Summer is often the ultimate test for your hair. Will you invest in your hair care routine post-heat, pool, and beach outings, or will you simply endure the season and fix the damage in the fall? By the end of fall, you’ll see the toll taken on your hair—whether it’s due to an excessive amount or a lack product use, unnecessary heat exposure, or breakage from protective styles. Also, the hassle of lugging around a bunch of products, especially if they’re not travel-sized, can be both financially and emotionally draining. That’s why 21Ninety has curated 23 summer hair products tailored to differing hair types and styles to keep your hair healthy and on point during the sweltering summer months.
What’s the Best Way to Care for Your Hair During Summer?
Moisture is crucial for curly or coily hair, especially during the summer months. The golden rule for curly hair in summer is to opt for moisture-rich hair products that will help from scalp to ends. This includes moisturizing shampoos, conditioners, and styling products infused with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and honey. Additionally, minimize direct heat exposure to your hair, as the longevity of heat styles is less sustainable in hot, humid weather.
- Best Detailing Comb and Brush: Detangling Comb and Brush Set
- Best Styling Gel: Eco Olive Styling Gel
- Best Frizz Control Hairspray: Tresemme Extra Hold Hairspray for 24-Hour Frizz Control
- Best Frizz Control Hair Mask: REDKEN Frizz Dismiss Mask Intense Smoothing Treatment
- Best Leave In Conditioner: Pravana The Perfect Blonde Seal and Protect Leave-In Treatment
- Best Strong Hold Edge Control: Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold
- Best Edges Brush: Baby Tress Edge Styler
- Best Locking Gel: Lock It Up Hair Gel
- Best Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
- Best Anti Humidity Hair Gel: Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil
- Best Heatless Curler Set: Yeelen Heatless Curler Set
- Best One Step Hair Dryer: REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler
- Best Waterproof Hair Spray: Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Humidity Hairspray Extra Strength
- Best Anti Humidity Hair Spray: Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray
- Best Deep Treatment Hair Mask: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Marfura Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
- Best Bonnet: Long Satin Hair Bonnets for Braids – 2 Pack
- Best Scarf: Melanin Haircare Stretch Satin Head Wrap
- Best Refresher Spray: Hair Milk Curl Refresher Spray
- Best Rice Water Spray: As I Am Rice Water Hair Spray
- Best Curl Cocktail: Curl Cocktail Hair Set by Tracee Ellis Ross
- Best Wet Brush: Kim Kimble Detangle Brush For Wet and Dry Hair
- Best Hair Growth Oil: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Best Detailing Comb and Brush
Detangling Comb and Brush Set
The Detangling Comb and Brush Set is perfect for effortlessly managing beach knots and tangles during the summer, ensuring smooth and hassle-free styling sessions. This tear-free situation can be used on any hair type, whether wet or dry.
Best Styling Gel
Ecco Olive Styling Gel
Sometimes you just need to put your hair into a slicked-back bun or ponytail without worrying about your hair puffing up or if your style will last throughout the day. The Eco Styling hair gel is a holy grail to many, and for good reason. This gel offers a strong hold without the crunch, making it ideal for creating sleek summer hairstyles that can withstand the challenges of humidity.
Best Frizz Control Hairspray
Tresemme Extra Hold Hairspray for 24-Hour Frizz Control
Although hairspray is usually only brought out for emergencies or very serious long-lasting styles, you never know what you will endure with the summer heat. Tresemme Extra Hold Hairspray for 24-Hour Frizz Control provides long-lasting frizz control even in high humidity.
Best Frizz Control Hair Mask
REDKEN Frizz Dismiss Mask Intense Smoothing Treatment
Between leave-in conditioners, butters, oils, and gels, using too much product can weigh your hair down. The REDKEN Frizz Dismiss Mask Intense Smoothing Treatment nourishes and smooths hair, effectively combating frizz caused by summer humidity for a more manageable look.
Best Leave In Conditioner
Pravana The Perfect Blonde Seal and Protect Leave-In Treatment
Sun damage to your hair is imminent and inevitable, especially if you have light-colored hair. Pravana The Perfect Blonde Seal and Protect Leave-In Treatment hydrates and shields hair from sun damage. It seals in moisture, maintaining balance during scorching summer days and preventing hair discoloration.
Best Strong Hold Edge Control
Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold
The first signs of heat and humidity often appear at your edges. There’s nothing worse than spending time slicking and laying your baby hairs, only for them to puff up. Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold keeps edges sleek and in place, resisting humidity for hairstyles that stay perfectly laid all day long.
Best Edges Brush
Baby Tress Edge Styler
You can’t achieve sleek edges with edge control without a sturdy edge control brush designed with precision in mind. Baby Tress Edge Styler is crafted with a sturdy metal brush and a triangular-shaped head that aids in creating clean, centered parts.
Best Locking Gel
Lock It Up Hair Gel
What better time to lock your hair than during a season that calls for the ultimate protective style: summertime. Lock It Up Hair Gel provides long-lasting hold for locs and twists, ensuring your styles remain intact despite the heat and humidity of summer.
Best Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Speaking of locs and protective braided styles, refreshing and cleaning them is just as important as maintaining them. The dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse clarifies and balances the scalp. It effectively removes build-up from sweat and sunscreen during the summer months, promoting healthy hair growth.
Best Anti Humidity Hair Gel
Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil
Curly hair is prone to frizz and tangling in humid climates. Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil effectively controls frizz and defines curls in such weather. It ensures bouncy and manageable hair throughout the summer season, regardless of the weather conditions.
Best Heatless Curler Set
Yeelen Heatless Curler Set
It’s already humid and hot out, the last thing you want to do is add unnecessary heat to your hair. Instead, try this heatless satin curler set, that you can use anywhere anytime.
Best One Step Hair Dryer
REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler
This 2-in-1 tool will help simplify your getting ready routine. Customers say it’s easy to store and cuts down on drying time which will help protect your tresses.
Best Waterproof Hair Spray
Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Humidity Hairspray Extra Strength
Tried and tested on TikTok, this hair serum has gone viral for a reason. Two pumps of the Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Humidity Hairspray Extra Strength right before you apply heat on your hair will not only make it waterproof but also humidity-proof. This hairspray is a must-have for summer, keeping your style intact and frizz-free even on the hottest days.
Best Anti Humidity Hair Spray
Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray
A major competitor of the Color Wow Anti-Humidity Hairspray is the Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray, and for good reason. This hairspray not only locks in your style while protecting it from humidity, making it the perfect choice for summer hairstyles, but it’s also capable of withstanding climates like rain.
Best Deep Treatment Hair Mask
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Marfura Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment
If you’re seeking a strengthening and hydrating treatment with no frills, then this is the one for you. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey and Marfura Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment provide intense hydration and repair for summer-damaged hair. It restores moisture and vitality to sun-exposed locks, giving bounce, hold, and shine back to your curls.
Best Bonnet
Long Satin Hair Bonnets for Braids – 2 Pack
Bonnets are essential for protecting your hair while you sleep, regardless of the weather or season, as they prevent breakage and preserve your hairstyle overnight.
Best Scarf
Melanin Haircare Stretch Satin Head Wrap
Customers rave about this full-size satin wrap that measure 72 inches. It locks in moisture and can be styled in a variety making it street or bed appropriate.
Best Refresher Spray
Carols Daughter Hair Milk Curl Refresher Spray
Hair Milk Curl Refresher Spray revitalizes and hydrates curls between washes and after a couple of hours. It’s a summer essential for maintaining bouncy, defined curls without weighing them down.
Best Rice Water Spray
As I Am Rice Water Hair Spray
With heat damage, your hair might become weak, brittle, and prone to breakage. What better protein treatment to use than the viral rice water spray? As I Am Rice Water Hair Spray strengthens and nourishes hair with the power of rice water, promoting healthy growth and reducing breakage. It’s perfect for maintaining strong, resilient hair in the summer sun.
Best Curl Cocktail
Curl Cocktail Hair Set by Tracee Ellis Ross
The Curl Cocktail Hair Set by Tracee Ellis Ross is a summer essential for defining and enhancing natural curls. It provides moisture and hold for long-lasting, frizz-free curls in hot and humid weather.
Best Wet Brush
Kim Kimble Detangle Brush For Wet and Dry Hair
Using a wet brush any time of the year is perfect for detangling hard-to-brush hair, but it becomes even more essential as we begin to expose our hair to saltwater and chlorine, meaning more frequent washes. This brush is perfect for leaving your hair breakage-free.
Best Hair Growth Oil
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Iconic, to say the least, and usually needs no introduction. But if you’ve opted for too many protective styles during the summer, and now your edges are suffering and spotty, then Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is sure to bring them back to life.
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