Last Updated on August 25, 2022 by Verna Meachum

Do you have frizzy curly hair? You are not alone!

Frizz is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to be a big deal because it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some people like it and embrace it, while others want to get rid of it.

It’s all about personal choice and preferred style, but if you’re looking for answers on how to reduce and prevent frizz, this blog is for you.

We know how frustrating it is when your hair won’t cooperate and do what you want it to do. There are ways to manage frizzy curly hair that will help you get the hair you want without killing your curls in the process.

Many struggle to manage their locks and end up spending a lot of time and money on products that don’t work.

But there is hope! 

You don’t need another product or service promising results they can’t deliver on – we’ll show you how to take control of your tresses so that they work with you instead of against you.

What is Frizz?

Technically, hair frizz is a physical state of hair where the hair looks misaligned and small fibers project away from the main body of hair; they look “spiky” spread all over the scalp area, also known as “flyaways” (the little hairs that stick out perpendicular to the hair shaft).

“The three main causes of frizz are genetics, damage, and humidity.”

Cosmetic Chemist Randy Schueller

Keep in mind that variations in hair texture may influence the appearance of frizz. It is also worth noting that all hair types experience frizz.

What Causes Frizz?

Frizz occurs when the hydrogen bonds that hold the protein structure of hair are broken, and the cuticles lift up.

“In a humid environment, moisture penetrates the hair shaft and is absorbed into the cortex causing the proteins there to swell. Different kinds of proteins absorb moisture and swell differently, causing the hair shaft to twist and bend in an irregular pattern. To this, Schueller recommends using conditioners and styling products that contain dimethicone, which repels.”

Cosmetic Chemist Randy Schueller

You can solve many problems that you’re having with your hair by addressing (correcting or eliminating) the potential root cause, as opposed to only addressing the symptoms.

So before you head to the store to buy products to combat the frizz, you must first determine what is causing it.

Frizz is caused by a variety of factors, such as:

1. High humidity levels (humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air)
2. Genetics
3. Change in season or weather conditions
4. Dryness and damage to hair from heat styling tools like curling irons and flat irons. The more damaged your strands are, the frizzier they will be.
5. Too much humectants
6. Using products that are not sulfate-free
7. Product build-up of polymers, cationics, and silicone, or using too much product at once
8. Not hydrating your hair enough with conditioner
9. Over-washing your hair
10. Excessive sun exposure
11. Sweat, which contains a small amount of salt will pull moisture from your hair if you allow it to sit in your curls for too long after a workout, resulting in dehydration and frizz.
12. Frequent use of protein treatments
13. Harsh chemicals resulting in protein loss and hair’s mechanical strength (i.e. bleach, hair dyes)
14. Drying ingredients like alcohol
15. Swimming in chlorinated pools can also lead to frizz because of damage to the cuticle.
16. Hard water
17. Split ends
18. Not using a hair cuticle sealing product
19. The way you take care of your hair may also cause frizzy curls; such habits include: skipping conditioner, which leads to dryness, rubbing your hair dry with a cotton towel, hand in hair syndrome, using the wrong styling tools (which can cause friction and roughen up the cuticles), brushing curls wehn dry, and cotton pillowcases
20. Underlying health issues might alter the texture, density, and manner in which your hair behaves.
21. Dehydration – Your hair, much like your skin, benefits from internal moisturization, so make sure to drink lots of water
22. Hormonal fluctuations
23. Age

How Can I Prevent Frizzy Curly Hair?

There is no such thing as a one-and-done remedy for frizzy hair. The most you can do is use products that can assist with the prevention or reduction of frizz.

Since everyone’s hair and lifestyle are different, you need to figure out what works best for you. As I always say, let your hair be your guide.

There are some things that you can do to minimize frizz and keep your curls looking their best:

• Try using a conditioning mask (or deep conditioner) to keep your hair strengthened and moisturized.
• Use a leave-in conditioner after you wash your hair. A leave-in conditioner helps reduce frizz by sealing in the moisture.
• When possible try letting your hair air dry instead of blow-drying it; this will help reduce the appearance of frizz.
• Try sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase to prevent frizz while you sleep. When you sleep on a cotton pillowcase, the fabric rubs against your hair, causing friction. Friction can cause frizz and breakage. Cotton pillowcases are prone to absorb the oils from your hair, leaving them dried, brittle, and vulnerable to breakage.
• Use a hydrating shampoo, conditioner, or co-wash that works for your specific curl type to help add moisture to your hair.
• Make sure your products are free of harsh sulfates because these ingredients tend to fade color treatments which can leave your hair dry and frizzy. Look for shampoos and conditioners that contain gentle cleansing agents such as cocamidopropyl betaine or decyl glucoside. If you have color-treated hair, make sure to use a shampoo and conditioner that are designed for color-treated hair.
• Use a clarifying shampoo, use it once a month (or as needed) to remove product build-up and residue from your hair. This will help products to work better and give you the best results.
• Avoid using products with drying alcohol, as these can cause your hair to become dehydrated and increase the likelihood of frizz. Examples of drying alcohol are ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and SD alcohol.
• If you ever use a heat styling tool, use a heat protectant on your hair to protect it from damage. Try the Kenra Platinum Hot Spray.
• Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel after you shower; instead, blot it dry with a microfiber towel or let it air dry.
• Invest in good hair styling tools. Replace worn-out tools. A good hairdryer can make a big difference in the quality of your style. Choose a brush that works best for your curl type.
• If what you’re currently doing isn’t working, be open to trying something new. Keep an open mind about anything from a new product, tool, or styling technique. With curly hair, it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you!
• If you’ve tried everything and still not getting results, reach out to a professional curly hairstylist for help.

How Can I Reduce Frizz in Humid Environments?

For hair, humidity is the sworn enemy. Humidity and curly hair aren’t a good combination, but there are a few things you can do to help reduce the frizz.

– Use frizz-fighting products to reduce frizz and protect hair from humidity.

– Apply frizz-fighting serum or oil before you style your hair, making sure that the product is applied only on the bottom half of your strands so it doesn’t weigh down already fine curls.

– Use a gel or hair spray.

– Use a product with dimethicone (yes, silicone) on your hair for its smoothing benefits and its ability to seal in moisture; however, if you use too much it may weigh your hair down.

We understand that silicones have gotten a bad name over the years because of the curly girl method but to each his or her own.

Avoid silicones if: 

– You do not wash your hair with any sort of shampoo. Silicones don’t rinse off, they accumulate and you’ll end up with heavy, limp hair.

– You have very fine or thin hair that tends to get weighed down easily.

– You don’t like the way they make your hair look and feel.

According to Wendy with the Science-y Hair Blog

What Are The Best Products For Frizzy Curly Hair?

Hair porosity, the quantity of sebum produced, and curl pattern are just a few examples of variables that determine whether or not a product or treatment is suitable for one person versus another.

There are many products on the market that help to reduce frizz, but it can be tough to find the right one for your hair type.

Here are 25 favorite frizzy curly hair products:

Bouncecurl Hair Spray: This truly and genuinely works great in humid environments! Just spritz a little bit on your curls before going out. It’s amazing! (Discount code for all of my readers to save $ is ‘muse’)

Bouncecurl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner: The moisture balance and protective effects of this leave-in is great to use for every wash day. You can use it as a primer beneath any hair products or just as a leave-in conditioner. (Discount code for all of my readers to save $ is ‘muse’)

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream: This is a heat-protecting, lightweight cream that reduces frizz, smoothes hair, improves shine, and protects it against heat up to 450 degrees F!

Bumble & Bumble Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo: This cleanser is made for dry, brittle hair and uses a strong combination of six hydrating oils to cleanse and condition your scalp.

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Multi-Styling Milk: It delivers less breakage and stronger hair. It just what you need to moisturize and protect your hair.

Christophe Robin Anti-Frizz Rescue Milk With Shea Butter: This formula is enriched with shea butter, vitamins, omega 3 and 6. It contains moringa, which protects against pollution, color oxidation, and heat up to 440°F (230°).

Color Wow Supernatural Spray: This is a multi-award-winning anti-frizz spray that keeps hair frizz-free for days.

DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam: This light foam helps to add volume and reduce frizz.

FEKKAI Brilliant Gloss Shampoo: This is a hydrating shampoo and it’s a vegan and gluten-free formula. It is a nutrient-rich formula that revives and nourishes dry tresses, while eliminating frizz.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum: This serum is formulated with a unique blend of silicones that help protect dehydrated strands against the onset of frizz. Obviously, if you don’t use silicones, then this is not for you.

Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer: This dry conditioning spray will help those unruly hairs that refuse to lay down or form.

It’s a Ten Miracle Leave-In Product: This leave-in conditioner helps to moisturize and seal in moisture while protecting hair from heat.

It’s a Ten Miracle Curl Defining Creme: This creme is designed for frizzy curly hair because it has been shown to reduce the appearance of frizz by 80%!

Moroccan Oil Treatment: A little goes a long way with this product! It helps to tame frizz while providing shine and conditioning.

NaturAll Avocado Curl Custard: It is a medium hold curl-defining styler and also acts a medium-hold gel. No sulfates, parabens, silicones, dyes, phthalates, or animal testing.

Oribe Foundation Mist: This product has “anti-static properties” that keep your hair from becoming staticky when you blow-dry it.

OUIDAD Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Stronger Hold Gel: If you need a good strong gel to fight against humidity, then this is it. This recipe is perfect for extremely humid days or for curls that need more structure.

Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment: This product is amazing for strengthening and protecting hair from heat. Love this one!

Righteous Roots Oils: This oil is the hair’s bees-knees. You may use it in a variety of ways, such as a hot oil treatment or to simply scrunch out the crunch.

SheaMoisture Curl Mousse for Frizz Control Coconut and Hibiscus with Shea Butter: This is a moisture-rich mousse that enhances natural curl memory and lots of definition. The neem oil controls frizz while adding shine to your curls.

SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Hair Mask For Dry, Damaged Hair Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil: This deep conditioning hair treatment delivers a powerful dose of moisture to your locks while also strengthening follicles and producing frizz-free curls.

Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Extreme Curl Mousse: This mousse softens and smoothes the cuticle and conditions and protects the hair from thermal damage.

Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum: This is more than just an anti-frizz serum. The keratin and marula oil help fight frizz, detangle knots, and tame flyaways.

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner: These products are designed to help tame frizzy hair while smoothing the cuticle.

Virtue Polish Un-Frizz Cream: This keeps the humidity at bay, allowing you to minimize as much frizz as feasible throughout the day.

What are some tips for styling curly frizzy hair?

• Start with clean, wet hair.

• Apply styling cream or mousse while hair is still damp to help define curls, reduce frizz and add some shine, making sure to scrunch the product into the curls.

• Let your hair air dry if you have time, or use a low heat setting on your blow dryer with a diffuser to dry your curls – this will help them retain their shape.

• If you don’t want to use too much product but need more hold, try spraying an anti-humidity spray into your palms and then running your hands through your hair.

• Use a heat protectant when you use any type of heating tool on your hair.

Conclusion

Frizzy curly hair can be a challenge, but with the right products and tips, it’s definitely manageable. We hope you’ve found these suggestions helpful in reducing frizz and styling your curls.

Be sure to experiment with different methods and products to find what works best for you. And don’t forget, a little bit of frizz can actually be cute!

Thanks for reading!

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