Stress-Free Summer Hair

Making Curly Hair Straight, and Straight Hair Curly

Experts agree that going against your natural hair texture in the summer is a tall order. According to Lesley Bride, a Pantene senior scientist, humidity breaks up the straight-hair bonds (building blocks inside the hair shaft) that you've so carefully created during styling, causing hair to return to its natural state.

All's not lost, however; give curly hair a head start by using a smoothing or straightening shampoo and conditioner at bedtime and allowing hair to dry overnight. The next morning apply a heat-protecting mist and straighten the hair in small sections with a flatiron. Try Vavoom Gold Heat Iron-In Control Protective Dry Mist, $15.95, which helps distribute heat more evenly with real gold and protects the hair with ceramides and sugar crystals. Afterward, smooth anti-frizz cream, such as Dove Advanced Care Sheer Moisture Therapy Anti-Frizz Finishing Cream, $5.99, throughout the hair to prevent it from curling up again.

If you have naturally straight hair, wind small, damp sections of hair (as though you are twisting them into buns) and secure with bobby pins before bed. The next morning, simply remove the pins, undo your newly wavy pieces with your fingers and set with hair spray.

It can be just as tough for straight hair to hold a wave as it is for curly hair to stay straight in the summer. Tippi Shorter, Pantene celebrity stylist, recommends braiding or twisting damp hair and letting it air-dry for a kick of texture. Also, try this expert trick: Spray damp hair with a salt spray (the salt holds the cuticle open as the hair dries, creating texture along the hair shaft) and revel in your waves. Try Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, $20, a classic texturizing spray with fine salt particles and moisturizing seaweed extract.