Choose sulfate-free shampoo with glycerin
You can effectively combat frizz by opting for a sulfate-free shampoo infused with glycerin. This type of shampoo has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft, providing moisture from within. Additionally, it forms a protective layer on the outer surface of your hair shaft, further guarding against unwanted frizz.
Don’t underestimate conditioner
Ensuring proper hydration for your hair is crucial, and applying conditioner is a key step in achieving this. Neglecting to do so will result in the continual opening of the cuticle, allowing air to enter and lead to frizz. Opt for a conditioner that incorporates glycerin along with other highly moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil to nourish your hair and combat frizz effectively.
Skip shampoo once or twice a week
To provide your locks with the necessary care, consider replacing shampoo with conditioner every other day and rinsing it out. For those with fine hair, a lightweight conditioner is ideal, while individuals with thick hair can benefit from a conditioner formulated with richer ingredients. By swapping out shampoo every other day, it’ll allow your hair to nourish itself with natural oils.
Use a hair mask
Incorporate a moisturizing hair mask into your routine at least once a week. This will aid in filling the gaps present in your hair shaft, which tend to absorb external moisture and contribute to frizz formation. By using a moisturizing mask regularly, you can combat this issue and promote smoother, more manageable hair.
Air-dry 90% of the way before you blow-dry
When faced with dry winter conditions and reduced humidity in the air, it is advisable to allow your locks to air-dry approximately 90% of the way. Subsequently, use a hair dryer to complete the drying process. This method helps prevent excessive moisture loss and aids in maintaining optimal hair health during colder seasons.
Apply natural oils to upside-down hair
Try applying natural oils to your hair for enhanced moisture and humidity protection. To distribute the oils evenly, tilt your head upside down and run your hands through your hair. This technique ensures the oils are spread throughout, providing moisturizing benefits. Additionally, this method helps create a barrier against humidity and aids in the prevention of frizz.
Use dry oils
Consider applying a dry oil specifically to the tips to protect your hair from excess hydration while it is still damp. This dry oil acts as a barrier, preventing liquids from penetrating the hair strands. Once your hair is approximately 90% dry, use a round brush to achieve a smooth and polished finish. This technique helps in maintaining control over frizz.
Create a bun after it’s dry, or use a curling iron
To effectively manage frizz, begin by applying dry oil starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots of your hair. Proceed to dry your hair using your preferred method, and then consider styling it in a bun or using a curling iron to achieve loose waves. The application of heat during this process helps to control the frizz.
Use cream hydrator and diffuser to tame frizzy hair
Following your hair wash, apply a cream-based product evenly from the root to the tip while your locks are still damp. Begin by warming a small amount between your palms and fingers before gently pressing it onto your hair. To achieve your desired shape, carefully wrap your hair around your fingers, allowing the product to work its way through.
Always keep travel size products for a touch-up
It is important to carry travel-size hair products with you. Stylists recommend using a quick-drying, foaming lotion to provide sufficient moisture and hydration for thick or rough hair. For those with fine hair, applying a lightweight serum from the mid-shaft to the ends is advisable. By selecting the appropriate product for your hair type, you can maintain its health and appearance on the go.
Invest in a silk pillowcase
Surprisingly, the pillowcase you use can drastically affect how your hair looks the next day. Switch out your cotton pillowcase for one made of silk – it’ll help your hair retain more moisture. A silk pillowcase is also friction-free, the smooth material allowing your hair to glide over the cover without being snagged – resulting in less frizz.
Skip the hairspray
You may think that a quick spritz of hairspray will keep your hair in position, preventing it from becoming filled with frizz. However, the opposite is true. While it may help in the short term, hairspray will inevitably cause frizz in the long run, due to its alcohol components causing hair cuticles to swell. If you insist on using hairspray, do so sporadically.
Use a microfiber towel
Your towel can have a huge impact on your frizz levels. Your locks are most vulnerable when they’re wet, meaning your choice of towel can quite literally make or break your hair. To reduce frizz, opt for a soft microfibre towel, helping to reduce friction and breakages. Not only will your hair be less likely to break, but it’ll also dry faster.
Touch up with a mascara wand
It may sound strange, but touching up the ends of your curls with a mascara wand can help streamline any stray strands of hair into place. Just apply a small amount of dry oil to the end of your wand, and gently run it through any stubborn areas of frizz, giving your hair an added ssmoothness.
Keep your hands off your hair
If you have unwanted frizzy curls but are forever playing with your hair – stop immediately. Constantly toying with your hair, be it running your hands through it, curling a stray strand around your finger, or scratching, just creates more friction. This leads to – you guessed it – frizz. For smooth hair, keep your hands off your head!
Give your hair a cold water rinse
Sometimes, all your frizzy hair needs is a rinse with cold water. The chill temperatures will close hair cuticles, helping to reduce overall frizz levels. On the flip side, rinsing with water that’s too hot will strip your hair of all its natural moisture, actually increasing its frizziness. Be brave and take the icy plunge – your hair will thank you for it.
Use a wide-tooth comb
Ensure you’re using a comb that matches your hair type. If your hair is naturally thick and curly, use a wide-tooth comb while brushing your hair, particularly when it’s wet. The chunky width allows the comb to detangle your hair with less resistance, resulting in less damage and frizz, keeping your curls in shape!
Embrace your curls
In some cases, frizzy hair is just a fact of life. Endlessly applying different products and trying different techniques can actually damage your hair, leading to more frizz overall. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to embrace your natural waves, rocking a style that shows them off with pride.
Change your products
Your hair may not be at fault – it could simply be that you’re using products that aren’t a match for your hair type. Look for products that are tailored to reduce frizz, specifically those with oil-based nourishments. It may be worth popping in to see your stylist to discuss which products are best suited to your hair type.
Blow-dry in sections
If you hurriedly blow-dry your hair, chances are you’ll end up with flyaways, frizz and knots. Instead of rushing the process, section your hair with a brush, then use the concentrator nozzle on your hairdryer on each section, angling it downwards. This will remove all frizz from your hair and keep it looking silky smooth.
Use a heat protectant
Before blow-drying your hair, it’s important to apply a heat protectant. These protectors come in many forms, including sprays and oils, so find the one that suits you best. The product will apply a thin film over your hair, protecting it from the heat from your dryer that would otherwise turn your hair brittle.
Use a touch of mousse
If you find that your hair frizzes around your roots, mousse may be the solution. Apply a tiny little squirt of mousse in the palm of your hand, and mix it with water (for the best results, you want to aim for 90% water and 10% mousse). Smooth the concoction through your hairline, helping to flatten out any stray strands.
Don’t underestimate hair serum
Hair serums can be the answer to your prayers when it comes to frizzy hair, adding moisture and a shimmering shine to your locks. Make sure the hair serum you’re using doesn’t contain silicone, as this compound can damage your hair and lead to more frizz.
Try keratin treatments
Keratin treatments can remove frizz overnight, softening and elongating your hair without damaging it. Your hairstylist may be able to provide an in-salon smoothing treatment, but there are at-home remedies that you can try, too! Look for keratin products that contain moringa oil to tame your frizz once and for all.
Apply leave-in conditioner
To smooth your frizz, you want your hair to withhold as much moisture as possible. Applying a leave-in conditioner will ensure that your hair is constantly being fed moisture, along with a slew of other nourishing ingredients. Not only will it help to counter frizz, but it’ll also make your hair appear shinier, healthier, and softer.
Try anti-humidity formulas
Humidity is frizzy hair’s worst enemy. To help combat the frizz-inducing dampness, apply an anti-humidity formula to your locks. Unlike hairspray, anti-humidity formulas don’t lock your hair into place, but instead create a flexible film over each and every strand of your hair. This prevents unwanted humidity woes from causing frizziness.
Lightly mist your brush or comb
Before brushing your hair throughout the day, add a small little spritz of water to your brush. This will ensure that your hair is coated in a constant layer of moisture, helping to flatten down any puffy stray strands. Don’t overdo it – just a small little spray of water will suffice, giving you straight locks in no time flat.
Style your hair when it’s wet
The best time to style your hair is just after it’s been washed, while it’s still retaining water. It’ll prevent your hair from breaking or becoming damaged, while keeping it streamlined into the position that you want. Make sure you evenly apply all of your products for the best results.
If you’re desperate, use hand lotion
If you find yourself in a pinch with ridiculously puffy, frizzy hair, consider using hand lotion. Don’t apply the lotion directly on your hair, but instead rub it on your hands as you usually would. Once it’s been absorbed by your skin, run your fingers through your hair, helping to smooth out any imperfections.
It might not be your hair, but your environment
In some cases, your environment may be so severe that there’s nothing you can do about your frizziness. If your surroundings constantly offer up humid conditions, the only options you have are to accept your beautiful frizz, or to move. The former is likely to be more feasible.
Use a dryer sheet
Dryer sheets aren’t just reserved for removing the static from your clothes, they can also help to reduce frizz. Run a sheet over your hair, helping to flatten any stray strands that were caused by static. The sheet will help to sculpt everything into place, creating a sleeker look.
Brush your hair before bed
Going to bed with messy hair will result in waking up with even messier hair. Make sure you brush your hair each evening – ideally while it’s still wet – to untangle any knots before you hit the hay. Though you still may awaken to a small level of frizz, it’ll be much more manageable.
Detangle your hair with your fingers before straightening
Don’t attack your tangled hair with your straighteners, hoping that your equipment will do all of the work for you. Detangle your locks with a brush or your fingers before you straighten it. This will allow for more space between your strands, preventing a bunch-up of hair that leads to untameable frizz.
Look for conditioners with protein
Protein-infused conditioners can combat frizziness with ease, helping to smooth out your wild strands while adding an extra sense of shine. Frizz issues aside, these protein-based products can help strengthen your hair and provide protection from damage, making them beneficial in more ways than one.
Don’t over-straighten
Your first instinct when encountering frizz may be to constantly straighten your hair, trying to force it into place. However, this is counterintuitive. Constantly exposing your hair to high heat levels will only result in fried, frizzy, and frayed hair. Instead, use nourishing products to gently keep your hair in place.
Use a round brush as you blow dry
While blow-drying your hair, make sure you use a round brush, turning it in a repeated circular motion across your entire head. This will ensure that every layer of your hair gets attention, allowing more life to breathe between the strands whilst keeping cuticles nice and flat.
Look for alcohol-free products
Alcohol isn’t just bad for our health – it can also be bad for our hair. Products containing alcohol will instantly dry out your hair, creating prime conditions for full-on frizz. This may mean you need to make a switch to salon-quality products with a shorter shelf life, but your hair will thank you for the change.
Use children’s detangling spray
Just because the label says it’s for children, it doesn’t mean you can’t give it a whirl. Spray a small amount onto the palm of your hand, before applying it evenly through your locks. It’ll leave your hair feeling lighter, help to fight off the frizz, and keep it locked in place until you can find a more permanent method.
Get regular trims
Don’t underestimate the power of getting your hair regularly cut. Your hairdresser will be able to thin your hair out, chop off any fraying dead ends, and remove any stubborn tangles. Having your hair regularly looked after by a professional will naturally help to keep the frizz at bay.
Talk to your stylist
Ultimately, your stylist knows your hair better than anyone else. If you’ve tried every tip imaginable and you still can’t tame your frizz, pay your hairdresser a visit. They’ll know which products are best suited to your hair, while recommending a potential change in style to keep your locks looking luscious.