Singapore’s humidity frizzed up Taylor Swift’s hair – how to keep yours from returning to 'factory settings' (2024)

Wait, what? Taylor Swift managed to somehow curl her hair in between her Reputation and Speak Now "eras" while changing costumes and sets?

That’s what I thought at first while at her concert at the National Stadium recently, because I could have sworn her locks were sleek and straight when she first burst onto the stage with the song Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince.

Turns out Singapore’s humidity, which averages 82 per cent and can go up to more than 90 per cent, was more powerful than Swift’s hair-straightening iron. It gave the singer-songwriter a new hairstyle for each era, such that by the time she got to her last song, Karma, she was rocking a full-blown head of curls.

A wee bit of science before we get into the remedies. In humid weather, airborne moisture is absorbed by the hair. The hydrogen in the air disrupts the hair’s existing hydrogen bonds and alters the way keratin proteins are held together in hair strands. The hair cuticle swells and expands, resulting in hair that appears frizzy and feels rough to the touch.

Naturally curly or wavy hair tend to be more dehydrated due to their irregular cuticle layers, which means that hair with natural waves becomes a moisture magnet, due to a desire to absorb more moisture from the air.

Also, the more damaged and dehydrated hair is when exposed to a humid environment, the more it will absorb moisture and swell, leading to that dreaded frizzy look.

TIP 1: ADD TO CART SOME ANTI-FRIZZ PRODUCTS

This sounds like a no-brainer, but if you find your mane frizzing up like you’re in a bad 80s music video the minute you step out of your temperature-controlled bedroom, it’s time to invest in products designed specially to help you win the fight.

Many anti-frizz products are formulated with nourishing oils, amino acids, or other agents which moisturise and strengthen the hair, so that it isn’t dehydrated and trying to suck up maximum moisture from the air. They also seal the hair cuticle, forming a protective barrier to prevent excess moisture from entering and wreaking frizzy havoc.

Anti-frizz serums and sprays often contain silicone-based ingredients that add a smooth and slippery surface to hair, which helps to smooth the hair cuticle and minimise frizz.

Try: Ouai Hair Oil, S$51, Sephora

Contains a blend of conditioning ama, borage and baobab seed oils to smooth hair without weighing it down, while reducing frizz and acting as a heat protectant.

Try: Kerastase Discipline Anti Frizz Hair Masque, S$82, Sephora

TIP 2: HEAD TO THE SALON FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH LONG-LASTING RESULTS

While many salons here serve up hair smoothening and anti-frizz keratin treatments, we’re intrigued by a new offering from Chez Vous Hair called Liquid Hair Treatment (starts from S$255).

While touted mainly as a treatment for damaged and dry hair, it’s also supposed to reduce frizz by as much as 70 per cent, and boost hydration levels by an impressive 50 per cent, by harnessing oil-based nanotechnology.

The treatment focuses on hair bond repair at the molecular level, as opposed to a surface-level fix, reversing structural damage and reconstructing the innermost layers of hair for glossy locks that shimmer like liquid, and results that last for weeks.

TIP 3: DON’T WASH YOUR HAIR TOO OFTEN, AND USE THE RIGHT SHAMPOO

It may seem counterintuitive to shampoo less when the weather is hot and humid, but for those with very dry hair, not overwashing will help preserve the natural oils in the scalp and keep hair well moisturised. If necessary, use a dry shampoo to soak up extra oil in the hair in between shampoos.

A nutrient-rich and sulphate-free shampoo packed with vitamins and minerals to support healthy hair and scalp. Contains 93 per cent naturally-derived ingredients and papaya enzyme to help balance oil production.

TIP 4: TOWEL YOUR HAIR CORRECTLY, AND DON’T BLOW-DRY IMMEDIATELY AFTER WASHING

The way you dry your hair can have a big impact on how it behaves in humidity. When hair is wet, the cuticles swell and the hair stretches, making it more likely to break. And using friction to towel-dry your hair or treating it roughly while it’s wet is a recipe for frizzy disaster.

Instead, gently squeeze out excess water after shampooing, and consider investing in a microfibre towel. Unlike the rough texture of a traditional towel, a microfibre towel has a smooth surface, to avoid lifting or disrupting the hair cuticles and creating frizz.

Another no-no is blow-drying hair when it’s very wet. If time allows, let your hair air dry as much as possible, then blast with cold air to seal cuticles and lock in moisture.

Try: Handmade Heroes Fabulous Quick Drying Hair Turban, S$19.90

From homegrown brand Handmade Heroes, this microfibre hair turban gently and quickly dries hair, valiantly helping your mane in its fight against the villain that is humidity.