Curls are magical things when they’re acting the way they’re supposed to act. Curly girls know that sweet spot of happiness when our coils and kinks are supple, hydrated and behaving. But throw in summer heat and humidity and they can turn into an absolute nightmare: frizzy, crunchy and resistant to all styling and taming. It’s true: fear of frizz can ruin our summer fun.
Luckily, there are plenty of tricks to keep naturally curly hair quenched and luscious during the summer months. We turned to Taliah Waajid, one of the OG pioneers of the natural and multicultural haircare industry (she’s been doing this since 1991), who was more than happy to share some tips on how to keep your curls supple, hydrated and manageable during the summer months.
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This article originally appeared on TotalBeauty.com
Naturally Curly Hair Tips for Summer
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Step up the shampoo
Waajid's first tip might sound a bit counterintuitive to girls with curls: you might want to cleanse a bit more than normal due to excess sweat and buildup. After all, a clean scalp is a healthy scalp and hair that's rid of buildup can more easily receive the hydration it needs. "We're outside a bit more and using more styling products to keep hair in place, so there's more dirt and product residue." She recommends upping your wash day game slightly: if you normally shampoo once a week, do it twice a week during the hotter months.
Image: Imaxtree
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Use the right products for cleansing
In order to remove that summer buildup, Waajid recommends a moisturizing shampoo, not a co-washing situation. "Co-washing should be done during the cooler months. During the summer with all the sweat and products, you really don't want your hair weighed down with perspiration and the extra products you use to get the style you want." Waajid recommends following that shampoo with the right conditioner for your hair type. Cleansers like Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo, $7.69, should work wonders.
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Find a leave-in to believe in
As most of us with naturally curly hair know, the right style starts in the shower where we have a chance to lock in all the hydration we need. Waajid is a firm believer in the power of a leave-in conditioner directly out of the shower. "Prevention of frizz starts with a good conditioner that offers good pH balance and good slip," she advises. "The right leave-in conditioner helps keep hair strands coated so you don't get frizzy. Make sure the ingredients are right — no sulfates, no alcohol, nothing that will make the hair hard." She recommends her Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Leave-In Conditioner, $10.99.
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Just add oils
As naturally curly hair is challenged in the hydration department, you'll want an extra insurance policy against summer heat drying out your hair. Waajid recommends adding a light oil like her Taliah Waajid PhenomonOil, $10.99, over your leave-in conditioner and any styling puddings when styling to lock in hydration while hair is wet, and then touching up ends periodically to maintain moisture.
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Go lighter on your products
You might be tempted to try to beat your hair into submission by adding heavy products or doubling down on your styling aids, but Waajid says a lighter touch might help with frizz control and hydration maintenance. "Play with using less product where you can," she says. "Find that sweet spot of what works to get you through the week."
Image: Imaxtree
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Prepare for pool and beach days
No need to sit pool or beachside if you want to take a dip. "I always recommend before you get in the water — cap or not — to saturate your hair with a leave-in conditioner before you get in the water," explains Waajid. Once you're done for the day, she says to rinse your hair thoroughly and then to apply more conditioner to seal in moisture. "With the sun and the heat, you'll find you need to use it a little more than usual."
Image: Imaxtree
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Use protective styles
Braids, locs, twists — naturalistas know the power of a protective style to make sure their curls stay nurtured and protected. But Waajid wants to expand the concept. "A protective style can also be a ponytail or a French twist," she explains. Waajid says to remember to cleanse longer-term protective styles and not to keep them in longer than you should. "A lot of women don't want to put water on their protective style because they're afraid to mess them up or to shampoo it but it's really important that you do that. It's one of the messages we want to convey to consumers: keep the scalp clean and keep the hair moisturized."
Image: Imaxtree
