As soon as this Southern California weather decides to make up its mind—62 degrees today, 88 degrees yesterday—we're going to have to deal with the heat and what it does to hair. Here's a list of products, both cheap and not-so-cheap, that deal with the summer's worst. Is it October yet?
DRY SHAMPOO
Dry shampoo can be a lifesaver during the summer. If you've got thin, damaged or overly processed hair, or, you know, if you're lazy and/or tend to stay in bed as long as possible in the mornings, a quick spritz and shake will get rid of that greasy second-day look. Most dry shampoos are powders that come in a spray can, making them easy for travel, and are a good thing to keep in your purse if you have bangs that tend to get that oily, separated look by nightfall. They're even great for soaking up product build-up from the day before. Dry shampoos are also recommended for blondes, as they're excellent for lightening up roots.
The pricey: The best part about Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo? The clean citrus scent. Available at Sephora.com and Ulta.com; 2.5 ounces, $11.
The bargain: Batiste Dry Shampoo is your tried-and-true, decades-old brand here. Ignore the tacky packaging: This stuff works. Stick to the original and not the volumizing kind, which does nothing. Available on Ulta.com and at all drugstores; $5.99.
CLIMATE AND FRIZZ CONTROL
The temperature goes up, and hair freaks out. Tame those curls or unruly hair in general with these products that keep hair soft, shiny and manageable.
The pricey: Just apply Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel to moist hair and style as usual. This one also protects hair from heat. Available on Amazon.com; $22.
The bargain: I'm a huge fan of the Pantene Pro-V Restoratives product line, and its Frizz Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray is no exception. Lock style in place, control frizz, and there's minimal hair crunchiness that you get from most hairsprays. Available on Amazon.com; $4.
TEXTURING CREAMS
It sounds silly, but it's also how to achieve that perfectly unperfect, tousled look without actually having disgusting hair. While it's easy to attain if we're hanging out at the beach every day, here are two products that'll fill in for those days when you're stuck at the office instead.
The pricey: Bumble and Bumble's most celebrated product might be its Surf Spray, but it's the Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Creme that's really worthy of buzz. Get that gritty, bedhead look without the shine or stickiness products tend to leave behind. Just work a small amount of the product through damp hair and ruffle. Available on Sephora.com; $26.
The bargain: Widely available Garnier Fructis Style Surf Hair Texture Paste Matte Effect provides texture, but be warned that just a little of this stuff will go a long, long way. Available at all major drugstores; $3.
