Best styling aids for humid conditions

In Atlanta during the summer months you feel the humidity as soon as you walk out of your home and enter the thick, sticky air on the outside. Ask any Georgia girl and she will confirm that the summer humidity wreaks havoc on her hairstyle.

Hair is “hydroscopic” this means it has the ability to absorb moisture from the air. Humidity breaks down the hydrogen bonds, so if hair has been styled it will change from Beta Keratin, its unnatural state, back to Alpha Keratin, its natural state which causes the style to become flat. Using hair products as a barrier will stop humidity from entering the cortex, specifically products that contain silicone which coat the hair.

Humidity affects hair in different ways. If you have fine hair which tends to go flat in high humidity then be sure to use a shampoo and conditioner formulated for fine hair to keep the hair light and not weighed down.(Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner available at Veronica’s Attic, CVS and Walgreen’s in Metro Atlanta.) Layered haircuts are lighter and naturally have more bounce which is ideal for fine hair in the humid months.

Sealing the hair’s cuticle layer is key to reducing the amount of moisture penetrating the hair and the swelling effect moisture has upon the hair. First blow dry hair about 60% using only your fingers and no styling tools. (Straight hair only) Make sure you are using the nozzle that came with your hair dryer as this allows you to dry your hair at a consistent angle which results in shinier, straighter strands. When drying your hair always be sure that the air flow from the blow dryer is directed "down" the hair shaft from the roots to the ends. Finish with a cool shot to close the cuticle and lock in the newly created curl or straightness. Using a flat iron will also seal the hair’s cuticle and reduce the affect of humidity but hair should be completely dry prior to iron use. Use a heat protectant if hair is prone to damage.

Most people complain of frizziness when exposed to humidity. If you fall into this category then invest in a hair serum made with silicone and apply while the hair is still wet. If needed you could also apply a cream based smoothing/styling cream to help control frizz throughout the day. If hair is curly, skip the hair dryer and go natural. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain ingredients to assist in sealing the cuticle such as (Morrocanoil Hydrating Styling Cream which can be found at 6 salons in the Metro Atlanta Area.

A humidity proof hairspray can also be a handy tool to keep on hand. Once you have finished styling your hair apply the hairspray then blow dry using cool setting on low for a few seconds. This helps to achieve a natural look and again seal the cuticle/finish the style. Remember to keep the nozzle pointed downwards. Then lightly respray for finish.

I have extremely fine, straight hair that is greatly affected by humidity. Below are the results from my test with 8 recommended styling tools and 3 hairsprays over the last 3 weeks.

Styling Products:

Pureology Rootlift Spray Mousse (too sticky in humid conditions)
Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel (weighed hair down, too sticky)
Bumble & Bumble Styling Crème (couldn’t really tell I had used anything)
Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray (works very well for volume, don’t apply when hair is really wet)
Redken Full Frame 07 Volumizing Mousse (too heavy and sticky for humid conditions, weighed hair down)
Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 (Favorite! Provides volume and texture and resists humidity)
MorrocanOil Styling Cream (made hair soft/shiny but not good for fine hair. Made it even more limp)

Hair Sprays:

Kenra Volume Spray (Didn’t hold, chemical smell)
Sebastian Shaper Plus (held but felt sticky, chemical smell)
Sebastian Re-Shaper Brushable, Humidity Resistant Hair Spray (Held, humidity resistant, touchable and smells good)

The results are undeniable when using the Velvet Gelatine 07 and Sebastian Re-Shaper together. I have been a Sebastian Shaper/Shaper Plus customer for many years but have tried several other brands because I don't like the chemical smell or the fact that my hair feels sticky and stiff. I used Elnett for a bit but it just doesn’t have the hold for hair as fine and straight as mine, especially in this humidity. The Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 not only gives great volume without stickiness but also provides some texture and definition to the hair. I highly recommend these two products; I can actually go two days without washing which is a great feat with short, fine hair.