Summer’s number one hair concern—ugh, frizz—doesn’t just disappear once the temperature drops. Unfortunately, it can be as big an issue come September, thanks to vacillating temperatures and lingering humidity (thanks, global warming!) and damage inflicted during the summer.
Redken stylists to the rescue! We spoke with Redken Session Stylist David Cruz and Rodney Cutler, Redken Brand Ambassador and owner of Cutler/Redken salons, to find out what you can do next summer and right now to stop fall frizz.
This Fall: Fall is the perfect season to give your hair a break. With the temperature dropping, Cruz suggests making a point of wearing your hair down whenever possible, so be sure to get a cut you like if that’s what it takes to toss your ponytail holder. Regular trims can also help fight frizz by quickly removing the most damaged and dry sections of your hair, which are the first to frizz. Depending on the thickness of your hair, you could ask to have a little weight taken out of your style. Your stylist will slice out the bulk with shears or possibly a razor so curls and straight strands fall into place.
Next Summer: Summer is definitely ponytail season, but wearing your hair pulled back too frequently and too tightly can damage your tresses. “The frizz you’re seeing now may be broken hair or new growth, combined with a normal degree of summer sun damage,” says Cruz. Next summer, keep cool by tying your hair back with a silk scarf instead of an elastic band, or try tucking it under a hat. And if a pony is your only option, just be sure to keep it loose.
This Fall: Of course the best method of prevention is to maintain healthy hair habits in the summer, but if you didn’t do so this year, hit the salon now for a professional deep-conditioning treatment. The Redken Chemistry Smooth Down Shot Phase service (visit Redken.com to find a salon near you that offers the treatment) is ideal for taming frizzy and fly-away hair, according to Cutler. At home, he prescribes a weekly conditioning treatment using Redken’s Smooth Down Butter ($16.99, soap.com).
Next Summer: “In the summer, a lot of women tend to stray from their hair routines,” says Cutler. We’re definitely guilty—who wants to think about deep conditioning treatments when there are al fresco happy hours to be enjoyed? When the weather starts warming up, it’s a good idea to invest in quick-conditioning products and leave-ins that keep hair well moisturized and thus better able to fend off frizz. Our favorite: Living Proof No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner ($24, sephora.com).
This Fall: It’s unlikely you can stop heat-styling your hair now that it’s fall, but you can protect tresses by using a product that creates a barrier between heat and the surface of your strands. Two to try: Got2B Guardian Angel Blow Dry Lotion ($5.99, drugstore.com), a pre-style spray that leaves hair looking glossing post-blowout; and Kiehl’s Heat-Protective Silk Straightening Cream ($17, kiehls.com), which contains botanical extracts from sunflower and sesame seeds to prevent breakage and drying.
Next Summer: Between chlorine and salt water damage, the sun’s drying rays, and all the time you spend straightening unruly strands with a flatiron, your locks are likely fried right about now. One of the main causes of frizz is breakage, either chemical or mechanical, so mishandling your hair during the summer can lead to puffiness in the fall. Next summer, start shielding your hair from drying UV damage by spritzing on an SPF hair protectant anytime you’re in the sun. You should also try letting your hair go as natural as possible when it’s hot—that means embracing and enhancing natural curls and air-drying straight strands.
Megan O'Neill is Beauty Editor at EndlessBeauty.com
