Humidity is the bane of a curly girl's existence. We've all been there, leaving the house with perfectly styled hair, only to step outside and watch it transform into a frizzy mess within minutes. At Kiyo Beauty, we embrace natural texture and frizz, but when it's not the look you were going for, we've got your back.
Let's face it: humidity and curls rarely get along. When moist air hits your strands, your hair opens up to absorb that excess moisture, causing the cuticle to lift and create frizz. If your hair is curly, dry, or porous, you're even more susceptible to humidity-induced frizz.
The good news? With a few tips and smart product choices, you can ensure your curls remain hydrated, defined and achieve frizz-free hair that lasts all day.
Start in the Shower
Fighting frizz begins in the shower. Despite the claims of certain shampoos fighting frizz, a good shampoo can only help lessen frizz; the main job of a shampoo is cleansing your scalp so your hair can be properly moisturised with a conditioner. As you coat your hair with a deeply moisturising conditioner, you're setting the foundation for frizz-free hair styling.
Make sure your hair stays dripping wet throughout the wash day process. Never apply styling products to dry hair on humid days. After washing, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfibre towel to prevent frizz, unless your specific products require styling on soaking wet hair.
If you're not styling immediately after washing, start with a spray bottle filled with water. If you live in a hard water area, use filtered or bottled water in your spray bottle for best results. Then work your leave-in conditioner and styling products into damp hair, working through each section thoroughly.
This approach locks in the right kind of moisture while creating a protective barrier that seals out environmental humidity.
But what specific hair products can help prevent frizz?
Choose the Right Anti-Frizz Products
Finding the right products to help fight frizz will require some experimentation, as every head of hair is different, but focusing on products with key terms like 'frizz,' 'humidity,' and 'strong-hold' will put you on the right track.
For example, if you are shopping for the best anti-frizz products, you might see ‘fight the frizz’ or ‘tame frizz’, or ‘frizz control’ or ‘frizz rescue’ on packaging and product descriptions. These buzzwords indicate products specifically formulated for humidity protection. However, be aware that while a product might claim to have frizz-fighting effects, it might not work on your specific hair type, so always read reviews from people with similar hair textures before purchasing.
For instance, the Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum, which has a 4.5 rating on their website, is a perfect example of effective product naming that signals its frizz control benefits.
Another standout is the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control® Heat & Humidity Gel – Stronger Hold, a top-selling favourite during hot weather. It’s specially formulated to tackle the two biggest frizz culprits: heat and humidity.
There are several types of anti-frizz products you want to keep on your bathroom shelf: lightweight mists, leave-in conditioners, creams, hair gels, oils and hair sprays.
Seal It In with Cool Temperature
Once you have finished styling your hair, you have two choices to set your hair: air dry or use a blow dryer.
Opting for a blow dryer can actually lead to less frizz and better frizz control. Start with warm air, then, when your hair is mostly dry, seal the hair cuticle with cold air for the remaining time, at least 30 seconds, but we recommend 3-5 minutes, which will help offer better frizz protection throughout the day.
Pack an Emergency Frizz Kit
Even with the best preparation, humidity can still win sometimes. But don't panic, if you build an emergency mini kit, you'll be prepared for almost anything. As a curly girl, weather isn't something you should leave to chance (unless you like the look, and that's perfectly fine too).
What you'll need is a bottle of water to keep you and your hair hydrated, plus a travel-size oil, gel, and a hair mist. The Kurl Kitchen Okra & Hemp Hair Oil helps prevent frizz and ensures your hair remains soft - a big win when the hot weather makes your hair so dry. For a hair gel, we recommend something flexible like the Curlsmith Hydro Style Flexi Jelly, and for hair mists, the Flora & Curl Citrus Superfruit Detangling Mist works brilliantly. These products are among the best anti-frizz products for on-the-go touch-ups.
Protect Your Hair With a Hat
This is the product-free method. The most budget-friendly way of protecting your curls is wearing a hat or a scarf (you might risk squishing or stretching your curls.) Opt for satin or silk-lined hats and scarves - your hair will thank you later.
Choose loose-fitting, wide-brimmed styles that don't press too tightly against your hairline. Open-back baseball caps are great for curly hair as less of the hair is squished. Whatever you go for, make sure your hair has room to breathe and that your hair product has dried up before putting your hat on.
Embrace the Weather
Remember, some days the humidity will win, and that's perfectly okay. Instead of fighting it, work with your hair's natural texture. It might even be the season for you to explore wearing your hair in loose braids(if you haven’t already). Frizzy days don't make your hair any less beautiful but if you are a little afraid to leave the house (you shouldn't be as your curls frizzy or not are glorious), it might be time to consider accessorising.
The goal isn't to eliminate every bit of texture or movement; it's to maintain healthy hair even if it is not defined. But the tips above are helpful if you are looking to keep your curls intact.
With the right approach and products, you can step outside confidently, knowing your hair is ready for whatever the weather brings.
Our Picks
Gels
Leave ins
Mists
Oils and Serums
Hairsprays
Final Thoughts
Frizz doesn't have to rule your summer. With the right prep and techniques, your hair can stay as God intended curly, defined and full of life.
Try out these helpful tips and let your hair enjoy the weather, instead of fighting it. But even if your hair puffs up, let it soak in the sun for a moment and don't let it ruin your day as frizzy is pretty in its own way.
Have a favourite anti-frizz hack or product that's worked wonders for you? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And don't forget to explore the Kiyo Beauty shop to find your perfect humidity-fighting match.
