5 Must-Have Curly Hair Products For The Summer

Summer is here and we all wish we could sport that salty curly hair all year round. However, and although the salty waves look amazing in every single hair type, it is impossible that you’ll be having a daily vacation for three months straight. A girl has gotta work, am I right?

That is why I’m bringing you today my personal selection of the must-have hair products for curly hair that will make your life so much easier during the summer.

1. Summer Curls with built-in Sunscreen Protection

Have you ever tried MOP? It is like royalty for curly-haired gals like me. Their volume line works incredibly well to give an extra lift to those poor roots, which is especially handy in the summer when you sweat a lot. So yeah, you should basically try their Lemongrass shampoo and conditioner line if that’s a concern of yours.

As it turns out, the trick to extremely well defined curls lies in using the right combination of products. Don’t go crazy keeping a gazillion styling bottles that do nothing in the end (I’m guilty of that, for the record.)  To get an incredible mane in fifteen minutes flat, Castillo (stylist to Priyanka Chopra, Ruby Rose and Halle Berry) recommends “adding the MOP Lemongrass Whip to the roots for lift and added volume”, and then applying a “curl definining cream to midshaft through the ends. Next, diffuse the hair section by section.”

Not to contradict the master, but all this comes to nothing if you don’t use the right shampoo. Let me say this again: the MOP Lemongrass Volume Shampoo ($20) should find a spot in your bathroom. It leaves hair wonderfully lightweight, and somehow it doesn’t dehydrate curly hair as many other brands do.

Despite its content in Phenoxyethanol (a synthetic preservative that I’m personally sensitive to), I decided to test this wonder-in-a-bottle in person and I was very surprised by the wonderful results, aka a fuller mane with bouncier curls. Plus, and quite surprisingly, it didn’t give me a reaction unlike other products containing the preservative. So I guess my sensitivity resides on the dosage (and a good rinse afterwards.)

Insider Summer Tip: The MOP C-System C-curl defining cream ($22) includes an extra UV shield to preserve color and acts like a sunscreen for your hair. 

2. Get, Set… Color With Quinoa!

Who said you shouldn’t rock your favorite hair color during the summer? You just need to find the right product to give your hair an extra dose of protection against the UV rays and the chlorine found in swimming pools.

If you are into superfoods, you’ll love ABBA Color Protect Shampoo ($17) + Conditioner ($18) line. Especially formulated to retain and protect color, its key ingredient is a special Pro-Quinoa Complex that strengthens and brightens hair for stunning summer locks.

Insider Summer Tip: For those of you willing to take a step further to avoid sun damage on your curly pride, ABBA has an excellent Pure Style Spray ($20) with medium hold for all hair types. With UV filters and a powerful combo of natural botanicals, it is a great solution to go swimming in style!

3. Condition with a Kukui Oil Infused Comb

Did you know that there are such things as combs infused with botanicals? Yeah, me neither until I stumbled upon Cricket. This brand manufactures some amazing solutions to cut down your beauty routine.

I especially like their pick comb infused with Kukui oil and keratin protein. Aside from gliding through hair smoothly, it also helps add shine and a silky finish to my naturally frizzy curly hair. The best part is that it doesn’t leave a sticky residue on hands, so toss it into your beach bag to keep your mermaid tresses nice and defined.

Insider Summer Tip: If you have curly hair, pick combs are going to become your absolute best friends. They lift and add volume to the roots without combing out body or damaging your natural curl pattern. Simply genius! Plus, Cricket combs are extremely affordable. I’ve seen several models of the Ultra Smooth Line retail for less than $6.

4. Treat Yo’ Tresses With Some Silk!

Curly hair is extremely delicate and breaks very easily. To put it simply, the natural chemical properties that make it curly are like tiny bridges that are prone to breakage by combing, tossing, or simply brushing against your clothes. That is why I like to think about each curly-haired gal as a unicorn: No two are alike, and we are the result of some magical DNA combinations. Each curl pattern is unique!

I don’t know about you, but I toss and turn a lot during my sleep. I will always wake up in the strangest positions, and I always make sure I braid my hair before going to sleep to avoid major damages. 

However, a silk pillowcase can make a wold of a difference. Silk is naturally anti-frizz, and it’s a natural and relatively cheap solution to chemical treatments, anti-frizz sprays, or any other solutions to avoid waking up like a bad hair monster.

Insider Summer Tip: The Hollywood Silk Solution has some very nice and affordable silk pillowcases that will take care of your hair woes during the summer. For $45, you can not only take care of those curls, but also reduce those pesky sleep creases and the tugging on your beautiful facial skin (aka less ageing signs in the future.)
Isn’t that pink pillowcase pretty? Gosh, how I like to find good beauty deals to share with you guys!

5. Shower Like You Have Short Hair

Are your curls looking perfect but you feel your roots need some extra love because of the extra sweating or your SPF hat? I recently stumbled upon PonyDry, a genius invention that prevents hair damage, cuts shower time, and reduces blow drying.

PonyDry is basically a waterproof hair sleeve that allows you to cover the length of your hair so you can concentrate on shampooing only the area of the roots. That way, and even if you need to refresh your roots a bit more during the summer, you’re going to reduce your styling time dramatically.

I personally don’t like to use dry shampoo on my scalp because it’s usually irritating. There are some natural alternatives, but they require thorough brushing. And guys, once your curls are styled and set, there is nothing worse than brushing them. Aside from literally throwing away your hard work, you’re contributing to more breakage, frizz, and long-term damage.

PonyDry retails for $19.99 and is available in black or pink.

Insider Summer Tip: I was very surprised to see that this simple solution actually works for me when I need to have a quick shampoo and rinse of just the roots area. It literally keeps my super long hair dry when I wash only the roots. Does this simple solution blow your mind too?

Disclaimer Level 1: The author received NO compensation of any type to
write this post. The author received samples of some of the products featured for editorial consideration; others were personally purchased by the author. Receiving a sample didn’t influence the
decision to feature a brand nor the opinions expressed by the author. All links provided in the article are for
information only and are not part of any affiliate marketing program.