Woes Of The Summer With Curly Hair | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Woes Of The Summer With Curly Hair

What living with the struggles of curls is really like.

101
Woes Of The Summer With Curly Hair
Wordpress

When I was younger, I used to despise my curly hair. I grew up in that age where straight hair was all the rage and I had that cropped, sticking-up-in-all-directions curly haircut (with straight-cut bangs) that didn't abide by those fashion standards. So, I was always pretty jealous of those girls whose slick ponytails would swing back and forth as they walked, each strand in it's perfect place. After years of trying to change it by slicking down the frizz and straightening the curls, I grew to love the uniqueness of my curly hair. Now into my twenties, curly hair is coveted for its voluminous style, and honestly, I love showing off my natural curls.

However, it's in the summer when these feelings of affection for my curly volume subsides. Between the heat and various other ruthless weather conditions, summer proves to be the thorn in my side when it comes to doing my hair, especially when my lazy hair techniques and styles only result in frizz.

Humidity

You know how in the humidity every part of your body oozes with sticky sweat that seems to make your joints feel like they are dissolving into piles of sweat? Well, add to that the curly hair and you'll feel like one huge mess. Inside, your curls fall into sweet ringlets around your face and you feel good about them as you gaze lovingly in the mirror. Then, it happens. You step out the door and it hits you. The heat... the humidity. You'll feel optimistic at first as your hair can probably handle it for the couple minutes you're outside before, hopefully, you return to a cool air-conditioned building. But, alas, your hair has already grown into a large sticky mess of curls dripping with the sweat that floods from your scalp and the back of your neck. Needless to say, there's no coming back from this.

Rain and Humidity

The dark clouds begin rolling in and you know that it's time to grab an umbrella before leaving your humble abode. Here, I would like to insert that the rain doesn't ever help anyone's hair and with the addition of humidity, the frizz is merciless. Even under the shelter of your umbrella, you aren't protected from the heat that radiates off the raindrops of this dark day. Now, your hair sticks to the back of your neck and poofs outward in a mess of strands that are only vaguely like the curls you hoped for that day.

Wind

"Ah," you sigh as the weather forecast calls for a windy day. This means that your hair will blissfully blow off your neck and shoulders in the cool summer breeze and you'll look like you belong on stage or in the movies. Well, that would be the ideal world. In reality, however, you'll step outside and that first gust of wind will fling your delicate curls like an unhinged carousal around your face. Now, with this endless wind, you must constantly pull your hair from your lips and eyes, desperately trying to keep it stuck behind your ears. The curls blow out in tangles and though it may settle once you leave the outdoors, it still causes great frustration.

Dry Heat

Finally, you experience the relief of the dry heat. Though this still makes you sweat and doesn't do any good for the chaffing situation as you walk, your hair will most likely remain the same shape in its curly elegance. However, it's in this condition where you have to watch for your hair drying out and losing its lovely moisture. Though all you want to do every day after experiencing this dripping heat is take a cool shower and wash out your hair, you can't. Apparently, washing your hair daily will just make it lose its natural oils. So, it's like a catch-22 where you'll find that the summer struggles continuously win.

So, while curly hair is fun and charismatic, the summer seems to push frustrations over the edge with maintaining your natural style. If you understand these struggles, then you know that the best way to remedy such problems is to pull the tangled curls back into a bun or braid. Headbands and hairspray (though sometimes hairspray contributes to the stickiness) are also great fixes for days that just aren't working and the annoyance levels are reaching their breaking point. There are lots of products out there to help as well but in the end, all you can really do it embrace the frizzy volume in this wonderful summer season.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187599
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13215
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456606
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25845
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments