How I Frizz-Proof My Strands

in Sweltering Summer Temps

by Lisa DeSantis

Smooth and shiny, baby.

Oh, sweet summertime. What’s not to love? Well, other than when the humidity skyrockets and the skies threaten to open up every few hours. But it’s these lows that allow us to enjoy the highs so much, right? Even when it’s a high of 97 and a heat advisory has been issued…you get the picture. Other than the balmy summer temps being uncomfortable, there’s another elephant in the room waiting to be addressed, though. And its name is frizz.

Did you know that frizz is an indicator of damage? The drier, more damaged your hair is, the more it looks to the environment for hydration. When a thirsty strand gets a taste of humidity, it soaks it up, leading to expansion, i.e., frizz. 

As someone with waist-length hair, summer certainly threatens to rain on my parade and leave behind a fuzzy halo. Which brings me to a few key lessons I’ve learned over the years. From living in NYC and enduring a sweaty subway commute to navigating the southern storms in Nashville, I’ve pretty much nailed down a routine that allows my strands to shine. Literally and figuratively. 

Here’s what I swear by.

1. Wash Right

I tend to switch up my shampoo and conditioner fairly often, but I’ve found that by starting with my wash routine, my hair is less frizz-prone, even if I don’t follow with a multi-step styling sesh. Makes sense, though, because if my hair is getting the moisture it needs when it’s wet– this makes the strand easier to penetrate, so products can get where they need to– it’s not going to be craving hydration later on. Currently on tap in my shower: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner, which tout ultra-hydrating ingredients and promise not to weigh hair down. Which, I can attest to! My hair is long and it’s also fine, a match made in heaven when it comes to being weighed down. Because of this, I have to be careful with putting moisturizing products on it, as they are notoriously heavier in weight.  

2. Dry Smart

Damage is always lurking at every corner, so even though your hair may have been taken care of in the shower, what comes next is just as important. Grabbing any old towel to wrap your hair in is not the move. Most people think that heat damage from a blowdryer is the worst thing you could do for your hair, but using a towel that roughs up the cuticle can be just as bad. That’s why a microfiber towel is the only thing I’ll reach for on wash days. (Which BTW, is only once a week– another way I keep my hair healthy. By not over- washing or drying!) The Crown Affair makes a great one. After letting my hair mostly air dry, I’ll use my Dyson dryer to get my strands to about 95% dry. Then I loosely twist the lengths into a bun and fasten with a large Silk scrunchie. Usually I’ll sleep with my hair in this freshly washed and dried bun, allowing me to wake up to dreamy beachwaves once I remove the scrunchie. 

3. Strengthen + Repair

Ever since the K18 leave-in hair mask hit the market, I’ve been a loyal fan. Its goal is to penetrate the strand– not an easy task– and repair from within. The result: healthier, stronger hair that’s less breakage- and damage-prone. This is why colorists love it– K18 is especially helpful for blondes, or those who bleach their hair to get sunkissed highlights like I do. I apply it to damp hair before blow drying and it’s a gamechanger. Stylists always remark on how surprised they are that my hair is so healthy given its length and that I bleach it, and I credit K18 with that. And although it’s pricey, because I wash so infrequently and only use a small amount each time, the bottle lasts longer than I would expect. 

4. Style Smart

Similarly to how you can experience mechanical damage/breakage from roughly drying your hair with a towel, certain styles threaten the same outcome. Love a ponytail every single day? You likely experience lots of baby hairs because of the repeat tension that’s put on your hair, not to mention if you tie your hairband super tight. Or even brush too aggressively. Instead of relying on harsh styles, I love rocking a headband to hide greasy roots, which feels very off-duty model-meets-Pilates-princess. 437 makes my favorite headbands because they don’t slip and make me feel chic. When I want to enhance the pattern of my beach waves, I go in with the smallest amount of Oribe’s Supershine Moisturizing Cream. It smells divine, but more importantly, it tames flyaways and adds some extra moisture to help protect my look from the elements. If I know I’ll be outside at a special event and I really want to protect my style from humidity, I’ll bring out Living Proof Humidity Shield, which is kind of like magic. It’s a dry spray that conditions and tames frizz even if the fuzz has already started to grow, leaving behind a luminous shine. Lastly– my secret weapon that never leaves my bag: Dae 3-in-1 Taming Wand. If the baby hairs around my hairline start to go rogue– especially in a slick back look– this is the answer. The generous sized mascara spoolie deposits the perfect amount of styling cream to slick down flyaways, without making hair look wet or oil, so I can look and feel polished, no matter the weather forecast. 

Shop Frizz-Proof Haircare