Making your hair style humidity-proof is a calculated task. Sure, the sun on your skin is alluring, but the balmy, warm weather we’ve all been manifesting has a downside. Suddenly, you look in the mirror, and your blowout has gone poof, literally. It seems humidity has come for your sleek strands once again.
So how can you keep your lengths looking luscious, despite elemental challenges? The truth is, I wasn’t entirely sure, either (until writing this, of course). My dense, coarser hair holds onto humidity like a sponge. In fact, on a recent trip to Florida, my blowout was undone within an hour of stepping outside, expanding in width and shrinking in length. And that’s not a coincidence, per the experts; in fact, it has everything to do with hair type. “Gray hair, chemically-treated hair, and naturally-textured hair are more prone to frizz,” pro hair stylist Travis Speck tells Vogue, noting these aforementioned hair types also skew dryer, craving more moisture.
Fellow pro hair stylist and colorist Madison Clifford agrees, further diving into what makes these hair types more susceptible to humidity. “Naturally textured hair tends to be more prone to frizz because the cuticle is already more open and uneven, which allows moisture from the air to enter more easily,” Clifford explains. “That said, any hair type can frizz if the cuticle is compromised—whether from color, heat styling, or environmental stress. Frizz is less about texture alone and more about the condition and porosity of the hair.”
Vogue’s Favorite Humidity-Proof Blowout Essentials
Another aspect to keep in mind is your hair’s porosity. “High-porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but can’t retain it well, so in humid environments it swells and frizzes almost immediately,” says Clifford. “Low-porosity hair resists moisture, but once humidity penetrates, it can also disrupt the style.” Speck agrees, adding that while high versus low porosity doesn’t exclusively determine frizziness, there are also many clients that fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum—and this is especially true, as Clifford notes, if hair is color-treated.
TLDR: the solution lies in a plan stocked with a lineup of hair cuticle-sealing salves. Below, everything you need to know about humidity-proofing your blowout, straight from the pros.
Humidity-Proofing Starts With Shampoo
Keeping your hair silky smooth starts before you even begin styling. “Humidity resistance starts with the foundation,” says Clifford. “What you do in the shower sets the stage for how well your style holds.” She advises using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, which helps to compact an uneven or compromised hair cuticle. That said, it’s also important not to overdo the frequency of your lather, rinse, and repeat. “Moisturizer is always key, but be careful not to over-shampoo your hair,” says Speck. “It will strip out the natural oils that your hair needs to stay healthy, look shiny, and feel its best.”
Plus, for those with more tightly textured hair, combing through conditioner while in the shower can help better distribute product from mid-lengths to ends; though, those with finer, more straight hair types should be mindful that this could cause breakage. When it comes to drying, an often overlooked element lies within your hair towel. “Swap traditional terry cloth towels for a microfiber towel to reduce friction and frizz before you even begin styling,” Clifford advises.
Correct Damage With a Weekly Deep Conditioning Mask
Speck emphasizes that a weekly deep conditioning mask can also do wonders for adding hydration back into the hair—it’s like a boost to your overall routine (and yes, there is a difference from your usual, in-shower conditioner. “A conditioner is meant to maintain your hair’s current condition—whether that’s color, wave pattern, texture, or even density,” celebrity hair colorist Travis Ogletree previously explained. “A mask, on the other hand, is more of a corrective treatment. It targets specific issues to help bring your hair back to a healthier baseline, where maintenance can take over again.”
Shu Uemera’s antioxidant-rich hair mask is a favorite of mine, for its high-shine and soft-to-the-touch finish. As for K-beauty favorites, Mise en Scene’s hair mask features a unique whipped texture, with argan oil capsules to repair hair. For a drugstore option, Dove’s bond-repairing mask is a favorite. Meanwhile, Cécred’s hair mask is excellent for curly and coily textures; cited by Vogue’s Kiana Murden as an ongoing staple.
Prep the Cuticle With a Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Milk
For days you’re not using a hair mask, a leave-in conditioner is crucial. “The key to avoiding humidity-induced frizz is layering the right products with intention,” says Clifford. “[On freshly washed hair], it’s best to start with a smoothing, humidity-resistant leave-in on damp hair to prep the cuticle.” Even better, many leave-in conditioners and hair milks not only boast hair-smoothing benefits, but also heat protection.
Clifford’s go-to is Unite’s leave-in spray and detangler; and for a leave-in treatment that strength’s hair bonds, K18’s pick is a viral favorite (and in Murden’s weekly rotation). Meanwhile, on the hair milk front, Davines’s pick is celebrity hairstylist Keshia Tabaran’s favorite for all hair types, while JVN Hair’s formula boasts style memory. “Imagine it as putting pantyhose over each hair, which seals in the shape and seals out humidity or frizz while protecting the hair up to 450 degrees,” celebrity stylist and JVN Hair founder Jonathan Van Ness previously explained.
Simplify Drying With a Multistyler
Unlike the pros, I can’t quite finesse a hair dryer and a round brush. A way around that, of course, is by opting for a multistyler instead. “Streamlining what’s in your hand makes the entire styling process smoother and much more achievable at home,” pro hair stylist Yusef previously explained. Once you have a tool you’re comfortable with (whether from Dyson, Shark, or T3), the round brush attachment will become your best friend. As Clifford instructs, “blow dry with tension and direct airflow down the hair shaft to fully seal the cuticle—this step is everything.”
That said, Speck reminds us not to fry our hair with too much heat. “While high heat settings do help to lock in the style, too much heat or over-drying can start to do the opposite and kill the style,” he explains. To avoid it, it’s crucial to never avoid heat protection products, and always allow your hair to set while cooling down; with a multi-styler, don’t be shy about hitting the cool shot setting!
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Lock in Hydration With an Anti-Humidity Styler
The next step, Clifford says, is where many people make a mistake. “After styling, use a lightweight anti-humidity sealant—whether a serum or cream—before a finishing- or hair- spray,” he says. “This acts as a barrier between the hair and the environment, which is key.” Think of it as a moisturizer with occlusive ingredients—these work by forming a physical layer over the hair to lock in hydration and keep humidity out.
Clifford’s favorite is Oribe’s Supershine Moisturizing Cream—rich in active keratin to form a shield around the hair cuticle. Another option comes from Ouai’s anti-frizz cream, which uses botanical extracts and plant-based polymers to achieve the same results. Meanwhile, Rōz’s Saint Lucia Styling oil’s clean formulation is a blend of various botanical oils that impart shine and smooth frizz; it’s no wonder it’s a Vogue editor favorite. For an affordable pick, John Frieda’s Frizz Ease line is a classic, and its extra strength serum uses vitamin E and rice extract to keep hair smooth.
Use Hairspray for Style Without Stiffness
By extending you blowout as long as possible, hairspray is the final step. “After your hair is already styled, I always like to use a light workable hairspray,” says Speck. “A little trick is spraying it on your hand, then gently patting it on your hair.” As Clifford puts it, adding that flexible, humidity-resistant mist locks in the style without stiffness, so the hair can move but hold its shape. Another tip? “Avoid overworking the hair after it’s styled,” she says. “The more you touch it, the more you disrupt the seal you just created.”
Both stylists name Oribe’s anti-humidity formula as a favorite of theirs, while Speck also loves L’oreal’s Elnett (a classic, tried-and-true drugstore option). Meanwhile, celebrity extensionist Priscilla Valdes previously called ColorWow’s flexible spray a “miracle product,” citing its hydrolyzed silk and keratin working as a humidity protectant. Plus, Cécred’s newly launched hairspray is already a hit, using panthenol to help keep lengths frizz-free.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue's vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry's standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to humidity-proof haircare, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, product type, applicable hair types, application technique, and haircare concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Madison Clifford is a Los Angeles–based celebrity hairstylist and colorist. Her roster includes Dove Cameron, Tate McRae, Fletcher, Jeremy Scott, and more.
- Travis Speck is a senior stylist with over 25 years of experience, currently based out of Manhattan hotspot salon Suite Caroline.
- Travis Ogletree is a Los Angeles–based colorist and the founder of Treehouse Studio.
- Keshia Tabaran is a celebrity hairstylist. Her roster includes Becky G, Kali Uchis, Camila Morrone, Jasmine Sanders, and more.
- Jonathan Van Ness is a pro hairstylist and founder of JVN Hair. Van Ness is also an Emmy Award–winning television personality, author, and podcaster.
- Yusef is a New York–based celebrity hairstylist. His celebrity clients include Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, Tyla, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Jourdan Dunn, and many more.
