How to Humidity-Proof Frizzy Curls

Step 1: Heat Protectant

Purpose: Prevent damage from heat when diffusing and UV rays

Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a heat protectant if you’re going to be diffusing or going outside in the sun. I highly recommend diffusing to fight humidity, which I’ll explain more later. 

The Curlsmith Miracle Shield is great because it not only protects your hair from heat damage when diffusing, but it also contains UV protection which is crucial if you’re going to be outside in the summer. Have your ends ever gotten lighter in the summer? This is sun damage! It increases your porosity which in turn makes it more likely to frizz in humidity.

Step 2: Apply a moisturizer such as a leave-in or curl cream

Purpose: Moisturize and smooth the cuticle

The next step is to apply a base moisturizer, which can be any styler or leave-in that is moisturizing. If you’re using a very moisturizing gel and want to maximize your hold, you can skip this. 

If you have dry brittle hair, use a leave-in or a curl cream. 

I went with the Twist Weather Up Lotion because it’s designed for humidity. It contains Polyquaternium which is the best frizz-fighting ingredient, and it contains silicone. Silicone is typically avoided by those who follow the traditional curly girl method, but there are some benefits when used strategically that I will explain in just a moment. 

Step 3: Apply a strong hold gel with multiple anti-humidity ingredients thoroughly

This is the most critical step in this entire routine and that is to apply a strong hold gel with anti-humidity ingredients. I am using the Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Stronger Hold Gel.

If you’re looking to get this, make sure it is the one that says “stronger hold” and not the regular. 

Not using a gel and only styling with a cream will leave your curls frizzy and undefined by the end of the day, especially in humidity. Gels that form a cast and provide hold even after you scrunch out the cast are crucial in humidity.

I recommend brushing your gel through for the most even coverage and more frizz protection. When you just scrunch in your gel at the end, you’re just creating a light coating on the outside.

This may reduce volume, but your curls will hold up longer.

I am also pretty heavy-handed with my gel. If you’re not getting a cast, you may not be using enough gel. It’s hard to show the exact amount I use, but it’s usually at least a nickel size per section. I go by the feeling in my hair. 

My hair is also not too wet, and just damp which increases my hold.

Step 4: Use styling techniques to encourage clumps & definition

Purpose: Defined curls will last longer because the frizz will stay tucked into curl families/clumps.

I know you’re probably sick of my harping on the importance of styling techniques, but they really do make a difference! I prefer brush styling because it’s fast and smooths my coarse frizzy areas, but you can even just use your hands to create clumps or finger coil.

Putting in a bit of effort to style your curls on wash day will save you so much time on wash day.

Have you ever looked closely at frizz in humidity? The hair sort of puffs up and the hair strands separate. Grouping your curls into their natural curl families with styling techniques binds them together, and they’re more likely to stay together even when exposed to humidity. 

Step 5 (optional) Microplop then glaze a bit more gel

Purpose: Adding gel to hair that is drier will increase your gel cast and prevent frizz for stubborn frizz.

This step is optional but is great for those who struggle with getting a gel cast and hold in the hair. This is also ideal for those who like to style soaking wet.

Scrunch your hair with a hair towel or T-shirt to soak up excess water. Glaze in a light layer of your gel. This will really add hold because the drier your hair is, the more hold you’ll get from your gel. This is why I like to damp style. 

Step 6: Diffuse

Purpose: Set the curl shape and the gel cast right away, preventing frizz from forming.

This is another one of the most important steps for preventing frizz in humidity. Diffusing, when done properly with the right diffuser, will prevent frizz more than air drying especially in humidity. You want to get your curls dried as soon as possible before going out into humidity, because humidity will disrupt your curls and cause frizz when the hair is wet.

Diffusing will set the gel cast, which is that protective shell that forms from using a strong hold gel. It’s not a bad thing! You can scrunch it out once your hair is fully dry if you don’t like it.

TIP: Leave your gel cast in once your hair is dried for longer-lasting curls. It will gradually dissipate throughout the day.

How can you keep track of what works best in humidity?

The Curly Hair Tracker & Planner has helped me pinpoint the perfect routine for humid days. I’m able to look back on the days that I marked as humid and my results showed low frizz, and see what products and techniques I used. It also helps me see which products left my hair frizzy and undefined on humid days so I can avoid those next time.