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11 Frizzy Hair Tips, Recommended By Professional Stylists

Flyaways, be gone.

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Wondering how to keep your hair from getting frizzy? Here are ways to smooth hair and stop humidity ...
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Frizzy hair is beautiful, but there are times when you just want to go for a smoother style. That’s when you’ll need to figure out the best hacks and tips to deal with all that frizz. But before getting to expert-recommended frizzy hair hacks, it helps to understand how frizz happens in the first place.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

According to Alyssia Dotson, creative team lead stylist at Alterna Haircare, the most common cause of frizz is humidity or moisture in the environment; the more moisture there is in the air, the more your hair cuticle opens up, soaks in the extra moisture in the air, and swells. She lists using hot tools on high heat settings and coloring hair too often as other style saboteurs.

You can also just be more prone to frizz based on your hair type. Dotson explains that if you have thicker or naturally curly hair, your strands’ cuticle layers are more open, and more susceptible to drying out. Adir Abergel, celebrity hairstylist and creative director of Virtue Labs, agrees that those with curly hair are more prone to frizz, but adds that frizz can happen to any texture. It’s more about the amount of damage present in hair, Abergel says.

Luckily, there are ways to help your ‘do hold up in humid weather. Here are 11 expert-backed tips to getting super smooth hair.

1

Stop Running Your Finds Through Your Strands

Yes, it feels great to run your fingers through a fresh blowout — but doing so does more harm than good. “Running your fingers through your hair constantly or touching excessively will lead to your cuticle becoming more disturbed and create frizz you don’t want,” says Dotson. So try to limit the amount you touch your hair as much as you can. It will pay off in the long run.

One reviewer wrote: “I usually get headaches when I wear hats or beanies when wearing them for a few hours. I was worried that would be the case with these and would have to return them. But no headache! When I’m running late for work I pop one on and look more put together than having my usual frizz in the front. If you’re looking for something to accessorize with easily I recommend!”

2

Air-Dry Whenever Possible

Dotson recommends air drying more often than using your hairdryer, especially for those with naturally curly or coily hair. She explains that this will limit the amount of heat damage your hair gets and result in less frizz overall.

One reviewer wrote: “I have very frizzy hair with curls. So far, this is the best product I’ve found to help tame the frizz without being overly heavy. I would recommend trying it if you have problems with frizz but don’t want a heavy product that weighs your hair down.”

3

Protect Your Hair Overnight

When you sleep with your hair down, friction between your hair and pillowcase can cause frizz (especially if you tend to toss and turn in your sleep). Dotson recommends putting your hair in a loose bun or braid to limit the amount of friction happening while you catch some Z’s.

One reviewer wrote: “I've had these pillowcases for a while now and have washed them many times. They are holding up very well and helpful to reduce hair frizz while sleeping.”

4

Keep Your Hair Hydrated

The best way to keep frizz at bay is through hydration. “Since frizz is manifested as a result of your hair lacking moisture, ensuring your hair is hydrated is a foolproof way to smooth out frizz,” says Dotson. She recommends using something like the Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Masque. It not only delivers moisture to hair, it also seals it, provides protection, and is suitable for all hair types.

One reviewer wrote: “Truly love this product, It makes my hair soft silky and smooth.”

5

Dry Hair With A Paper Towel

Yes, you read that correctly. Abergel recommends using a paper towel to dry your hair instead of a cotton towel to keep moisture in while drying hair.

One reviewer wrote: “I'm so happy that I discovered bamboo paper towels. I'm so glad that I chose Eco Lifestyle as the first brand that I would try. I don't feel like I need to try another brand. They are super absorbent. They are washable and reusable.”

6

Swap Out Your Cotton Towel

Dotson adds that cotton towels have rough textures that will disturb the hair cuticle and cause excess friction. For that reason, she recommends avoiding them. Opt for something like the DevaCurl’s towel, which is super soft and absorbs just enough water so that your hair stays hydrated and easy to style.

One reviewer wrote: “Bought this towel because I am trying to get the curls to come back to my hair. It is a thick microfiber towel. Plenty big enough for a flop or to just scrunch the water out. It leaves my hair slightly damp by wicking the moisture away, but doesn't dry out (damage) the hair. Say goodbye to frizz.”

7

Use A Dry Shampoo

Sweat is another sneaky frizzy hair culprit to watch out for, especially if you tend to overheat. Dotson explains that the salt in sweat causes hair to dry out faster, which then leads to frizz. She recommends protecting your hair by tying it up or using dry shampoo as a preventative measure before a workout session.

One reviewer wrote: “Most of the dry shampoos are aerosol and tend to be thick and greasy. I squirt a few puffs of this powder into my hair, and it looks as good as new and feels fresh and clean! Very light!”

8

Grab Some Hair Oil

“To smooth out hair, I’m looking for products that lock in moisture and keep humidity away,” says Abergel. “I love to cocktail Virtue’s Un-Frizz Cream with the Healing Oil before blow-drying. Once styled, I seal the look in by adding more Healing Oil. These products contain clean ingredients that eliminate frizz and block out humidity to keep hair sleek and shiny.”

One reviewer wrote: “I have been looking for a product that will give my hair a shiny look without weighing it down! Virtue Healing Oil does that and so much more! Highly recommend this product!”

9

Opt For A Boar Bristle Brush

The type of hairbrush you use makes a difference. Dotson recommends using a boar bristle brush to smooth the hair cuticle and help ensure that your hair’s natural oils travel all the way from the scalp to the ends for optimal hydration.

One reviewer wrote: “This brush completely changed our hair routine! No tears, no frizz, no tangles! My stylist recommended this brush for my granddaughter's hair and I'm in love with it!”

10

Avoid Drying Ingredients

“When working to smooth out hair, you want to avoid products that overly dry out your hair,” says Abergel. “For starters, most shampoos contain high amounts of sodium laurel sulfate, which is an effective cleanser but so drying. You also want your moisturizing and hydrating ingredients to be clean and pure to maximize efficiency, so avoid waxes or overly complicated ingredients. Another note is that all products on the market obtain their keratin from animal byproducts, keratin is a major player when it comes to eliminating frizz and healing your hair.”

One reviewer wrote: “I love this product! It smells amazing! I prefer it to all of the other fragrances. I have to get it on Amazon because it is never on the shelf at my CVS, Walgreens or other retailers. It's the aroma that has gotten me hooked. And my hair feels great, nice oils to help with tangles and frizz.”

11

Turn Down The Heat On Your Hot Tools

This is a good rule to have in general for overall hair health, but for frizzy-prone hair in particular Dotson says you’ll want to avoid heat tools as much as possible to avoid burning the cuticle layer. (As mentioned before, she recommends that those with curly hair should definitely limit the use of a hairdryer.) If you must use a flat iron, she recommends using a low heat setting. Something around 325-350 degrees won’t be as damaging as higher temps. “Trust me, your hair will thank you,” she says.

One reviewer wrote: “I love this flat iron, it is super easy to use and works really great! I love how it literally takes like 30 seconds to heat up and how it is anti frizz!”

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