Frizz and natural hair? Summer heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your natural hair, leading to frizz and loss of definition.
Managing frizz and maintaining your curls, kinks, and coils in the summer requires a strategic approach.
In this article, we’ll explore natural methods to combat frizz and keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful, highlighting key ingredients and essential oils.
Frizz occurs when the outer layer of your hair, the cuticle, lifts, allowing moisture to enter the hair shaft. This causes your hair to swell and become frizzy. Managing frizz involves sealing the cuticle and maintaining moisture balance.
Keeping your hair hydrated is the first step to preventing frizz. Use water-based leave-in conditioners and hydrating spritzes to ensure your hair retains moisture.
Personally, I don’t like leave-in-conditioners but I love a good spritz. As with your skin care routine, learn what works for your hair. Leave-in-conditioners for some or water/oil based spritz for others. Your hair will let you know what it likes.
– Aloe Vera Juice: Incorporate aloe vera juice into your leave-in conditioner or spritz. Aloe vera helps to smooth the hair cuticle and lock in moisture.
– Glycerin: A humectant, glycerin attracts moisture from the air into the hair. However, be cautious with glycerin in extremely humid conditions. Too much can lead to excessive moisture and frizz. Now you’ve defeated your purpose.
Essential oils can help to smooth your hair cuticle and reduce frizz.
– Argan Oil: Known as “liquid gold,” argan oil is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. It helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reduce frizz, and add shine.
– Lavender Oil: Lavender oil not only smells great but also helps to calm your scalp and reduce frizz. It’s also known to condition your hair, making it softer and more manageable.
– Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil is known to strengthen your hair, promote growth, and reduce frizz by smoothing the cuticle and adding shine.
Essential oils should be diluted with carrier oils. This creates a great opportunity to have a hair oil that can moisturize your hair.
Sealing in moisture is crucial to preventing frizz. Natural oils and butters are excellent for this purpose.
– Shea Butter: Provides deep moisture and helps to smooth your hair cuticle, reducing frizz.
– Coconut Oil: Penetrates the hair shaft to provide deep moisture and helps to smooth the cuticle, reducing frizz.
– Jojoba Oil: Mimics the natural oil of your scalp, sealing in moisture without leaving your hair greasy.
Protective styles can help to maintain definition and reduce frizz by minimizing hair manipulation and exposure to humidity.
– Twists and Braids: These styles keep your hair stretched and reduce the amount of frizz by minimizing contact with humid air.
– Bantu Knots and Updos: These styles also protect your hair from humidity and help maintain curl definition.
Your nighttime routine plays a crucial role in managing frizz and maintaining curl definition.
– Satin or Silk Scarf/Pillowcase: Use a satin or silk scarf or pillowcase to reduce friction and retain moisture while you sleep.
– Pineapple Method: For those of you with length to your natural hair, gather your hair at the top of your head in a loose ponytail. This method helps to preserve curl definition and reduce frizz.
Humidity can be one of the biggest challenges in managing frizz. Here are a few tips to help humidity-proof your hair:
– Avoid Heat Styling: Heat styling can damage the hair cuticle, making it more susceptible to frizz. Opt for air-drying or using a diffuser on a low heat setting.
Managing frizz and maintaining curl definition in natural hair during the summer requires a combination of proper hydration, sealing in moisture, protective styles, and using the right techniques and products.
By incorporating natural ingredients and essential oils into your hair care routine, you can keep your curls, kinks, and coils looking their best, even in the most humid conditions. Embrace these tips and enjoy beautiful, frizz-free hair all summer long.
That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated to Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician, Author, Publisher,