How to tame frizzy hair

How to tame frizzy hair

Dry, frizzy hair is a common struggle during the warmer months, especially for those with curly or wavy locks. Dryness and damage, using the wrong products, over-styling with heat, bleaching and dyeing and even brushing too harshly can all leave you with a poofy, frizzy mane.

Figuring out how to manage frizz can feel like a constant challenge – but we’ve got the solution.

Fighting frizz when you’re washing your hair

Watch how often you’re shampooing your hair

Shampooing too often can strip your hair of its natural oils. For dry hair, shampooing twice a week is usually enough. On the other days, stick to just conditioning.

Deep condition to smooth your hair’s cuticle

Let a frizz-fighting conditioner sit on your hair for 3-5 minutes to help seal the cuticle and ward off frizz.

Use a weekly hair mask

Treat your hair to a deep-conditioning mask once a week to hydrate your strands, and repair damage.

Use cool water to rinse out conditioners and treatments

Hot water can strip your scalp and hair of the natural oils that keep it moisturised and shiny, leading to more frizz. When you’re rinsing your hair, turn down the temperature slightly to ensure your hair’s cuticle stays flat and smooth.

Styling tips for frizzy hair

Limit heat styling

Heated styling tools like straighteners and curling wands can burn your hair’s cuticle, leading to frizz. If you must use them, turn the temperature down to avoid damage. Always apply a heat-protectant leave-in conditioner to shield your hair from the heat.

Use a diffuser when blow-drying

Air-drying your hair until it’s about 90% dry before blow-drying can reduce heat exposure. When blow-drying, use a diffuser attachment to distribute heat more gently and limit direct contact.

Be gentle when brushing

Never roughly brush dry, frizzy hair – instead, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle when it’s wet. When blow-drying, a round natural boar bristle brush can help smooth the cuticle and distribute oils from your scalp down the length of your hair.

Use a smoothing anti-frizz crème

To deal with pesky flyaways, smooth a dab of John Frieda’s Secret Agent Touch-Up Crème to minimise the appearance of frizz and smooth flyaways on the go. This frizz-fighting superhero seals in moisture to instantly quench dry, frizzy hair, for a perfectly smooth and shiny finish, with a silky touch.

Everyday solutions to help fight frizz

Get regular trims

Split ends can make frizz worse by traveling up the hair shaft, leading to breakage and damage. Regular trims are essential for stopping breakage and preventing frizz from spreading.

Avoid using rough towels after washing

Use a soft cotton t-shirt or microfibre towel to gently squeeze moisture out of your hair after washing. Regular towels can be too rough, causing friction that leads to frizz.

Switch to silk or satin sheets

Cotton pillowcases create friction that can rough up your hair cuticle overnight, leaving you with a tangled, frizzy mess in the morning. Silk or satin pillowcases are gentler, reducing friction and frizz.

Gently secure your hair at night

To minimize friction while you sleep, loosely tie your hair in a braid or bun before bed. You could also use a silk sleeping bonnet to protect your strands overnight.

Try to avoid touching your hair during the day

When frizz starts appearing, it’s tempting to try and smooth your hair down by hand. However, running your fingers through your hair can disrupt the cuticle and create more frizz. Try to keep your hands off your hair to maintain a smoother look.

Protect your hair during workouts

Sweat can actually dry out your hair due to its salt and protein content. Before exercising, gently tie your hair back to avoid sweat running into your hair and creating frizz.