Master Traffic-Stopping Curls Even on Super Humid Days
Humidity is the natural curled girl’s worst enemy. You’ve put so much time and care into washing and styling your locks only to have your perfect spirals and ringlets turn into a puffy, frizzy mess the minute you step outside on a humid day. Is there any way to win the war against humidity and maintain sleek, smooth curls no matter what the weather decides to throw your way?
Luckily, the answer is yes! With the right hair care routine and curl-defining products in your arsenal, you can master humidity-proof curls that will have heads turning even on the stickiest dog days of summer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through professional tips and tricks for locking in frizz-free, traffic-stopping definition that can withstand even soupy, moisture-laden air.
Why Humidity Wreaks Havoc on Curls
To understand how to tackle frizz and maintain your curls, it helps to understand exactly why humidity causes issues in the first place. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air at a given time. On hot, humid days, the air contains higher amounts of water molecules from evaporation and sweat.
When those moisture-packed molecules come into contact with the strands and fibers in your hair, the moisture is readily absorbed. This causes the cuticles on the hair shaft to swell and lift up. When the cuticle lifts, it creates a rough, porous surface, which allows even more moisture inside, becoming increasingly frizzy and undefined.
Hair with texture like curls and coils is especially prone to extreme swelling and frizzing in humidity compared to straighter hair types. The curl shape naturally has more nooks and crannies for moisture to creep in and lift cuticles. Plus, curls tend to be drier and thirstier by nature. When that thirst meets lots of moisture in the air…frizz city!
So in summary, humidity overloads hair with moisture, causing swelling and cuticle lifting that lets in even more moisture to puff up strands. That’s why humidity can completely destroy a defined curl shape, stretching out springy coils into a shapeless poof ball. The good news is with the right prep and products, you can create a moisture barrier between your strands and the humidity!
Prep Hair Properly Before Styling
You’ve probably heard this over and over – but it really is true that the key to frizz protection starts before you even pull out your styling products. How you prep your hair after cleansing but before styling makes ALL the difference in fighting humidity.
Dry Hair Most of the Way Before Applying Products
DO NOT apply your creams, gels, mousses when hair is dripping wet. Water saturates strands, dilutes products, and won’t provide adequate moisture protection from the humidity.
Here’s a simple technique to properly prep damp curls:
After washing, gently squeeze out excess moisture from your hair with a soft cotton T-shirt or microfiber towel. Scrunch hair upward to avoid frizz and encourage curl formation as it dries.
Then, let your hair continue air drying for 5-10 minutes before applying any styling products. This allows some of the internal moisture to evaporate while strands are still damp but not soggy wet.
You’ll know your hair is ready for product when it feels cool and damp but doesn’t leave a wet spot when you touch your head to a paper towel or cloth.
Use a Blow Dryer on Low for Greater Control
For even more control over moisture levels in your hair, use a blow dryer on a low heat, high airflow setting. Diffuse hair about 80% dry, allowing just a touch of moisture to remain inside strands.
Be sure to scrunch and massage hair as it dries for enhanced curl formation. Air dry the final 20% after achieving your desired curl shape. We’ll talk more about diffusing techniques shortly!
The key is finding that sweet spot where hair has some moisture content left – but isn’t saturated. Done correctly, this prep allows you to create a moisture barrier with styling products so humid air can’t penetrate the hair shaft and wreak havoc.
Guard Strands with Anti-Frizz Serum
Once your damp (not soaking!) curls are prepped, it’s time to call in the anti-humidity cavalry a.k.a curl-saving serums and oils. The first line of defense against frizz should always be a high-quality serum.
These specially formulated styling products create a smoothing, moisture-blocking barrier on the outside of hair strands. Serums seal the cuticle flat so humidity can’t sneak in and cause swelling. Natural oils and silicones in these products also help curls glide over each other smoothly rather than rubbing and frizzing. It’s like adding a protective shield against the elements!
When choosing a serum, look for lightweight, non-greasy formulas that won’t weigh down your curls. The Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum is a top-rated budget option for all curl types.
For looser waves and spirals, the Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Envy Perfect Anti-Frizz Cream gives touchable soft hold.
And the cult-favorite Ouidad Advanced Climate Control® Heat & Humidity Gel defines coils while fighting frizz, humidity, and heat styling up to 450°F!
How to Apply Anti-Frizz Serum
Work a quarter-sized amount of serum through clean, damp strands before applying any other styling products.
Focus on the mid-lengths and ends where humidity tends to strike hardest. Smooth evenly from roots to tips. This provides humidity protection as a base so creams and gels can go on top for shaping and hold.
You’ll know your serum is working its magic when strands feel slick and softened immediately after application.
Pro tip: Layer the serum under your favorite gel or mousse and on top of leave-in conditioner for locking in moisture AND serious frizz protection.
Define Shape with Anti-Humidity Styling Creams
Serums form an important first line of defense. But for touchable curls that pop even in heavy humidity, you need products with some hold. Styling creams and custards add grip and separation while still locking out frizz.
Think of anti-frizz creams like styling insurance. They glue those perfectly smooth serum-treated strands into springy, defined curl formations that last all day.
Look for humidity-resistant creams containing humectants like glycerin to retain moisture inside the hair without allowing exterior humidity in. Ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter also protect strands from swelling.
SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie keeps all curl types smooth and defined with frizz-fighting coconut oil and silk protein.
If you prefer something lighter, try Jessicurl’s Spiralicious Styling Gel. This alcohol-free botanical gel recipe seals in moisture and prevents puffiness without stiffness or crunch.
No matter which brand you choose, apply your anti-humidity cream to soaking wet hair right after washing. Distribute evenly from roots to ends before diffusing or air drying. This “wet set” method allows maximum frizz protection as strands dry into shapely curled formations.
Diffuse Strategically for Extra Definition
Once you’ve prepped damp strands and armed them with anti-frizz fighters like serums and creams, it’s time to dry and set those babies!
Diffusing is one of the best styling techniques for encouraging smooth curl formation and locking out humidity in the process. This method involves using a hair dryer attachment to gently blow air through your curls section by section.
There are several advantages to diffusing over air drying:
- Encourages curl formation as hair dries
- Prevents hair from drying out by locking in moisture
- Allows better control over the drying process for less frizz
- Builds volume at the roots
Follow these expert tips for frizz-free diffusing every time:
Diffuse With Low Heat
High temperatures cause more swelling and damage that leaves hair prone to frizz. Keep the temp under 100°F to avoid puffiness. Low and cool settings give the best anti-frizz effects.
Soften Airflow
Aim for high airflow but LOW velocity. Powerful airflow speeds up drying so hair retains moisture better than slow air drying. But a too-intense blast roughs up the cuticle, so keep it gentle. Use the low or no heat setting with low airflow velocity but high volume.
Hover & Scrunch Method
Don’t press the diffuser directly onto your head, which can flatten curls. Instead, hold it an inch or two away from hair, cupping sections gently inside the bowl diffuser attachment.
Let heat and air travel indirectly onto strands, moving the dryer constantly so no one section overheats. As sections start to dry, scrunch hair upward from underneath to lift and shape curls.
Diffuse 70-80% Then Air Dry
Don’t fully dry strands with the diffuser. Let hair get about 70-80% of the way dry, until the outside feels dry but the interior still feels cool and damp. This allows enough moisture inside to prevent frizz while setting the outer shape.
Finish air drying the rest of the way after achieving your desired curl formation with the diffuser for light, touchable texture. Avoid overdiffusing which causes extreme dryness and frizz over time.
Finishing Touches
After diffusing, locks in moisture and fights frizz with a few final steps:
- Apply a tiny bit more smoothing cream or oil just to the ends
- Gently break apart any curl pieces stuck together
- Shake hair out at the roots for extra volume
- Let dry completely before going outside
If desired, you can finish with a flexible hold hairspray once hair is 100% dry. This seals the style while still allowing natural movement.
Embrace the Power of Silk
You put so much effort into washing, conditioning, styling, and diffusing your luscious locks to perfection. So why undo all your hard humidity-proofing work when you sleep at night?
Fabric friction can cause major frizz and flattened shape overnight. But silk and satin linens provide the slip you need to keep curls bouncy and smooth during beauty rest.
The smooth texture minimizes disruption on strands while allowing hair proteins to move fluidly. Cotton has tiny catchy fibers while silk glides over curls without disruption to the cuticle. Therefore, silk fibers won’t cause swelling or frizz overnight.
Invest in Silk Pillowcases
Pamper those luscious locks by treating them to the gift of silk pillowcases! The slip of this fabric keeps strands in place while preventing tangles, bedhead, and breakage associated with tossing and turning.
Silk allows hair proteins to realign properly overnight. So you wake up with hydrated, sleek strands ready to wow in humidity rather than a dried out rat’s nest!
Sleep in a Satin Bonnet
For extra protection, wrap strands in a soft satin bonnet before climbing into your silk sheets. This provides a double-layer shield between curls and friction while catching any stray hairs that fall out during sleep.
Tie hair gently toward the ends only to avoid dents. Wake up with luxuriously smooth, non-crimped curls ready for the humid day ahead thanks to the dynamic duo of silk and satin!
Refresh in the Morning with Silk Scarf Method
If your curls somehow still manage to get a little limp or frizzy overnight, reach for a silk scarf before styling products when refreshing your ‘do.
Wrap hair carefully with a large square silk scarf, ensuring hair remains smooth and flat against fabric. Tie gently to secure. The friction of silk fibers blown by your body heat, breath, and steam from a warm shower refreshes definition.
After 5-10 minutes bundled in the scarf, unravel to reveal big, beautiful curls back to their non-frizzy glory! Now you’re ready to take on another humidity filled day.
While humidity has a talent for destroying curly styles, you can emerge victorious with the right prep and products. Follow these pro tips to lock in smooth definition that survives swampy humidity:
- Dry strands most of the way before applying products
- Create a moisture barrier with anti-frizz serums
- Define curls with humidity-resistant creams
- Diffuse strategically for enhanced shape
- Protect hair overnight with silk and satin
What are some of your best tricks for winning the war against humidity and its evil frizz-causing powers? Which products are must-haves in your routine for sleek strands when moisture strikes?
Share your top tips and product picks in the comments!