Nothing is more threatening to a chic and sleek hairstyle than humidity. When heat and moisture combine, frizz often gets hold of us, but worry not, there's a fix. There are dozens of them, actually.
Below, browse hairstyles that laugh in the face of frizz, per our expert panel of celebrity hairstylists. From cornrows to messy buns and artfully undone chignons, there's a humid-weather-appropriate hairstyle for every hair type. Keep scrolling for 49 hairstyles for humid weather.
Meet the Experts
- Chase Kusero, Franck Izquierdo, and Aaron Grenia are celebrity hairstylists and the co-founders of IGK Hair.
- Garren is a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of R+Co.
- Clariss Anya Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist and R+Co Collective member.
- Adam Federico is a hairstylist and the director of content for R+Co.
- Howard McLaren is the co-founder and creative director of R+Co.
Low Bun With Clips
Kirstin Sinclair / Getty Images
Blogger Leonie Hanne is giving us '90s flashbacks (in a good way) with this bun-and-hair-clip combo, the perfect hairstyle for getting unruly bangs out of the way.
To get her throwback style, Franck Izquierdo, co-founder of IGK Hair, advises that you blow-dry hair smooth, part down the center, and brush into a low pony. Add a dime-size amount of frizz serum to your palm, rub it between your hands, and smooth your hands over your hair to keep it sleek. Next, take your ponytail and create a bun by twisting it clockwise. Secure with bobby pins and add barrettes or another hair accessory.
Natural Bun
@freshlengths / Instagram
We've already seen a few humidity-thwarting buns, but this natural version presents another take on the look. The key here is to pull your hair up into a messy bun—the more tendrils that spill out, the better.
Accessorized Braid
Jason LaVeris / Getty Images
If you want to add a little more flair to your braids or twists, consider adding some hair accessories. Barrettes, mini clips, beads, and gems are all easy additions that can take your look to the next level, as seen here with Tessa Thompson's floral milkmaid braid.
Bright Bobby Pins
Imaxtree
Lipstick-hued bobby pins are both playful and practical. On an aesthetic level, they can help you achieve a matching beauty moment that ties your hairstyle back to your lip. And on a humid day, the little pins can work big magic, holding hair back to prevent it from getting poofy or falling out of place.
Embellished Topknot
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
Jenna Ortega's embellished bun is the perfect look for a party or other special occasion. R+Co founder, Garren, talks us through how to get her blinged-out bun:
- Pull hair up into a high ponytail, leaving a few short pieces in the front to add softness.
- Create a loose, three-piece braid and secure it with an elastic.
- Use a styling cream on the finished braid to keep it looking smooth.
- Circle the braid around the bun and tuck under, pinning in place with bobby pins.
- Grab a chain or necklace and weave it in and out of the braid. Secure it in place with bobby pins.
- Finish with light hold-hairspray and hair oil for shine.
The Behind-the-Ear Tuck
Imaxtree
A sleek center part, misted with a weatherproof hairspray, can keep the hairline from getting undesirably frizzy and wavy when humidity sets in. As added security to keep your coif in place, tuck strands behind your ears.
Low Side Ponytail
@kilprity / Instagram
This low ponytail has a slicked-back crown, which humidity-proofs the hair while adding a dash of elegance to the otherwise laid-back look. This style works particularly well with longer hair, as pictured, the locks spilling over the shoulder give it some extra oomph.
Wet Bun
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
Embrace the moisture with a style like Emma Chamberlain's pulled-back wet hair look.
Start with wet (not soaked) hair, then add a generous amount of gel while you slick the hair back. After that, pull the hair up into a messy bun and secure it, leaving a few strands out in the front as desired. If there are any areas you feel don't look as wet as you'd like, add a little extra gel and then finish with hairspray.
Rubber Band Ponytail
Neil Mockford / Getty Images
Need an idea to spruce up a ponytail? Wrap the length with black rubber bands, which are definitely a foolproof (and surprisingly chic) way to keep your hair tamed.
Messy Low Braid
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
Amanda Seyfried shows just how glam a basic braid can be, especially with some messy texture. Always use finishing spray on a look like this to prevent it from falling flat in humid conditions. To replicate, Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK Hair, offers his advice:
- Blow-dry your hair and apply volumizing spray at the roots to create volume and lift.
- Tease the roots and pull your hair back.
- Begin creating a French banane (aka a French twist) by grabbing hair near the crown and twisting. Keep the twist secure by adding a few bobby pins.
- Take loose hair and create a low classic braid, securing it with a clear hair tie.
- Finish with texturizing spray.
Wavy Ponytail
Raymond Hall / Getty Images
If you've been living in yesterday's curls (or even the day before that), feel free to skip washing it for another day and try Gigi Hadid's wavy ponytail.
Re-curl any pieces that have fallen or poofed out, then distribute a frizz-controlling cream throughout. Follow that up by sectioning off an inch or so of hair on either side of the face, and let the pieces fall to the side. Then brush back the rest of your hair and secure the ponytail. For extra control, follow up with a little bit of hairspray.
Butterfly Clip Twists
@chiaraferragni / Instagram
For a true Y2K throwback that will keep your hair out of your face, you'll need to make sure you're stocked up on butterfly clips.
To get twists like Chiara Ferragni, section off your hair into four pieces. For the two pieces near the middle part, twist the hair toward the back of your head, adding small pieces of hair as you go (like you would with a French braid), then secure with a butterfly clip. For the remaining two sections, simply pull the pieces back and add the clip.
Dutch Braid and Ponytail
Karwai Tang / Getty Images
If you tend to get frizzy around your hairline, try this ponytail-braid combo à la Pippa Middleton.
"Blow dry your hair using [and] then, create a deep side part on the left side of your head and begin weaving hair into a Dutch braid, starting from your part and moving down the hairline on the right side of your head," says Izquierdo. Secure the braid a few inches behind your ear by pinning it with two bobby pins arranged in an "X" shape. Finish by gathering hair into a ponytail.
Messy, Piece-y Bun
Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images
Don't worry, you can achieve Selena Gomez's look with or without curtain bangs.
Before pulling your hair up, get some waves by wrapping sections around the curling iron's wand. To keep your waves from going astray, distribute some hair oil evenly to your ends, then pull your hair into a bun, making sure to leave a curl or two down on each side of your face. Once you've secured the bun with a hair tie or bobby pins (or both!), spray your hair with a humidity-resistant hairspray.
Sleek Low Bun
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
Sleek low buns, like Bella Hadid's, are great for styling hair on a rainy day. They also hold up in humidity. To prep and proof hair, IGK co-founder, Aaron Grenia, recommends first applying a smoothing cream. Then, to cultivate Bella's slicked-back style, he advises:
- Create a deep side part that starts above the arch of one brow.
- Brush hair back and twist tightly into a bun.
- Add as many bobby pins as you need to secure the bun.
- Finish with a light-hold hairspray to tame flyaways and lock in shine.
Classic Twists
Michael Tran / Getty Images
Need an alternative to box braids? Twists will give you a similar effect with a twist (pun intended), as seen on Euphoria actor Storm Reid.
Cornrows
Emma McIntyre / Getty Images
If you've got natural hair, cornrows are a surefire way to not only protect your strands but keep them looking stylish, too.
A lengthy mane like Tayshia Adams's really allows you to show the braids off. After creating cornrows, "use a bit of oil on the hands to smooth any unwanted frizz or flyaways," says celebrity stylist, Clariss Rubenstein. Then finish with a light-hold hairspray.
Half-Up Topknot
Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images
The topknot never fails when it comes to battling frizz. The look can be worn half-up or pulled entirely off the face for more humidity-fighting power. Not to mention, it works even better on second-day hair, Izquierdo says. To get the look, he instructs:
- Section off about one-third of your hair at the front of your head.
- Create a ponytail using that top section and secure it with a clear hair tie or pins.
- Wrap your ponytail up in a clockwise direction to create a knot.
- Add some hairpins and spray texture spray to set and enhance shine.
Front Topknot
Imaxtree
A staple of weatherproof styles, the topknot offers endless iterations, including this funky front placement. It offers a smidgen of edge while still serving as an everyday — and particularly a humid-day — look.
Ballerina Bun
Walter McBride / Getty Images
Never underestimate a classic bun. A few strategically placed bobby pins and the right hair products make Renée Elise Goldsberry's high, ballerina bun work in any weather. Kusero explains how to get this simple look that makes a statement:
- Brush all your hair up and begin twisting it into a bun, inserting bobby pins along the way for extra security.
- If desired, use an edge-control product around the hairline.
- Douse with a light-hold hairspray.
Messy Chignon
Max Mumby / Getty Images
The tousled chignon is a signature look for Meghan Markle.
To get her style, Howard McLaren, R+Co co-founder, says to first blow-dry hair until smooth and to use a product that will protect hair from humidity. To add volume, back-comb the hair at the crown. Then, create a ponytail, twist hair, and wrap it into a bun, securing it in place with bobby pins.
Braided Updo
Stephane Cardinale / Getty Images
Fancy-looking updos don't have to be hard to style, just look at model Taylor Hill as proof. Her Dutch-braided 'do would work just as well at a formal event as it would at a music festival. To achieve her versatile look, Garren says:
- Prep hair with styling cream and blow-dry.
- Part your hair down the center and create two Dutch braids, one on each side of your head.
- At the nape of your neck, twist the ends of the braids together in a single chignon, he explains. Pin the chignon with bobby pins.
- Finish with a little bit of the cream to separate pieces at the front.
Milkmaid Braid
Steve Granitz / Getty Images
Bling Empire star Christine Chiu makes her tousled hair texture work in this stylishly mussed-up milkmaid braid.
And with just a few simple steps, Izquierdo says you can achieve this hairdo, too: "Part your hair in the middle, then divide it into two even sections. Braid each section regularly, and secure the ends with a clear elastic. Next, flip the braids up and over the top of your head, and secure them there with bobby pins." Finish with a light-hold hairspray.
Byrdie Tip
For a softer, messier look, Izquierdo suggests lightly tugging the loops of the braids outward and freeing a few strands of hair so that they fall around your face.
Side Fishtail Braid
Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images
You can never go wrong with a quick and easy side braid. This fun style keeps your hair off your neck and face, leaving you cool and frizz-free throughout the day. If you're feeling fancy, try a fishtail and top it off with some decorative bobby pins. To get this flirty fishtail, Izquierdo instructs:
- Use a comb to create a deep side part.
- Secure with accessory pins at brow level.
- Gather hair to the side and make two even sections.
- Make a fishtail braid by taking a piece of hair from the outside of one of the sections and pulling it over and across to join the inside of the other section.
- Repeat on the other side and continue along the length of your hair before tying with a clear elastic.
- Pull out a few face-framing sections of hair to give your braid a casual look.
- Finish the style with a flexible-hold hairspray.
Braided Pigtails
Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images
Busy Phillips's dip-dyed pigtail braids place a modern spin on an old classic. To copy her whimsical 'do, use a temporary color to tint a few inches at the ends of your hair, following package instructions. Grenia also suggests:
- Spray dry shampoo throughout your hair to give it some texture.
- Part hair down the center.
- Apply texturizing spray from roots to ends to give hair body and grip.
- On one side of the head, take a handful of hair next to the ear, split it into three sections, and make a French braid.
- Secure the braid with an elastic at the nape of the neck.
- French-braid the other side of your head, and secure it with an elastic, too.
Box Braids
David Crotty / Patrick McMullan / Getty Images
Box braids will, without a doubt, keep your hair shielded from a humid day. Zendaya achieves the hairstyle perfectly here, as she opts for medium-sized brown braids all throughout her hair.
Hat Hair 2.0
Jeffrey Mayer / Getty Images
Who says hat hair is a bad thing? Scarves aren't the only accessory that can protect your style from humidity-induced frizzing and disarray. Add a hat to any updo for an elevated, fully accessorized look à la Tracee Ellis Ross.
Twisted Ponytail
Jason LaVeris / Getty Images
Braids aside, twists are another way to keep the hair tame from the weather. Actor Lily James effortlessly twists her hair to the scalp and into a low ponytail and leaving it intentionally messy.
Braided Topknot
Presley Ann / Getty Images
Even a relative hairstyling rookie can pull off Jasmine Tookes's chic braided topknot. Still, Izquierdo offers us some pointers.
First, "Gather your hair and brush super high to create a ponytail". Next, braid your ponytail and secure it with a clear elastic. Wrap the braid around the base of your ponytail and pin it in place with bobby pins. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray.
Baby French Braid
Grant Lamos IV / Getty Images
A hairline braid takes care of the pieces along your face that tend to spring up at the first sign of moisture. "This works even better on day-two hair for a textured look," Grenia says.
Simply, create loose waves throughout your hair and then use a comb to slightly part your hair to the side, he advises. On the side of the head under your part, grab a section of hair and begin French braiding. Secure with a bobby pin, spray with texturizing spray, and voila! You've got yourself a baby French braid.
Braided High Ponytail
Walter McBride / Getty Images
We love the gorgeous texture of Halle Berry's braided pony. Apart from looking fly, it's totally DIYable. Izquierdo says:
"Gather all hair into a clean high ponytail and tie it up. Then, take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around your hair tie to conceal it, pinning it in place with a bobby pin underneath the base of the ponytail. "Once tightly secured, start braiding the ponytail into a thick braid, going thinner as you go down. Use a small amount of smoothing serum to tame frizz. Once the braid is done, secure with an invisible hair band," he instructs.
Rope-Braid
Lester Cohen / Getty Images
In balmy weather, getting hair off your face and neck is the best solution for maintaining a hairstyle, like this fun, two-strand braided ponytail on Kate Bosworth. Hairstylist, Adam Federico, shares how to nail sporty sophistication:
- Mist hair with a volume and texture spray, focusing the application on the roots and mid-lengths.
- Using a boar-bristle brush, work hair into a high ponytail, securing with an elastic at the crown of the head.
- Reserve a one-inch section of your ponytail and wrap it around the elastic. Secure with a pin.
- Divide your ponytail into two sections and spray it with hairspray.
- Make a rope braid by twisting each section of hair and then twisting the two sides tightly together. Secure with a clear elastic.
Micro-Braided Bun
Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty Images
Jada Pinkett Smith's micro-braids are total hair goals. And can we just say that we love the way her topknot highlights her platinum extensions? After styling hair into micro-braids, carefully gather braids into a bun at the crown of the head, instructs Rubenstein. Then, using a small amount of hair oil, smooth the shorter hair on the sides and back of the head.
Senegalese Twists
Paul Archuleta / Getty Images
Senegalese twists are a great protective style for natural hair, and we love actor Shahidah Omar's glossy rendition. Just keep in mind that they are a commitment. "Be prepared to invest up to six hours to create these twists. They require time, patience, and often the use of added synthetic hair. However, if cared for properly, the twists can last up to several months," says Federico. He instructs:
- To create an extreme side part, use a tail comb to separate hair, working up and over the head from one ear to the other.
- Style hair in Senegalese twists, working in sections.
- Finish the style with shine spray for a frizz-free, high-gloss finish.
Sleek Low Ponytail
Stephane Cardinale / Getty Images
The difference between your everyday low pony and this refined version on model Cindy Bruna? A clean center part and products that give hair shine and control. Once you part your hair and create a low ponytail, McLaren says to take a section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base to hide the elastic. Then, simply secure this section of hair with a bobby pin. Finish the look with shine serum and flexible-hold hairspray.
Byrdie Tip
The best way to get a tight ponytail is to raise your head up while tying it, McLaren shares. That's because when the head is level, the nape is very tight, he explains.
Fishtail-Braided Ponytail
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Hairstyle chameleon Camila Cabello wore this cool fishtail ponytail to the Time 100 Next Gala. To get her look, Federico says to first prep hair with texturizing spray to give it grip. Then, follow his step-by-step instructions:
- Spray a boar-bristle brush with a flexible-hold hairspray and use it to work hair up and into a high ponytail. Secure it with a hair tie.
- Grab a two-inch section from the outside of the ponytail and wrap that around your elastic to conceal it. Secure with pins.
- Work a fishtail braid through the ponytail and secure with a clear elastic.
- Use the handle of a tail comb to pull out strands of hair around the hairline to create a romantic feel.
High Ponytail
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Low ponytails don't have to be boring, nor do high ponytails. Leomie Anderson's cheerleader-esque pony is foolproof and frizz-fighting.
Just keep in mind: "The placement of the ponytail is crucial for this look," says McLaren. You'll want to place it high atop your head for that "wow" factor. Wrapping a section of hair around your elastic is a quick and easy way to add a note of elegance, he adds. And don't forget to finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to keep your 'do in place and tame flyaways.
Dutch-Braided Pigtails
David Livingston / Getty Images
These double Dutch braids, worn by This Is Us actor Eris Baker, are equal parts sweet, chic, and practical for any season.
To replicate, Federico suggests first parting hair down the center with a tail comb. Next, spray a boar-bristle brush with a frizz and static control spray, gently combing from the part down to eliminate flyaways and achieve shine. Then, on one side of the head, create a Dutch braid starting at the hairline, curving around the head, braiding to ends, and securing with a clear elastic. Finish by repeating on the other side, he instructs.
Tousled Fishtail
Ian Gavan / Getty Images
Eva Longoria looks breathtaking with her long, tousled fishtail braid. With this visually effortless style, the key is not trying to achieve perfection. In fact, a little bit of humidity will actually help to enhance waves and natural texture. To replicate, side part your hair and create a fishtail starting at your part, moving down the hairline, and curving around your head.
Half-Up Milkmaid Braid
David M. Benett / Getty Images
We love pretty much everything Lucy Boynton does with her tousled, textured bob, including this cool headband braid.
To get her it-girl style, Rubenstein advises prepping hair with texturizing spray. Then, Dutch braid a section of hair from behind one ear, braiding over the head and just behind the other ear. Secure the end of your braid with bobby pins. Lastly, spritz more texturizing spray on hair and tousle with your fingers.
Chunky Twists
Desiree Navarro / Getty Images
These chunky twists, as seen on model Selah Marley, look oh-so glamourous. Chunky or tiny, twists will protect your hair from the humidity.
Loose French Braid
C Flanigan / Getty Images
French braids never really go out of style, as actor and singer Eiza González shows.
McLaren suggests prepping damp hair with an alcohol-free mousse before blow-drying and loosely braiding. Not only will the mousse add volume to your hair, but it will also brush out easily and create waves when you take out your braid, he adds. Applying a light hair oil will enhance shine and fight humidity, too.
Space Buns
Kristin Sinclair / Getty Images
The '90s called: Space buns are definitely cool again and so easy to style, too.
According to Garren, apply styling cream to damp hair before blow-drying with a diffuser to enhance your natural texture. Then, part your hair down the middle with a rat-tail comb. "Don’t brush through it," he emphasizes. Instead, rake fingers through your hair or use a very large-tooth comb to keep texture sans fuzz. Follow by creating two ponytails on the top of the head. Take each tail and wrap it in a circle before pinning to unveil little buns. Finish by smoothing edges and dousing with a frizz-fighting hairspray.
Bubble Braid
Amanda Edwards / Getty Images
If you love braids, but your styling skills aren't so great, opt for a bubble braid like on Maria Menounos. It has the woven look of a braid but requires less time and styling savvy to achieve. Federico shows us how:
- Use a tail comb to part hair down the center.
- Work through to the mid-lengths with a boar-bristle brush.
- Pull hair into a low ponytail, tying off with an elastic. Allow bangs to hang loose.
- Every two inches, going down the length of your ponytail, add another elastic.
- Create a bubble effect by using your fingers to gently pull out each section.
- Finish the look with hairspray.
Dutch Braid
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images
Riley Keough's Dutch braid is so glamorous, and the messy texture makes her hair look impossibly thick. McLaren adds, "This style is looser, with hair pulled out a little from the braid base to give an undone look."
To replicate, he instructs you first to prep your hair with texturizing spray. Second, create a Dutch braid that starts at the crown of the head down to the ends of the hair. Gently pull on the sides of your braid with your fingers, starting from the top and moving to the bottom. Finish with shine spray to help fight frizz.
Half-Up Halo
Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images
There's something so sweet and summery about Italian actress Giulia Elettra Gorietti's halo hairstyle. And by pulling the top half of the hair back and into two braids, it is less likely to frizz up around the face. If you like what you see, Federico advises parting damp hair down the center and working a smoothing oil through mid-lengths and ends before air-drying. "Once completely dry, use a marcel wand to add uniformity to your natural wave pattern," he says. Finish by braiding a small section of hair near the temples on each side of your head and tying ends together with a clear elastic.
Scarf Style
@rendaattia / Instagram
A scarf is the hair accessory that has all-season appeal. It can protect your style overnight, cover up any humidity-related frizz, and add a pop of color to your 'do. You can wrap your hair completely, or just use the scarf to pull some hair off your neck when the weather heats up.
- For this look, start on dry or air-dried hair.
- Then, tie the scarf around your hairstyle and tie it in a bow or a knot on top.
Braided Topknot
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images
Braids and buns are great hairstyles to beat the frizz on a humid day. When combined together, they make for the ultimate frizz-fighting 'do, as seen on La La Anthony above.
To achieve the look, flip your hair upside down and French braid it to the top. Use a brush to smooth the rest of the hair, and then, secure your hair into a bun.
Sleek Curls
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images
Tracee Ellis Ross has perfected frizz-fighing hairstyles over the decades, We love her slicked-back curls here, which achieve the wet-look but make it red carpet.