Regardless of hair type, almost everyone deals with frizz from time to time. For but for such a common complaint, learning how to get rid of frizzy hair is an individual process.
While hair care brands tend to paint frizz as the enemy, there’s also nothing wrong with embracing your flyaways. But when you prefer a sleeker look, or you’re dealing with frizz as a result of damage, there are plenty of ways to smooth it down and improve your hair health in the process. We asked professional hairstylists, Glamour editors, and friends with a variety of hair textures to share all their best tips for getting rid of frizz. Below, you’ll find…
- The basics on what causes frizzy hair, and how to combat it for your specific hair type
- Tried-and-tested methods and products for daily frizz maintenance from real women
First things first: What causes frizzy hair?
“Frizz is really a sign of dryness. So the key to reducing frizz always comes back to hydration and moisture balance,” Julissa Prado, CEO and founder of Rizos Curls, tells Glamour. To get even more technical: “Frizzy hair occurs when the hair cuticles lift, allowing moisture to enter and swell the strands unevenly,” Lia Hakim, professional hairstylist and founder of Hott Salons, says.
Which hair types experience the most frizz?
While anyone can deal with frizzy hair, it often appears more prominent on certain textures. Lots of people think that wavy, curly, and coily textures are naturally frizzier, but according to Prado, “Frizz is simply dryness and lack of moisture presenting in different ways.” For example, she says, lots of people with naturally wavy hair think that their hair type is straight-but-frizzy. “In reality, that ‘frizz’ is texture waiting to be defined,” she says. “Once you add the right kind of moisture, it can transform into beautiful, natural definition.”
How to get rid of frizzy hair
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. While adding more moisture to your routine is a fail-safe long-term strategy, sometimes you need to get creative when fighting frizz on the daily. Below, take sage advice straight from our editors, experts, and hair care enthusiasts.
1. Be choosy about your shampoo.
Eliminating frizz may feel like a finishing touch, but you can take action against it in every step of your hair care routine. That includes making sure that your shampoo isn’t stripping your hair of moisture. “Even if you don’t have curly hair, I actually recommend using shampoos and conditioners made for curly hair, because the only difference is that they are more moisturizing,” Prado says. Look out for sulfate-free formulas and hydrating ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and amino acids.
2. Invest in your hair tools.
If you want to tame frizzy hair, it’s probably time to invest in a gold-standard hair dryer to lay the foundation for the smoothest hair possible. (And yes, a good travel blow-dryer is worth it too). “Over the years I’ve realized professional hair dryers are like sports cars: crafted with high-velocity engines using top-of-the-line parts and performance-driven design and features,” says Glamour digital director Perrie Samotin.
