Fighting Frizz

Posted on March 1st, 2009 / Filed under Beauty , For the Face:

Humidity is the bane of a curly-haired woman’s existence — or for anyone with a bit of wave in their locks. If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried mousses, gels, creams, serums and every tool and method you could find to control frizz. Straight-haired folks are often under the very misguided impression that curly hair is so easy to style and care for. Yeah, right. And unfortunately, I can’t provide a no-fail solution to all curly-haired readers. It just doesn’t work that way. I’ve tried products that have gotten raves but didn’t do anything for me, and some of my favorites are hated by others. It often depends on how curly your hair is, the type of curls you have, length and thickness and how dry/damaged your hair is. Bottom line: you have to do a lot of testing, trying and experimenting to find the right combination of products and styling methods that work best for your hair.

You’ve heard it before: when humidity and heat arrive, put down your straightening irons and blow-dryers. It’s a losing battle, so why not just embrace your hair’s natural state? If you insist on hanging on to your dryer, use a diffuser attachment and a cool setting. The best thing to do, however, is to just avoid touching your hair as much as possible, because the more you play around with it, the more frizz you’ll create.

In general, you need two types of products: one for shine/anti-frizz and one for hold/definition. Most anti-frizz products contain silicones and/or proteins. This is because they’re great at reducing frizz and smoothing strands. Some people, however, prefer not to use products with those ingredients because they tend to cause build-up over time. A clarifying shampoo once every two weeks or so will help with that problem, but those kinds of shampoos can be quite drying, which is particularly bad for curly hair. You see where I’m going with this.

Silicones and proteins can also cause some problems with people who have acne-prone skin as they can block pores. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, make sure you wash your hands and face thoroughly after applying hair products and before applying skincare products or makeup. If you’d rather avoid those ingredients, read labels and choose products with few or no proteins and silicones (look for words that end in “cone”).

Suggested Products

A/G Re:Coil ($15, beautydepot.com)
Artec Shine & Frizz Repair Weightless Shine Drops ($12.99, drugstore.com)
Aura Hypoallergenic Styling Gel ($5.59, cosmeticmall.com)
Citré Shine Miracle Polishing Serum ($3.49, drugstore.com)
Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream ($18.50, sephora.com)
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum ($5.99, drugstore.com)
Joico JoiWhip (formerly ICE Whip, $13.75, beautydepot.com)
Kérastase Oleo-Relax Serum ($42, cosmeticmall.com)
L’Oreal Smooth Intense Anti-Frizz Serum ($4.99, at drugstores)
Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam ($8.98, beautydepot.com)
Thermasilk Shine & Shape Gel ($3.99, drugstore.com )

Tips and Tricks

  • After showering, gently squeeze excess water out of hair, and, if necessary, blot — but never rub — with a towel.
  • Put down your comb and brush. It’s better to use your fingers to distribute styling products, but you can, if you prefer, use a wide-toothed comb while hair is still wet. After that, however, don’t run anything through — it will only cause curls to lose definition and create frizz.
  • Keep hair longer. The added weight will help prevent curls from becoming too puffy. Best cut: long layers.
  • Avoid razor-cut styles; they create frizz.
  • Choose styling products with little or no alcohol, since it can dry out hair, which causes frizz.
  • Be careful not to overdose on products. Many anti-frizz styling products contain silicones and proteins, which can make hair look greasy if too much is applied. Start with small amounts and add more if necessary.
  • If possible, shampoo only two or three times a week (although you can rinse out your hair daily). The natural oils in your hair keep curls soft and shiny. When you do shampoo, wash the scalp only, and when you rinse, let the shampoo run down your hair to clean the length.
  • Dry hair frizzes more easily, so apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week and a leave-in conditioner daily.
  • Hands off. It’s tempting to touch, scrunch and fiddle with curls, but the less you mess with them, the better they’ll look.
  • Ask for samples or start with small or travel sizes when you’re trying new products.
  • Accessorize. Headbands and scarves, combs, clips and pretty ponytail holders are great ways to keep hair back, up and off the face. And if all else fails, just tie it up in a loose knot and get on with your day.
  • A wonderful resource for curly-haired women is naturallycurly.com, which includes an explanation of the different types of curls, a discussion forum and product reviews.