Surviving a NYC Heat Wave ☀️
Why humidity changes your hair, the products that actually help & the simple habits that can protect your hair all summer long…
1. Don’t over wash your hair.
It sounds backwards, but shampooing every day strips away your scalp’s natural oils. Your scalp responds by producing even more oil, while your mid-lengths and ends become drier & more prone to frizz.
Sweet spot: Every 2-4 days for most people (depending on your hair type & lifestyle).
Need to wash your hair every day?
Let’s be realistic. If you’re sweating, exercising, or simply dealing with NYC humidity, daily washing may be necessary. Instead of reaching for a stronger shampoo every day, alternate with a gentle, hydrating shampoo.
Save clarifying shampoos for once every week or two. Focus shampoo on your scalp, not your ends. Your scalp needs cleansing. Your lengths need protection.
2. Hydrate your hair, not just your body.
Dry hair absorbs moisture from the air. Hydrated hair doesn’t need to. Think of it like dry skin, it soaks up moisturizer. Hair behaves the same way.
3. Anti humidity sprays actually work.
They create an invisible barrier around the hair shaft that helps block moisture from penetrating the cuticle. They’re especially effective after a blowout.
My favorites:
Luxury ($45–50)
Oribe Impermeable Anti Humidity Spray, lightweight, humidity protection, doesn’t leave buildup.
Best Overall ($28–30)
Color Wow Dream Coat, ideal for blowouts, color treated hair & humidity. Activated by heat & lasts several shampoos.
Mid-Range ($28–30)
Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray humidity protection plus heat protection up to 450°F.
Budget ($12–18)
Nexxus Epic Shine Anti-Humidity Spray one of the better affordable options for fighting frizz.
4. Stop touching your hair.
Every time you run your fingers through it, you:
disturb the cuticle
transfer oils
encourage frizz
flatten volume
Hands off.
5. Turn the heat down.
Flat ironing at 450° every day is one of the fastest ways to dehydrate your hair. Most people don’t need temperatures that high.
Fine hair: 300–350°F
Medium hair: 350–380°F
Coarse hair: 380–410°F
6. Finish with cool air.
The cool shot on your dryer isn’t a gimmick. It helps smooth the cuticle after styling, giving you more shine & helping your style last longer.
7. Sleep smarter.
Silk or satin pillowcases reduce friction while you sleep, helping preserve blowout & reducing frizz.
8. Extensions?
Humidity affects them too. Human hair extensions absorb moisture just like your natural hair, so using a leave in conditioner & an anti humidity spray helps keep everything blending together.
9. Be mindful when wearing your hair up.
When it’s hot outside, most of us immediately throw our hair into a ponytail or messy bun. While that’s completely fine, the type of hair tie you use matters more than you might think.
If you’re wearing your hair up every day during a heat wave, avoid tight elastics that create excessive tension or leave deep creases in your hair. Constant tension, especially on wet or fragile hair, can lead to unnecessary breakage over time.
Instead, choose soft fabric hair ties or silk scrunchies that gently hold your hair without pulling or snagging the cuticle.
10. Blondes feel it even more.
Highlighted, lightened, & chemically treated hair is naturally more porous.
That means humidity enters the hair more easily, making blondes especially prone to frizz, dryness & swelling during extreme heat.
How to protect your hair during a heat wave
Hydrate your hair with leave in conditioner.
Use an anti humidity spray after styling to create a protective barrier around the hair.
Heat Wave Rule!
Don’t fight the weather.
Work with your hair.
On 98° days with 80% humidity, your goal shouldn’t be perfectly straight hair.
It should be healthy hair that still looks beautiful by dinner.
What questions do you have about summer hair?
Remember…
Beautiful hair starts with understanding it.
See you behind the chair,
Crystal 🤍
