As we head towards summer, warmer days and increased humidity can bring a familiar hair frustration: frizz. You can spend time washing, drying and styling your hair, only to step outside and find it has become puffy, fluffy or difficult to manage.
Humidity can affect all hair types, but it can be particularly frustrating for hair that is naturally dry, curly, damaged or more porous. The good news is that a few changes to your haircare routine and styling habits can help keep frizz under control.
Whether you prefer a smooth, sleek finish or want to keep your natural texture looking its best, here are some simple ways to help your hair stay more manageable as the weather heats up.
Why Does Humidity Make Hair Frizzy?
Hair naturally absorbs some moisture from the surrounding environment. When humidity levels rise, moisture from the air can enter the hair fibre, causing it to swell and disrupting the bonds that help hold its shape. This can leave hair looking puffy, less defined and harder to style.
Hair that is dry, damaged or highly porous is often more susceptible to humidity because its outer protective layer, known as the cuticle, may be more raised or compromised. This makes it easier for moisture to move in and out of the hair fibre.
The result can be unwanted flyaways, frizz and hairstyles that lose their shape throughout the day.
1. Start With the Right Shampoo and Conditioner
Managing frizz starts in the shower. Choosing a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type can help improve softness, moisture levels and manageability before you even begin styling.
If your hair is naturally dry, coarse or prone to frizz, look for nourishing and smoothing formulas that help replenish moisture. For finer hair, choose lightweight formulas that provide moisture without weighing down your roots.
Conditioner is particularly important because it helps smooth the hair cuticle, improve detangling and reduce friction between strands. Concentrate application through the mid lengths and ends, where hair is generally more prone to dryness.
Our recommendations:
• Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo and Conditioner 300ml help smooth frizz prone hair and improve manageability, making them a great starting point for a humidity focused routine.
• L'Oréal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Shampoo 300ml is a smoothing shampoo designed to help cleanse and manage unruly hair.
• Matrix Mega Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner 300ml help smooth and condition unruly hair for a more manageable finish.
2. Don't Skip a Leave In Treatment
A leave in conditioner or smoothing cream is a great addition to your routine when humidity is causing problems.
Unlike rinse out conditioner, leave in products stay on the hair after washing, helping improve softness, manageability and smoothness throughout the day. Depending on the formula, they can also help tame flyaways and provide an additional layer of protection against environmental moisture.
For thicker or coarser hair, a smoothing cream can help control unruly lengths. If your hair is fine, opt for a lightweight leave in spray that won't weigh it down.
Apply your chosen product evenly through damp hair, paying particular attention to the mid lengths and ends.
Our recommendations:
• Redken Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame Leave In Cream 250ml helps control unruly hair, improve manageability and provide heat protection. A great option for thicker, coarser or frizz prone hair.
• Pureology Color Fanatic Multi Tasking Leave In Spray 200ml is a versatile leave in treatment that helps detangle, condition and protect hair, making it a handy option for colour treated hair.
• L'Oréal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Smooth Transformer Treatment 200ml is a smoothing treatment designed to help transform unruly hair and improve manageability.
3. Use Heat Protection When Styling
If you regularly blow dry, straighten or curl your hair, heat protection should always be part of your styling routine.
Heat styling can help create a smoother finish by allowing you to control the shape and direction of your hair as it dries. However, excessive heat can contribute to dryness and damage, making hair more vulnerable to frizz over time.
Apply a suitable heat protection product before styling and use a nozzle attachment when blow drying to direct airflow down the hair shaft. This helps smooth the cuticle and encourages a sleeker finish.
Make sure your hair is completely dry before using straighteners or curling irons, and avoid repeatedly passing over the same section.
Our recommendations:
• Pureology Smooth Gloss Silkmorphose Spray 230ml helps prepare hair for styling while providing heat protection, smoothing and improving manageability.
• L'Oréal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Serum 50ml is a heat activated smoothing serum designed to help control frizz and protect hair against humidity while styling.
• ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray 120ml is a lightweight heat protection spray that helps protect hair from heat styling while keeping it smooth, soft and manageable.
4. Choose Styling Products That Help Control Frizz
Once your hair is dry and styled, the right finishing product can help keep frizz under control and leave your hair looking smoother.
Hair oils and serums are particularly useful for managing dry lengths, smoothing flyaways and adding shine. They can also help improve the appearance of hair that looks puffy or feels rough, which can become more noticeable in humid weather.
The key is choosing a formula that suits your hair. Some are designed specifically to help control frizz and puffiness, while others focus on nourishing dry or damaged lengths. Apply a small amount through the mid lengths and ends, adding more only if needed to avoid weighing your hair down.
Our recommendations:
• Redken Frizz Dismiss Instant Deflate Oil in Serum 125ml is designed to help control unwanted puffiness and frizz, making it a great option for hair that tends to expand in humid conditions.
• Redken All Soft Argan 6 Hair Oil 100ml helps nourish dry lengths, improve softness and add shine.
• Pureology Hydrate Glow Catcher Oil 50ml helps add shine and softness while caring for dry lengths and ends.
• K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil 30ml helps improve the appearance of damaged hair, smooth flyaways and add shine.
5. Make Small Changes to Your Drying Routine
How you dry your hair can have a big impact on how it behaves throughout the day.
Roughly rubbing your hair with a towel can create friction, disturb the cuticle and encourage frizz. Instead, gently squeeze excess water from your hair using a soft or microfibre towel.
When blow drying, use a nozzle attachment and direct the airflow from roots to ends. For curly or wavy hair, a diffuser can help dry curls more gently while maintaining their natural shape and definition.
Avoid excessive handling while your hair dries. The more you brush, touch or disturb your hair, the more likely you are to encourage unwanted frizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my hair go frizzy as soon as I step outside?
When you move from an indoor environment into humid air, your hair absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. This can cause the hair fibre to swell and disrupt the bonds that hold your style in place, resulting in frizz, puffiness or a change in texture.
What is the best product to use for frizzy hair in humid weather?
It depends on your hair type and what you want to achieve. Smoothing creams are often helpful for thicker or coarser hair, while lightweight leave in conditioners and anti frizz sprays can work well for finer hair. Hair serums and oils can also help smooth dry ends and add shine.
Should I straighten my hair in humid weather?
You can still straighten your hair in humid weather, but it may be harder to maintain a sleek finish. Make sure your hair is completely dry before straightening, use heat protection and finish with a suitable smoothing or humidity resistant styling product.
Is frizzy hair a sign that my hair is damaged?
Not necessarily. Frizz can be caused by natural hair texture, humidity, dryness or damage. However, hair that is highly porous or has a compromised cuticle may be more susceptible to frizz. If your hair also feels rough, dry or brittle, it may benefit from a more nourishing haircare routine.
How can I stop my curly hair from frizzing in humidity?
Focus on keeping your curls hydrated and well defined. Use a suitable conditioner, follow with a leave in treatment and choose styling products designed to enhance curls and help control frizz. Avoid brushing dry curls, as this can disrupt their natural pattern and create additional frizz.
Find the Right Routine for Your Hair
Humidity can make hair harder to manage, but the right combination of haircare, styling products and everyday habits can make a real difference. Focus on keeping your hair in good condition, protecting it when heat styling and choosing products that suit your individual hair type.
Not sure which products will work best for your hair? Try the free online hair consultation at Headstart by Styleclub. Get personalised product recommendations and expert advice based on your hair type, concerns and styling goals, so you can build a routine that works for you throughout spring and summer.
