Curly girls know that summer can either turn your curls into a glorious mass of ringlets…or a wild lion’s mane! To help you have great summer hair, I’ve put together a list of must-try curly hair tips for summer. These tips will help you beat the heat and fight frizz so your hair can look beautiful- no matter what the dew point!

Keep reading for 8 curly hair tips for summer.

1. Choose water-based gels.

     Summer is the time to pull out your water-based gels and layer them on! Try using gels like the Jessicurl Rockin’ Ringlets Styling Potion or the Curl Keeper Original Gel. Because water is the first ingredient in these gels, they will provide lots of hydration without weighing down your hair.  Another gel I really like for summer is the Jessicurl Spiralicious Gel. It has a strong hold but provides lots of shine and volume, too. Other strong hold gels include the Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle and Kinky-Curly Curling Custard. These gels will work well in summer!

2. Use glycerin with caution.

     As we discussed above, glycerin is a humectant. If your curls have less moisture than the humid atmosphere, it will pull moisture out of the atmosphere and into your hair. If the air is very humid, this can cause your hair to have tons of volume because the cuticles will swell. It can also cause your hair to feel a bit sticky. But, if you don’t mind big hair, go for it! It will work best when the humidity is moderate, not extreme.

3. Wear a hat.

     If you are spending a lot of time outdoors, be aware that the sun can dehydrate your scalp and hair. To protect against UV damage, wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors. You’ll look chic and keep your curls protected!

4. Make your own salt spray.

     Have you ever wondered what causes beach waves? The salt in ocean water actually causes waves and curls to tighten up and become more defined. If you live near the ocean, you can just go swimming to get this natural benefit. If not, you can actually make your own salt spray for hair. Measure out 8 ounces of warm water, and stir in 1 tablespoon of sea salt. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil (or your favourite scent). Mix thoroughly, and spray onto wet or dry hair. (Recipe from Karen MacIntosh on the Naturally Curly website)

5. Protect your curls in the pool.

     If you are going to swim in a chlorinated pool, here’s how to protect your curls. Before getting in, soak your hair with tap water. Smooth on some conditioner, and then put your hair up in a loose bun. Add a swim cap on to seal it all in. The tap water and conditioner will prevent your curls from absorbing too much damaging chlorine. Ready, set, dive in!

6. Wash your hair more.

     During the warmer months, you may find that your hair becomes oily and frizzy faster. If this happens, just wash it more often. To avoid drying it out, you can use a cheap conditioner to co-wash it. I recommend using the Tresemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish Coconut conditioner. It’s easy to find and very affordable!

7. Avoid heavy butters + oils.

     Because summer tends to be more humid, you’ll want to avoid heavy ingredients that will over-saturate your curls with moisture. This is not the time to load on shea butters and hair oils. Instead, opt for lightweight styling products. Try using just a gel or mousse for styling to avoid buildup. Less is more in the summer!

8. Refrigerate your products.

     This curly girl tip will feel amazing on a hot day! Keep your styling products in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Those cool products will close your cuticle and tame any extra frizz. This will give you more defined, controlled curls.

Let’s Chat:

As curly girls, we need to take good care of our curls during the humid summer months. For amazing curls, use water-based gels (preferably without glycerin) and wash your hair frequently to avoid product buildup. Choose lightweight products and avoid heavy oils and butters. Protect your curls with a hat or by applying conditioner before swimming in a chlorinated pool. For fun, try making your own salt spray to enhance your natural curl pattern. And, to help you stay cool, keep your styling products in the fridge! Do you have any curly tips for summer? I’d love to hear them in the comment section!

love,

Claudine

For more curly hair tips, read this post:

How to Make Your Hair Curlier: 8 Simple Tips

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!