"The moisture your hair picks up from rain is different than that of humidity, because in most cases, the rain's temperature is cooler than the moisture is on hot and humid days. So your problems are different ones," says O'Connor. In fact, when he's working on clients in the salon, he can tell if it's going to rain just by looking at their hair.
"Typically, curly clients have more frizz, but their curl is at its best, since the hair gets moisture without heat, which adds bounce and body to curls," he says, and suggests Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Shampoo, $4.49, and Conditioner, $4.49, to reduce frizz and define curls.
As for rainy day styling tips? "When blow drying, keep the air flow from roots to ends, to avoid ruffling the hair with air that will bring out frizz," O'Connor says.
For more unruly hair, Buzas says to use an oil-rich product to access moisture and close the follicle. "Stay away from stiff, sticky sprays, like gels and heavy-hold products." You can also run with the "wet look," adds Scarlett. Pull long hair into a slick, tight chignon, and for shorter lengths (above the collarbone), try a deep side part combed behind the ears (be sure to pull your hair behind your ears out from the head a little to create width and volume).
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Wind
Strong and persistent wind not only creates tangles, as hairs ruffle against each other, but also roughs up the cuticle, causing the hairs to catch and split ends to form. To keep this from happening, "Use a root boost for volume, wax on the ends of your hair, and always carry a comb and bobby pins to keep it in place," says Christina Buzas, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist. And while you can always gather it into a ponytail or braid, Scarlett likes tweaking these classic looks: Before pulling it back, use a salt spray on your roots and blow dry to "create volume and a very pretty texture that blows nicely in the wind," he says. Next, pinpoint the pieces that will be most affected by wind, like hairs at the nape of the neck, and use a strong-hold hairspray to hold them in place.
Remember when clichés could actually forecast the weather: March went in like a lion and out like a lamb, after the rain came a rainbow, and April showers brought May flowers? Predictable seasons told us how nature would behave, and thus, when to change over our wardrobe, how to pack for a vacation, and how our hair would react from one day to the next. And while you may have needed a stylist's advice at the start of a season for this last point, you could then use her tips until the weather reliably transitioned again.
Cut to today's world, where blizzards co-opt Halloween and daffodils bloom in February. And as we're sure you've noticed, the same wacky temperature swings that change nature's course also freak out your hair and make it a real challenge to style.
"Certain conditions affect a natural protein called keratin that gives hair its strength and shine," says Luke O'Connor, a Suave Professionals stylist based in Beverly Hills, Calif. "For instance, when heat damages hair, the shaft's cuticle gets ruffled and/or broken; this makes hair dull and lifeless. It also causes moisture loss, which leads to frizz and a lack of shine and body. Humidity also brings out frizz and makes hair look flat."
So while we may have once suggested a few styling tricks or products to store in your cabinet this season, we now suggest that you study up on all of them, or at least return to this guide after reading your weather report each day. We've included tips from pros and TotalBeauty.com readers alike, so you'll never battle a bad hair day again -- no matter what it looks like outside.
