10 Tips for Perfecting Your Summer Curly Hair Routine

We’re talking hydrated, defined, luscious curls all season long.

Summer is here, so it’s time for your curls to flourish. And even though the warm weather season is the time to flaunt your natural texture, making changes to your curly hair routine can take your curls to the next level. From humidity causing major frizz to the hot sun rays sucking all the moisture out of your strands, with a few simple tweaks to your curly hair routine, this summer you can showcase your best spirals to date. Keep reading for the best curly hair products and nine easy-to-follow tips for taking your curly hair routine to the next level for summer-perfect spirals all season long.

1. Moisturize

It’s no secret that curly hair needs a ton of moisture. And even though we usually associate the cold weather season with drier locks, the same can be true of summertime. Hot and dry climates can suck the moisture out of hair leaving it dry, brittle and lifeless. Not only do you need to drink lots of water to keep your body and hair moisturized, you also want to grab hydrating products that help to boost moisture levels in the hair. Try Dark & Lovely Blowout Super Smooth Sulfate Free Shampoo and Dark & Lovely Blowout Moisture Treat Deep Conditioner in the shower and add a quarter-sized amount of Optimum Oil Therapy 3-in-1 Creme Oil Moisturizer to curls before adding your favorite curly cocktail. It’s formulated with coconut, olive, avocado and jojoba oils to deeply moisturize your strands without leaving them feeling or looking greasy.

2. Toss Your Hot Tools

Remember that hot temps make hair drier and hot tools only add to that. So instead of reaching for that flat iron, blow dryer or curling wand, think again. Opt for no-heat styles like finger coils, roller sets or twist-outs. Plus, summer is all about texture, so rock what you’ve got. And if you do heat style, use a protection product like Dark & Lovely Blowout Heat Shield Hair Primer Spray.

3. Deep Condition, Often

Since dry climates, sand and water can wreak havoc on your strands, committing toa deep conditioning routine will save you a whole lot of headache and hair damage, too. Applying once a week is minimum, but feel free to use more often if that works best for you. The Damage Slayer Steam Conditioning Hair Mask is a hair mask for curly hair that uses our first salon-grade technology system to repair damaged hair. It repairs from the inside out and rinses to pillowy soft, shiny hair every single time. Not to mention, it gives thirsty curls a boost in moisture.

4. Don’t Skip Gel

If your wash-and-go’s aren’t coming out like they previously would in, say, winter or spring, you might need to add some hold to your curly hair routine to keep curls intact. Humidity can reverse a great hair day in minutes, but applying a medium- to strong-hold gel will create a slight cast over the curls to keep them defined and frizz-free, no matter the weather conditions outside. The Let’s Jam Moisture & Shine Gel Mega Hold gives a strong hold and keeps frizz at bay without weight hair down. If you’re worried about crunchy curls, simply scrunch the crunch away once the hair is dry.

5. Opt for Protective Styles

A balanced curly hair routine incorporated protective styles from time to time. Choosing styles that keep your hair up and your ends tucked will not only give your strands a break from manipulation, but can also encourage length retention. Top knots, Dutch braids and bantu knots are all great protective styles for summer. Use Dark & Lovely Blowout Shine Gloss Styling Serum Balm to keep the styles looking their best.

6. Protect Before You Swim

Our skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun’s harsh UV rays. Grab a hair SPF before hitting the pool or beach to avoid fried strands. If you plan to take a dip in the pool, apply a thin layer of conditioner throughout your hair or a few drops of oil to protect your hair from the extreme dryness that comes from chlorine and salt water. Our go-to is the Dark & Lovely Damage Slayer Conditioner: “The Strengthener”.

7. Shampoo Less Often

Even the gentlest shampoo can be drying. Try going just one extra day without washing to help keep your hair as hydrated as possible. Odds are you don’t wash your curly hair very frequently anyway, but this slight shift in your routine may be just the thing to keep your strands looking their best all summer. A blowout product like Dark & Lovely Blowout Silky Slip Blow Dry Cream will help your style last.

8. Swap for Conditioning Cleansers

Instead of traditional shampoos, give hair an extra dose of moisture by adding a co-wash or conditioning cleanser to your curly hair routine. These moisturizing hair cleansers don’t strip hair of its natural oils and help to keep moisture locked into the hair instead of seeping out.

9. Keep Up With Trims

Routine trims are the secret to longer, stronger and more healthy-looking hair. Even amongst the summer fun, don’t skip trims. Keeping your ends cleaned up every 6-8 weeks will keep knots, tangles and split ends at bay.

10. Wear Hats the Right Way

Sun protection is key in the summer, but even the best sun hat can damage hair. Make sure it fits well so that there’s plenty of room for your curls, and look for anything that may snag or pull on hair like tags or elastic. Curls look great tucked under a hat, but you want to proceed with a little caution—the same goes for wearing sunglasses on your head.

Still curious how to take care of curly hair? Check out our best curly hair care products.