Whether you have natural ringlets or you use a styling wand to achieve waves with big volume, humidity in the air can be your curly hair's worst enemy. Luckily, there are many products available designed to combat the effects of moisture on your hair. Look for hair setting products that are alcohol-free and contain silicone to most effectively keep your curls looking lively in humid weather.
Secret to Success: Minimal Handling
Shampoo and condition your hair as you normally do. Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair while you condition to get rid of knots and tangles, then rinse.
Wrap your hair in a turban or use a towel or old, soft t-shirt to gently scrunch your curls to remove excess moisture. Bend over forwards and flip your hair over your face from the back. With the towel or t-shirt laid across your palms, take sections of hair and gently ball up your fists to get rid of as much water as possible. Your curls are not going to be bone dry, but they shouldn't be dripping wet.
With your hair still flipped forward, squeeze or pump some of the alcohol-free hair product with silicone onto your palms. How much you use depends on the length and texture of your hair. For medium to long hair with a fine to medium texture, an area the size of two quarters should be enough. Rub your hands together and then scrunch your curls again, distributing the product throughout your hair. Use sparingly at your roots, unless you have tight ringlets.
Clip your hair up and back, away from your face, so you can go about your routine while maintaining the integrity of your curls' structure. Clips will also add volume to your roots so your hair doesn't fall flat at your crown.
Use a fine hairspray liberally to set the style in humid weather. Avoid scrunching if your curls aren't natural.
Tip
The best way to ensure minimal damage to your curls' structure in humidity is to avoid touching them at all costs. After you finish distributing hair product and clipping your hair back, don't touch your hair until it has fully dried. The only time you should brush or comb your curly hair is when it's wet and you are in the shower. This will keep your curls curly and keep frizz at bay.
Writer Bio
Goody Clairenstein has been a writer since 2004. She has sat on the editorial board of several non-academic journals and writes about creative writing, editing and languages. She has worked in professional publishing and news reporting in print and broadcast journalism. Her poems have appeared in "Small Craft Warnings." Clairenstein earned her Bachelor of Arts in European languages from Skidmore College.