I’ve just come back from a week of very hot, humid, tropical weather to more of the same in my own beachside ‘hood.
I always struggle in this kind of weather and swing between dropping any pretense of grooming and style, to pulling up my hypothetical socks and just getting on with it.
I think the swing is ok. And I also think it’s totally okay to drop the ball altogether.
But (there’s always a but). If you have to go out and present yourself in some way to the big wide world, it helps to have some beauty tricks up your sleeve.
Here’s a glimpse of my hair beauty tricks I call on during such extreme weather conditions.
It is a rare person indeed whose hair does not start to frizz at the mere thought of a humid day. If that is you, I do not want to know you and your perfect hair. For the rest of us, come join me at the battlefront.
I can’t say that I ever win the battle but I do give the war a damn good go.
Unless I’m getting my hair done at the salon, I rarely wear it down at this time of year. No air-con at home makes for a very sticky bathroom experience at the best of times, let alone standing there for 15 minutes blow-drying, followed by another 15 ironing.
Should I subject myself and my hair to such summer absurdities, I end up standing in a pool of sweat, dripping from places no lady should have sweat dripping from.
Every summer I say to myself I will get creative at doing different up-dos. Truly, I need to give up such lofty ideals and just buy cute hair ties for my everyday pony or low-knot (I know every sweet young thing out there loves a top knot but have you tried to put a hat on your head while one is in place? Yep, it’s not pretty).
On our holiday we were in and out of the pool the entire week. Don’t hate me. We had our own pool and a good supply of duty-free gin – I wasn’t moving unless absolutely necessary.
And I’ll let you in on a little secret … I don’t think my hair actually dried out until I got home. I’m good and lazy like that.
Here’s what I had on high hair rotation:
1. Tangle Teezer Aqua Splash ($32.95)
I have a lot of hair. And when that hair gets wet, it’s not pretty when it comes to getting a comb or brush through it. The rounded bristles just glide through my hair. Easy to clean out the hair afterward and simply stand it up on the sink to dry. No more tears. You can find stockists here.
2. Kerastase Aqua Seal ($44)
My hairstylist thrust this product in my hand the day before I flew to Bali. Bless her cotton socks and know-how. You put it on to dry hair BEFORE stepping into a pool or the ocean. It coats your hair and protects that sizeable investment you make on a regular basis to keep your hair looking “natural” in colour and texture. You can find stockists here.
3. O&M Frizzy Logic ($31.95)
Just the smell of this hair serum will transport you to a tropical island but the good news is that while you’re there it will help you fight the frizz thanks to certified organic cold-pressed Australian Argan Oil and Evening Primrose Oil. Stockist here.
4. O&M Original Detox Shampoo ($29.95)
Hair can take a bit of a battering over summer from saltwater and chlorine – AND all the products you put in your hair to prevent damage from said saltwater and chlorine. You need a detox or clarifying shampoo to bring your hair and scalp back to ground zero. This is my fave. I actually use it all year round as it helps keep my angry psoriasis scalp in some kind of check. You can find stockists here.
How does your hair hold up in the humidity? What lazy-girl tricks do you employ?