It's the humidity! Whether you want to embrace it or tame it, Jen Atkin shares her humidity hair hacks (including a homemade hair mask that works wonders)
It's hot, it's humid and we're not really sure how we feel. On the one hand, hello summer, we weren't sure you were going to show up. On the other, we're not equipped! Give us rain – we know what we're doing there. Add in the tropical heat and we start to unravel.
One of the most divisive things about humidity? Humidity hair, and more specifically, frizz.
Personally, we love a little extra body, but we hear what blogger Julia (better known by her username Humidity Is The Enemy) is saying. "I despise the humid weather," she writes. "As a biracial girl born with natural curly hair and oily-combination skin, the humidity is truly my enemy." But, as she's learned, if you can't control the weather, sometimes its best to just roll with it. How to beat the frizz? "Embrace it," she says. "Frizz is NORMAL! Don’t be ashamed of it. EMBRACE it curly queens!"
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We've been excited to see natural texture in all its beautiful kinks, curls and quirks become an even bigger movement as more of us have embraced our own texture, especially over the past year.
But we're also living for the hilarious videos of puffball hair and withering eye rolls. "[I'm] literally a cotton ball," one user posted on TikTok.
We love watching how others have run with it, including rocking baby braids to stop the front sections from becoming too wild, or a little sweaty.
However, if you relate to makeup artist (and the owner of some seriously gorge curls), Nisha Surpal, we hear ya. "If you wear your hair down in this weather, I salute you and I’d love to know how," she told Instagram.
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You're in luck because our hair columnist, Jen Atkin, has put together the definitive guide to working with frizz in humid weather. These are the mantras she swears by...
The DIY hair recipe I can't live without
I have some natural DIY’s I swear by. Soaking your hair in coconut oil overnight or for just a few hours during the day, helps moisturise and add shine to your hair, which helps calm humidity. Also, avocados are not just for eating, but they also do wonders for your hair. Just mash up two ripe avocados into a bowl until blended and massage into your hair, top with a shower cap, and leave on for 15-20 minutes. Voila!
The magic sheet that tames frizz
I always recommend OUAI Anti-Frizz Sheets (£20) - they’re an alternative product that just focuses on frizz but are also travel-friendly. They’re a quick touch-up for the girl-on-the-go who doesn’t want to carry around a bottle of hair oil.
The one product you should always use
ALWAYS use a heat protectant! This creates a UV barrier, protecting the strands and hydrating them at the same time. You can also apply the OUAI Treatment Masque (£32) to the hair before hitting the beach to let the heat double activate for a deep conditioning treatment while the artichoke leaf extract provides a barrier from the sun, salt, and sand. I also swear by hair balm. Rub a little on your hair to smooth down those flyaway.
Adjust your sleeping habits
I suggest sleeping on a SLIP silk pillowcase (£85) to keep the hair in the best possible condition. This pillowcase is a game-changer! It serves multiple purposes by protecting your hair and delicate facial skin from the tugs and creases from a cotton pillowcase. It also reduces spit ends and helps that blow-dry last longer. What many women don't know is cotton absorbs the moisture in your hair, causing dryness and breakage. Using the silk pillowcase takes care of all of that.
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Finally, make sure you have these shampoos for frizzy hair in your humidity hair toolkit. And if none of these products work for you, there's always these summer hairstyles as plan B...
InDigitalAccessorise
An accessorised up-do is a great choice for humid days. Not only will the pretty clips keep frizz locked down (and look lovely) - they'll prove a great distraction from any flyaways.
Headbands
If Chanel say it's OK to start wearing headbands again, then it's OK. A loose up-do will disguise frizz while the band will keep tresses locked-down.
Getty ImagesFrench braid
A textured French braid is perfect for humid days; add plenty of root lift spray before you style and finish with a spritz of firm hold hairspray to fight flyaways.
IndigitalThe twist
This super-messy Fendi twist will only look better when humidity strikes; spritz hair through with salt spray before styling to give a controlled textured finish.
Rex FeaturesLock down
Tightly-wound double French braids are pretty much weather-proof. Come on humidity; do your worst. Be sure to apply a mousse or salt spray through locks before styling for extra hold.
IndigitalCrimp it
Confuse frizz-prone hair by adding extra texture in the form of crimped sections swept back into a low ponytail. This way the added volume and frizz will look deliberate.
Rex FeaturesHalo braid
A loose, multi-strand halo braid is messy enough to look even better once the humidity adds a little extra texture to your locks.
IndigitalMulti-bun
Shorter hairs are those most likely to be affected by frizz in the humidity, so keep all your hair locked down with a multi-bun up-do like this catwalk style.
IndigitalWet-look
Wet-look hair is a top trend for summer, and humid weather is the perfect time to tap into it. Add a gel-spray product through the upper lengths of locks and when wet, slick back behind your ears and finish with a holding spray.
GoRunwayPin it
Divide your hair into two sections and twist back from the temples, adding in hair the lower you get. When both twists meet, pin into a bun and secure with plenty of pins down each side. Carry a pocket full of bobby pins for when the humidity strikes.
GoRunwayBallet bun
Nothing will keep your locks in place quite as well as a hair net; and lucky for you this sleek ballet bun is on trend for the summer. Pull hair back into a tight high ponytail and spray into place before twisting hair into a bun and pinning it securely with a net.
Getty ImagesTopknot
A summery topknot is perfect for when frizz levels are high. Just scoop your locks into a high pony and twist locks into a high bun, letting the knot peek over your head. Flyaways will just add to the relaxed summer vibe of this look.
Rex FeaturesTousled tresses
If you'd rather not sweep your hair back into an up-do as the frizz-factor raises, opt for beachy tousled tresses that will look better with a little extra volume. Spritz locks with salt spray and carry it with you to touch up throughout the day.
GettySlick hair & centre parting
Using serums, oils and glosses in humid conditions is always a good idea. Slick back your locks and keep it simple with a centre parting for a frizz-free mane.
