Have you ever spent an hour styling your hair and once you go outside, you see your beautiful hairstyle turning into a flat mess? Trust me, I have been there and it is difficult to deal with. When humidity strikes, it can feel like an attack towards your hair, ranging from a hot air balloon to a flat piece of cotton.
There is always that feeling of hopelessness when your hair goes flat and lifeless instead of looking bouncy and voluminous. It surely is annoying. In my case, I used to think I was stuck with this problem until I found a solution that was easy to execute and did not require much experimentation, just some DIY hacks.
Today, I’m revealing what truly helps. No complex strategies or gimmicks — just time-tested tips to keep my hair full and fabulous, come summer’s relentless humidity. Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
Why Humidity Steals Your Hair Volume — And How to Fight Back
Looking back, the last thing I thought was true is that humidity only does more than deflating the volume of your hair; it actually alters your hair’s structure by lifting the cuticle, causing frizz and volume. Put simply, humidity gets absorbed into your strands, which in turn makes them swell, and spoil the style of the hair that you put in all the work for.
I used to think that it was my hair just being problematic. When the hair shaft takes in some moisture, it swells, and that can result in flat and frizzy hair. Voicing the issue isn’t just trying to preserve volume; it’s constructing a moisture-repelling barrier around the hair.
The bright side? It’s possible to outsmart humidity if you know the right practical steps to take. Here’s how that went for me.
Step 1: The Appropriate Wash Routine to Capture Volume
Everything changed the moment I understood my washing routine was the root of my volume problems. Your wash routine either paves the way for success, or guarantees you flat hair and lackluster results from the beginning.
1. Select a Shampoo Designed for Volume:
Shampoos labeled as “volumizing” or “anti-humidity” are lightweight and offer the needed cleanse without overly weighing your hair down.
2. Apply a Light Conditioner:
Stay away from anything that is thick and creamy. I prefer pantene conditioners as they are lightweight and offer moisture while not heavily coating my hair.
3. Cold Water Rinse:
Hydrophobia may arise from extreme shuttering, but nevertheless, cold water works! It helps seal the cuticle making your hair less susceptible to moisture.
4. Curb the Leave In Products, Just For Once:
If combating humidy, lesser products work best. A small pea sized amount of anti-frizz serum goes a long way, but too much layering can counteract the intended results.
Step 2: Effective Styling Techniques
Effective styling techniques improved my routine. In the past, I thought my heavy styling products were doing their job, but in reality my hair was collapsing even faster.
Mousse is Your Best Friend
I get that mousse can come off as a buzzword from the past, but give it the benefit of the doubt. When used on towel-dried hair and focused on the roots, hand-sized portions of mousse brings a lift without the crunch.
Blow-Dry with Purpose
- For maximum root lift, begin with your head tilted forward.
- Lift and sculpt with a round brush as you dry to accentuate the roots.
- Apply a blast of cool air to lock in the style.
On days with extreme humidity, I like adding a spritz of root-lifting spray before blow-drying. It completely alters the game in terms of retaining volume.
Step 3: Keeping Humidity at Bay
This is something I learned after my blowout got ruined on a rainy day. It seems like the “finishing touch” is just as important as the styling.
- Anti-Humidity Hairspray: This type of hairspray offers a light and smooth hold, specifically crafted to resist moisture. While it does not make your hair stiff, it does provide some level of preservation against the thick air.
- Dry Shampoo: Added on clean hair to offer some texture as well as to the oil build-up on the scalp to prevent it from lying flat to the head. So the answer here is yes.
- Serum Only on Ends: To control the London weather inspired frizz whilst preserving volume, applying a pea-sized portion of smoothing serum on the ends is an effective way.
When Hair Loses Volume — Quick Fixes
While it is true that no matter what we do as individuals, the weather sometimes has a say and, in this case, the weather almost always wins. In this case, however, I have a few methods that should help.
1. Dry Shampoo Rescue:
All one needs to do is flip their heads over with a few spritzes at the roots and shaking the hair. This provides instantaneous improvement.
2. Tease the Roots Gently:
A few small but targeted combs in the back around the crown adds some of the missing height back.
3. Use a Texturizing Powder:
Apply with the sprinkle method on the roots along with some light massage and you are good to go. It gives a gritty texture that greatly helps the preservation of volume.
My Top Picks For Products That Combat Humidity
| Product | Purpose | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo | Minimizes moisture uptake | $28 | ★★★★☆ |
| Bumble and Bumble Thickening Mousse | Enhances root lift | $31 | ★★★★★ |
| Kenra Volume Spray 25 | Long-lasting, firm hold | $19 | ★★★★★ |
| Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Grips and adds volume | $49 | ★★★★☆ |
| Batiste Dry Shampoo | Refreshes roots, absorbs oil | $8 | ★★★★☆ |
Professional Advice on Maintaining Volume Over Humid Conditions
- Top Knot while Sleeping: Keeps your roots lifted overnight.
- Pillowcases: Blocks morning hair friction flatness.
- Minimal Layering Of Products: Too much product makes hair denser.
- Dryers: A quick refresher blast can revive hair mid-day.
Let’s Wrap It Up: You Can Keep Volume When Humidity Is High
Even when the weather is sweltering, or there’s moisture in the air, it’s very much possible to keep hair looking voluminous and fabulous. Decoding the secrets took time, but now that I have, it feels like a breeze. The right products, smart styling techniques, and prepping makes all the difference.
Would you attempt these tricks? Go ahead and save this article if your hair struggles due to humidity. Don’t forget to share your hair saving tips in the comments!
