Heat-Free Summer Styles to "Heat Up" Your Natural Hair Game

By Rochelle Graham

The telltale signs of summer are bonfires, pool parties, barbecues, and soft beach waves. You don’t need to apply heat to your natural hair to “heat things up” after a long, winter regimen that revolves around combating dry and brittle hair. While the change in temperature can offer a breath of fresh air to any beauty routine, hectic summer schedules call for trading in high-maintenance hair for no-fuss ‘dos that won’t cramp your style. Summer’s warm evening breezes and long, humid days also bring new challenges: dryness, frizziness, and unmanageability. 

                     

Curly hair needs all of the moisture it can get, and working a moisturizing or hydrating shampoo into your warm weather hair regime is a must when up against summer’s hot spells. While salty, beach winds can play a role in unruliness and loss of hair elasticity, oxidation from extreme sun and salt exposure will not only cause hair to become more brittle, but it can take on an off-color appearance. Choose a protective style that doesn’t cause damage by pulling or tugging on the cuticle to cause breakage, and permits easy access to the scalp. The surf and sun are a part of the culture, but when not wearing a beach hat to protect natural tresses, you can use the quick styles below.

Goddess Braid Bun

Part your hair on the right, and create a left-side ponytail with all but one section of hair from the right side. Next, secure the ponytail with an elastic band and twist it into a loose bun. Take the loose section of hair, braid it, wrap it around your head, and work it into the bun. Don't try and make it look too neat; it totally works as a messy updo. Keep flyaways at bay with a light mist of hair spray. You can also use Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner. A leave-in treatment infused with the right ingredients will impart shine, refine the shape of the curl, and control frizz.

Knotted Low Bun

Knotted buns placed at the nape of the neck are a must for busy, summer schedules. This is an excellent low-maintenance hairstyle that can be done with wet, dry, or slightly dirty hair. Just twist, knot, pin, and go! The Alikay Naturals Knots Be Gone Hair Detangler helps you maintain a tangle-free, sleek look. Get in the habit of using styling aids that contain antioxidants to assist with the prevention of summer damage.

The Braid Loop

Depending on your hair, apply an anti-frizz or smoothing product before drying. Part your hair in the center and make two pigtails at the back of your head. If your hair is shorter, the pigtails can be on each side of your head, and above the ears. Braid both pigtails and secure each with an elastic band. Wrap one braid over your head, setting it about one inch back from your hairline and securing the ends with bobby pins. Wrap and secure the other braid the same way. The braids may overlap or meet, depending on your hair length.

Rochelle Graham is the CEO of Black Onyx World LLC which operates Alikay Naturals. The line expanded to become a formal company with a manufacturing department and a retail storefront. Their line now offers more than 60 products, focusing on Natural Hair Care, Skin Care and Bath and Body.  Visit the website at www.alikaynaturals.com.