How to Protect the Hair from Rain and Humidity

When the humidity is high or when it’s pouring with rain, it can turn your hair into a frizzy mess. The hair takes in the rainwater and expands. How do you protect the hair during the ‘extremes’ of the different seasons?

When living in a place where it frequently rains, protecting the hair isn’t easy. Nonetheless, the truth is, it can be done. The same goes for regions which are hot and humid, or perhaps when you switch from the wet-and-windy outdoors to an artificially-heated environment.

When it frequently rains, preventing the hair from curling up can be a never-ending battle, so you must prepare yourself. If you have natural Black hair, this can be even more frustrating as the hair curls back up almost immediately.

If the weather is humid, expect the hair to frizz, but there are ways to stop the frizziness.

5 Ways to Keep Your Hair Looking Good When It’s Rainy or Humid Outside

Those enduring the effects of the rainy weather and high humidity need to know how to keep hairstyles intact. Let’s take a closer look.

Conditioning

Start by moisturizing the hair. The benefits of a leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz hair serum are immense. Mostly, the hair will look and feel softer, plus have more shine and body. There are shampoos and conditioning treatments specifically for curly hair as well as protection from humidity.

Curly hair, especially if dry and brittle, needs extra security and moisture if it’s to stay straightened during humid days and nights. Frizz happens too often to those with textured hair and staying moisturized is one of the keys to keeping hairs in place.

Allow the conditioner to set for longer times to enjoy the full benefits. If the hair is thinning, start from the middle of the strands and work down.  Do you have thick hair? Apply at the scalp, working down to the ends of the hair.

Deep Conditioning

Got thick or curly hair? Try an argan oil deep conditioner to prevent the hair from curling up in humid climates. A deep conditioner is more intense than regular conditioning treatments.

Start by applying the treatment or conditioner to the hair, put on a plastic cap or microfiber towel and leave it in for about 7-10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, rinse thoroughly. To help the hair absorb moisture better, you should warm the conditioner before applying.

• Tip: Put the bottle of conditioner in a sink filled with hot water for 10 minutes to heat it up.

Use an Anti-frizz Hair Serum

Want to lock in moisture? Try using an anti-frizz cream or hair serum while the strands are still damp. Creating a barrier between the humidity and the hair will help control those stray strands. We suggest using Moroccan oil or another fine natural oil for the hair. Why?

Natural oils lock in moisture better than products made with synthetics. Now, if the hair is dry, dyed or thick, use a cream base. It may be better for the hair instead of the oil. Straightening balms are great for curly hair if wearing a straight style in humid weather.

Also, if the strands are thinning, work the serum or cream in from the middle of the hair, then down to the end of the hair. For thick hair, work the cream in all over, but remember to apply to the ends.

How to Dry the Hair

Air drying is likely the best way to dry hair anyway, but there’s not always enough time. But when it’s possible, let it air dry at least partially, then blow dry.  The blow dryer is the worst when it comes to having the frizzes, so take time doing it. Comb the hair while drying it, rather than let the hair blow aimlessly. Don’t use hot temperatures when using a blow dryer as it can cause dry scalp.

Anti-frizz Hairsprays

Shopping for an anti-frizz hairspray is the way to go if controlling flyaways is a concern. It should hold moisture into the hair and stop the hair from frizzing up. Apply after styling, blow drying or flat ironing the hair.

• Tip: Normally, we would suggest a non-aerosol, but in this case, go with the can. A non-aerosol may, in fact, cause frizziness.

How to Wear Your Hair on a Rainy Day

Use protective styles on a rainy day. Do something straightforward like pulling the hair up and putting on a headband or wearing a deconstructed, messy ponytail. Several styles are easy, yet sleek. Keep reading to find a few simple styles which work for any hair type.

Braids

Braided hair is one of the most common hairstyles. It’s easy to do and can be worn to work in most cases. Braids hold their style and grace in wet weather. Add a twist to the two-part braid by twisting them together and forming a bun in the back.

There are at least 100 braid hairstyles one can think of to wear that protects their hair from damage, rain, and humidity. The fishtail is one that the celebrities look good wearing.

Twisted Side Ponytail

This style gives the braid a little edge. Decide which is the best side to start the braid and if a part is needed.

Here is a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Start by sectioning off the front on the head
2. Part the hair to make two large twists in the front
3. Twist the opposite side of the hair to the back
4. Once the twist is complete, pin the off to the side
5. Add them to a ponytail.

Sock Bun

The sock bun is a quick and easy trick especially made for a rainy day. Find a sock that won’t shed its threads.

Ballerina Bun

The ballerina bun is a breeze to construct, and it only sounds difficult. The hair needs to have some length to it to obtain the style, but it’s quite easy to do.

Use these tips to style:

1. Start with damp hair and form a ponytail
2. Comb out and twist the hair to the ends
3. Wrap the twist around the rubber band or scrunchy
4. Tuck the ends of the hair under the base and secure using pins or clips
5. Spray well and go about the day

Note: Carry a small brush to smooth stray hairs

The Milkmaid Braid

A chignon is a silky ball of hair, and it can be sexy and stylish for work or play, casual or dressy. There are a few variations of this style so pick the one right for the occasion.

Here is an easy-to-follow guide:

1. Pull everything to the back, so it forms a ponytail
2. Next, slick down hair to make a chignon
3. Make a knot out of the hair
4. Put on hair serum to give it shine
5. Next, pull hair back to the nape of the neckline
6. Roll hair upward
7. Secure the hair with bobby pins
8. Add lots of holding hairspray
9. Apply a hair polish to seal the deal

Leave a little or a lot out in the front. A personal decision, but the person wearing this style will need either long hair or a hairpiece. Either way, it’s a romantic but vintage hairstyle most anyone can pull off wearing.

How to Protect Straightened Hair from Rain

How many times have we gone to the stylist in preparation for the night’s event and it has rained? The one thing we forgot to do was check the weather report. It wouldn’t be so bad if the hair was curly, but no. We just spent all day having the curly hair straightened.

The straight look is definitely in, but the weather has other ideas for the sleek hairstyle. Black women wearing their natural hair straightened have the same fears as other women with straight hair. In fact, they may be more frightened of what will happen in the case of rain and humidity.

Need protection from the rain? Try these ideas:

• Wear a bonnet over straightened hair.
• Avoid terry cloth towels and use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry hair
• Buy a clear umbrella shaped like a dome to stop the hair from frizzing up
• Use a hairspray that won’t dry out the scalp to keep down a case of the frizzes
• Having the right cut can help control the rain’s consequences
• Stop combing the hair so much. It causes friction, breakage, and frizzy hair
• Use a gel while the hair is damp to stop hair from puffing up
• Cover the hair with a scarf or cap
• Keep hair tools in the purse or travel bag at all times
• Install a weather app on your cell phone

Rainwater Makes the Hair Curly

Rainwater is hair therapy essentially. It’s surprising how many people don’t utilize nature more often. It is free and makes the hair curly, soft, and beautiful.

More people are beginning to realize the advantages of rainwater. If the hair is naturally curly, getting caught in the rain will only make it curlier, hopefully, without the frizz, though.

Rainwater is soft and when up against tap water, it wins. It has minerals which help the hair to grow and to shine, but it makes hair curly. The hydrogen bonds the hair and gives it an added hydration boost.

There are plenty of styles and ways anyone can protect their hair from rain and humidity. We suggest simple, inexpensive means of keeping the hair looking fresh and tamed. Keep a rain hat or bonnet nearby at all times and check the weather app for details.

Also, keep in mind not to comb or brush the hair while it’s wet. It’s most delicate then and can break easily, finger comb curly hair if necessary.  Remember, the rain can be a girl’s best friend if you want curly hair. It is better in most cases as tap water can be hard.

When water is hard, it makes it difficult to lather. By washing the hair in the rain or with saved rainwater, a natural shampoo will form a rich lather and retain the nutrients in the rain, so don’t be afraid any longer.