The summer is a wonderful time to embrace your hair. Beach days, swimming pools, heat-waves, humidity—all of these different scenarios mean different hair routines and styles, especially if you have wavy, curly or coily hair. Summer and I have a love-hate relationship, so to remedy that I decided to finally embark on a quest to find the best products for my thin, but frizzy, textured hair. My goal was to prioritize products that promise anti-frizz, manageability, protection, and shine. Keep scrolling to see which hair tools and products got my seal of approval.
Olivia Garden Curly Hair 2C-4A Brush
I’m a convert. A good brush does make a difference. This summer, Olivia Garden launched their CurlyHair Collection hair brushes specifically formulated for varying curl types (wavy, curly, and coily types, spanning 2A-4C). These brushes have flexible bristles that make them perfect for evenly spreading your products on both styled and wet hair, and thanks to their curved design, modeled after the scalp, they are also great at massaging your scalp. Throughout the summer, I used both the Dual Bristle Brush and Single Bristle Brush often: in the shower, during my post-shower hair care, and while my hair is styled. My hair usually gets oily in three days, so brushing in the morning and at night helps with oil distribution and keeping my hair clean for a longer time, which is a big thing for me, especially when I straighten my hair.
Shop: Olivia Garden Curly Hair 2C-4A Brush, $22.95
Ga.Ma IQ Lite Max Hair Dryer
I’m never going to beat the Dominican allegations. I was very young when I learned how to do my own hair, before styling brushes were introduced to the picture, with a round brush and a blowdryer. I love voluminous blow-dried hair, and I love going to the salon to get my hair styled, but I also can’t always find the time to do so when I’m in a pinch. When my hair dryer broke, I began looking for a new durable, compact and powerful one, and the Ga.Ma IQ Lite Max Hair Dryer has proven to be exactly that.
The Ga.Ma IQ Lite features three different temperatures, two speeds, and a cool shot function. It also comes with two professional nozzles and a diffuser. I gravitate towards the narrow nozzle because it works better on my frizzy hair, and the diffuser, which is spacious enough to get most of my hair. The dryer is extremely lightweight (it weighs under 1lb), so it’s not tiring when I’m trying to work on the back of my hair and the different pieces, which I’m thankful for.
It’s compact and you get to use the same tools that a professional stylist would while working on your hair at home. It’s truly a great blow dryer for a beginner doing their own hair at home.
Shop: Ga. Ma IQ Lite Max Hair Dryer, $199.95
Biotera Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner
In a conversation with Shab Caspara, a New York City-based hair growth expert and trichologist, we spoke about the importance of scalp health and how to take care of your hair during the summer. When she heard about my numerous beach trips and my issues with frizz, she recommended I try Biotera’s anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner. I can’t thank her enough! In the past two months, my hair could only withstand Dominican Republic’s heat when washed and conditioned with this line.
Caspara is a believer in taking care of your scalp first and foremost with microbiome-friendly natural ingredients, and that’s exactly what this line does. The hydrating anti-frizz shampoo tames the hair and cleans the scalp in a gentle way and the conditioner locks out frizz for three days, even in high humidity, without weighing your hair down. Both products are infused with a pre- and postbiotic blend of coconut yogurt, ginseng, and camellia seed oil.
I rarely change my shampoo and conditioner routine due to fear of how my scalp will react to new products, but Biotera’s anti-frizz line focuses on taking care of your scalp first, in order to have healthy strands. Using both products has also helped me decrease how much heat I put on my hair. I now understand why you can’t skip the fundamentals in the summer.
Shop: Biotera Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Shampoo, $11.99 and Biotera Anti-Frizz Intense Smoothing Conditioner, $11.99
Biotera Intensives 2:1 Protective Leave-In + Overnight Treatment
When my hair needed a little love, or when I came home after the beach and didn’t feel like doing a full-routine, I would soak my hair in water to get rid of the salt or the chlorine, and immediately I would put on Biotera’s Intensives 2:1 Protective Leave-In + Overnight Treatment. I also used this treatment before the beach. It has been my savior throughout the summer.
This dual-use protective leave-in works to both strengthen and protect your hair from heat-styling up to 450°F and it reduces breakage by over 80%. Most weeks, I used it as an overnight treatment, and I always woke up with nourished curls. This protective leave-in and overnight treatment is also infused with 2X pre- and post biotic blend of coconut yogurt and ginseng.
The smell was a nice surprise as well. If you enjoy products that leave your hair smelling like the tropics, but are not overpowering, this is definitely a must.
Shop: Biotera Intensives 2:1 Protective Leave-In + Overnight Treatment, $14.01
450°F Damage Repair Strengthening Leave-In Cream and Heat Styling Lotion
Better Natured’s Damage Repair Strengthening Leave-In Cream and Heat Styling Lotion were my go-tos when I heat-styled my hair. Usually, I always gravitate towards leave-in spray, but both of these products are so lightweight and easy to apply, that I was almost shocked when my hair didn’t feel heavy after applying them together. The leave-in cream is ideal for dry hair that’s been damaged by excessive blow drying or chemical processing. After my many beach escapades, being under the sun, and the warm humid weather, this was such a great addition to my routine. Its super-hydrating formula is the perfect every day extra protection I needed. The heat styling lotion, which also delivers up to 96 hours of frizz control, was perfect for locking in moisture and prepping my hair to withstand the blow dryer. Paired together, the duo helped me achieve a shiny, manageable, long-lasting blowout. It also helped with taming my flyaways and split ends, while hydrating my hair in the process. A lovely match!
Shop: Better Natured Damage Repair Strengthening Leave-In Cream, $21.39; Better Natured Heat Styling Lotion, $21.39
Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Full Miracle Styling Foam
Briogeo rarely disappoints, but my aversion to foams stopped me for a while from trying the brand’s new Full Miracle Styling Foam. Once I finally did, this product quickly became a staple in my routine. If you’re looking for volume that holds but don’t want something too heavy, this styling foam is a great way to get there.
The foam is buildable and easy to apply, dries completely weightless, and can be applied to both wet and dry hair. I used it before heat-styling and as an extra step in my curly hair routine, and loved it on both occasions. I love a bouncy blowout and this provides the hold and protection I needed all summer. The pump provides a minimal amount of product, making it really easy to gauge how much more you might need, so you don’t over do it.
Usually I would need hair spray to keep my hair from deflating after blow drying it, but with the foam my hair would still feel voluminous and frizz-free two days after styling, not to mention I finally lost my fear of adding a volume product to my routine. Both the super B-complex and the plum oil provide shine and softness to the hair, and if that’s not enough, it’s also a heat protectant!
Shop: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Full Miracle Styling Foam, $26.00
Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème
In the days leading up to washing my hair, the Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème was the perfect product for taming my hair.
When I needed to put my hair on a pony-tail or a bun, the sculpting cream was the perfect strong but manageable pomade to keep my hair in place without making it feel brittle or stiff. I saw myself reaching for it especially when the humidity was just working against me. Just a tiny bit of the product would bring shine back to my hair and tame my flyaways. In addition to being perfect for different updos, I have black hair and it does not leave any white cast when dry. It’s a perfect product for the heat and for special occasions. When applying, you should always emulsify a small amount between your palms and distribute evenly throughout the hair.
Shop: Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Light Work Sculpting Crème, $26.00
