Curly hair is the envy of so many women, but those who have curly hair naturally know that although it looks beautiful, it requires a bit of work and a lot of patience.

Curly hair is drier than straight hair: Our scalps produce a natural oil that travels down the hair shaft, nourishing and moisturising it along the way. On a straight hair strand, the oil can travel downwards with ease. On a curly hair strand, it is more difficult for the oil to travel down the curl spiral, and as a result, it doesn’t always reach past the mid-lengths of the hair. This is why curly hair tends to get dry.

During South African summers we experience an increase in humidity which can be a welcome change for curly girls, as it means the air doesn’t draw moisture from our hair and skin like it does when the humidity drops. However, higher humidity can lead to frizz and less manageability, as your hair will absorb moisture from the air which increases each strand’s diameter.

Don’t let the warmer weather put a damper on your curls this summer – local haircare brand The Perfect Hair has a solution to some of the most common summer concerns:

Use a curl-activating product daily

Now that the weather is warmer, you can use lighter products to increase and maintain moisture levels (your regular winter hair care staples might weight your hair down). Use a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils, followed by a hydrating conditioner. Keep your curls looking their best by applying a lightweight cream daily. We recommend The Perfect Hair Curl Activating Gel (R99.95). This gel locks in moisture for perfectly popping curls and coils and is infused with a wonderful long-lasting tropical scent.

Promote growth and trim regularly

Curly hair should be trimmed regularly to remove dry and split ends and to keep it healthy and bouncy. If you’re trying to grow or maintain your length, however, you might be put off by the idea. The solution? Maintain the length you’re after while trimming your curls regularly by promoting fast and healthy hair growth. The Perfect Hair Grow on The Go Growth Oil (R89.99) contains rich Abyssinia and jojoba oils that provide intense treatment for a dry scalp while a basil root extract stimulates hair growth. You can use this oil treatment anywhere, anytime, on-the-go to keep your scalp moisturised and healthy.

Define your curls

Whether you have small, tightly wound curls or larger curls, a good quality curl defining cream can transform dry, unmanageable hair into the soft, bouncy curls of your dreams. A curl defining cream is essentially a styling cream with added haircare benefits. They give curls definition by enhancing their natural shape, help banish frizz and provide hair with extra moisture. We recommend The Perfect Hair Grow on The Go Curl Defining Cream (R119.95) which softens, moisturises and defines curls. Specially formulated for curls and coils, it is enriched with Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil and Argon Oil.

Tame your edges

Keeping you edges laid in hot weather can be challenging, and you may need to use a product that offers extra hold. The Perfect Hair Grow on the Go Edge Tamer (R64.99) holds and tames your edges while adding shine and moisture to your hair. This non-greasy control gel is infused with basil root to stimulate healthy hair growth while taming unruly edges.

Moisturise

No, you won’t need to moisturise as intensely as you do during winter, but your curls will still require some added moisture despite the warmer weather. The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Whipped Hair Butter (R99.99) contains a luxurious blend of shea butter, coconut and castor oil that deeply penetrates into the hair shaft to moisturise from within. Apply daily to keep your hair hydrated and soft.

Don’t let summer get the better of your curls – follow these simple steps to enjoy healthy, bouncy curls all season long.