How to Stop Hair Frizzing in the Rain (Before, During and After)
Frizz happens when dry, raised hair cuticles soak up moisture from damp air. Prevent it by conditioning well, smoothing a leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz cream through damp hair, and drying it fully with the airflow pointing down the lengths. In wet weather choose braids or a low bun, and carry a little serum for touch-ups.
“Rain doesn't ruin hair; thirsty hair ruins itself in the rain. Give it moisture before it goes looking for some in the air, seal it down, and on a truly wet day wear a style that was meant to be a little undone.”Her take
Why does hair frizz in the rain?
Hair readily takes up water from the air. Each strand has an outer layer of overlapping scales called the cuticle; when hair is dry or damaged, those scales are lifted and the strand absorbs moisture unevenly. Some sections swell, others don't, and the hair bends and puffs out instead of lying smooth.
Hair that's naturally curly or coily, coloured, bleached or often heat-styled tends to be more prone to it, because its cuticle is more open. That's why the fix is less about fighting the weather and more about keeping hair moisturised and the cuticle smooth before you step outside.
How do you stop frizz before you go out?
Most of the work happens on wash day and in the ten minutes before you leave. Follow these steps in order.
- Condition every wash, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends, and rinse with lukewarm rather than very hot water.
- Blot hair with a microfibre towel or a cotton T-shirt instead of rubbing it with a rough towel.
- Smooth a leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz cream through damp hair and comb it through with a wide-tooth comb.
- Dry your hair fully. Going out with even slightly damp hair invites frizz.
- Point the dryer nozzle down the hair shaft, from root to tip, and finish with a blast of cool air.
- Seal the ends with a pea-sized drop of serum or hair oil, warmed between your palms.
Leave-in, cream, serum or spray: which helps?
They do different jobs, and many people use two together: one to moisturise, one to seal. Here's how they compare.
- Leave-in conditioner: a light base for every hair type. Goes on damp hair and adds moisture without weight.
- Anti-frizz cream or smoothing balm: richer, for thick, wavy or curly hair. Goes on damp hair before drying.
- Serum or hair oil: a finishing step for ends and flyaways. Use very little, or fine hair looks greasy.
- Humidity-resistant finishing spray: for a finished blow-dry or curls. Mist it over styled, dry hair.
- Curl cream or gel: for curls and waves. Forms a soft hold that keeps the curl shape together in damp air.
Which hairstyles hold up best in the rain?
On a wet, windy day, the best styles are the ones that are already gathered or textured, so a little moisture doesn't change the look. A sleek low bun, a low ponytail wrapped with a section of hair, a single plait or two French plaits, and a twisted updo in a claw clip all hold their shape in drizzle.
If you want to wear it down, defined waves or curls cope better than a poker-straight blow-dry, because a little extra movement still looks intended. A fresh, very sleek straight finish is the style most likely to show every drop of moisture.
How do you protect your hair when you're out?
Cover it before it gets wet, not after. A hood, an umbrella, or a silk or satin-lined scarf tied as a headscarf keeps rain off and doesn't rough up the hair the way a coarse wool hat can.
Try not to touch your hair while you're out. Running your fingers through damp hair lifts the cuticle and spreads frizz. If it's raining hard when you leave, tie your hair up first and take it down when you arrive somewhere dry.
How do you fix frizz when you're caught out?
Don't brush it. Brushing damp, frizzy hair breaks up the strands and makes it bigger. Instead, warm a tiny amount of serum or hair oil between your palms and smooth it lightly over the surface and ends, pressing rather than raking.
If that doesn't tame it, put it up. Twist the hair into a low bun or a claw clip, smooth the front with the last of the serum, and the frizz turns into texture. Curly hair can often be revived by scrunching with a little water and a dab of curl cream rather than smoothing.
Questions people ask
Does hairspray stop frizz in the rain?
A humidity-resistant finishing spray can help a finished style hold, but it works best on hair that was conditioned and dried properly first. It won't fix frizz that's already there.
Should I straighten my hair on a rainy day?
A very sleek straight style shows frizz first in damp air. On a wet day, waves, a plait or a low bun will last much longer.
Why is my hair frizzier in the UK and Ireland?
Damp, mild weather means there's a lot of moisture in the air for much of the year, so hair that's dry or damaged has plenty to absorb.
Is it bad to go out with damp hair?
For frizz, yes. Damp hair is still swelling and settling, so it frizzes faster once it meets wet air. Dry it fully first.
How do I stop curly hair frizzing in the rain?
Keep curls moisturised, apply a leave-in and a curl cream or gel to soaking wet hair, avoid brushing once dry, and scrunch with a little water to revive them.
The takeaway
Moisturise before the weather does it for you, dry fully with the nozzle pointing down, seal the ends, and on a really wet day wear a plait or a low bun.
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