By Chloe Metzger, Allure
(Photo: Pierre Scherman)
Curly hair and rain are about as compatible as fire and ice. Sure, there are plenty of products that claim to shield hair from every trace of humidity, but show me one of these alleged "game changers," and I'll show you some unhappy, frizzy testers. Being a curly-haired girl myself, I feel your pain. So I talked to a few experts and tested their advice on this rainy week.
Start strong. "If your hair is dry and damaged, the cuticle will be lifted, making it easy for humidity to penetrate each strand and cause frizz," says hairstylist Anthony Dickey, the founder of Hair Rules Salon in New York City. So whatever you do, avoid traditional, sulfate-based shampoos, which can strip curls of moisture. The best choice is a sulfate-free cleansing conditioner. (Not sure which to pick? We can help you find the best one for your hair type.) To help seal the cuticle, coat hair in the shower with a superhydrating (but still lightweight) conditioner, like Ouidad Curl Quencher Conditioner, then apply a leave-in conditioner, like Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner, from the midlength to ends.
Layer up. "Using the right products for your curl type will give you maximum protection," says Dickey. For medium-texture curls, try a water-based mousse, like Hair Rules Wavy Mousse. If your hair is fine, an alcohol-based product, like Pantene Pro-V Curl Defining Mouse, works well. Once your hair is dry, Dickey recommends smoothing a small amount of Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom on your ends to define and seal curls. "Before you leave the house, spray your hair thoroughly with an anti-humidity product, which acts like an invisible jacket," says hairstylist Mark Hill, who recommends Bedazzled Anti-Humidity Shine Spray. (We also love Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray.) "Keep a can in your desk drawer and give your hair a spritz before you go outside," he says.
Put it up. Your stormy-day BFF will be a quick updo (and a sturdy umbrella). "A simple French twist will help protect your hair without loosening your natural curls," says Hill. "Just gather your hair into a low ponytail, twirl it upward, and secure the twist against your head with a few bobby pins. When you get back inside, take out the pins and gently shake your hair back into shape." If your curls tend to fall rather than frizz in humid weather, Hill suggests a quick and pretty headband tuck, which will keep your curls coiled as you commute. First, place a thick, elastic headband over your head like a crown. Then, starting near your ear, twist two-inch sections of hair up and over the headband, tucking the ends under the elastic to form a roll across the back of your head. "When you take the band out, you'll have defined curls without the frizz," says Hill.
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