“Your hair reverts to its natural state when it comes in contact with moisture,” explains Joseph Maine, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty. “Since humidity is high levels of moisture in the air, you will see any wave or texture begin to coil up. We often refer to it as frizz because the humidity will primarily affect those little fine hairs or shorter pieces that have less weight to combat the moisture.” There’s nothing wrong with a little seasonal frizz and volume, but if you want to sidestep the additional poof and ensure your styled tresses aren’t compromised, we compiled some ways—with help from top hairstylists—to hack the humidity. If you just don’t have the time (totally understandable), there is another option. Ionic hair dryers produce millions of negatively charged ions, which break down positively charged water molecules without opening up the hair shafts. This locks in moisture and leaves hair smoother and sleeker. Moda One Smart Ionic Hair Dryer ($299; amazon.com) uniquely detects real-time hair moisture levels (vs. air temperature) and automatically adjusts damaging heat and optimizes airflow accordingly to prevent extreme damage to the hair and scalp. “They work by providing a protective layer over the hair shaft to prevent your locks from expanding and frizzing up when humidity strikes,” says Bomani. He recommends The Mane Choice Crystal Orchid Biotin Infused Styling Gel ($11; amazon.com), which is infused with biotin and vitamin D to define curls and smooth edges while delivering maximum hold. Maine swears by Color Wow Hair Dream Coat Supernatural Spray ($28; amazon.com), a lightweight, water-based spray that you apply on wet hair and blow dry: “It’s literally like a raincoat for your hair—it adds a ton of shine and completely locks out the humidity. You want to make sure every strand is coated, but even with coating all of your hair it never weighs it down. The demos are seriously unreal—water will actually bead up and roll off of your hair.” “Remember to also include hair oils in your styling regimen,” adds Bomani. “Not only do they nourish the hair, they help tame frizz.” He recommends The Mane Choice Heavenly Halo Herbal Hair Tonic & Soy Milk Deep Hydration Serum, a nourishing oil that leaves behind a glossy shine without feeling greasy. If you have fine hair (fine hair gets frizzy too!), I swear by OGX Replenishing Water Cream ($9; amazon.com), a hydrating treatment packed with hyaluronic acid and flower water. If you’re looking for a quick and easy fix, blow-dry brushes are perfect for styling your hair, drying it, and eliminating frizz at the same time. Try GHD’s newest volumizing hot hair brush ($189; ghdhair.com), which allows you to smooth down frizz while keeping the root lift needed for volume. If you’re ironing your strands straight or curling it, the experts suggest taking finer sections, rather than thicker ones. This allows you to have more control of molding your hair, which will pay off later when humidity strikes.
