Few things can derail a good hair day quite like an unexpected downpour. And with the forecast looking decidedly grey over the coming week, the threat of frizz has been hanging over us all. Having been caught out myself, there seemed no better time to call on GH's book of hair experts for their top tips on rain-proofing your locks.
‘When it’s hot and sunny one minute and hailing the next, the British weather can really test our hair during the summer months,’ says award-winning hairdresser and TONI&GUY Global Creative Director, Cos Sakkas. ‘Humidity affects all hair types, with curly hair becoming frizzy and fine hair falling flat and limp.’
Thankfully, with out trusted hair pros advice, hair-hope is not lost. Here's everything from the products worth investing in to the hairstyles that will hold up in wet weather.
How do I protect my hair from wet weather?
For your hair to stand the best chance, Cos says prep is key before you head outside. ‘Hair is like a sponge when there’s moisture in the air, so prepping it to create a seal is key to keeping it looking great,’ he says.
This is where anti-humidity products come in. One hero product, which any beauty fanatics will already have on their radar, is Color Wow Dream Coat. ‘It’s one of those products I genuinely rely on, it’s like a raincoat for the hair ‘ says celebrity hairstylist and Color Wow brand ambassador Carl Bembridge.
COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
As he explains, the cult-favourite spray uses heat-activated polymers that form a protective ‘shield’ around the hair, helping to keep moisture at bay.
To really lock things into place, OSMO ambassador and salon founder Carol Ritchie recommends a quick spritz of hairspray before you head out of the door. ‘A flexible-hold hairspray is ideal,’ she says. ‘This will help to keep everything in place without making your hair feel stiff or weighed down.’
Osmo Extreme Extra Firm Hold Hairspray
What’s a quick hair fix if I’ve been caught in the rain?
Even the best of us will get caught out by the rain at one point or another. Thankfully, all is not lost. ‘If you’re near a hairdryer, even five minutes of a quick blast can make a huge difference to reset the hair,’ says Carl.
He recommends keeping Color Wow’s One Minute Transformation in your bag for these moments — which is where the travel size comes in handy. ‘It does exactly what it says. Rub a 5p piece size together in your palms and smooth it through the hair, it helps smooth frizz instantly. The combination of heat and product together is usually enough to bring the hair back under control fast.’
Color Wow One Minute Transformation
It’s also worth keeping some trusty hair accessories to hand. ‘A scrunchie can quickly be used to pull hair into a low chignon or ponytail, and some grips and clips to add some interest on a rainy day, while keeping your hair tucked behind,’ says Cos.
What hairstyles will best hold up against rain?
As Carol puts it simply, ‘The styles that tend to perform best in wet weather are those that keep hair under control.’
She explains that it’s all about working with the weather, rather than trying to fight it. ‘One of the biggest mistakes people make is spending ages creating an ultra-sleek style without considering the weather. You want a hairstyle that will look great regardless of it getting wet.'
She tells us the styles worth adding to your rainy-day rota: ‘Chignons, plaits, ponytails and textured updos are great options because they’re less likely to be affected by moisture in the air,’ she explains.
If your hair isn’t quite long enough to conveniently tie it back, she recommends leaning into textured styles. ‘Instead of aiming for a perfect, smooth finish, a tonged curl or styling iron wave can help your style stay looking fresh throughout the day.’
Curly hair types will need some extra help, Cos explains. ‘When caught in the rain, it can end up looking both frizzy and lifeless,’ he says. ‘To revitalise curls if you’ve been caught in the rain, scrunch a couple of pumps of LABEL.M Curl Activating Lotion through the mid-lengths and ends, then tip hair upside down and gently massage the root area for volume through the roots.’
So while the British weather may be unavoidable, a bad hair day doesn’t have to be.
