent it from drying out due to moisture. Choose a product specifically formulated to protect them in humid weather.
Part 2 of 3: Dry Them Properly
Step 1. Let them air dry slightly
Do not hit them immediately with the strong jet of the hairdryer. Allowing them to dry at least partially slowly and naturally rather than messing them up with the hair dryer helps you avoid frizz. Also remember that using the hair dryer without ironing them with the brush could make them excessively bulky.
Even if you intend to use the hair dryer, wait until they are partially dry before starting. If you want, you can also let them dry completely in the air
Step 2. Straighten them using a boar bristle brush
If after letting them dry for a while in the air you intend to iron them with a hairdryer and brush, choose one with boar bristles which helps to close and smooth the cuticles. Using the brush serves to direct them downwards, while the flow of hot air allows moisture to be sealed inside. Remember that when the hair is already well hydrated it does not need to attract the humidity that is in the air and risk becoming frizzy.
- Direct the flow of hot air downward as you brush them from the roots to the tips. Move the hair dryer towards the tips following the brush.
- Boar bristles are made up of keratin, which is the same material that hair is made of. For this reason it is an ideal choice to iron them while drying them with the hairdryer. If you don't have this type of brush, you can still use a normal flat or round brush.
- When drying your hair, pay special attention to the top of the head, as this is where the frizzy, fluttering hair is most noticeable. If you don't straighten your hair thoroughly at the root, it will appear that you have a halo of frizzy hair around your head and the lengths will also look more uneven - an unwelcome result. Make sure you brush your hair firmly at the roots as you blow dry it.
Step 3. Dry your hair completely
It is very important that the hair is completely dry before exposing it to moisture. When they are wet they continue to absorb humidity from the environment with the huge disadvantage of appearing frizzy and very voluminous. Before you go out on a humid day, make sure they are perfectly dry. Like serum, dry air also acts as a barrier between the hair and the humidity of the environment. Even if you let them dry naturally, make sure they are completely dry before you leave the house.
Direct a blast of cold air over each section of hair that you have already straightened. Most hairdryers are equipped with a button that allows you to change the air temperature or create a single jet of cold air. Its function is to close the cuticles by sealing the moisture inside the hair
Step 4. Do not use the straightener on humid days
Straightening your hair before going out when it is raining or very humid only increases the likelihood of it becoming curled or frizzy. The reason is that the straightener tends to dehydrate the hair, which will later try to absorb moisture from the surrounding environment. To avoid this, it is preferable not to use the straightener on humid days.
If you really can't help but use the straightener, remember to apply a product to your hair that protects it from intense heat, for example a smoothing cream or serum
Part 3 of 3: Alternative Techniques
Step 1. Use an anti-frizz spray
It is a product that helps seal the moisture inside the hair preventing it from becoming frizzy. Spray a small amount on your hair after styling it as you wish.
- If you are going to use the hair dryer or straightener, wait until you are finished before applying the anti-frizz spray.
- Choose a product contained in a spray can, others can cause the opposite effect making the hair curl even more easily.
Step 2. Comb your hair
Brushing them in humid weather can make them curl even easier. To prevent frizz, it is best to style or tidy them using only a wide-toothed comb.
Try to comb them as little as possible when you are in a humid environment
Step 3. Collect your hair
If all other methods have not worked, braid them, twist them or collect them into a bun. Keeping them tied up should help protect them from moisture in the air, but if they do get damp anyway you won't have to worry about them looking frizzy or overly bulky. The damage will remain limited, plus when you dissolve them at the end of the day they will look good wavy instead of frizzy and puffy.
- For example, you can pick them up in a herringbone braid, a French braid, a tight braid, or a classic braid. If you need your hairstyle to last a long time, it's best to opt for a French braid or tight braids.
- Other good options for styling your hair in humid weather include doing a classic, high or messy bun.
- If you only need to be outdoors for a short time before reaching your destination, you can try to pull up only half of your hair with bobby pins. Other possible solutions are to wear a hat or wrap them in a scarf.
Step 4. Do a permanent ironing
Permanently straightening the hair with a specific treatment, such as Brazilian straightening or keratin treatment, serves to alter the texture and appearance of the curls. Hair of any type or texture is very sensitive to moisture, but changing its structure permanently or semi-permanently can help you reduce frizz even if it doesn't always get rid of it completely.
- However, remember that permanent straightening is by no means guaranteed to completely eliminate frizz. Moisture in the air causes the cuticles to flex and curl trying to absorb it. This happens even after you have ironed them permanently.
- If you have particularly fragile and porous hair, for example because it is curly, wavy, frizzy or dyed, it will remain particularly sensitive to moisture even after you have it ironed permanently.
- In general, the drier the hair, the more sensitive it is to moisture because since it is lacking in it they try to grab it whenever they can, even from the air.
Advice
- Read product labels carefully before purchasing to make sure they are suitable for your hair type.
- Invest in a quality blow dryer and a good boar bristle brush if you plan to straighten your hair frequently. Using the right tools can make a huge difference.
- Always keep some elastic and barrettes on hand, they can be very useful if you are away from home and you notice that your hair starts to get frizzy; for example, you could gather them in a braid.
