Making your hair look perfect all day is time-consuming and annoying. In the summer with all the humidity and the heat, it gets even worse! We know that your hair never seems to cooperate during this time of the season, so we’ve prepared 35 genius hair hacks that will keep your style gorgeous all day long.
1.) Use paper towels
No one likes using a hot blow dryer in the middle of the summer. To help absorb extra moisture from your hair and to help cut down on dry time, squeeze your hair with paper towels. They are super absorbent and will help cut your blow drying time way down.
2.) Fight frizz with this DIY spray
Frizz. It’s the bane of so many people’s existence. Help combat frizz on a daily basis with a homemade coconut spray that works wonders and smells delicious. Find out how to make your own here. All you’ll need is coconut oil, essential oil, water, and a spray bottle!
3.) No-heat hairstyle
This adorable hairstyle is so easy and so fun. Plus? It lasts for two days! Just tuck your hair under and around a headband for a charming chignon hair headband. Sleep with the hair tucked and let it out the next morning for natural waves.
4.) DIY beach wave spray
Beach wave spray is amazing. It gives your hair that “just spent a day at the beach” look with soft, chunky waves. But, buying it at the store can be expensive. Make your own instead with this super simple recipe below.
5.) Use cooling shampoos and conditioners
It might provide just a temporary relief from the hot summer heat, but cooling shampoos and conditioners feel amazing on your scalp. Look for shampoos and conditioners that have peppermint or tea tree as their main feature.
6.) DIY flower crown
One of the most adorable and whimsical ways to hide less-than-tame summer hair is with a flower crown. Not to mention, they’re super cute to wear at all those summer concerts and festivals you’ll be going to. Find out how to make your own here.
7.) Leave-in conditioner for natural hair
If you have natural hair and want to cut down on frizz while keeping your curls looking tight and smooth, here’s an awesome leave-in conditioner recipe that will help. Trust us, this will be your new humidity savior.
8.) Upside-down French braid bun
It’s so nice to have your hair up and off your shoulders and away from your face when it’s hot outside. But, a ponytail or a regular bun can get so boring after a while. Try this fun twist on the classic bun by adding an upside-down French braid.
9.) Blow Pro
If you do have a little bit of disposable income to spend, BlowPro will help save you so much time under the hot blow dryer. It’s basically a magical blow dry lotion that speeds up the process. We don’t know how it works, but it does. Find it at Nordstrom for $21.
10.) Hair mask
If sprays aren’t going to cut it for your super frizzy hair, you might want to try a hair mask instead. This hair mask uses yogurt and honey for a mega-dose of moisture to your hair. Find the step-by-step instructions here.
11.) Save chlorine-ravaged hair
With blonde or light-colored hair, it can take on a greenish hue after spending time in the pool. Help get rid of chlorine from your hair by doing a baking soda rinse in the shower.
12.) Wet hair updo
Not interested in blow drying your hair at all? Try this easy wet hair updo style. Plus, when you finally let your hair down, it will be in beautiful waves to wear the next day. Find other wet hairstyles here.
13.) Sun-kissed locks
Naturally lighten your hair or add in some highlights with some easy DIY methods. Whether it’s using a lemon and honey spray, baking soda, or other techniques, the summer is the perfect time to lighten your hair. DIY N Crafts has all the info you need.
14.) Hair cream for natural hair
“Girls with natural hair can try a homemade hair cream to fight frizz and humidity. Apply before creating twists to make your style summer-proof,” explains Buzzfeed. You can find the recipe and the full tutorial here.
15.) Sunblock for your hair
The sun can be damaging to your hair and it can also lighten your hair. To prevent damage or unwanted lightening, spritz on some UV protection to your locks. There are lots of brands out there that offer sun protection for your hair.
16.) Coconut oil mask
Give your hair a blast of moisture with this incredible coconut oil mask. Oh, and it smells absolutely amazing. You can let it sit on your hair for an hour or overnight if you want to drench your strands. Here’s the easy recipe.
17.) Rinse hair before swimming
“Rinse your hair first with regular tap water before submerging it in the pool or ocean. Your porous hair strands will absorb the tap water, preventing the chemical-laden pool water from damaging your hair. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair for the same results before going to the beach or pool,” says Cosmopolitan.
18.) Avoid headband headache
Headbands are awesome for keeping bangs and flyaways out of your face, but after wearing one all day, the headache that comes along with it is just miserable. Avoid the headband headache by using a scarf with flexible wire inside.
19.) Read the ingredients
You should always be reading the ingredients of any product you use, but in the summer, you should definitely be on the lookout when it comes to the ingredients in your hair products. Words to look for are: hydrating, anti-humidity, sulfate-free, UV protection, and alcohol-free. One ingredient to always avoid? Alcohol. It’s extremely drying.
20.) Replace your hair towel with a t-shirt
Instead of using a towel to dry your hair, use a t-shirt. Terry cloth will end up pulling out moisture too fast, leaving your hair frizzy and unmanageable. The soft fabric of a tee will keep your hair much tamer.
21.) Prevent brittle and dry hair
“Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair to about mid-shaft before sitting outside and swimming. Not only is conditioner great for moisturizing your hair, but the heat from outdoors will help lock in extra moisture,” says Cosmo.
22.) Don’t forget your scalp
Not only should you be protecting your hair from dangerous UV rays, but you shouldn’t forget about your scalp. It doesn’t take long for the skin on your scalp to burn, especially where you part your hair. Before a day outside, spritz your scalp with diluted sunscreen and rub it into your skin.
23.) Or try powdered sunscreen
If a sunscreen spray leaves your hair too oily, you can try a powdered sunscreen instead. Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush from Colorescience comes with a brush end for easy application. You can also use the powder sunscreen on your face to protect your skin and prevent shine.
24.) Lemon juice
Squeeze lemon juice in your hair and comb it through to use a natural highlighter. “When lemon juice, a citric acid, mixes with the sun, it opens up the cuticle of your hair, lifts away the pigment, and leaves your strands a little lighter,” says Cosmo.
25.) Keep bangs back with a French or Dutch braid
A sweaty forehead is the last place you want your bangs to be hanging out at. Keep them away from your face by braiding them into a French or Dutch braid at the hairline. Learn how to do both of these braids here.
26.) Embrace the frizz
Is the frizz in your hair just there to stay no matter what you do? Embrace it! Throw your hair back and pull out any loose pieces and flyaways to make the look seem intentional. It’s that messy, just-got-out-of-bed look.
27.) Use purple shampoo
To all the ladies with blonde and silver locks out there, if you’re not using purple shampoo and/or conditioner, you’ve seriously been missing out. Over time, especially in the summer, blondes and silvers can turn brassy. By using a purple shampoo, the slight violet tint will strip that brassiness right out, keeping your hair bright and beautiful.
28.) Always rinse with cold water
During the summer months, always do a final rinse on your hair with cold water. Rinsing with cold water, as cold as you can tolerate, will seal your hair’s follicle and reduce frizz.
29.) Cut back on washing your hair
“Shampooing your hair less is an important effort that should be made if you are struggling with frizzy hair,” explains hairstylist Erica Engstrom with The Rittenhouse Spa & Club–Hair by Paul Labrecque to New Beauty. “Instead of using shampoo every time you wash your hair, try rinsing it with warm water to take away some of the sweat and oils, but then condition the ends, style as usual. By not stripping all your natural oils, you are instantly creating more healthy hair.”
30.) Use a boar bristle brush
When you do have to blow dry, it’s important to use a boar bristle brush. Other types of brushes can make your hair frizzy, fried, and dry. Using a boar bristle brush will help combat humidity.
31.) Blow dry from the top down
When blow drying, be sure to blow from the top down and in the direction of the hair shaft. Using this technique, you’ll help prevent flyaways and frizz. Always dry your roots about 70%, then focus on the ends.
32.) Use the cold air setting
“While a good blowout requires heat to thoroughly dry your hair, using the cool air setting on your dryer can stop frizz before it gets out of hand,” says New Beauty.
33.) Avoid touching your hair
As tempting as it may be, try not to touch your hair – especially during the summer. Touching your hair adds moisture which causes frizz. The more you touch, the more you’ll frizz.
34.) Try using oils
“It’s true that oils get a bad rep, as they are believed to cause excess grease and buildup. But while some oils can be too heavy for certain hair types, using volumizing oils (in moderation) can actually work to tame frizz, making the hair look full and voluminous,” says New Beauty.
35.) Invest in a shower filter
Depending on where you live, you could have “hard” or “soft” water which describes it’s mineral content. These minerals can have a major effect on your hair and skin. By investing in a shower filter, it can help with dryness, irritated scalp, and hair loss. It will help maintain your color as well.
