Summer Hair: Your 3 Step, No-Heat Plan

1. In the shower: Curls form better when hair is well moisturized, so shampoo no more than once a week and always choose a hydrating formula, like Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning Shampoo ($3.50; drugstores). On nonshampoo days, use a thick conditioner: Comb it through damp hair, from roots to ends, and wait several minutes before rinsing. Pureology EssentialRepair HairCondition ($27; Pureology.com for salons) has chamomile and olive oil to soften even the coarsest curls.

2. When hair is still damp: A rich styling cream, such as Sunsilk Hydra TLC 24/7 Creme ($3.50; drugstores), continues the moisturizing process and smooths frizz. If your curls are relatively fine, a quarter-size dab is enough; coarse curls call for a more liberal dollop.

3. Just before you leave the house: Rub a drop of a silicone-based serum, like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum ($10; drugstores), between your hands, then retwist any unruly curls and pat down flyaways. (Warning: Serums can get oily, so apply them sparingly.)

See the best cut for curly hair in the summer

1. In the shower: Your hair probably gets oily quickly, so shampoo daily with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo ($11.50; PaulMitchell.com for salons) is gentle enough to use frequently. Conditioner weighs down fine hair; apply it only from midlength to ends. Try Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay Conditioner ($15; Aveda.com), which has kaolin clay to make hair appear fuller.

2. When hair is still damp: Straight, fine hair falls even flatter when you use the wrong styling products. Stay away from oils, serums, or anything that boasts "extra hold"—these formulas can be heavy. Instead, choose a lightweight volumizing spray, like L'Oréal Professionnel Volume Expand Volumizing Root Lift Spray ($23; LorealProfessionnel.com for salons), and mist it only at the roots. Blow-drying for a few minutes helps the product create some oomph.

3. Just before you leave the house: Hairspray is drying because it contains alcohol; use it to reduce oiliness. TreSemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray ($4.50; drugstores) provides hold without freezing your style in place, and also adds shine.

See the best cut for fine and straight hair in the summer

1. In the shower: If your hair is thick, use the shampoo and conditioner recommended for curly hair. If it's fine, volumizing formulas—like Aveeno Nourish+ Volumize Shampoo ($6.50; drugstores) and Nexxus Dualiste Color Protection + Volume Conditioner ($16; drugstores)—give waves a little extra lift.

2. When hair is still damp: Wavy hair tends to be dry, so the outer layers can look fuzzy; a styling cream like Sunsilk (above left) controls flyaways. To coax out more dramatic waves, you can layer on Fekkai Beach Waves ($23; Sephora.com); it contains sea algae extract to enhance any natural bend in your hair.

3. Just before you leave the house: To block humidity (a preemptive strike against frizz), apply a drop of a silicone-based product, like Matrix Sleek.Look Sealing Serum ($17; Matrix.com for salons).

See the best cut for wavy hair in the summer

1. In the shower: Because thick hair can be coarse, you need a shampoo that will soften it, like Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Shampoo ($5; drugstores), which contains hair-silkening cassia and aloe vera. Deeply hydrating Suave Professionals Damage Care Conditioner ($2.50; drugstores) also helps smooth dense hair; if you have oily roots, confine conditioner to the ends.

2. When hair is still damp: Spritz a spray gel from midlength to ends. It's strong enough to control frizz but not so heavy that it will add more weight to your hair. Also, it's fine to use a formula labeled "volumizing," like Nioxin Volumizing Reflectives Spray Gel ($14; Nioxin.com for salons)—as long as you keep the product off your roots, it won't create pouf.

3. Just before you leave the house: Bulky hair will have more swing if you use a wax to separate it into small, piecey sections. Run your fingers over Kiehl's Creative Cream Wax ($15.50; Kiehls.com), and then rub your hands together to emulsify it. Pull it through the hair around your face and your ends.

See the best cut for thick and straight hair in the summer