How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair, According to Expert Miriam Quevedo
Frizzy hair and hot weather go hand in hand, but truth be told, it doesn't have to be the dead of summer, nor does humidity need to be at an all-time high to experience out-of-control frizz and hair that seems to have a mind of its own. The reason for frizzy hair extends beyond just the weather. When hair is dry and damaged, it's less likely to lie flat and smooth, resulting in a frizzy appearance. But just because your hair tends to frizz doesn't mean you have to live with it. Knowing how to tame frizzy hair without causing unnecessary damage, as well as the right products to use, will put you closer to flaunting smooth-as-silk strands that look shiny for days on end.
Meet the Expert:
Miriam Quevedo - Founder and creator of hair and skin care brand miriam quevedo
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
Frizzy hair may be the bane of your existence, but it doesn't have to be. This common occurrence is caused by a myriad of factors—some of which are harder to control than others. The core of frizzy hair is strands that do not lie flat and face different directions, making the hair appear frizzy and disordered. The more damage there is, the more likely the hair is to frizz. That’s because damaged and dry hair often lacks the protective outer cuticle, resulting in a rougher texture rather than a smooth one.
Hair care expert Miriam Quevedo says that frizz is also a sign of aging hair. “It’s what I like to call “a wrinkle in the hair.” Triggered by the climate, chemical processes, hard water, and the use of inappropriate products, Quevedo explains that frizz is also tied to a lack of hydration and the level of hair porosity. “Free radicals attack the hair's natural protective layer, increasing friction, and making it difficult to manage.”
Beyond damage and a lack of hydration in the hair, several other factors contribute to the hair becoming frizzy. Some of the more common reasons include:
Hot water: Washing the hair with hot water can strip away the hair's natural oils, causing the cuticle to swell and frizz to ensue. Overwashing. Overwashing the hair can cause the protective layer of the hair's cuticle to lift away, leading to damage. Once this layer becomes absent, the hair is more susceptible to drawing in moisture and humidity, leading to frizzy hair. Heat and chemicals: Heat-based styling and chemicals in hair coloring and straightening treatments can break the bonds in the hair, causing the cuticle to swell, which in turn leads to more frizz. Quevedo explains that using heat-based tools can induce dehydration and lead to scalp sensitivity. "These tools don't just affect the hair fiber. They penetrate the cuticle, reaching the scalp and follicles, which weakens them. Since hair, scalp, and follicles are interconnected, what affects one often affects the others." Friction: The friction created by brushing, towel drying, pulling sweaters over the head, and even tossing and turning while you sleep can lift the hair cuticle, leading to breakage and excess frizz. Humidity: The weather is a common culprit of frizzy hair. Excess moisture in the air creates humidity, which causes the hair to swell and frizz. Sulfates. Certain ingredients in hair care products, such as sulfates, can strip away the hair's natural oils, leading to dryness and, consequently, frizz.
Key Ingredients in Anti-Frizz Products
Using the right hair care products with the proper ingredients is an easy way to fight frizz and achieve a sleek, smooth style. comes down to using hair care products with the right ingredients. Look for products that contain moisturizing and hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, argan and coconut oils, panthenol, glycerin, and jojoba oil. Also consider products that include keratin and silk proteins, which help smooth out frizz while strengthening the hair. "Marine collagen and keratin peptides help to condition and protect the hair, too, working to fight unnecessary frizz," Quevedo adds.
$80.00
$80.00
How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair
1. Use an anti-frizz serum
Lightweight hair products, such as serums, that combat unwanted frizz help to smooth the cuticle, allowing it to lie flat. Many frizz-reducing serums also help to cut down on friction so that the hair isn’t ruffled up.
2. Add back lost moisture
Quevedo emphasizes the importance of hydration when preventing frizz and protecting the hair and scalp. “Make sure to stay hydrated, keep the hair well-moisturized, and eat a balanced diet,” she adds.
3. Blot the hair dry
Since rubbing the hair with a towel can cause friction and lead to frizz, Quevedo recommends blotting the hair to remove excess water or using a turban to help dry the hair. “Excess friction also increases static, so always be gentle with the hair.”
4. Rinse with cold water
The final step in your hair washing routine should be a cold-water rinse, which helps seal the cuticles so that they lie flat, thereby reducing the risk of frizz.
Best Anti-Frizz Hair Products
Miriam Quevedo Black Baccara with Fresh Rose Stem Cells Hair Multiplying Shampoo
$60.00
Keep your hair as healthy as possible while encouraging a normalized hair cycle with this ultra-luxe vegan shampoo that doubles as a restorative hair treatment. Infused with ingredients that help repair and create new bonds in the hair to reverse damage caused by heat, environmental factors, and chemicals, this delectably scented shampoo leaves hair thicker, stronger, healthier, and more resistant to succumbing to frizz with each wash.
Key Ingredients: Black Baccara rose youth concentrate, rose stem cells, hair growth factors, multi-bond filler, vegan keratin, vitamins A, B2, B5, B8, C, E, H, and PP, L-arginine, thermal spring water, coconut oil, apple extract, moringa peptide
Hair Type: Thin and brittle hair
Hair Benefit(s): Restores hair health, boosts growth while repairing damage, gently cleanses the hair, ensures proper function of the hair follicle, strengthens the hair’s internal structure, adds shine and conditions, protects against free radicals, improves microcirculation, regulates sebum production, minimizes color loss, prevents cuticle desquamation
Beauty Insider Tip: In addition to improving hair health and mitigating frizz, this warm, fruity, floral-scented shampoo provides a sophisticated fragrance that lingers on the hair.
Morroccanoil Frizz Shield Spray
$32.00
Send unwanted frizz packing with this weightless styling mist, which promises a glass-like finish and leaves no stickiness behind. The heat-activated spray creates a protective layer of defense on the hair, preventing frizz while also shielding it from heat-induced damage. Think only good hair days that last with this must-have.
Key Ingredients: Hydroresist technology, Argan oil, jackfruit extract, amaranth peptides
Hair Type: All
Hair Benefit(s): Makes styling easier, provides a defensive shield against frizz, static, and flyaways, helps protect against thermal damage, leaves hair looking and feeling soft, smooth, and silky, allows hair to hold its style
Beauty Insider Tip: The water-like spray can be applied to the roots and ends and won’t weigh down the hair or leave it looking oily or greasy.
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream
$54.00
This leave-in conditioning cream does so much more than the average one. Not only does it provide a dose of much-needed moisture to satiate dry, thirsty hair, but it also calms out-of-control frizz while imparting a shiny finish. The result: easy-to-manage hair that’s super soft and always gorgeous.
Key Ingredients: Watermelon, lychee, and elderflower extracts, vegetable-derived protein, ginger root extract, moringa seed extract, soy protein biopolymer
Hair Type: Medium-to-thick hair
Hair Benefit(s): Conditions with heat protection, sleekens split ends, tames frizz, evens out moisture level in hair
Beauty Insider Tip: Tame mid-day frizz by applying a small amount of the cream to strays as needed.
Virtue Frizz Block Smoothing Spray
$46.00
If nothing seems to tame frizz, then this strand-smoothing spray deserves a place in your hair routine. It creates a veil of anti-humidity for frizz-free locks lasting up to 72 hours. Plus, the alcohol-free mist fills and seals cuticle cracks without leaving the hair feeling dried out or weighed down with product buildup.
Key Ingredients: Lipopeptides, rice protein, Tara tree fruit extract, sunflower sprouts, chia seed, green leaf extract
Hair Type: All
Hair Benefit(s): Immediately reduces frizz, leaves hair smooth and shiny
Beauty Insider Tip: This frizz reducer is a summer hair must-have since it never leaves the hair looking flat or lacking volume.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème
$26.00
For the smoothest blowout imaginable, layer on a dollop of this silicone-free styling cream and watch your hair transform into ribbons of shiny, frizz-free strands. Perfect for all hair types, the rich cream dries down to a soft finish, leaving the hair more resistant to frizz.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip, argan, coconut oils, vitamin E
Hair Type: All
Hair Benefit(s): Decreases frizz for up to 48 hours, seals in the hair cuticle, prevents damage, locks in hydration, allows blowouts to last longer
Beauty Insider Tip: To ensure frizz-free hair, apply a dime-sized amount to damp hair, from roots to ends, and style as usual.
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Smoothing Anti-Frizz Multi-Styling Air Dry Balm
$32.00
Embrace your hair’s natural texture and waves while minimizing frizz with this styling balm. Perfect for those who prefer to air-dry their hair but worry about frizz, this control cream adds a touch of shine, controlled definition, and light hold.
Key Ingredients: Caviar extract, antioxidants, omega-3s, protein, minerals
Hair Type: All
Hair Benefit(s): Adds natural-looking shine to the hair, reduces air-drying time, creates frizz-controlled definition with hold
Beauty Insider Tip: To reap the frizz-fighting power of this styling cream, work a generous amount of the product into damp hair. Then, scrunch the hair and wrap it around your finger, and let it air dry.
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Frizz Control Styling Hair Cream
$30.00
No hair routine is complete without a good anti-frizz styling cream like this one. With its velvety texture and ability to smooth and hydrate the hair while reducing breakage, this anti-frizz cream never leaves strands looking weighed down; instead, they stay smooth and sleek.
Key Ingredients: Catonic conditioning agents, coconut, vitamin E, sunflower seed oil
Hair Type: All
Hair Benefit(s): Leaves hair soft and shiny, provides anti-static action to smooth the hair cuticles, helps control frizz while giving definition to air-dried styles, adds hydration, makes the hair easier to detangle, reduces breakage
Beauty Insider Tip: Even though the cream contains silicones, they won’t build up on the hair or leave it looking greasy, no matter where on the hair you apply it.
Anti-Frizz FAQs
Are certain hair types more prone to frizz?
The more waves or curls the hair naturally has, the more likely it is to frizz. That's because, as Quevedo explains, these hair types are particularly susceptible to frizz. After all, they tend to be flatter and struggle to retain moisture. "Fine hair can also be prone to frizz due to its structure and lack of natural nourishment." Hair that is heavily bleached or chemically treated also lacks moisture, making it more prone to frizz, too.
Do anti-frizz products expire?
What helps frizzy hair?
The best way to keep frizzy hair under control is with hydrating shampoos and conditioners, as well as anti-frizz serums that smooth down the cuticle without weighing down the hair. Make sure to stick to a hair regimen that works for you (it may take some trial and error). If necessary, incorporate salon treatments like keratin to help further smooth the hair and reduce frizz.
What are the best products for frizzy hair?
The best products for frizzy hair are those that are sulfate-free yet focus on restoring hydration and moisture to the hair. Quevedo prefers ultra-nourishing hair care products for treating frizz, "as they ensure deep penetration of the active ingredients that hair needs." Serums and oils that prevent and calm frizz are best, as they also lend a smoothing effect to frizzy hair, making it appear shinier while lying flat.
The Bottom Line
Getting frizzy hair under control is hard, but it's not impossible. If you want to know how to get rid of frizzy hair, you'll likely have to revamp your hair care routine to include more hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, as well as those that repair damage and smooth the hair's cuticle. While some hair types are more apt to frizz than others, the key is not to fight against your hair too much and to do what you can to control it.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
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