Summer Hair Care for Black Hair [2025 Express Guide]

Summer brings with it longer days, warmer weather, and, for many naturalistas, a whole new set of hair challenges. Whether it’s dryness, frizz, or frustration from styles not holding, summer can test your patience. But what if the key isn’t doing more to your hair, but rethinking why being on top of your summer hair care routine matters in the first place?

Why Summer Hair Care Needs a Different Approach (Especially for Black Hair)

Natural hair is special. And, I say that with all the love of compassion of a naturalist myself.

Yet, our hair can be temperamental, and what better motive for acting out than the weather heating up? Here are some reasons you need to change up your hair care regimen for summer:

1. Your Hair Responds to the Season It’s In

Natural hair reacts quickly to heat, humidity, and other environmental stressors. Without seasonal adjustments, breakage and dryness can occur.

You know what I mean. For example, the frizz that comes with increased humidity is no joke.

2. Moisture Loss Happens Quicker

During the summer months, the sun is hot, you’re exposed to chlorine or salt water (if you swim), and increased sweat. All of these can contribute to your hair losing moisture, and fast

3. Your Scalp Needs Attention as Much as Your Hair

With increased sweating and buildup from products like sunscreen and edge control, your scalp can get clogged really fast. This leads to an itchy scalp and clogged pores, which can impact your hair growth.

4. Switch to Simplicity to Protect Your Hair

In the summer, you may be tempted to over-manipulate your strands. Yet, the hotter summer months are actually ideal for doing low maintenance and low manipulation hairstyles

You can enjoy outdoor activities and still look cute with a high puff

5. Confidence in Your Hair Routine Frees You to Enjoy the Season

Echoing what I said above, you will enjoy your summer fun when you don’t have to worry about your hair frizzing or drying out. Be free to focus on enjoying your summer, whether it’s at the pool are hanging at a BBQ.

Summer Hair Care Tips

Now that we are clear on the why of updating your natural hair routines for summer, let’s take a look at a few summer hair care tips that will touch on the how.

Summer Hair Care Routine Steps

Your hair care in the summer doesn’t need to be complicated or include a lot of steps. In fact, I’m a fan of doing the bare minimum that keeps your hair healthy. Here are the steps I follow for wash days and styling in the summer:

Summer Skin Care Routine for the Scalp

The scalp is often a neglected part of hair care. Considering the fact that your scalp is skin, it should also be part of your summer skin care routine. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:

Daily scalp/skin care:

• Daily:
• Keep your scalp dry and clean, blotting away sweat with a dry, soft cloth
• Use a lightweight scalp mist or serum if your scalp feels dry or is itching
• Protect your scalp with a hat or scarf when spending extended time outdoors

Weekly scalp/skin care:

• Cleanse your scalp with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo
• Massage your scalp (2-3 times weekly) to stimulate blood circulation
• Use a lightweight oil or serum with peppermint or tea tree essential oil to refresh and balance your scalp. You can do this before massaging.

Monthly scalp/skin care:

• Exfoliate your scalp with a gentle store-bought or DIY scalp scrub to remove buildup and dead skin cells (read up: DIY scalp scrub recipe and benefits of scalp exfoliation)
• Use a moisture-balancing scalp mask if sun exposure has dried your scalp out

Hair Care Essentials

Going with the theme of less is more, there are only a few hair care essentials that I recommend you keep on hand to take good care of your hair in the summer.

These include:

• spray bottle
• a good detangling brush or comb
• hair pins/bobby pins
• satin or silk scrunchies
• fast drying hair dryer that won’t strip moisture from your hair

Anything else you choose to use is extra, but certainly not needed to keep your hair freshly styled.

Healthy Hair Products

As important as your hair care tools (the essentials) are the products you use to care for your hair.

The types of hair products you use to maintain your hair in the summer will definitely vary from what you use in the winter. Typically, summer hair products are lighter weight.

Here are the recommended healthy hair products to have on hand for summer
(not recommending brands because you’ll have to discover what works for your hair):

• Co-wash product – for mid-week cowashing after a swim
• Sulfate free shampoo – alternate it with your co-wash product (use a good purple shampoo if you have lots of grays)
• Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner – to moisturize and protect against sun and heat
• Lightweight Oil or Serum – seals in moisture without weighing hair down
• Curl Refresher Spray – revives curls between wash days and adds moisture (you can DIY this)
• UV Protection Spray – shields hair from sun damage and color fading

Summer Updos for Long Hair

When the weather starts heating up, there’s no way you want your hair hanging down on your neck. Especially if you have long hair.

Here are some summer updos that work well for long hair:

• French twists or French rolls
• High buns
• High ponytails
• Top Knot buns (messy and sleek)
• The Pineapple
• Fishtail braids (not really an updo, but you can make it into one.

Any of these styles can be done on straightened, curly, messy, or sleek, silky hair

BoHo Summer Hairstyles

One thing I love about summer is hairstyling. BoHo styles are so cute and carefree. What’s great is that all you need to do to create them is to throw in a few twists or braids.

Here are a few styles for inspiration:

Hairstyles for Shorter Hair

If your hair is shorter, some hairstyles that work well for summer include:

• flat twists
• cornrows
• wash and go’s (check out summer tips for maintaining your wash and go)
• finger coils

Check out more Summer Hairstyles.

Understanding Your Hair This Summer and Beyond

Want to build a hair care routine that flexes with every season?

The Master Your Natural Hair Manual helps you understand your natural hair’s behavior so you can create a custom routine that adapts with confidence. It’s perfect if you’re ready to stop guessing and start thriving this summer and beyond.