The 9 Must-Have Products for Summer Hairstyle Perfection and Why You Need Them

1. Salt-Infused Spray

Why you need it: Flirty beach waves are the perfect summer hairstyle choice. This season, the trend is to create a looser, more rumpled wave, rather than a perfectly-formed shape. A salt-infused spray is the perfect way to create that perfect beach wave shape.

How to use it: Start with dry hair. Spray section-by-section with sea salt spray. Don’t saturate the hair, but be sure the sea spray is applied to all of the hair evenly. Gather all of your hair at the top of your head, twist the tail in the opposite direction of your part and when the twist collapses, secure it into a bun. Wait a few hours or overnight and release the bun. Voila! Easy, messy, beach waves!

2. Heatless Hairstyle Cream

Why you need it: Do you really want to turn a hot blow dryer on yourself in this heat? Not to mention blowing hot air into your already too-warm bathroom? Give yourself, your house and your hair a break and air dry your hair. A heatless hairstyle cream will control frizz and support your air dried style without stickiness or stiffness.

How to use it: To get soft, heatless waves, apply the cream to hair that is barely damp and comb through. Clip away the top and divide the bottom section vertically in half. Subsection the halves, and wind each section upward around two fingers. When you get to the scalp, slide your fingers out and clip the curl to your head with a long metal clip. Work around and up your head, “setting” your hair around your fingers and clipping them into place. Once all of your hair is set, mist with hairspray. When your hair is completely dry, remove the clips. Work a small amount of heatless hairstyle cream between your hands and scrunch it into the waves to repel humidity.

3. Super Hold Hair Gel/Wax/Paste

Why you need it: A high, sleek ponytail or bun is the best way to keep your hair out of your face and out of the way in hot weather. Stay polished and put together all day long with a flexible holding product that will also add shine.

How to use it: Mist dry hair with water from a water bottle. Comb through, then work the gel/wax/paste through your hair section by section. Comb to distribute evenly, then gather your hair into a ponytail or bun and secure.

4. Blow-Out Prep

Why you need it: Once the humidity starts to soar, a good, long-lasting blowout becomes harder and harder to achieve. One smart professional strategy is to prep with a heat-protecting blowout crème. It will defend your hair against humidity and extend the life of your blowout despite the swelter.

How to use it: Apply section-by-section through damp hair and distribute with a wide-tooth comb. Then blow-dry as usual.

5. Texturizer for Braids

Why you need it: Braids are everywhere this summer. French braids, fishtail braids, Dutch braids, waterfall braids—you name it; they’re being worn on their own or incorporated into messy buns, upstyles and beach waves. The secret to successful braiding is texture—your braid will slip if you ain’t got some grip. A texturizing formula like a dry shampoo will give your hair the rough texture it needs to ace your braids.

How to use it: Divide the hair into sections. Lift each section, aim the spray at the ends and mist upward along the strands to the root, using a zig-zag motion. Complete all sections, flip the head over and dry the hair with a blow dryer, set on the lowest air speed and the coolest temperature setting. Then proceed with your braid.

6. Anti-Frizz Finishing Spray

Why you need it: You’ve carefully and methodically blown, pressed, curled or whatever it is you do to bring your hairstyle to perfection. The last thing you want is to step outside and see all your hard work come apart when humidity causes your strands to droop or swell. So you need to lock in your hairstyle before heading out the door, with a flexible formula that also shields your hairstyle from atmospheric moisture.

How to use it: Hold the can 10 to 12 inches from your hair when spraying to avoid buildup in a particular area. If your hairstyle is sleek and smooth, mist an oval styling brush with hairspray and brush through your hair.

7. Dry Shampoo

Why you need it: Maybe you’re not a daily shampoo type of person, or perhaps you are but because summer is hectic and things like vacations take you away from your normal routine, you’re not able to lather, rinse and repeat as often as you like. In any case, perspiration and pollution are at full strength during the hot months, and those could cause your scalp to become oily or clogged. Dry shampoo keeps your scalp and hair feeling fresh between shampoos, and as a bonus, you get to enjoy trendy, second-day texture without worrying about dirty hair!

How to use it: Shake well and apply to dry hair. Divide hair into small sections, lift each section and spray your roots. Flip your head upside down and gently massage into your hair and scalp. Brush through hair to remove excess product.

8. After Sun Care

Why you need it: Think about how your skin feels after a day of frolicking outdoors. Parched, right? The same thing happens to your hair, so it’s important to restore the moisture that sun exposure depletes. A rich and restorative hair mask will bathe your strands with essential hydration, while restoring strength and nourishment.

How to use it: Why not get a head start on hydration, and take preventative measures by applying your mask before you head outdoors? The sun can act as a huge processor to help your hair absorb the mask’s healthy ingredients. Mist dry hair with water and comb the mask through evenly. When you return at the end of the day, shampoo and condition as usual.

9. Multi-Tasking Miracle

Why you need it: Summer is the time to streamline your hair styling routine. A multi-tasking spray that does it all saves time and money, and it conserves space in your suitcase if you’re traveling. Matrix pros recommend using a leave-in spray that will add moisture, beat frizz, boost shine, prevent breakage and heat damage, condition, make blow drying easier and prevent split ends.

How to use it: Spray into damp hair, section-by-section, comb through to distribute and style.