In the South, we’re more than familiar with the effects of heat and humidity, particularly when it comes to hair. We’re constantly trying to defy the hot, humid environment around us, lest frizz put a damper on a good hair day. Because it doesn’t matter how long you spend getting ready, even just stepping outside can ruin your whole look.
Therefore, Southern women must learn how to tweak our beauty routines accordingly. Dealing with frizz starts well before you’ve left the house, and it can be rectified even after it sets in. Here are 5 anti-humidity tips for how to prevent frizz.
Invest in Anti-Humidity Hair Products
The best way to stop frizz is to be prepared from the get-go. Humidity-fighting products—such as serums, sprays, and heat protectants—work wonders on strengthening and bolstering your hair before heading outside.
“These products help control frizz by creating a barrier that shields hair from excess moisture, keeping the style smoother and easier to manage in high humidity,” says Brigit Page, a hair stylist at Oxana Salon in Nashville.
Break Out the Blow Dryer
Letting wet hair be exposed to the elements leads to the inevitable frizzing that occurs as it dries. Therefore, follow your mother’s advice, and never leave the house with wet hair if you’re concerned about humidity.
Additionally, if you end up with sweaty roots—whether you’ve been outside for a short while, or are in dire straits after a workout or outdoor activity—a hair dryer is the quick fix that has been saving women from the Southern heat for a long while. As quickly as possible before they start to dry, give your roots a blast of the blow-dryer on the cool setting until all the sweatiness has dried.
Bring Along a Dryer Sheet
Yes, the soft, sometimes-linen-scented squares perched on top of your washer-dryer set. Dryer sheets actually have smoothing power when lightly swiped lengthwise down your hair. Since dryer sheets are usually coated in a softening agent that helps combat and neutralize static cling while clothes are in the dryer, it’s not surprising that it might be helpful when applied to hair, as well. Watch the frizz vanish. And always keep a spare dryer sheet in your purse before outdoor events!
Use a Weekly Hair Mask
Hair masks, though not falling under the “anti-humidity” category exclusively, are the key to making your hair combat frizz on its own. Frizz is the result of dryness being taken advantage of by excess moisture in the air. In short, the more dryness your strands have, the more frizz is prone to descend chaos upon your look. A hair mask not only nourishes your hair overall, but it provides necessary moisture to protect your hair from frizz.
Use Soft Fabrics Only
Unsurprisingly, certain fabrics can be rough on hair, leading to frizz and breakage (which leads to more frizz). You might want to consider changing your pillowcase material or hair towel. For instance, sleeping in a silk scarf (like your grandmother) or, even easier, on a silk pillowcase can be beneficial for all concerning frizz and breakage, but it’s especially good for curly and textured hair. Similarly, choose a microfiber hair towel in lieu of what you use on your body.