Did you know that the weather can affect your hair? It’s true! The air outside, whether hot, cold, wet, or dry, can change how your hair looks and feels. That’s why switching up how you wash and style your hair during different seasons is essential.
I’ve been a hairstylist for over 20 years. In that time, I’ve helped people with all hair types deal with every weather condition imaginable! I will share some of my best tips and tricks for keeping your hair healthy and happy no matter what it’s like outside.
Why Climate Matters for Haircare
Before diving into specific tips, let’s talk about why your climate matters for your hair. Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. This protein is super strong, but it can be damaged by things like:
- Sun exposure
- Extreme heat or cold
- Dry air
- Humidity
- Wind
- Chlorine and saltwater
These weather conditions can make your hair weak, brittle, frizzy, or dry if you don’t take steps to protect it. The good news is that with a few simple changes to your haircare routine, you can prevent damage and keep your locks luscious year-round!
Haircare for Hot, Humid Weather
If you live somewhere hot and steamy, like Florida or Hawaii, you know that humidity can be an absolute hair nightmare! The excess moisture in the air causes the hair cuticle to swell and frizz up. Your hair may also feel extra oily and limp in high humidity. Here’s what I recommend to fight the frizz and grease:
Wash hair less frequently.
Shampooing too often strips away natural oils that help control frizz. If your hair isn’t super oily, try washing just 2-3 times a week instead of daily. On off days, refresh your roots with dry shampoo.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
Harsh sulfates can be drying, which only makes frizz worse. Look for gentler, sulfate-free formulas that won’t strip moisture from your hair.
Deep condition weekly
Adding moisture to your hair with a rich conditioner or hair mask helps smooth the cuticle and tame frizz. Apply from mid-lengths to ends and sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Apply anti-frizz products
After showering, work a quarter-size amount of anti-frizz cream or oil through damp hair before air drying or blow drying. This creates a barrier against humidity to keep your style sleek.
Adopt braids and buns.
Throwing your hair up into a loose braid or bun is an easy way to get it off your neck and control frizz on extra humid days. Bonus – when you take it down, you’ll have nice waves!
Skip the flat iron
Heat styling tools like flat irons worsen frizz and puffiness in humid weather. If you must use one, apply a heat protectant spray first and keep the temperature low.
I had a bride getting married in the middle of July in New Orleans. She worried her hair would be a vast frizzy mess for her outdoor wedding photos. Using these humidity-proofing techniques, we got her hair to look perfectly smooth and polished despite the 95% humidity that day!
Haircare for Cold, Dry Weather
If you live in a place with harsh winters, like Colorado or Minnesota, the cold temperatures and dry air can do a number on your hair. During the colder months, you may notice your hair feeling brittle, staticky, and straw-like. Here’s how to keep it soft and healthy:
Lower the water temperature when washing.
Super hot showers feel great on a cold day, but the heat can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to more dryness. Wash your hair with lukewarm water instead.
Shampoo less often
Just like in humid climates, overwashing can make dryness worse. Stick to 2-3 shampoos weekly, and always follow up with conditioner.
Use a weekly pre-shampoo treatment.
Putting oil or deep conditioner on your hair before you get in the shower adds extra protection against drying shampoo. Let it soak in for at least 15 minutes before washing.
Get regular trims
Dry, brittle hair is more prone to split ends and breakage. Getting a small trim every 6-8 weeks helps keep your hair healthy and strong.
Use hair oil on ends.
Applying a few drops of hair oil to your ends in between washes helps seal in moisture and add shine. Argan, jojoba, and coconut oils work well.
Avoid alcohol-based styling products.
Many hairsprays, gels, and mousses contain drying alcohols that can make hair more brittle over time. Opt for alcohol-free formulas during the winter.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase.
Cotton pillowcases can rough up the hair cuticle and cause more tangling and breakage. Silk is much gentler and can help keep your hair smooth while you snooze.
One of my longtime clients moved from LA to Chicago and was struggling with how dry and unmanageable her hair became in the winter weather. By incorporating these extra moisturizing steps into her routine, we got her hair soft, shiny, and back to its healthy self in no time!
Haircare for Rainy, Wet Weather
Spring showers may bring flowers but can also bring bad hair days! Wet weather can make your hair frizzy, flat, and prone to tangling. Here’s what I tell my clients to do when the forecast calls for rain:
Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
Look for formulas that contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera to help combat the drying effects of rain and humidity.
Don’t skip the leave-in conditioner.
Applying a lightweight leave-in conditioner or detangling spray before styling helps protect your hair from moisture loss and makes it easier to comb through tangles.
Try a braid or topknot.
Wearing your hair up in a braid or high bun is a great way to keep it from getting frizzy or weighed down in rainy weather. Secure with a soft elastic or scrunchie to avoid breakage.
Use a hat or umbrella.
The simplest way to protect your hair from the rain is to cover it up! A cute hat or hood can shield your strands from getting too wet and frizzy. If you get caught in a downpour, blot your hair gently with a towel when you get inside – don’t rub, which can cause more frizz.
Adopt your natural texture.
Fighting your hair’s natural waves or curls in wet weather is a losing battle. Instead of flat ironing or blow drying straight, work with your natural texture by scrunching in some curl cream or sea salt spray for effortless, undone waves.
Refresh with dry shampoo.
If your roots get wet and look greasy, spritz them with dry shampoo to soak up excess oil and add volume. Hold the can 6-8 inches away from your head, concentrate the spray on your roots, then massage it with your fingertips.
When I lived in Seattle, I learned that wearing my hair smooth and straight in the constant rain was not a good look! With my natural waves and relying on cute braids and buns, I could make peace with the rainy weather and still feel confident in my hair.
Haircare for Dry, Windy Weather
Whether in the desert or a windy city, constant gusts of dry air can make your hair feel like a straw. The lack of moisture in the air sucks the hydration right out of your strands, leading to split ends, static, and overall dullness. Here’s how to tame the windblown look:
Use a moisturizing hair mask.
Once a week, swap your regular conditioner for a deep conditioning mask to replenish lost moisture. Look for masks that contain hydrating ingredients like avocado, honey, or shea butter.
Apply hair oil before going outside.
Running a few drops of hair oil through your lengths and ends before facing windy weather helps create a protective barrier against moisture loss. Coconut, argan, and jojoba oils work well.
Braid before bed
If you know it will be windy the next day, try sleeping with your hair in a loose braid. This helps prevent tangles and breakage overnight, and you’ll wake up with pretty, effortless waves!
Wear a scarf or hat.
Covering your hair with a scarf or hat when you’re outside shields it from the wind and helps prevent static and flyaways. Opt for silk or satin fabrics, which are gentler on your hair than cotton or wool.
Use a leave-in conditioner with SPF.
The sun’s UV rays can be extra damaging to hair that’s already dry and brittle from wind exposure. Spritz on a leave-in conditioning spray with built-in SPF before going outside to add moisture and protection in one step.
Trim regularly
Getting a trim every 6-8 weeks removes dry, split ends that can make your hair look extra frazzled in windy weather. Even just a tiny trim makes a big difference!
When I was working on a photo shoot in the Arizona desert, the dry winds did a number on the model’s long, fine hair. By braiding her hair at night, applying protective hair oils, and using a reparative mask, we kept her strands looking sleek and shiny despite the harsh weather conditions.
A Few More Climate Haircare Tips
No matter what type of climate you live in, there are a few universal tips I recommend to all my clients for keeping their hair healthy:
- Always use a heat protectant spray before using hot tools like a flat iron or curling wand to prevent damage.
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize friction and breakage.
- Don’t go outside with wet hair, which is more vulnerable to damage.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein, healthy fats, and fruits and veggies – what you put inside your body shows up in your hair!
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and using a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
- Avoid overmanipulating your hair by touching it too much or wearing tight hairstyles. A little TLC goes a long way!
The key to dealing with any weather condition is to listen to your hair and give it what it needs. With extra care and the right products, you can have a good hair day every day, no matter what the forecast says.
I hope these tips help you love your hair in any climate! Everyone’s hair is a little different, so it may take trial and error to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and switch up your routine as the seasons change. Your hair will thank you for it!
