Humidity Defying Hair Care

After quite a few conversations on Twitter about how I tame my mane, I've decided it's probably time to share my frizz-free secrets. Because I've lived with a curly mop on my head for  a good 24 years now, I figured I'd share some secrets and some of my favorite products to beat the ridiculous humidity.

· Use a good shampoo + conditioner. Something that is great for smoothing and hydrating, something that won't dry your hair out (so sulfate-free is your best be). Sulfates are even more awful for naturally dry and damaged hair and will leave your locks with less to be desired. The Pureology Hydrate range and the L'Oreal EverCreme range are two of my current favorites.

· Prep your hair! Seriously, this is important. What you put in your hair right after you wash it will determine how it's going to act. Aveda is the new love of my life. I've always liked their products but after switching to an Aveda salon I've been introduced to some seriously amazing things. Their Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother is 100% holy grail. It claims to protect against humidity for 12 hours (thanks to organic tapioca) but I've gotten easily 48 hours out of this stuff. It helps set your blow-out, especially when followed by a cool shot and it smells of that oh so lovely Aveda smell. It's also a heat protectant! Light Elements Smoothing Fluid helps tame any flyaways and adds a bit of shine. I sometimes mix this with my Smooth Infusion before drying my hair, but I also use it on dry hair, to protect from frizz even more.

· If/when you blow-dry, make sure your hair is completely dry. Any leftover damp areas (especially close to the root) can end up fluffing up a bit more than you'd like. Ending your blowout with a cool shot will help seal the cuticle, set the hair, and add a bit of shine.

· Style with products that will add a little texture or add a little more protection. Bumble and bumble Brilliantine is one of my all-time favorites. You can use it on wet hair to smooth your locks down or on dry hair to ruffle up a sexy bed head. For a little UV protection, conditioning, and dry action, Oribe's Soft Dry Conditioner spray* is what I've been reaching for. It's got argan oil and hydrolyzed silk to make your midshaft and ends chill out when the going gets a little tough. It's perfect on second and third day hair — freshening up and softening at all once.

· Treat it with care. It's a 10's Miracle Leave in Conditioner is my go-to at the moment. It's got heat protectant, helps control frizz, detangles, adds shine, conditions, the list goes on and on and on. I sometimes use this on wet hair but it's really awesome the night before I know I'm gonna wash my hair. I drench my ends, and in the morning when I wash it out my hair feels incredibly soft. I really do think this helps calm my curls a bit.

So basically this is what I've been doing for quite a while to keep that extra unwanted moisture + puffiness out of my hair. Most importantly I always prep, condition, and use the cool air when finishing off my hair. What seem like trivial little details are actually the biggest steps in my hair routine, especially in this 80% humidity.

Would you be interested in more haircare tips? What are some of your fail-proof frizz-proof steps?

*PR sample

Bumble and bumble Brilliantine

Bumble and bumble Brilliantine / $23

When I want a piecey look with a bit of hold, I stick to my trusty Semisumo. When I'm feeling lazy and want to look like I've spent ages making my hair look done-up, I use this. So what's the difference between Semisumo and Brilliantine? Brilliantine doesn't hold well, barely at all to be honest, and that's okay. It leaves you with the slightest bit of separation and definition but looks soft. It doesn't add weight (Semisumo definitely does). It doesn't add too much texture. What it does add is a ridiculous amount of shine. Plus it's more of a 2-in-1 product.

There are two ways I use this stuff, which kind of makes me feel like I'm getting more for my money. Maybe? Maybe not.

On dry hair: Add a bit into my palms, rub between hands, run fingers through the hair or on top of the hair. Do I need more? Add more product, run through hair again. A little goes a loooong way with the stuff so less is definitely more. If I want a more messy fun look I'll go this route. It's just that little bit of texture/slightly sexy somethin' somethin'. No added weight, no problem.

On wet hair: Add product onto palms, rub between, run through mid-shaft and ends. Blow-dry. Straighten (if you'd like). Done. What have I just achieved? The shiniest hair ever.  Not just shine, I'm talking extreme shine even on slightly damaged tresses. Literally I have never seen my hair look so sleek. No joke. The teensiest bit of added texture it gives is just perfect for added volume and manageability.

My hair ends up feeling just incredible. I love the weightlessness of Brilliantine as well as the fact that it seems to leave me with less build-up than Semisumo. Don't get me wrong, that hi-shine, lo-hold pomade still holds a place in my heart but I'm not sure it's as versatile as this. Let it be known that I have used the two together. Brilliantine for lots of shine and Semisumo for the perfect finishing touch.

What do you guys think of Brilliantine?
P.S. I used this the day I shot Patisserie so you can see what it looks like in my hurr!

Bumble and bumble Semisumo

Bumble and bumble Semisumo · $27

When it comes to my hair I love a good roughed up look every now and again. Super straight and sleek locks get a bit boring after so long! Though I'm not a fan of Bb's shampoo & conditioners, I do love their styling products. I think I own about 4 now, which is quite a bit to have especially from one brand (at least for me). I first spotted this on Sephora's website in the "New" section and then on Ms Estée's November Beauty Favorites video, and knew it was just what I was looking for.

Semisumo is described as a "hi-shine, lo-hold  pomade" and yup, that just about explains it. It's the kind of product that works better after you've warmed it in your hands and then becomes the perfect little styler to make your hair look ruffled and slept-in but on purpose. Pulling it through my hair with my fingers gives it a piece-y and tousled look which is perfect if you want something that's a little more sultry, mhmmmm. I like this because I can use it on my ends and just all over and it doesn't leave my hair sticky or greasy vs the (Un)dressing Creme which is great for giving your roots a little oomph but is so sticky/tacky. This stuff also smells like cologne which is actually really nice. All in all it's an awesome little product and I'll be interested how long it takes me to get through this stuff!  

What do you guys think? Is Semisumo something you'd like to try? What are your other favorite Bumble and bumble products? 

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry · $28

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I have extremely curly hair. Actually, as I write this, my mane is in an extremely huge topknot cuz god knows I just can't be bothered to mess with it. I'm already planning to do a post dedicated to my frizz-filled locks and how I clean, nourish, and style — but until then I'll let you in on a few kew products I use to get the straight look. 

Bumble and bumble's Straight Blow Dry is a heat activated balm that helps tame fly-aways and frizz. At first I was a bit skeptical on how well this would work and how it would make my hair feel. Thicker balms and lotions tend to give my hair a greasy, weighed down feeling; this definitely doesn't do that. Instead it leaves my hair feeling extremely soft and smooth, while adding a bit of shine. It's definitely one of my all time favorite products for helping achieve my everyday straight hair style. With this stuff, a little goes a long way.

After sectioning my hair off to blowdry I apply this mid-shaft to ends and brush through. Using a round (boar bristle) brush I then blowdry depending on how I want my hair to look — higher heat + more concentrated = sleek and straight, or lower heat + lots of brush twirling for a more tousled look. I then follow up by straightening where needed. The end result is totally polished look. I use this most when I know I'll be more prone to frizz: when it's humidy/muggy/raining/etc. It really does an amazing job of helping to keep my hair under control!

What do you guys think of the Bb Straight line? Do you recommend any products for us ladies with curly hair?

Bumble and Bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme

Bumble and bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme · $14

Lately I've been really into having my hair a bit more voluminous and textured. I bought the mini bottle of this from Sephora as I wasn't ready to buy the full-size and thought it would take me a while to go through this anyway. Yay, minis!

I used to always wear my hair super straight and flat but yawn that's kind of boring, especially in the summer. Aside from the Bumble and bumble Surf Spray this is my go-to when I want a little texture. I apply it to my roots, either when my hair is wet or dry depending on how I feel and the end result is a bit of lift, hold, and lots of tousled bits of hair. It gives a nice polished bed-head look so if that's what you're looking to achieve, this is the stuff for you! I'll definitely be repurchasing this once I'm out but a little goes a long way so this mini bottle will probably last me forever.

Do you like the B&b products? What's your favorite product for adding texture and volume? 

Bumble & bumble Surf Spray

Bumble and bumble Surf Spray · $24

So this wasn't a product that I bought, it was a product Richard bought to style his hair — but what the hell, I figured I'd try it too.

I've always been into having my hair verrrrrrrry straight since it's naturally ridiculously curly, but as of late I like a bit of wave and volume. Today I thought I'd give this a go and it turned out pretty nice. I put it in after straightening my hair, and this was the effect that I got! I did straighten some pieces that were really out of place but this was the overall effect.

I used this with Bumble and bumble's Styling Lotion for a little hold and texture. I have to say, I'm starting to love the tousled beach look especially since it's been glorious outside. Now all I need is a tan!

What do you just think of surf sprays? Have you tried this one?