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Nikki Goddard
Stylist
Updated on January 10, 2023

Raise your hand if you are a victim of frizzy hair. If your hair is more frizz than fab, then we know it’s one of the most frustrating things in the world. One minute you have curly hair that bounces or straight hair that shines, and the next, frizziness takes over.

How to get rid of frizzy hair? Luckily, we’re here to answer the age-old question. See the tips you need to make frizzy hair smooth and enjoy glorious fuzz-free locks.

Different Types of Frizzy Hair

There are many factors contributing to frizz – dry or damaged hair, the environment around you (hello humidity), or a hair type that tends to be frizzy (read curly hair type here). These different types of frizzy hair require a different approach to treating it.

The most common type is a curly hair frizz that makes curls look fuzzy and lacking definition. Mind that if you do not consider your hair curly, but it’s constantly frizzy, you might want to test and see if this frizz is just a curl waiting to happen. After you reveal your actual hair type, delve into the Curly Girl Method and other styling routines that teach to nurture and style your curly hair the right way.

Dry Curly Hair With and Without Styling

Instagram / @type_ofbeautiful

However, frizz is not only the curly girls’ story, and we all have days where we need to fix frizzy hair. For example, you can deal with dry frizz – the type of frizziness that occurs when your hair is dry, damaged, and lacking in moisture.

Dry Frizzy Hair Restored to Norm

Instagram / @starstruck.manes

There is also an application frizz – this one happens when you over-apply products and touch your hair too often. In addition, frizz may appear in different areas of your hair:

  • Puffball frizz is frizz that occurs throughout your hair, giving it a poofball appearance;
  • Surface frizz is when the outside of your hair appears frizzy, while underneath the layers are frizz-free;
  • Frizzy ends happen when the frizz is concentrated at the ends of your hair strands;
  • Halo frizz appears on the top of your hair and feels like you are wearing a crown made of flyaway hair strands.
Functional Halo Frizz on Curly Hair

Instagram / @wavycurlysian

Top Tips to Tame Frizzy Hair

Even simple steps can make a significant change when it comes to frizz in your hair. Here are some useful tips that will help you make your frizzy hair smooth, whether you embrace your curls or wear hair straight.

1. Don’t Towel Dry

Drying your hair with a towel is one of the biggest contributors to frizziness. When you get out of the shower, it is so tempting to grab a towel and rub it all over your wet hair to dry it off. If you don’t want any frizzy hair in your mane, step away from the practice.

Rubbing hair with a towel creates tangles and friction. It makes hair cuticles stick up, which causes frizz, statics, and fly-aways. To reduce the chance of fluffy hair and frizz, press your hair gently with a microfiber towel or plop it in a cotton t-shirt to eliminate excess water.

Related Post: 5 Tips on How to Dry Hair Fast and Harm Free

2. Turn Down the Heat

By drying your hair with a dryer or styling it with straighteners, you are depriving it of moisture, and the lack of moisture is the first contributor to frizz. Thus, if your hair becomes frizzier, give it a break from the heat and let it dry naturally at least once in a while.

At the same time, listen to what your hair wants and needs. Sometimes, leaving your hair to air dry, you let it absorb excess moisture from the air. For example, this curly swears by using a diffuser right after dumping her hair for a refresh as the best way to avoid the frizzy finish. If your hair also gets frizzy when left to dry naturally, try Don’t Blow It from Bumble and Bumble. It is designed for frizz-free air drying and can make lots of difference.

Mind that heat comes not only from the hot tools. As gratifying as a long hot shower is, it is anything but beneficial for your hair. Hot water causes the hair cuticles to rise, making them frizzy. It is always best to wash your hair using cool or lukewarm water to avoid frizz.

3. Use a Nozzle or a Diffuser

Of course, there will be times when you do dry your hair with heat. Even if you want your hair to dry quickly, don’t just grab your hairdryer and blast your hair aimlessly. This is a big frizzy hair no-no, as blasting your hair all over with heat leads to flyaways and frizz!

If you want to dry your hair straight, use hairdryer with the nozzle, directing it downwards. This flattens the cuticle and smooths the hair, creating less fluff and more shine. When styling curly hair, use a diffuser or a diffuser attachment.

4. Invest in Keratin Treatment

If you do not feel like embracing the curls and want a longer-term solution to the frizzy hair problem, you can invest in salon-worthy keratin treatments. Keratin can last for several months and also has the added bonus of making hair soft and shiny.

5. Brush Hair the Right Way

It is tempting to “smooth” the unruly hair with a brush, but brushing frizzy hair when it’s dry will only make matters worse. More so, never ever brush dry curly hair. For the best TLC, comb your hair with a leave-in conditioner in it; this will add a protective layer and effectively tame the strands, making them less frizzy.

Using a wide-tooth wooden comb can help beat the frizz too. Unlike plastic or metal brushes that can lead to a frizzy finish, wooden combs detangle gently and keep statics away from your locks.

Related Post: 10 Best Combs and Brushes for Curly Hair Types to Buy in 2023

6. Use the Right Shampoo & Conditioner

Frizz-free hair starts with choosing the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. Opt for a duo that eliminates frizz at the roots and helps boost repair and shine.

Look for formulas that contain ingredients such as argan oil, elastin protein, glycerin, and ceramides. These help detangle hair and make it more manageable. We love the IGK Thirsty Girl Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner duo. Not only do they smell of summer holidays, but the hyaluronic acid locks in moisture and eliminates frizz.

7. Avoid Getting Frizz Overnight

Tossing and turning at night adds to your frizzy hair dilemma. It can also make your hair more tangled and damaged. Having the right sleep routine can be a frizzy hair lifesaver!

If you have curly hair prone to frizz, we recommend sleeping with your hair pulled up into a loose pineapple or piled up and wrapped in a silk scarf. For extra benefit, invest in a silk pillowcase or a silk wrap to protect your hair and keep it moisturized at night.

Updo and a Silk Wrap on Curly Hair

Instagram / @sophiemariecurly

8. Prepare a DIY Anti-Frizz Mask

Try a home remedy to get the frizz out of your hair. All you need is ¼ cup almond oil and a raw egg. Mix them and apply to your hair in sections. Target your scalp all the way to the ends of your hair.

Leave the treatment in for about 40 minutes and rinse and wash your hair as usual. The protein from the egg and oil repairs damage and smooths frizz.

Related Post: 8 DIY Hair Masks with Simple Ingredients for 2023

9. Hot Oil Massage

Oils nourish and moisturize your hair, penetrating the hair shafts and follicles. They smooth the cuticles and stop frizzy hair. There is a plethora to choose from, and each has its own unique properties. Popular choices include argan oil, coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil.

Warm the oil and massage it onto your scalp and through your hair for up to 15 minutes. Next, dip a towel in hot water and wrap it around your hair to create a warm environment. Leave it on for half an hour, then wash as normal.

Related Post: DIY Hot Oil Treatment for Healthy Hair

10. Embrace the Frizz

Every curly girl has a certain amount of frizz; instead of getting frustrated over failing your zero-frizz goals, set the beauty and health of your locks as the primary goal to follow. Nurture and moisturize your hair and treat it to a good haircut every two months to get rid of split ends that often look like frizz too.

On humid days, tame your locks in one of the splendid frizz hairstyles, where your frizzy hair will add up to the messy chic style, which is so trendy now.

Remember, if one method doesn’t fix frizzy hair, keep trying out the tips until you find the perfect way to achieve luscious frizz-free locks and enjoy your curly, wavy, and straight hair to the full!

Featured Image via Freepik

Dry Curly Hair With and Without Styling Dry Frizzy Hair Restored to Norm Functional Halo Frizz on Curly Hair Hair Blogger Showing What Drying Technique Causes More Frizz Keratin Treatment Before and After Updo and a Silk Wrap on Curly Hair Messy Hairstyle for Frizzy Hair