Hi, I'm Emily from Seattle. I'm 25, a full-time passionate graphic designer, and part-time chef (at my home only). I love Seattle because it's cool, and the misty weather is perfect for my curly hair. My bouncy curls are fun like little springs.
That's enough about me, but here's something that requires your attention: "My curly hair and I don't care' era ended soon after Texas heat and humidity touched my hair.
This summer, I was assigned a project in Dallas. As a graphic designer, I was responsible for executing and editing 2D designs for a cool building project.
I was so excited for this new project that I completely overlooked that Texas humidity and heat can shock my curls. I kept some basic hair care products with me, but nah blazing sun and humidity demanded extra effort.
My hair went from fab to frizzy within a week. I tried many products, got recommendations from colleagues, and Googled haircare products, and I found something amazing that saved me.
I'm talking about a magical curl-defining lotion that made my survival and Texas trip easier.
Let me share my story and some easy tips for beating the Texas heat and making your survival possible with curly hair and blazing sun.
My Curls Were on Fleek in Seattle
In Seattle, my curls were amazing due to the cool, damp air that kept them soft and smooth. My hair care routine was simple: I applied shampoo, added a little product, and rinsed my hair. People always said, “Curly hair suits you, Emily; it's awesome.” That was one of the best compliments because I love and am obsessed with my curls.
When I visited Texas for my project, I added the usual hair products to my bag, thinking those limited products would be enough.
Man, I was wrong!!!
Texas summers are sticky and crazy hot. Sadly, my curls didn’t know anything like this.
I left Seattle with amazing curly hair and arrived in Dallas with the same look. But everything changed within a week, especially my curls, which became frizzy. The scorching heat made my hair look like a puffball. I needed to fix this issue because I also wanted to look good in Texas.
‘Humidity’, A Great Challenge in Texas
Texas summers feel like living in a steamy jungle. I thought moist was good for my hair, but I was wrong. It made my hair look frizzy and fluffy. Things escalated quickly when my curls became wild during my presentation in Austin.
Quick Hack: Always use light products to control frizzy, fluffy hair. For instance, curl control lotion can smooth your hair even in sticky air. It's not heavy and gives your hair a bouncy appearance without any damage.
Blazing Sun; Equally Harmful for Skin and Curls
I adore sun kisses, sunbathes, and natural sunlight because, as you know, I’m from Seattle and was never concerned about the sun. But the sun in Texas is different; it's powerful (beyond my imagination).
Little did I know that my curls needed protection from the sun. The sun dried out my curls and caused split ends.
Quick Hack: Don’t go out in the sun or leave your office without wearing a hat. It blocks damaging sunrays. You can also apply UV-protected hair products or heat-protected spray. Always use such products after consulting with your hair care expert.
Old Hair Care Routine: No, It Won’t Work in Texas
I also decided to follow my old hair care routine (my Seattle haircare routine) in Texas. But I was wrong. My old hair care products were too thick and unsuitable for the heat. They didn’t fix my curls; they made my hair dull and sticky in Texas.
I avoided frequent hair washing because I didn’t want my curls to look dull and rough. But sweat and humidity had other plans. My curls looked flat with a grassy scalp. I still wonder how I pulled off my presentation with my rough and frizzy curls.
Quick Hack: It is essential to quench your curls’ thirst in summer. Always use a gentle, chemical-free shampoo to rinse your hair. You can use a shampoo that includes organic ingredients. I used a shampoo containing shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel. Not 100%, but I felt some improvement in my curls. At least, they were looking fresh.
Savior in Texas: My Grandma’s Hair Care Recipe
Picture this: I’m at a rooftop cafe for an important meeting, and my curls are not curling…
The humidity made them flat, sticky, and crunchy. I thought I could pull off this presentation as well. But not this time, something was missing, and I wasn’t feeling confident. I tried covering my hair with a scarf, but it wasn’t a brilliant idea either.
Quick Hack: Soon after my meeting (I don’t feel like sharing whether it went well), I went home and tried my grandma’s hair care recipe. I mixed two tablespoons of aloe vera gel with one tablespoon of coconut oil. I applied this mixture to my wet hair, scrunched it, and left it to dry completely.
This recipe became my savior in Texas. My curls were soft and frizz-free (felt like I was back in Seattle). You can also try humidity control conditioners to keep your hair smooth and hydrated.
Try Flexseed Gel: Because Why Not
In Texas, humidity and frizzy hair go hand in hand in summer. I wish I’d known this natural remedy for curly hair in humidity, but it's never too late. One of my colleagues from Texas suggested I try flaxseed gel, as it's a secret weapon to keep your curls defined without frizz, even in Texas’s steamy summer.
I applied this gel almost daily to fight the heat. Amazingly, the results were surprising and satisfactory.
Quick Hack: Boil 2-3 tablespoons of flaxseeds in 2 cups of water until thick. Let it cool and strain it into a jar. Apply a small amount of this gel to wet hair, scrunch it, and let it dry. Flaxseed gel is perfect for keeping curls tight and protecting them from humidity. You can get flaxseed from any grocery store. Prepare the gel and use it within a week.
Embrace Your Curls, No Matter What
Texas’s summer was harsh on my hair, but it taught me to love it more. Heat and humidity damaged my hair, but natural remedies, chemical-free shampoos, my grandma’s secret recipe, and curl-defining lotion made my hair look better even in scorching heat.
I didn’t enjoy my perfect curls in Texas, but I embrace them. I felt confident and worked dedicatedly on my project even with dull and rough hair.
Final Thoughts
Texas heat and my curls, it was a whole experience. My curls weren’t ready for it, and neither was I. I wish I’d known earlier how hot summer and humidity can damage my curls and make them look eww…
But I’m glad I tried natural remedies, organic shampoos, and curl-protecting lotion to make my hair look bouncy and attractive.
If you plan to visit Texas in the summer, don’t take your haircare routine for granted. Also, if you have curly or frizzy hair, you must take additional measures to make your trip memorable, not a disaster.
