How to Stay Frizz-Free This Summer
A no-nonsense guide to managing curly and wavy hair all season long
I have about two feet of thick 2C/3A hair, so trust me when I say I’ve spent plenty of time dealing with frizz.
My default reaction used to be trying to get rid of it.
If my hair wasn’t smooth, I assumed I was doing something wrong.
The more I learned about curly hair, the more I realized that wasn’t always true.
I often say that frizz is just a curl that needs to be nurtured, and a lot of what I was seeing was really my natural texture trying to show up.
That shift in perspective changed the way I care for my hair, especially during the summer when humidity can make everything feel a little less predictable.
My routine today is much simpler than it used to be.
In this article, I’ll show you what I do to keep my hair healthy, hydrated, and as frizz-free as possible throughout the summer.
First, Know Your Hair Type
Before we get into products, it helps to understand that not all curls are the same.
Hair is often categorized using a system that ranges from type 2 (wavy) to type 4 (coily), as shown in the chart below.
I describe my hair as 2C/3A, which means different parts of my hair fall into different categories.
That’s one reason I’ve learned to be skeptical of one-size-fits-all hair advice.
A product that works beautifully for someone with loose waves may be too lightweight for tighter curls.
On the other hand, products designed for coily hair can sometimes feel too heavy on wavy hair.
That’s also why you’ll see me recommend mousse over gel for many wavy and curly hair types.
My goal is usually definition without weighing my hair down.
As you read through the rest of this article, keep in mind that these recommendations are based on what has worked for my hair.
Your results may vary depending on where your hair falls on the curl spectrum.
The Only Products I Really Use
Maintaining curly and wavy hair doesn’t require dozens of products.
These are the products I keep coming back to:
1. Shampoo & Conditioner
A good shampoo and conditioner are the foundation of my entire routine.
I’ve had good luck with the Eluxe Shampoo and Conditioner.
The shampoo does a great job removing buildup without leaving my hair feeling stripped, which is important when you’re using styling products regularly.
The conditioner gives me enough moisture without making my curls feel heavy, and my hair is always easier to manage when I’m using it consistently.
I also keep the L’Oréal EverPure Bond Repair Conditioner in rotation.
I’ve repurchased this one more times than I can count.
If your hair is feeling dry, damaged, or overprocessed from heat styling, it’s a great budget-friendly option.
It contains citric acid and is designed to support damaged hair, but the reason I keep buying it is simple: it makes my hair feel better.
If you deal with dandruff or scalp inflammation, it’s also worth looking into a ketoconazole shampoo.
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and that’s one of the few ingredients with solid evidence behind it for managing dandruff.
2. Leave-In Conditioner
If there’s one product I almost never skip, it’s a leave-in conditioner.
My curls tend to get dry, especially on the ends, and I find that a good leave-in makes my hair easier to detangle, softer to the touch, and much more manageable between wash days.
My personal favorite is the CURLSMITH Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream.
Because my hair is thick and coarse, I usually do better with richer leave-in conditioners.
This one gives me the extra moisture I need without making my hair feel greasy or weighed down.
What I like most is that it gives my hair a little extra hydration before I go in with mousse. It helps my curls clump together better and makes styling easier overall.
If your hair is finer or your curls are looser, the Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner is another option I’ve liked.
It has a lighter texture than the CURLSMITH leave-in and adds moisture without feeling heavy, which may make it a better fit for some hair types.
3. Mousse
If you have wavy or curly hair, mousse is probably the styling product I recommend most often.
Right now, my favorite is the Chris McMillan Hair Mousse for bouncy volume.
I also have Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Mousse, but I find myself reaching for the Chris McMillan mousse more often.
After applying my leave-in conditioner, I’ll work mousse through damp hair and then diffuse until my hair is about 75% dry.
From there, I usually let the rest air dry.
As a general rule, I think mousse works best for wavy hair and many curly hair types.
You get definition and hold without making the hair feel heavy.
If you have tighter curls or coiler hair, especially 4A and above, gel often makes more sense because the stronger hold helps keep curls defined throughout the day.
For me, mousse strikes the right balance.
My curls stay defined, but my hair still has movement and volume once it’s dry.
4. Hair Oil
Hair oil is one of the simpler steps in my routine.
One of my favorites is Verb Ghost Oil.
I’ve repurchased it multiple times because it’s lightweight and doesn’t make my hair feel greasy or weighed down.
I split my hair into two sections and use about a quarter-sized amount on each side.
The mid-lengths and ends get most of the product, and I also apply it before bed since that’s the area that tends to get the driest.
I also like the Fountainhead Moisturizing Hair Oil created by my friend Jessica, but I use it a little differently.
Because it’s a richer blend of oils, I prefer it for my ends rather than as an everyday hair oil.
For me, hair oil is less about transforming my hair and more about keeping it looking its best between wash days.
5. Deep Conditioner & Bond Builders
A couple of times a month, especially if you’ve been heat styling, I think it’s worth adding a deep conditioner or bond builder to your routine.
This isn’t something I use every wash.
It’s more of a maintenance step when my hair needs a little extra help.
I’ve tried a lot of bonding products over the years.
Epres is one of my favorites, and L'Oréal EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo Treatment is another good option that tends to be more affordable.
I also like the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask and the SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Mask when my hair needs extra moisture.
It’s important to know that deep conditioners and bond builders aren’t the same thing.
Bond builders are designed to support hair that’s been damaged by things like coloring and heat styling, while deep conditioners focus more on restoring moisture.
If your hair feels dry, brittle, or damaged from coloring or heat styling, both can be helpful additions to your routine.
I still think the basics matter most.
A good shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and styling product will get you most of the way there.
Bond builders and deep conditioners are the products I reach for when my hair needs some extra attention.
If you'd like a deep dive into the hair products I use, check out the article I wrote, 10 Best Haircare Products You Should Know About.
How I Style My Hair
Once I’ve applied my leave-in conditioner and mousse, I’ll scrunch everything into soaking-wet hair and start diffusing.
I usually diffuse until my hair is about 75% dry, which takes around 15 to 20 minutes with a good blow dryer.
I've been using the Wavytalk Turblow Pro, and it's done a good job speeding up the process while still being gentle on my curls.
Once my hair is about 75% dry, I stop and let the rest air dry.
I’ve found that my hair looks better when I don’t try to force it all the way dry with heat.
Letting the last bit dry naturally helps reduce frizz and gives my curls a softer finish.
I also like using root clips while my hair dries.
They’re a simple way to get more lift at the crown and prevent the roots from drying flat against the scalp.
It’s not a complicated routine, but it’s the one that consistently gives me the best results.
My Blowout Routine
Most of the time, I wear my hair curly.
But every once in a while, I’ll blow it out instead.
If I want a blowout, the biggest difference is what I do after I get out of the shower.
Once I’m out of the shower, I squeeze out as much water as possible and work the Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Cream through my hair.
I use a generous amount, probably around two quarters’ worth.
Then I blow dry it without a diffuser.
I only use a diffuser when I’m planning to wear my hair curly.
Once my hair is mostly dry, I spray it with CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray and go in with the Wavytalk Thermal Brush.
The thermal brush does a good job smoothing my hair and creating that blowout look without requiring a separate round brush and blow dryer.
When I’m done, I’ll run a little Verb Ghost Oil through the lengths and ends.
If I want a bit more hold, I’ll finish with It’s a Ten Miracle Finishing Spray.
I don’t spend much time trying to blow out my hair during the summer.
For me, the humidity always wins.
Nothing I do is going to keep my hair straight for very long.
When I do wear it straight, it’s usually because I’m traveling somewhere dry.
If I know I’m spending a week somewhere like Denver during the winter, there’s a good chance my hair will stay straight.
In a humid summer climate, that’s a different story.
Why I Rarely Cut My Hair
I only cut my hair once or twice a year.
That’s not because I think trims are unnecessary.
If my ends are damaged or splitting, a haircut is often the best solution.
What I don’t believe is that frequent trims are the secret to healthy hair growth.
Hair grows from the scalp, not from the ends.
Cutting your hair doesn’t make it grow faster.
For me, keeping my hair healthy comes down to how I care for it between haircuts.
The less damage I create in the first place, the less often I feel the need to cut it.
Split ends are real, and once a hair strand splits, there’s no way to permanently fuse it back together.
At that point, trimming the damaged portion is usually your best option.
That said, if you’re taking good care of your hair, you probably don’t need to be trimming it nearly as often as some people suggest.
And yes, part of me thinks the idea that everyone needs a trim every six to eight weeks is a bit of a beauty-industry psyop.
I've found that focusing on preventing damage does far more for length retention than constantly reaching for the scissors.
Free yourself.
A Few Other Hair Tricks I’ve Picked Up
One other thing that’s made a bigger difference than I expected is using a shower cap on days when I’m not washing my hair.
For years, if I wasn’t washing my hair, I’d just throw it into a bun and hope for the best.
The problem is that all the humidity from your shower still affects your hair.
If you have curly or wavy hair, that extra moisture can weigh everything down and make your curls lose their shape faster.
Now I use the Kitsch Shower Cap whenever I’m not washing my hair, and it does a much better job preserving my curls between wash days.
I also use it when I curl my hair with a one-inch curling iron.
I’ll curl my hair a little tighter than I want it to look, put it up in the shower cap while I do my makeup and get dressed, and then take it down about 30 minutes to an hour later.
By then, the curls have relaxed a bit on their own.
I’ll run a little Verb Ghost Oil through my hair to break everything up, and it gives me soft, bouncy curls that look much more natural.
Between wash days, I also use dry shampoo to keep my hair looking fresh.
Right now I’m using the Hask Dry Shampoo.
I haven’t found a dry shampoo that I love yet, so I’m still experimenting.
This one has worked well enough for me so far.
The Bottom Line
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s that maintaining curly and wavy hair doesn’t have to be complicated.
I don’t use dozens of products, and I don’t spend hours styling my hair every day.
Most of the time, it’s the basics that make the biggest difference: keeping your hair moisturized, minimizing damage, and finding products that work for your particular hair type.
Once you have that figured out, everything gets a lot easier.
Cheers,