I hate to be “that girl”, but any activity that will get my hair wet or frizzy puts me in panic mode. Every time I go on an island vacation or to the beach, I end up spending hundreds of dollars on a weave or just avoid the damn water all together. I would love to just go natural, but I’m always afraid that my big “Tina Turner” hair will get out of control, tangled and damaged.

I switched from a relaxer to a texturizer two years; hoping that it would give me the option to wear natural or straight styles but the only thing I’ve achieved is bigger hair with wild undefined curls. Until, I was introduced to Keneesha Hudson, owner of Urbanbella – an Atlanta based retailer and consultancy service specializing in curly, kinky and wavy hair needs. Who would of though!?

“Anyone who says they hate their curly hair just simply is not using the right products. Or maybe they are using the right products but applying them the wrong way,” Keneesha told me.

I guess she was right because I’ve tried every product under the sun only to end up unhappy. But, after following Keneesha’s styling tips along some products from her website, I was amazed with the results! I used Miss Jesse’s Rapid Recovery treatment which made my hair softer, shiny and more manageable. I followed the treatment with Miss Jesse’s Curly Pudding by combing through small sections of my damp hair and air drying. I never thought that I could have such bouncy, defined curls without the use of chemicals or curling rods. I can even hit the beach or pool without worrying about my straightening, curling, weaving or braiding!

Miss Jesse's Rapid Recovery Treatment 12oz - $48 on Urbanbella.net

Miss Jesse's Curly Pudding 9.5 oz - $22 on Urbanbella.net

Now I know some, if not most, of you are just as fearful as I was about the effects of the sun, heat and beach on the hair. So, I want to share these tips from Keneesha on how to keep your hair fabulous and healthy during the summer:

1. When dealing with summer hair issues what is the best kind of product (and more specifically what ingredients within the products) to use for Frizz?

Naturally frizzy hair is best controlled while it is wet. Frizz can be greatly reduced by applying frizz control gels and mousses right after you have rinsed out any hair conditioner, essentially while your hair is still wet. You do NOT want to towel dry your hair, as the friction of the towel against your locks just adds to frizz.

Heat damage-
Everyone’s first reaction when dealing with frizzy summer hair is to whip out the straightening iron. This leads to heat damage and just makes hair dryer and more frizzy. If you must use heating tools, be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect your locks. Look for thermal protectant products containing amodimethicone and dimethicone. These ingredients provide a protective film on the hair cuticle that prevents water loss and keeps the cuticle from cracking and breaking. Apply these products to hair before heat styling.

Sweat-
Whether you’re hitting the gym, or just window shopping in 90 degree heat, the sweat from your scalp will lead to hair oiliness. When you don’t have time to take a shower (and remember that over washing will lead to more dryness) the best way to fight oiliness is by using a refreshing spray. Refreshing sprays that use ingredients like lavender extract, peppermint, and tea tree extracts that remove unnecessary oil without drying out the hair. It will also leave the hair feeling and smelling fresh and clean as well as adding volume without requiring a shampoo.

Limpness-
Use products that contain keratin, a natural thickening protein found in hair. This product can be found in thickening shampoos and volumizing sprays. These products also thicken and lift hair with natural alcohols such as Beetroot Alcohol.

Chlorine damage-
Chlorine sucks up the sebum (your hair’s natural oil and protective barrier) from the hair, leading to dry and cracked hair cuticles. Before you get in the pool, pre-treat hair with a conditioner that contains oil extracts. The chlorine will suck up the oils found in the conditioner before it soaks up the natural oils in your hair. This significantly reduces chlorine damage. For drier hair, I suggest any light conditioner. After you expose your hair to chlorine, wash it with a chlorine specific shampoo. Because shampoos like these can be slightly harsh, I recommend following up with a soft, gentle moisturizing shampoo.

Keneesha Gives a Client a few Tips at Her Store in Buckhead, Atlanta

2. Are there any clever strategies or tricks for handling the products (for example mix mousse together with gel for maximum hold)?

Blend together a light moisturizer (pea sized amount) with styling product for extra moisture. This makes the styling process faster and the additional moisture helps reduce the damaging effects of the sun, sand and chlorine during those hot summer months.

3. Do you have any tips on how to style hair without heat?

Try these tips for air drying: Use lighter styling aids such as mousse and light gels for faster air drying time. Gently squeeze excess water out of the hair after applying styling aids to reduce air drying time. Remember, avoid towel drying!! Some really cute hair styles can be achieved without having to put a hair dryer, straightener, or curler to your hair. The three I mention below give really beautiful beach beauty waves that work with summer humidity and heat instead of fighting it:

- While hair is still wet, apply your light gel or mousse, and simply wrap hair into a bun on top of your head. After hair has dried at least 60%, remove bun and you’ll have soft and beautiful waves.

- Another way to achieve that beach-y look, twirl damp hair around your finger, applying styling gel as you go along.

- For the easiest way to get those waves, simply put your wet hair in braids, let dry, unbraid and voila!