Frizzy hair isn’t a bad thing. But for times when you want a sleeker and smoother appearance, it can be a hurdle to overcome. This is especially true in the warmer and more humid months, where you feel like you’ve lost complete control of the strands on your head. But not all hope is lost. There are a few ways to fight off frizz and get you the sleek and smooth hair of your dreams. To figure out exactly how to do this, we turned to the experts. We learned how to prevent frizz, what products to use, and frizz-proof hairstyles to try. See their sage hair advice below.
What Is Frizz?
According to celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway, frizz is what happens when there are hair strands that separate from the rest, standing up or curling upward to create a fuzzy appearance.
This happens for many reasons (more on that later) and is more prevalent in certain hair types. Redways explains that those with naturally curly or wavy hair generally appear frizzier because this hair type has more curvature when it absorbs moisture from the air and will cause the cuticle layer of the hair to lift.
What Causes Frizz?
Frizz is mostly caused because your hair is lacking in moisture, says Redway. When the weather is humid, for example, she explains that hair swells and allows humidity to enter the cuticle and rearrange hair bonds, giving you that frizzy look. Other things that can cause hair to dry out, says celebrity hairstylist and House of Frieda ambassador Laura Polko, are heat damage from excessive use of hot tools or general damage from over-processing hair.
While some haircuts may help in reducing frizz (Redway points to a short buzz cut as an example), there is no need to get too caught up on how short to chop off your hair for smoother strands. As mentioned previously, certain hair textures are just more prone than others to getting frizz. “Your hair type will affect the way frizz shows in your hair more than a haircut will,” says Redway.
How to Prevent Frizz
Experts agree that the best way to treat frizz is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are a couple of ways to do that, including the following:
Start in the Shower
Perfecting your in-shower routine is the first step in eliminating frizz for good, and celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble says purchasing a mild shampoo with a low pH is the place to start. “Be sure that your shampoo also has the words ‘moisturizing’ and ‘gentle’ on it—you don’t want a product that has too much alcohol in it because that creates dryness.”
Both Polko and Redway say that products should lock in moisture. You’ll want to use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners when you give your hair a good cleanse so that the cuticle won’t break or dry, which will cause frizziness to happen.
Towel Off
“To reduce frizz, always pat the hair dry after a shower instead of rough-drying it with a towel,” says celebrity hairstylist Rena Calhoun. “This will keep the cuticle smooth and reduce frizz.” If you have moisture-retentive hair, opt for a microfiber towel, which removes excess water from the hair without the harsher effects of a traditional bath towel.
Lock + Load
“Life happens fast when the shower turns off, but celebrity hairstylist Giannandrea Marongiu says to get your hair care out of the way before you take on the day. “Apply a hair oil or serum when your hair is still damp,” he suggests. “This will allow you to control your hair’s hydration level from the start.
Cool it with the Hot Tools
“Less heat is more,” says Polko. “The more heat damage you cause, the more frizz you will have, so air drying and diffusing is best on curls.” Hairstylist Chris Jones prefers to dry hair naturally with a light lift and scrunch here and there. But, if you’re in a pinch, he recommends “diffusing the hair until it’s 50-percent dry, then letting it finish drying on its own.” If you’re using a blow dryer, “direct the airflow toward the ends to keep the cuticle flat and smooth,” he adds.
Don’t Touch Hair
Just because it’s recommended that you stay away from excessively using hot tools, doesn’t mean you want to overcompensate by doing too much with products. “The more you touch and play [with your hair], the more it will cause frizz during the dying process,” says Polko. Redway recommends looking for one styling product that will seal the hair cuticle to reduce damage and lock in moisture while your hair air dries.
Sleep on Silk
Redways says that a silk pillowcase will help prevent frizz and keep hair from drying out while you sleep. When you toss and turn during the night, it may cause friction and breakage on your strands and leave you with drier hair. Silk will be much more gentle and help keep hair moisturized.
Water Wick
“The beach may be your pal in the summer, but if you’re rocking a sleek ‘do, celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque advises staying far away from humid environments. “Moisture is what causes frizz. If you’re trying to create a hairstyle that you weren’t born with, it will only last as long as your strands stay perfectly dry.”
How to Style Frizzy Hair
First, you’ll want to use the right products to style your hair. Polko says to use something that helps lock in moisture, such as the John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch Up Creme ($9). “It’s the one that truly works on dry hair to smooth and tame,” she says. Redway agrees and says to use something like the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Weightless Perfecting Leave-in Lotion ($7) right after you shower to help repair any visible sign of breakage, seal split ends, and reduce the appearance of frizz. Read our comprehensive guide on the best frizz-fighting products here.)
From there, there are certain hairstyles that will help smooth out strands or make you look less frizzy. Redway says any sleek hairstyle, from ponytails to pin-straight long hair, will always appear less frizzy. For naturally curly or coily hair, she says opting for protective styles will automatically reduce the appearance of any frizz, and for short hairstyles, she says a buzz cut or a low haircut can give the appearance of less frizz for all hair types.
