How To Get Frizz Out Of Hair

Don't get us wrong; we're just as excited as the next person for the official start of summer—trips to the beach, outdoor BBQs, warm, sunny weather—but one thing we're not excited about is frizz. While some of us are more prone to it than others (curly-haired girls we're looking at you), the humid summer months have a way of turning even the sleekest hair types among us into a poufy, frizzy mess, making it perhaps the one universal problem we can all get behind. Just because it's an inevitable part of summer though doesn't mean you have you hide beneath a hat all season long. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite tips and tricks to help keep your hair sleek, smooth, and frizz-free from Memorial Day all the way through Labor Day.

Wait, what causes frizz anyway?

Before we dive into all of the genius ways to combat frizz, it's probably helpful if we explain what causes frizz in the first place. While for some people it's just a part of their DNA, frizz typically occurs due to a lack of moisture in the hair. When your hair is dry, damaged, or chemically treated, the outer layer of the strand (a.k.a the cuticle) becomes raised, as opposed to laying flat and smooth, allowing moisture from the surrounding air to enter, causing it to swell and turn into frizz. Therefore, the more hydrated your hair is, the more the cuticle layer will lie flat, leaving you with smooth, flyaway-free strands.

How to tame frizz once and for all

1. Choose a sulfate-free, glycerin-packed shampoo + conditioner.

While we always make it a point to stay away from products containing sulfates (those cleansing agents responsible for the rich lather in shampoos) it's especially important to do so when you're dealing with frizz as sulfates strip and dehydrate your strands, causing them to become dry and, you guessed it, frizzy. In addition to reaching for sulfate-free formulas, we also recommend looking for ones that are packed with glycerin, which helps combat frizz by penetrating the hair and hydrating it from the inside out. It's also an excellent humectant, meaning it absorbs the extra moisture in the air and creates a protective coating around the outside of the hair to help lock in moisture. Not sure where to start in your product search? Look no further! Our customized shampoos and conditioners not only check off both of those boxes, but they also give you the option to add a number of frizz-fighting hair goals to your formula, including "anti-frizz," "shine," "straighten," and curl definition," so your hair can stay smooth and healthy all year-round.

2. Use a deep conditioning mask at least once a week.

For an extra boost of hydration reach for a rich, deep conditioning mask at least once a week. A high-quality hair mask will not only help moisturize your hair from the inside-out but also protect it from things like heat damage and split-ends—two things that also make your hair more prone to frizz.

3. Ditch your regular hair towel.

Using the wrong towel can literally make or break your hair (specifically the latter), as your hair is in its most vulnerable state when it's fresh-out-of-the-shower wet. Rather than using a harsh cotton towel, which can cause friction, frizz, and breakage, reach for a plush microfiber towel instead. The towel's softer fabric is not only more gentle on your strands but also specially designed to help dry your hair faster, thus reducing the amount of swelling that occurs in wet hair, which is what makes it vulnerable to frizz and damage.

4. Use a diffuser when drying your hair.

Listen up, curly-haired girls—this one is for you! When drying your hair, be sure to add a diffuser attachment onto your blow dryer to help limit the amount of direct heat and forceful air hitting your strands. By using a diffuser, you'll be able to keep your hair from being tossed around too much while you dry, in turn, creating less friction and thus, less frizz.

5. Condition your hair all day long.

No, not with an in-shower conditioner, but rather a good-quality leave-in product, like our customized leave-in treatment. In addition to providing your hair with a hefty dose of long-lasting moisture and nourishment, it also forms a protective barrier around your strands to help block out those things that cause frizz, like humidity and heat damage. Plus, like with all of our products, you'll be able to choose the hair goals of your unique formula, which means you can add things like "anti-frizz," "shine," and "straighten," to your leave-in treatment to give your hair an extra boost of their benefits all day long.

6. Invest in a silk pillowcase.

It might seem a little "extra," but a silk pillowcase can actually do a lot to help combat things like frizz and spilt ends. That's because, like your cotton towel, the standard cotton pillowcase can pull at the hair fibers and create friction while you're tossing and turning at night, resulting in nothing but frizz, breakage, and tangles come morning. Silk, on the other hand, is a far smoother and more gentle fabric that will help maintain your hair's natural oils while you sleep, thus reducing the amount of friction and damage it's exposed to overnight.

While your instincts might advise you to pile on the hairspray before heading out on a super balmy day, the fact of the matter is, it will actually cause more harm than good. That's because even the most lightweight hairsprays tend to be formulated with some kind of alcohol, which dries out the hair, causing the hair cuticle to swell and become puffy. In other words, it's basically frizz's best friend, so just do yourself a favor and stay away.

8. Touch up with a mascara wand.

For stubborn flyaways that need a little extra help staying flat, try reaching for a mascara wand (no, seriously!). Just spritz the end of a clean mascara wand or toothbrush with a bit of alcohol-free hairspray (a touch won't hurt here) or a dry oil spray and gently skim it over the frizzy area for extra hold and smoothness.

Pay frequent visits to your hairstylist.

Split ends and breakage can be a major cause of unwanted frizz, which is why you should plan on getting a haircut every 8 weeks or so. A fresh trim will help rid your mane of any frayed, damaged ends, thus reducing your potential for frizz, while also keeping your hair looking healthy and smooth.

10. Let your hair air-dry 75% of the way before blow-drying.

Although hot tools may seem counterintuitive here, they're actually a great way to help seal the hair cuticle so that your strands lay flat and smooth. The key is not to overdo it, however, as thermal damage can also cause frizz. The secret? Allow your hair to air-dry the majority of the way (about 75%) before finishing it off with your hairdryer. Just be sure to keep the dryer on a low heat setting, hold it 6-inches away from your hair at all times, and keep it moving so that it doesn't overheat on a section of your hair and cause damage.

11. Avoid touching your hair.

We know it's hard, but trust us, it works! The more you run your fingers through your hair or, worse, brush it, the more friction and frizz you create—especially if you have curly or wavy hair. If you have a habit of playing with your tresses throughout the day though, try wearing them in a braid or a sleek topknot to help keep your fingers away. You can also embrace this season's hair accessories trend and use a headband or embellished clips to keep your strands in place and away from your face, where you're more likely to touch them.

12. Embrace your natural texture.

While it's fine to want to tame your frizz here and there, it's important to remember that sometimes it's best to just work with what your mama gave you. Rather than fight your hair's natural texture and style, embrace it! Let your straight, wavy, curly, or coily hair do its thing because trust us, there are going to be times where no matter what you do, or how many products you layer on, your hair is just not going to stay straight and smooth, so why stress? Get out there and live your life instead!

Want to create your perfect anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner? Head here to start the hair quiz!