“You can tell how humid it is by your hair,” says Fox 5 anchor Lark McCarthy.

She, along with other women in the public eye, knows that August weather has consequences beyond overheating: Hair grows bigger and curlier with the humidity.

Many women look for products and new ’dos that will reduce the chaos atop their heads. Ranging from gel serums to leave-in conditioners, the products require careful application. Women with less time available opt for a shorter look, minimizing the frizz by minimizing the hair.

Nonprofit executive Alyse Nelson Bloom says no product can fully handle the weather conditions of Washington summers: “Humidity makes my hair curly, so I embrace that and try to get my hair cut more often and with more layers, which creates better natural curls.”

But, as stylist Philippe Depeyrot of Cristophe salon points out, short hair isn’t always the solution. “The reality is if you deal with the White House or the Senate, you tend to go with a more conservative look,” Depeyrot says. “Getting your hair very short can get you in trouble.”

As a meteorologist for Channel 9, Kim Martucci has to give humid August forecasts while appearing cool on screen.

“I try to do everything I can to defy gravity,” Martucci says. “I’m glad that fashion people say ponytails are in this season.”

Stylists and their clients agree that whatever you do, finding a good shampoo and conditioner is key. Beyond that, everyone has her own tricks and tips. McCarthy’s mantra: “Never run out of hairspray; gel is your friend in August; and if you are not working, wear a baseball cap.”