Hair and Humidity

[Pink Dahlia]

I live in Arizona. It's a dry heat so most of the time my curls don't fall flat.

However, I am going to Japan in June. It is awfully humid there. I plan on using pin curls and setting lotion. I also bought some anti humidity hairspray.

Perhaps you ladies who live in humid climates can give me tips on how to keep my curls in. I have thin straight hair with zero body.

 

[anabolina]

I could use some advice too, although I've lived in a humid area most of my life, my hai still falls flat when it gets really humid. This happened last week and I ended up just pulling it back. Now what works depending on the style your going for and how humid it is is using more product, like hair spray and gels.

Congrats on going to Japan, I hope you have heaps of fun!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Though I do still live in AZ, I have traveled to areas with much less forgiving weather (and I also swing dance, the ultimate test for style staying power—dance clubs are super hot and humid after just a couple of dances, and this can kill your perfect coif pretty quickly.) My solution--I simply spray the heck out of my hair with a firm hold hair spray. Sometimes changing your setting lotion choice--gel instead of setting lotion, for example--helps too. I have always found that Aussie's Instant Freeze works great in humidity (and wind, too.) However, they recently changed the formula and I don't think I like it quite as well anymore. Daisy got me hooked on Rusk's W8less Plus hair spray a couple of months ago, and though it feels less firm hold, it works great in the same conditions.

With longer hair, you can always wear a snood or invisible hair net to help keep the curls in place all day as well.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'll second the idea of a good strong hair spray -- but I have to admit there's some mid-summer days where I could dip my head in a can of shellac and the curls still won't hold. It's days like that where I get out the Rosie-the-Riveter bandana, roll the just the front of my hair, and hope for the best.

Hairspray-wise, though, I find that aerosol spray can sprays tend to work better under extreme conditions than the spritz bottle kind -- not sure why, but it certainly seems to be the case for me.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Hairspray-wise, though, I find that aerosol spray can sprays tend to work better under extreme conditions than the spritz bottle kind -- not sure why, but it certainly seems to be the case for me.

I agree. I think it is because the aerosols spray a finer mist and usually don't take as long to dry. Hair spray that is too 'wet' can be the death of perfectly curled hair.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Though I do still live in AZ, I have traveled to areas with much less forgiving weather (and I also swing dance, the ultimate test for style staying power—dance clubs are super hot and humid after just a couple of dances, and this can kill your perfect coif pretty quickly.) My solution--I simply spray the heck out of my hair with a firm hold hair spray. Sometimes changing your setting lotion choice--gel instead of setting lotion, for example--helps too. I have always found that Aussie's Instant Freeze works great in humidity (and wind, too.) However, they recently changed the formula and I don't think I like it quite as well anymore. Daisy got me hooked on Rusk's W8less Plus hair spray a couple of months ago, and though it feels less firm hold, it works great in the same conditions.

With longer hair, you can always wear a snood or invisible hair net to help keep the curls in place all day as well.

I'm another gal who sprays the heck out of my hair. My hair is heavy so the weight of it causes my curls to flop. The Rusk W8less Plus does work really well. If you need even more hold than that Rusk makes another spray with a higher hold. I just like the W8less because it makes my hair less crunchy while still giving it the support it needs. Sebastian also makes a great spray. I use the Shaper Plus for hold situations then the Shaper ZeroG for allover spray after my hair is in place. Sebastian also makes a Laminates line. They have a spritz type of spray that also comes in a couple of different weights, but along with hole it also gives added shine. I find that the best hold I get is when I spray with the spritz and then gently zap it with hair dryer on high heat. Don't use too much spray or over dry if you are gonna do this, it causes the spray to get white and flaky. I usually use this method if I've got rolls in my hair. But, if I'm just wearing my hair down and curly I use the aerosol. I would use the non aerosol, but since I have to dry it with a dryer, the dryer would cause my down hair to fly all over the place and probably ruin my attempt at a Veronica Lake do..

 

[Pink Dahlia]

Thanks for the tips ladies.

As far the gel is concerned would you recommend spray gel or the regular kind?

 

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

Thanks for the tips ladies.

As far the gel is concerned would you recommend spray gel or the regular kind?

Personally, I am against gel and mousse in humid weather. It never seems to fully set and stays tacky/sticky all day long. Strong, dry hair spray I can't recommend enough. Shine sprays that contain a little bit of oil seems to keep frizz to a minimum in humid weather if applied under hair spray.

I bet you'll find some good products while you're there, since Japanese hair is similar to your own

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I second the super freeze hold hairspray (not so much you get helmet hair, but enough so it really doesn't move) plus a mini sized can to carry around in your handbag, and I always wear a snood in the day if I am going out that evening, if I'm not going out I don't bother but my curls have sagged by the end of the day then. That's my advice from windy, rainy and humid-in-the-summer England!

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I don't like using gel in humid weather. The dampness of the air causes the gel to get wet and very sticky.

You can also go the extra step and buy an anti frizz shampoo and conditioner. Citre Shine makes a good product, although I have been having trouble finding it lately All of their anti frizz and shine products work very well and they smell nice too. Frizz Ease products also work great. I've been using their mousse to add some body to my hair before letting it dry and before I curl it. My hair has a lot more body. They make all different sorts of anti frizz and shine products. I use their frizz serum before putting my hair in curlers, after I have dampened it with setting lotion. This makes my curls less frizzy, and that is a feat, because I have seriously frizzy hair!! So, aside from the hairspray, you'll probably need an anti frizz serum and possibly a hine spray as well. Sometimes one will do the trick, but it depends on how frizzy your hair is.

 

[Pink Dahlia]

Okay so no gel!

Also with the gel would that be a no to setting lotion as well? I would think no since setting lotion has never left my hair feeling like I just used gel.

Frizz is one thing I've never had to worry about in my life. My main concern is keeping my curls curly.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Okay so no gel!

Also with the gel would that be a no to setting lotion as well? I would think no since setting lotion has never left my hair feeling like I just used gel.

Frizz is one thing I've never had to worry about in my life. My main concern is keeping my curls curly.

When I use gel I mix it with a dab of pomade, as the combination seems to bring out the best of both products. I have used this combo in ultra-humid places like Georgia, and it works just fine.

 

[Sweet Polly Purebred]

When I use gel I mix it with a dab of pomade, as the combination seems to bring out the best of both products. I have used this combo in ultra-humid places like Georgia, and it works just fine.

That's a really interesting idea .. That ends up being similar to something like a moulding mud?

 

[jitterbugdoll]

That's a really interesting idea .. That ends up being similar to something like a moulding mud?

I've never tried molding mud so I can't say for sure, but you only need a dab of each product combed throught the hair. I find it also helps when using hot curlers on hard-to-curl hair.

 

[Girl Friday]

This is really the best stuff I have found:

http://www.ouidad.com/productadvisor_product.asp?dept_level=2&p_id=90900

Garnier Fructis has an Anti-Humidity Styling Creme, I am going to have to try, the Ouidad stuff is kind of expensive, so I need an alternative.

 

[ITG]

I live in a humidity ridden area (Dallas) and I have thick hair that falls the moment I walk outside if I don't have strong enough hairspray. I use Kenra super hold finishing spray (#25) and it works great. You can get it at Ulta3. I use a lighter hairspray for styling first and then finish it off with the Kenra.
http://www.kenra.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ID=40

 

[Shimmy Sally]

It's odd that I have the opposite problem. My hair gets all wavy, wild and braveheart when it's moist, but lays straighter/frizzy in dry weather. July and August I don't even try to style it, it has a mind of it's own.
Back in the 80s (when I lived in a humid climate) Paul Mithcell had a product named 'Hair Glaze' or something. It was a liquid that would harden like shellac. Unlike shellac, it would shampoo out. I could get my hair do anything and stay that way. Now I just use Aqua Net and that strong pink gel when I really need Ken Doll hair.

 

[Blondie]

Hi ! I lived in Japan for 3 years, the summers there are very humid and hot, i would just put my hair up into a french knot and secure it with chopsticks, try and pack alot of cotton clothes to wear as well, hope you have a great time ! If you need to know anything else just holler !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Girl Friday]

Also... a satin pillow case helps (unless your hair is super curly like mine :eusa_doh: )

Prevents breakage or split ends...and well it sounds wonderful.

 

[Pink Dahlia]

I'm going to try the pincurls and Lottabody. I also have the Garnier Anti-Humidity Hairspray. Didn't know there was a cream. I'll probably pick that up. If worse comes to worse I'm bringing my snood.

Twenty-eight days till I leave!