Summer is in the air–so we need that summer hair. It’s tough styling hair in the summer with the heat, humidity and chlorine getting in the way. We have to make it look cute, but stay practical. Her Campus received word from Herbal Essences Celebrity Stylist Charles Baker Strahan and compiled seven tips for summer hair—whether it’s dealing with the humidity or keeping hair healthy at the beach.
1. Start with a solid base from the right shampoo and conditioner.
Just like putting on makeup, a good hairstyle starts with the right primers. For non-heating hair styles, try the new bio:renew collection by Herbal Essences. The products remove free radicals with antioxidant tech; it makes your hair soft so that it’s ready for any sort of updo or beach wave you want to try out. Top-notch shampoo and conditioner are like the foundation of good summer hair.
2. Use mousse with curly hair.
If you hair is textured or curly, you should use mousse to hold the strands together while they air dry. We all know the chaos that can come with blow-drying curly hair, so use mousses like the Herbal Essences Curl Define Mousse and the Herbal Essences Flexible Style Mousse to keep your curls intact.
3. Scrunch your hair for extra volume.
After your hair dries, you should scrunch it up “to release the movement.” Herbal Essences also has two products to help with volume–the Volume Airspray and the White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint Dry Shampoo. Squirt the airspray onto your fingers and massage throughout your hair. The dry shampoo is specifically for the roots and scalp. The greater the volume, the healthier and more vibrant your hair will look; instead of flatly laying on your shoulders, it will have some oomph.
4. Use an oil-infused crème.
If your hair is a frazzled mess in the humidity like mine, you can dab a small amount of the Herbal Essences Coconut Milk Oil-Infused Crème onto your fingers and toss it throughout your hair. The crème helps prevent frizzing since the oils hydrate and detangle your luscious locks. This is especially good to keep on the go in case you get caught outside in the humid summer air.
5. Use heat to stop the frizz.
Charles Baker Strahan says that heat changes the shape of your hair, so if you have a few frizzy patches you can quickly stop them with a little heat treatment. Grab your blow dryer or curling iron to “smooth out any kinks caused by frizz.” Sounds like a great plan B if you’re about to run out the door, but see a little frizz at your ends. Make sure to also use the Herbal Essences Argan Oil of Morocco Oil-Infused Crème, which guards against styling damage and frizz.
6. Try applying mousse with an updo.
Even if you’re planning to put your hair up, that doesn’t mean you can leave it au naturale. Fix your frizz with the Herbal Essences Curl Define Mousse and the Herbal Essences Flexible Style Mousse before putting it up for a summer picnic or beach day. Apply a small dap into the frizzy parts of your hair. Then you’re set to twist your hair into an elegant knot or to loosely French braid your hair. Keep your hair out of your face in the heat, but still make sure it gets the love it needs to be healthy.
7. Hair is like a sponge.
Wait, what? Yes, this is Charles Baker Strahan’s advice: remember that hair is like a sponge. “If you submerge a dry sponge in wine or juice, it would stain the sponge. However, if the sponge is wet with clean water first, you can wring out the wine or clean the juice from the sponge. The same is true with hair!” He suggests combining the Herbal Essences Coconut Milk Conditioner with warm water in a spray bottle. Then you can carry that in your tote to the beach or pool. Not only does the conditioner smell heavenly (think fruity summer vibes) but more importantly, it also hydrates your hair after the salt or chlorine causes it to crunch and dry out. A quick spray will help hair air dry to perfection.