What Humidity Does to Hair
Humid air carries a lot of water vapor. Hair absorbs it and swells unevenly, especially if it is dry, porous, colored or heat-styled. Strands lift away from each other, and smooth styles lose their shape. This is true in humid places such as Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Tampa and the Southeast generally, especially in summer.
A Routine for Humid Days
- 1Condition the ends and leave the conditioner on for a minute or two before rinsing.
- 2Blot dry with a soft towel or T-shirt; avoid rough rubbing.
- 3Apply a small amount of cream to damp hair, mid-lengths to ends. A conditioning cream such as Natural Shine Cream helps the surface lie smoother.
- 4Let it dry without constant touching, or rough-dry on low heat.
- 5Refresh with damp hands, not more product, when humidity picks up.
What to Avoid
- Heavy layers of oil and cream: they can look greasy in the heat.
- Brushing dry hair repeatedly, which raises frizz.
- Very hot water on your hair, which can leave it drier.
Choosing a Finish
A soft shine finish smooths the look of frizz. A matte finish suits hair that gets shiny in the heat. Compare them in matte vs shine.
More on frizz: how to tame frizzy hair in humid weather. For other climates, see the dry and windy guide and the coastal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Higher humidity gives hair more water to absorb, so dry or damaged strands swell and lift.
Usually no. Use a small amount on damp hair and refresh with water. Too much looks heavy in the heat.
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