Hair's the Scoop

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Whether your hair is fine, coarse, short or long— tousled waves can add a youthful edge to any look, and help beat the heat and humidity of summer.

So how does one achieve ample, frizz-free texture? By following these four foolproof steps, of course:

Step One: Lather Up
Like any successful style, the path to "perfect" hair starts in the shower. To ensure optimal results, opt for a lightweight, moisturizing shampoo that's gentle enough to use daily if desired. (I adore Neil George Everyday Cleanse, which boasts orange blossom to intensify shine.)

Step Two: Protect Your Tresses
Between exposure to sun, surf and pollution, hair can dehydrate rapidly during the summer months. So be sure to guard your locks against damage, tangles and moisture-loss by spritzing a lightweight, leave-in conditioner on the bottom 3/4 daily. My favorite formula? Fekkai Beachcomber, which contains a nourishing blend of marine peptides, sea algae extract and UV-shielding ingredients.

Step Three: Fight Frizz
Humidity may add volume to limp locks, but it also amplifies the biggest cause of bad hair days— frizz. To keep your curls looking their best, always use a smoothing serum— like Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum— on wet (not towel-dried, or damp...) hair.

Step Four: Start a Wave
Now that you've laid the foundation, it's time to twist your tendrils into place. If you have:

Fine, Wavy/Curly Hair
Opt for an airy mousse or lightweight creme, like Bumble and bumble Curl Conscious Holding Foam and Defining Creme. For added texture, try Bb Surf Spray. It's the closest thing you'll find to a saltwater breeze.

Fine, Straight Hair
Use a curl-enhancing product— like TRESemme Curl Activator Spray— to create kinks and waves, and try experimenting with a diffuser to amplify the effect. (My diffuser-of-choice is T3's Bespoke, the "world's first tourmaline ceramic diffuser.")

Coarse, Wavy/Curly Hair
Control curls with a medium- to strong-hold glossing gel, like Garren Holding & Molding Gel or MIZANI Moisturizing Silkening Liquid Gel.

Coarse, Straight Hair
Prime board-straight tresses with a curl-activating spray gel (L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style Glossy Curls Spray Gel works wonders), then style your locks using two curling irons, varying in size, for natural-looking, tousled waves. Finish your look with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray.