If you haven’t already, it’s time to get your hair summer ready.
When temperatures start to climb towards the 100-degree mark, the last thing anyone wants to do is break out the hair dryer or flat iron. And as we all know, the long list of hair woes every Black woman faces this time of year—like dry, frizzy hair—isn’t getting any shorter. For this reason and others, establishing a healthy hair care regimen and adopting a few go-to, low-maintenance styles that are pertinent for summer is a must.
Fortunately, we have Dove hairstylist and hair guru to the stars Cynthia Alvarez—who is currently on tour with Colombian pop singer Shakira—to help us out. Here, she breaks down a few easy ways to refresh your summer hair routine.
“The spring and the summer seasons are the ideal time to refresh your usual hair routine and try something new,” Alvarez tells ESSENCE. “You can either step outside of your comfort zone with a style that’s completely out of the box or revive your strands by trying something a bit more low-maintenance. Protective styles and shortcuts are huge this summer, as they allow you to live your best life without worrying about your hair. Pixie cuts are a cool and comfortable way for women to wear their hair.”
Alvarez also recommends getting your ends trimmed, dyeing your hair, getting a new haircut to breathe new life into your strands. And to combat humidity, protective styles will give your hair a much-needed break.
“Protective styles let your hair breathe while enjoying the sunshine, or you can even take a dip in the pool without fear of messing up your curls,” says Alvarez. “They [protective styles] also prevent your hair from swelling and frizzing due to humidity, allowing you more freedom to enjoy the perks of summer. Protective styles such as crochet braids, Havana twists, box braids, faux locs and goddess braids allow your hair to flourish and retain its length and moisture.”
Using hair masks, such as Dove Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Mask, is another way to fight frizz. According to Alvarez, Dove’s therapy mask “smooths and hydrates your hair, all while making it super shiny and frizz-free.”
And because dirt, debris and buildup on the scalp are more prominent during warm-weather months due to excessive sweating, you can opt for a smell-good mist or spray to freshen up your protective styles.
“If you anticipate a sweaty ordeal, it’s best to prep your hair by spraying a light coating of Dove Refresh+Care Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo onto your roots,” suggests Alvarez. “This will soak up the early onset of sweat, while leaving your hair smelling like a summer dream. If sweat does a number on your roots, don’t bother putting heat on your hair. The last thing you want to do is damage your curls. Instead, embrace your natural pattern with the help of styling products like Dove Absolute Curls Supreme Crème Serum.”
Keep scrolling to see three no-fuss styling options that Alvarez recommends for summer:
1. Swept-Up Curls
“Styling curly hair in the morning can be time-consuming,” says Alvarez. “Opting to sweep your curls up can get you out the door sooner and keep them out of your way for the rest of the day.”
2. Triple-Knot Updo
“Summer days call for hairstyles that keep hair off your face and neck,” shares Alvarez. “If you have an extra five minutes in the morning, you can create a super chic updo of triple knots.The trio of buns looks elaborate and fancy, but it’s easy to create”
3. A Full Ponytail
“You only need five minutes to upgrade your ponytail from drab to fab,” adds Alvarez. “Creating two ponytails—one on the bottom and one at the top—allows for a longer, fuller ponytail. First, smooth your hair and tease the top section for volume and pull it into a ponytail, and secure it with an elastic band. Style the lower section into a ponytail. Back comb the ends of the top ponytail to cover the base of the lower ponytail and finish with a spritz of Dove Compressed Micro Mist Flexible Hold Hairspray for a frizz-free, touchable style that brushes out easily.”
