Hide it; douse it; let it free. These are your only options—other than giving in to the evil Japanese hair-straightening cult ($750 at Frédéric Fekkai). Chelsea Clinton may have learned the secret to a genius blowout, but in summer humidity, yours won’t last more than a day. Mavens of the Curly Girl movement, founded by Devachan co-owner Lorraine Massey, worship her basic survival tips: deep-soak with conditioner, finger-comb in the shower, air-dry, and never shampoo. (Massage the scalp with fingertips for basic cleaning, and rinse with cold water to keep the shaft smooth.) For emergencies, use aloe-vera gel. At the beach, give in. Salt cramps curls into sticky ringlets, so the best solution is to embrace your inner Medusa and let your frizz fly free—or go for the ponytail-with-tendrils deal, and act like you meant for it to look that way.

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• Archive: “Features”
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