The Best Ways to Defrizz Your Hair
Let's start this off with a reminder that frizz is natural and beautiful. But my guess is you've come to this article because you're looking to try a particular frizz-free style. It's your prerogative to embrace frizz and flyaways on a day-to-day basis and still want to try a slicked look every now and then. So here's what to know.
You might be familiar with frizz and what it looks like, but understanding what exactly causes it is key when trying to work with it. Allow me to explain: When the outermost layer of your hair (called the cuticle) is raised, moisture enters the strand and causes it to swell and create the frizzy effect you're familiar with seeing. So, what can you do to maintain smooth cuticles? We spoke to six celebrity hairstylists to offer up their expert tricks and product recommendations for fighting frizz and flyaways.
1.Choose a sulfate-free shampoo.
“Find a shampoo that is sulfate free,” shares Laura Rugetti, who works with Olivia Munn, Lucy Hale, Jenna Dewan, Mandy Moore, Priyanka Chopra, and many others. Why? Shampoos with sulfates strip and dehydrate your strands, which is the opposite of you want when looking to maintain moisture. “Davines is an amazing line that is sulfate-, paraben-, and cruelty-free! My favorite shampoo from their line is the Oi Shampoo, it's super moisturizing leaving the hair silky.”
2. Or, pick one that features glycerin!
Another tip? Look for a shampoo with glycerin high up in the ingredient list (the closer ingredients are to the top of the list, the more concentrated they are), since it helps combat frizz by penetrating the hair shaft and hydrating it from the inside out. It also creates a protective coating over the outside of the hair shaft, so it doesn't break, explains celebrity hair stylist Mark Townsend. Try TK.
3. Don't skip conditioner.
“Clients often ask me if they need conditioner and the answer is absolutely!” explains Giovanni Vaccaro, Glamsquad Artistic Director. “ You don’t want to skip this step as conditioner is your number one weapon in fighting frizz.” One of his smoothing favorites is Matrix Biolage SmoothProof Conditioner, he suggests combing it through with a wide tooth comb before rinsing. Focus on applying it from mid-shaft down to your ends, keeping it away from your roots if you're worried about it weighing down your hair. You can also try Aveda Cherry Almond Softening Conditioner.
4. But do skip a daily shampoo.
You might think your hair needs to be shampooed several times a week but it doesn't. Every two days, rinse your hair with only conditioner. Conditioner contains a small amount of surfactants (what shampoo uses to cleanse your hair), so it will clean it without stripping your hair of its natural oils. New York-based stylist Mark Garrison suggests using a lightweight conditioner if you have fine hair, like Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Conditioner. If you have thick and coarse hair, you can use a rich formula, like Redken Genius Wash for Coarse Hair.
5. Always mask weekly.
Doing a special treatment at least once a week, especially in the colder months, will help fill any holes in your hair shaft that soak up outside moisture and contribute to frizz. Rugetti suggests Kevin Murphy’s Hydrate Me Masque to keep hair feeling soft and moisturized.
6. Don’t dry your hair with regular towels.
As you know, your hair is at its most vulnerable state when it’s wet. So, using the wrong towel can literally make (or break) your hair making your fabric choice that much more important. “Cotton towels create friction with hair, leading to frizz and breakage so stay away,” advises Vaccaro. “I love and always recommend Aquis Towels-they have a beautiful micro-fiber advanced technology that prevents friction and helps dry hair faster.”
7. Use dry oil.
While your hair is still wet, apply a moisture-locking dry oil, like Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist, from your ends to midway up your hair shaft; oil acts as a barrier, keeping liquids from penetrating. Once your hair is 90 percent dry, use a round brush with mixed bristles (the plastic ones pick up the hair and pull it into the boar bristles for added tension, which makes the hair super straight) to seal the cuticle for a smooth finish. You can also flat-iron your hair after it's dry - nothing will seal the cuticle like intense heat, Garrison advises.
8. Get frizz-free waves with buns.
Although hot tools are ideal for sealing a cuticle, if you want waves but want to limit the amount of heat styling, twist your hair into a bun while it dries (the frizz-fighting happens as your hair cools, when your cuticle locks into place). Here are 7 more ideas to get wavy hair without heat.
9. Use a cream hydrator and a diffuser for thick, coarse, and curly hair.
After you've shampooed and conditioned your hair, while it's still wet, apply a cream-based product (Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen uses Suave Professionals for Natural Hair Nourish & Strengthen Leave-in Conditioner on her clients) from root to tip. When you apply the product, instead of rubbing it in, warm the product between your palms and fingers, and squeeze it onto your hair. Then, wrap your curls around your fingers to shape them exactly how you want, and let your strands air dry. You can also use a diffuser on low speed, high heat (aiming it downward to keep it from ruffling the cuticle) to dry it.
10. Try a touch of hairspray paired with a toothbrush.
While some rely on oils to smooth annoying fly-aways, Vaccaro likes to opt for a hairspray “as these guys need a stronger solution,” he teases. Copy his pro-hack by taking a toothbrush or round brush, then and spray it with Glamsquad’s Take Hold Hairspray. Next, brush the hairline or part to keep those wisps down. And voilà, now you have hair that behaves.
11. Pick the right tools
The great thing about the beauty industry is that it is constantly innovating and evolving. One way to ensure that your hair lays smoothly is to utilize the right technology when it comes to hot tools. Hairstylist Jessica Shakir swears by the MegaStar Straightener by NuMe for her clients. She cites this unique tool for having a 100% pure ceramic tourmaline plates and infrared heat strip heat up your hair in the healthiest way. “Plus, its negative ion conditioning technology eliminates frizz by sealing the hair’s cuticle,’ she adds. “ I also spritz a light heat-protecting spray before I use any hot tool to help prevent frizz-and keep it in my bad to assist with any flyaways later on in the day.”
12. Apply a leave-in conditioner before you workout.
The sodium in your perspiration can dehydrate your hair so it's always a good idea to apply a leave-in conditioner to your strands before working out. Also, if you have textured hair and normally work out in a silk scarf, swap it out for a cotton handkerchief, since cotton absorbs moisture and you want the fabric to soak up the sweat, not trap it in, Stephen says.
13. Use pins and hairspray (not serum) for flyaways.
According to Garrison, serums aren't ideal or strong enough for smoothing flyaways. So if your updo tends to get frizzy, stick to bobby pins and hairspray to help slick down those bad boys.
14. Sleep like a princess.
If you haven't switched your moisture-sucking cotton pillowcase to silk, now is the time. “This is the best way to protect your hair during sleep,” explains Vaccaro. “It will also maintain the natural oils, especially if your locks are fragile from chemical treatments. I promise, your hair will thank you!”
15. Opt for an in-salon treatment.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tania (@taniawhittier) on Feb 7, 2019 at 11:33am PST
A post shared by Tania (@taniawhittier) on Feb 7, 2019 at 11:33am PST
Listen, I get it. Sometimes DIY and at-home hacks and/or treatments simply aren’t enough. In that case, Rugetti suggests a few in-salon treatments that can get you one step closer to the frizz-free hair of your dreams. “ I really love the Pura Luxe straightening treatment-basically, it's like the new and improved keratin treatments, but the difference is it’s non-toxic. Top salons like Meche Salon in Beverly Hills and mobile beauty bar, BeautyCan are currently offering this innovative treatment.”
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