Have a beautiful summer: our guide will help you keep heat and humidity from frizzing your hair, blemishing your face, or burning your bod

Natural Health, June, 2007 by Jolene Edgar

In our summer fantasies, we all frolic around town in chic sundresses. When we get too hot, We strip to our suits arid dive into the neareSt body of water to cool off. Upon emerging we're magically restored to our former sleek selves. In reality, of course, heat, humidity, and salt make us look bedraggled. We can help you get one step closer to your fantasy with these natural fixes for common beauty bummers.

hair

Frizz

Frizz is caused by moisture from humid air invading the open spaces in dry hair and swelling the hair shaft. (Hair products are shown on page 74.)

NATURAL REMEDIES

* Use a moisturizing shampoo made with plant-based oils, fatty acids, or polymers. "Conditioning is the best way to combat frizz," says Louise Galvin, a London-based colorist and founder of Sacred Locks hair care. Dry hair soaks up moisture from the atmosphere so the more conditioned--or moist--it is, the better. Dr. Hauschka Apricot and Sea Buckthorn Shampoo ($13; www.drhauschka.com) has apricot kernel and sea-buckthorn oils to moisturize strands. For super frizzy hair, John Masters, owner of John Masters Organics Salon in New York City, suggests using a deep conditioner once a week and not washing your hair more than twice a week. Washing more often strips hair of its naturally hydrating oils. As a daily treatment, a leave in formula like Davines Dede Leave-In Mist ($16; www.davines.com) helps fight frizz.

* Choose an ionic blow-dryer. If air-drying isn't an option, snap a diffuser onto a blow dryer and use medium heat to dry your hair. According to cosmetics chemist Jim Hammer, ionic dryers shoot electrons at the hair, which neutralizes static and flyaways. Plus, he adds, "they tend to use ceramic heating elements that dry hair quickly, preventing damage."

Limpness

The same oils that keep curls under control cause straight hair to fall limp. As we perspire, "our scalps secrete more oil, which weighs down the hair and flattens it at the root," explains Masters.

NATURAL REMEDIES

* Use volumizing products. Wash fine hair every day with shampoos that have natural thickeners, such as silk and wheat proteins, and burdock root extract. Don't put conditioner or heavy styling products on your roots--they can weigh down hair and make it limp. Before using your blow-dryer, spritz on some herbal scalp spray, like John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Follicle

Treatment & Volumizer For Thinning Hair ($21; www.johnmasters.com) to help minimize grease.

* Shield against humidity. After drying your hair, follow up with a hair spray like Simply Organic Medium Hold Hair Spray ($22; www.simplyorganicbeauty.com) with olive leaf extract and honey to block out humidity and keep hair full.

Fading Color

Sunlight breaks down color and excess water swells hair shafts, causing the cuticle layer to lift up and color to leak out, says Leslie Bride, a senior stylist for Pantene.

NATURAL REMEDIES

* Protect your hair from the sun. Wear a hat, or coat strands with a UV or beeswax product such as Redken Smooth Down Sleek Obedience ($16; www.redken.com). "Beeswax, which contains strengthening vitamins and minerals, protects hair by forming a physical barrier," says Masters.

* Prevent water damage. Wear a bathing cap or run conditioner through your hair before going into the water.

* Use a chelating agent--a substance that binds to chlorine and other chemicals. "My favorite is an apple-cider vinegar rinse after swimming," says Masters. Rinsing with it before shampooing helps prevent fading.

* Amp up shine. "Color appears richer when hair is smooth and shiny," says Bride. Whip up a nourishing treatment of one avocado with a few drops of olive oil, says Masters. Apply once a week, from roots to tips, then wrap hair in a hot towel, and rinse after a half hour.

* Treat your locks to a weekly deep conditioning treatment. Look for one like L'Oreal Nature's Therapy Mega Moisture Nurturing Creme ($12.50; www.sallybeauty.com) with nourishing sunflower oil.

body

Cracked Feet

Summer is the season of sandals or bare feet, which means feet normally protected by socks and shoes can take a beating. Plus, dashing between humid outdoor air and air-conditioning can lead to cracked heels.

NATURAL REMEDIES

* Give yourself a simple pedicure. Trim toenails straight across and smooth the edges with a soft file, suggests Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand and Foot Spa in New York City. If you wear polish, de-grease your nails with a mild, nonacetone polish remover before painting, and choose a formula without formaldehyde such as Acquarella Nail Polish ($18; www.ocquarellapolish.com).

* Soften heels. After showering, when feet are still moist, rub a wet pumice stone over hardened heels and callused spots. Then apply a heavyduty foot cream, rich in nut butters and plant-based oils like Kiss My Face Foot Creme ($9; www.kissmyface.com).

Before getting into bed, apply cream again and then "slip on a pair of cotton socks to seal in the moisture and keep the cream in contact with your skin--not your sheets," says Choi.