5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Looking 10/10 This Summer

When we envision summer, we think of rich and bronzed skin, healthy and radiant complexions, and bouncy healthy hair. Yet, the reality can be the complete opposite – and for natural hair especially, it can mean dry, frizzy, and lackluster locks. If you are trying to avoid the latter, then these six expert-approved tips will help keep your natural hair healthy and hydrated as we embrace summer. Keep scrolling for our tips.

Unlike most fair and straight hairstyles, natural 3a to 4c hair benefits from a wealth of moisture and hydration. This type of hair flourishes when more natural humectants are added to help the hair look and feel healthy and nourished. Before even getting into a routine, it is vitally important that you are obtaining a healthy diet and adequate water intake. The best way to keep hair hydrated is with water, drinking it regularly throughout the day, applied to the hair on its own, or as one of the main ingredients in the products you’re using. Application is key and light non-aerosol spray formulas help to ensure even distribution. It’s also important to keep your hair moisturised and to invest in some intensely moisturising products that will aid in keeping the hair healthy.

For the days when baring all is too much to handle, placing your hair in protective styles such as braids, twists, cornrows or faux locks will help to keep the hair healthy while protecting it from damage. Ensure you regularly mist your hair with a braid sheen spray to keep it hydrated and looking polished. To combat frizz due to humidity, sleeping on a silk pillowcase, or wrapping the hair in a silk scarf as much as possible will smooth your cuticle.

As we sweat more in the summer, this can build upon our scalps and lead to issues down the line if not treated correctly. Implement a sulphate-free shampoo to help cleanse the scalp without stripping the hair of its much-needed natural oils (which, in turn, lead to overproduction of oil). Complement this with your moisturising routine and keen the hair and scalp healthy, while your strands can be left feeling light and fresh.

If you have any water-based activities in the future, coat your hair in a protective layer of thick conditioner or coconut oil to prevent the chlorine from entering the hair shaft and damaging the strength of hair. Afterward, ensure you wash your hair as soon as possible before applying a moisturising and conditioning oil for hydration and repair. Similarly, if you are spending more time outdoors supplementing an SPF into your hair care routine will help prevent the hair from becoming damaged from UV exposure.

Avoid exposing unprotected hair to direct sunlight for a prolonged time, especially if you have dry or damaged hair in the first place. Extreme dryness can lead to hair becoming brittle, which may lead to breakage. Before stepping out, think about protecting your strands with a product that has sun protection properties, or something as simple as a hat, cap, or headscarf, ideally silk or silk lined to keep moisture within the strands. Finally, there is nothing natural hairstyles shy away from more than applied heat. Avoid using any hot tools and either air or towel dry before finishing off with your creams and oils to supplement the moisture and hydration back into the hair.

Curly and dryer hair types can benefit from co-washing. Conditioner-only washing (coined co-washing for short) means that by eliminating shampoo and traditional methods of cleansing, the hair can feel clean whilst still obtaining the natural oils it needs to stay hydrated, smooth, and silky. Start by saturating the hair with water, loosening the build-up and debris; this will make it easier to rinse out. Follow this with a healthy amount of conditioner on the hair for 5 to 10 minutes, until fully absorbed, and then rinse and style as preferred. If you’re suffering from build-up, applying a clarifying shampoo in between washes to help target and sweep away the excess debris.