5 Ways to Guarantee Smooth Summer Hair For Every Texture
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Do you dream of having soft, smooth hair during the summer? Well, you're not alone. As the temperature rises and the weather gets increasingly humid, I often end up throwing my hair back in a ponytail. Not only because of the heat, but because by the end of a hot day, it can get super dry and frizzy.
If you've had to deal with summertime frizz, you'll know it can be an ongoing battle - and, no, I'm not talking about gorgeously kinky, curly hair that loves to be big. The kind of frizz we like to solve typically occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair. When your hair is dry, damaged, or chemically-treated, the outer layer of the hair strand (the cuticle) becomes raised, as opposed to lying flat and smooth. During the summer, the hair often seeks moisture from the air around it, which is why humidity causes the hair to swell and turn frizzy.
But no matter your starting texture, a bit of heat-induced frizz doesn't mean you have to write off fabulous hairstyles when it starts to swelter outside.
We reached out to celebrity hairstylist Jeremy Tardo and Sam Villa, co-founder of Sam Villa and global artistic ambassador for Redken, to share some tips on how treat your hair right so it shines like the sun this summer.
Flyaway Hair
If you have flyaway-frizzy hair, it's important to assess the reason why, says Tardo. "If the flyaway hair is caused by breakage, a strengthening hair treatment can help restore the strands," he says. "If your hair is dry, a treatment masque can help to repair the cuticle, restore moisture and help flyways lay flat."
Villa adds that keeping your hair compact when drying or applying heat, is another guaranteed way to reduce frizz and keep flyaways tamed. "I like to divide the hair into six or seven sections and braid each section tight," he says. The stylist then uses a straightening iron to go over each braid - gently closing the iron over the braid from root to end. "Follow the same technique on all braids and allow the hair to fully cool down before unraveling," he explains.
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Damaged Hair
If your hair has become dry or is generally in an unhealthy state, you've probably experienced summertime frizz. "With hair that is damaged, you really have to rely on specialty products to help repair the cuticle, tame frizz, and add shine," says Villa. "For my clients, I usually recommend Redken's Acidic Bonding Concentrate range." He says the three-step system of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in "infuses the hair with the intense conditioning that dry, damaged hair needs." The pro's tips for using this kind of treatment to get the ultimate glossiness? Braid your hair after putting in the final conditioner, and let your hair completely dry before unwinding those braids. Then? Brace yourself for results.
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Natural Hair
Natural curls soak up moisture and can expand with the summer heat very quickly. To avoid expansion and reduce frizz, it's important to keep the curls compact and set them in place while the hair is damp, says Villa. "You're basically locking in the curl pattern when you apply your product, so doing this on almost wet hair will lock in a smoother texture," he explains.
To help your curls stay refined, section your hair while damp and evenly distribute a smoothing product through the curls. Next, gather small sections and twist them tightly around your index finger, gradually twisting all your hair. "With your palms facing each other, enclose your hands around each section of curls and press firmly on your hair twice to compress it," says Villa. "Allow the hair to dry, and do not touch."
All Hair Types
No matter your hair type, there are a few simple tips that can help anyone reduce summertime frizz. Villa recommends setting your hair with a silk scarf. "Sleeping with your hair wrapped helps to reduce friction that causes frizz," explains the stylist. To set your hair, carve a center part from the front of your hairline to the nape. Lay the center of a scarf across the top of your head at the front parting. "Starting on one side of your head, wrap the hair around the scarf to reach the ends and tie into a loose bun," says Villa. "Repeat on the opposite side." Remove the scarf the next day and you're all set for a smooth summer.
Believe it or not, the way you dry your hair can also contribute to frizz. "After shampooing your hair use a terry cloth towel or an old T-shirt to dry it off," says Tardo. This works because t-shirts do not have the rough grooves of a towel so the flat surface can absorb excess water and slide over the hair, instead of creating friction and frizz.
When smoothing frizzy hair with heat, be sure to direct the airflow of your blowdryer downward adds Tardo. "If the hair is blown in different directions, the cuticle will become rough, and the result will be more frizz."