Friday, October 22, 2010

Going Straight For The Winter? 4 Anti-Humectants Your Hair Will Thank You For

Are you having a problem maintaining your hairstyle due to the moisture content in the air? You may want to take a closer look at some of these products as they are geared to help lock moisture out thus preserving your perfectly coiffed mane. 

Moisture in the air can cause your hair to revert after it's been pressed, and can also cause your curls to fall. Investing in a good anti-humectant product is essential to those with an active lifestyle, as well as those that are losing the battle between mane and moisture. 


The trick to weatherproofing your hair is adding what is known as an anti-humectant product after straightening or styling your hair. Because the consistency of these products can be a little slippery or sticky, I recommend using a dime size amount.You may use a little more if your hair is styled in a curly style, but exercise caution; some of these products tend to leave your hair with a coated, sticky feeling if you use too much. 


To use: Add a dime size amount after pressing or flat-ironing your hair and work through well. You can also use this for braid-outs/twist-outs as well. Just work a dime-to-quarter size amount through your hair and voila!
Work out daily? Smooth a little bit of your anti-humectant pomade around your hairline and the nape of your neck then tie your hair down with a satin scarf to keep your hair soft and silky whilst working out. 


My recommendations: Below you will find a list of tried and true products from different manufacturers. My favorite out of the bunch [albeit a little expensive] is Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade! 

These 5 products are known as anti-humectants. While Humectants attract water molecules from the moisture in the hair, anti-humectants do just the opposite; they repel moisture. This might be of interest to those that wear their hair pressed or even those that find their hairstyle is ruined once the dew point or humidity rears it's ugly head.
I prefer to use this product when I am wearing flexi sets or curly hair styles and need a bit of frizz protection coupled with a light hold. - Remember if you are using these products as a frizz/humidity fighter; apply them once you have finished your styling session [as I mentioned these tend to weigh your hair down if used too liberally].

This product is a solid serum [like the consistency of a solid perfume] that helps smooth fly-aways, control frizz, and of course block out moisture. I rate this product a 4.0 out of 5

This is hands down one of the best anti-humectant products I have tried to date. The consistency is very thin, and leaves your hair ultra shiny and soft.

4. Bumble & Bumble Defrizz [$15.00 - 2oz]
My second favorite out of the bunch. This serum controls frizz, adds sheen, and acts as an effective anti-humectant. A word of caution for those that are on a no-cone regimen; this stuff is filled with it.
Natural Anti-Humectants:
If you're looking for more of a natural alternative to the products mentioned above, check out some of these natural ingredients. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at most grocery stores. 
  • Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
To Use: Add a dime size amount to your palm and work through styled hair.
 
A word of caution:
If you use any of these products on a regular basis, I recommend you use a clarifying shampoo twice monthly, as some of these products contain silicones that are not soluble in water and can cause moisture blocking buildup. 

[photo sources: 1, 2, 3]

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6 comments:

  1. I guess my question is, What product(s) should I use in order to style my hair in the fall/winter if I'm not straightening it ? For instance, yesterday's air was pretty arid and the gel I used completely dried out my hair ! I understand why that happened now since glycerin is a humectant. It looked fly but it was severely dry ! #rut row ! ;)

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  2. Coconut oil is a definite YES especially if you're pressing your hair. I stay in DC now and even though the humidity is next to none, in my opinion [I'm from FL] I pressed my hair two weeks ago and it rained the next day :-( I had it half up and to my amazement there was no reversion what so ever not even frizz! If i wasn't there I'd never believe it...

    now I have yet to try it back home in FL, that'll be the REAL test but for now I'm lovin' it.

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  3. Love her bra (l) !

    L.xx

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  4. It's like you read my mind. You're so awesome.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. Hey Nikole! Thank you for the recommendations. I went out today and bought Aveda's brilliant anti-humectant pomade. I absolutely love it. My bantu knot-outs on pressed hair have remained wonderfully, despite the east coast's especially humid/rainy weather this week. I wasn't sure if I noticed a difference, until my roommate asked me how my curls were tighter than previous days.. Anyways, love your blog, and thanks again.

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