Humidity Killing Your Curls Again?
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Humidity ruins curls when the hair is dehydrated on the inside and unsealed on the outside. When your curls do not have enough internal moisture, they reach for water in the air to compensate. This causes the hair shaft to swell, lose its shape, and frizz almost instantly. If your curl routine is not providing enough hydration or if your product layers are not sealing that hydration in, humidity will always win. Fixing the moisture balance before you step outside is the only reliable way to stop frizz from taking over.
My name is Dory, owner of Dory's Designs Beauty Studio in Etobicoke. After 20 years specializing in curls and serving more than 2,000 clients, I have seen one clear pattern. About 85 percent of curl clients who struggle with frizz on humid days are dealing with hydration imbalance, not bad hair days at all.
Once your curls have proper internal moisture and the right layers to seal that moisture in, they stop pulling water from the air. When the hair stops reaching for humidity, the frizz stops too. At my studio, about 90 percent of clients who follow the hydration and sealing system maintain definition all day, even in sticky summer weather.
Why does humidity make curls frizz so easily?
Humidity does not create frizz. It reveals it.
When curls do not have enough internal moisture, they absorb water from the air. On warm days with heavy moisture, your curls swell, lose their pattern, or turn fuzzy. Most of the time, the weather is not the real issue. The routine is.
Curls that frizz usually need more moisture, better layering, or better drying technique. When those three things are dialed in, most clients see a major improvement in curl consistency, even on the most unpredictable days.
How can you prep your curls so they stay stable in humidity?
Hydration comes first. If your curls are not moisturized before you style them, the humidity in the air will moisturize them for you and the results will not be controlled or predictable.
Here is what I guide every client through on wash day:
Use a moisturizing or creamy cleanser
This helps avoid dryness and keeps the cuticle smooth.
Studio favorites include AG Care Curl Fresh Shampoo and Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.
Never skip conditioner
Conditioner prevents roughness and frizz.
Client favorites include Curlsmith Nourish Conditioner and AG Care Curl Fresh Conditioner.
Choose a leave-in that suits your curl type
Thicker curls usually perform best with a rich, creamy leave-in.
Fine waves do better with a lightweight lotion-style leave-in.
Studio recommendations include Shibui Air Dry Creme for fine hair and Milk Shake Leave In Spray for thicker textures.
What is the best way to layer curl products for humidity protection?
Most clients use only one product, usually curl cream, but curl cream hydrates and does not lock. For humidity stability, curls need a three-step layering method.
The studio approved combo
- Leave-in
- Curl cream or curl lotion
-
Strong hold gel or mousse
This routine improves curl hold for about 70 percent of clients at the studio.
For volume, I often recommend AG Mousse Gel Extra. For long lasting definition, clients love Eco Style Professional Gel or Curlsmith In Shower Style Fixer.
How should you dry your curls to avoid frizz?
Drying plays a much bigger role than most people realize. Even when the washing and styling steps are perfect, frizz can still appear if the curls are disturbed while drying.
The number one rule in the studio
Do not touch your curls until they are fully dry.
Touching breaks the product cast and disrupts curl formation.
If you use a diffuser, point the airflow downward. This helps the cuticle stay flat and keeps the curl pattern intact. After the curls are dry, you can scrunch with a small amount of Moroccanoil Treatment Light or AG Care The Oil.
What finishing steps help curls last longer on humid days?
Once your curls are set, finishing steps help maintain longevity throughout the day.
Two of the most effective studio tips include:
Spoolie and hairspray
A spoolie with a small amount of hairspray smooths flyaways along the hairline.
Serum for the ends
A single drop of serum on the ends helps prevent expanded volume and dryness.
If the air feels especially heavy, I also teach simple protective styles during sessions such as a low ponytail with soft face framing curls. It is one of the fastest humidity friendly styles for clients on the go.
Client Success Story: Tamsin's Humidity Breakthrough
My client Tamsin came to me last summer visibly frustrated.
She told me, "My curls look great when I leave my house, and by the time I reach the office, they are a frizzy cloud."
She lived in Etobicoke and commuted downtown, so morning humidity hit her curls daily. During her consultation, I noticed she used only curl cream. No leave-in and no strong hold gel.
I taught her the hydration and layering method.
One week later, she sent me a photo at 3 p.m. with the message, "My curls still look like this. I cannot believe it."
Six months later, she said humid days do not bother her anymore. She feels confident leaving the house knowing her curls will survive the commute.
Stories like hers represent most clients once their routine matches their curl type and our climate.
How did this humidity proof method develop?
I created this method after moving to Etobicoke in 2008. My curls behaved perfectly in dry climates, but once I experienced summer here, they expanded to twice their size by lunchtime.
I tried adjusting products, brands, and techniques, but nothing worked until I learned about hygral fatigue. I realized my curls were not receiving enough hydration before sealing.
After adjusting my process and refining it over thousands of curly haired clients, this became the foundation of every curl appointment at the studio. Today, more than 85 percent of clients see improved definition and reduced frizz using this method.
What should you do if your curl routine still is not working?
If your curls are:
- Flat at the root
- Puffy at the crown
- Frizzy even with product
Your hair is asking for a different approach.
This is why curl coaching exists. During a Curl Styling Session or Curl Coaching Consultation, we review your curl pattern, lifestyle, and how your hair reacts to Etobicoke weather. Clients often discover that their curls are not difficult. They simply lacked a system designed for their climate and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Humidity and Curls in Etobicoke, ON
Why do my curls frizz so quickly on humid days in Etobicoke, ON?
Curls in Etobicoke, ON react faster to humidity when they lack internal moisture or a proper sealing layer. Once clients apply the hydration first method, most see about a 60 percent reduction in frizz.
Do I need different curl products during the summer in Etobicoke, ON?
Summer in Etobicoke, ON often brings warm and sticky weather, so lightweight leave-in products paired with strong hold stylers usually perform much better.
How can I prevent my curls from expanding during the day in Etobicoke, ON?
Make sure your curls are completely dry before leaving your home in Etobicoke, ON. Slightly damp curls react quickly to humidity and will expand.
Can Dory's Designs help me build a humidity proof curl routine in Etobicoke, ON?
Yes. During Curl Styling Sessions priced between 85 and 120 dollars and Curl Coaching Consultations priced at 65 dollars, we guide you through personalized layering and drying techniques that work well in Etobicoke, ON.
Ready for curls that stay defined even on humid days?
If you want a routine that works for your texture and the weather in Etobicoke, book a hairstyling session at Dory's Designs Beauty Studio. We're located at 850 Browns Line, Etobicoke, ON M8W 3W2, Canada. Give us a call at 416-816-3617 or book online anytime at dorysdesignsbeauty.com.
Let us help your curls stay beautiful no matter what the weather decides to do..