Apart from the heat itself, our least favourite thing about the UAE’s summer season is just how much it messes with our barnet.
With temperatures now nudging 45 degrees Celsius and humidity levels routinely in the 40 per cent range, our locks have been encouraged to curl into a candyfloss-like texture.
However, we do have some tricks up our sleeve.
Over recent months, we put several much-hyped anti-frizz products to the test – and here are the ones that we saw tangible results with.
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PS: If you don’t already, consider switching to sulfate-free shampoos – we’ve seen a real difference in terms of smoothness since ditching the sodium laureth sulfate.
But in terms of post-wash treatments, here are the best we’ve tried…
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5 In 1 Styling Treatment, Dhs95
It’s a brand that used to be part-owned by Jennifer Aniston (AKA the woman with possibly the world’s best hair), and that was endorsement enough for us to give this a whirl. The thick, lovely-smelling creme claims to smooth, add volume, condition, add strength and polish, and we found it did a pretty good job at all five. Just run a little through wet hair and style as normal (we found it also helped waves stay in place better than usual). It’s silicone-free too, so didn’t weight down our hair or leave it greasy-looking by 2pm.
Phyto Phytodefrisant Straightening Balm, Dhs65
Now this bad boy is heat-activated, so is best for those of you who blow-dry and straighten, rather than let nature do its thing. The gel-like balm makes hair feel very silky, and our locks definitely looked smoother after five minutes with the hairdryer. It’s designed for rebellious hair, rather than out-and-out curls, and we found it reduced flyaways and added plenty of shine to our poufy locks. (We also have a soft spot for the brand’s 7 Daily Hydrating Cream, Dhs65, which is like a moisturiser for hair. Chuck one in your handbag, and it’ll tame frizz on the go).
Kérastase Nutritive Oléo-Relax Serum, Dhs95
While we’ll always have a special place in our hearts for Moroccanoil, the Kérastase equivalent just seems to tame down the frizz for a little longer. It adds sheen and softness, plus a little really does go a long way. The directions say you can pop on towel-dried hair before styling (and you can) but we found adding a restrained amount to dry hair worked best.
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John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray, Dhs32
If longevity is an issue for you (think frizz after two hours and kinks 20 minutes after hitting the ghds) this is worth a try. While we didn’t find our style stayed in place for a full 72 hours, we definitely noticed a marked improvement in flyaways – and there was no heavy product feeling in our hair. You’ve got to set it with straighteners though, FYI.
Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, Dhs195 (at Harvey Nichols Dubai)
OK, so it’s on the pricey side, but we promise – nothing else gets that lived-in, tousled-like-a-French-It-Girl look quite like this. A must-have of many a Victoria’s Secret model, this spray adds grip, wave and pieciness, with an invisible weight that keeps hair down even on the most humid of days. If you’re after shine and silkiness, this isn’t your guy, but if you’re after a choppy, voluminous, beachy look, this comes highly recommended.
KeraStraight Protect Sun Protection Spray, Dhs124 (at Pastels salons)
The sun’s harsh rays and scorching heat can leave our strands looking extra frazzled – and more prone to flyaways – than any other season. This handy spray takes seconds to apply, but offers hair eight times natural protection from UVA and UVB rays (and it doesn’t leave your roots greasy or crisp, promise). It’s a must-pack for beach days, but we’ve been spritzing it on round-the-clock to help keep our locks in tip-top conditions.
PS: Tight budget this month? Well, you can’t go wrong with a little organic coconut oil smoothed through your ends…
