It seems like everything we swear by to achieve shiny, sleek hair—blowouts, curling irons, straighteners—actually create more problems for our locks in the end. We love the instant gratification of a perfectly styled coif that our go-to tools give us, but dread that our dependency on them leaves our hair’s natural state fried and lifeless. With summer humidity poised to peak, it’s time to turn down the heat. Here, we share four tips that will help you keep the damage at bay from hear on out.
Cool Down
Heat manipulates the hair, which is why it gives you such a great hold. Over time, this process exhausts the hair and causes it to be lackluster. To combat this damage, you need to pay extra TLC to your locks in the shower. Opt for a mask that will restore moisture like Garnier Fructis Smoothing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask in Papaya Extract. This super-speedy mask softens and repairs damaged hair in one minute. It even contains no silicones, no parabens and no artificial colorants, so it’s safe enough for color-treated hair.
Unless you have very coarse hair, you don't need to be blasting your locks with super high heat to make it manageable. Find a tool with multiple settings and choose a cooler temperature—it will add a few extra minutes to your routine, but it will decrease frizz and seal the cuticle. Finish styling with Marc Anthony Refreshing Coconut Clear Dry Conditioner to prevent static and frayed ends from occurring throughout the day.
One of our favorite things about getting our hair done is how quickly the stylist gets us out the door. There's a reason for this fast turnaround, using a hot tool for long periods of time increases the chance of burning and weakens the hair follicle. So, the next time you reach for your favorite tool, make sure you prime your hair with IGK No More Blow High Speed Air Dry Spray to cut styling time in half—no matter your skill level. This miracle-worker spray not only helps hair stay frizz-free as it air-dries but reduces blow drying time by up to 46 percent if you absolutely can’t go without blow drying your hair.
Instead of relying on your hot tools to give your hair texture, look for formulas that pull double-duty and offer multitasking results like Ouai Air Dry Foam. From curly coils to strictly straight strands, this lightweight foam leaves locks perfectly tousled, thanks to fortifying kale extract that activates natural texture and carrot protein that protects hair from humidity and other environmental damages.
