'A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day; it signifies frizzy hair!' Ancient Proverb
If there's one thing anyone with hair can agree on, it's that when it comes to frizzy hair, the struggle is real! Pretty much everyone has experienced that moment where our hair went all 'Lion King' on us at the worst possible time!
And during the winter months, with cooler temperatures and increased indoor heating, sleek, soft hair is much harder to maintain, and frizz is sadly much more common.
Don't stress… in celebration of August being 'Anti Frizz Month', we are here to help you tame your mane with a rundown on why your hair frizzes, our favourite frizzy hair tips, and tricks to fighting frizz so that can enjoy smooth, shiny, flyaway-free hair.
What the frizz?
As quoted in the Urban Dictionary …
Frizz is a type of hair invented by the devil himself. It causes your hair to do whatever it chooses, including morning hair in the afternoon. Mostly your hair is uncontrollable and will do the exact opposite of what you want it to do. It can sometimes be tamed if you have the patience to blow-dry it, mousse, straighten it, hairspray it, and then tie it back.
But seriously though, when your hair is damaged, dehydrated, or chemically treated, the cuticle rises, and your hair tries to suck in as much moisture as it can … the moisture enters the strand, fattens it up, and creates frizz.
Frizzy Hair DO'S and DONT'S
The first thing you need to DO is moisturise. Use hydrating products when shampooing and apply a moisture treatment every week. Try JUSTICE Professional Treatment Mask for a healthy hit of hydration.
Another DO – always rinse your hair in cold water after shampooing. It doesn't sound appealing when all you want is a steaming hot shower during these cooler months, but your hair will love you for it! It helps to close the cuticle, which makes your hair shinier and more manageable.
DO be careful when towel-drying. Gently 'pat' hair with your towel. Rubbing causes more frizz. And if you can, use a microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt as both are doing to be gentler on your hair.
And then it's time to get clever with your styling. Try to always apply a light anti-frizz serum, such as JUSTICE Professional Argan Oil, from mid-lengths to ends to lock in moisture before any styling.
How you use your hairdryer counts. Angle the nozzle to direct heat down the hair shaft rather than directly at it or upwards. Use low-speed, low-heat settings and style in sections. And don't forget about your trusty diffuser … it'll help even out the airflow from your dryer more evenly, so you'll get more definition and volume with less frizz.
DON'T shampoo too often! We feel like a broken record with this one! You do not need to shampoo your hair every other day, you really don't! Every two days, rinse your hair with conditioner only. Conditioner does contain a small amount of cleanser, so it will still very lightly clean your hair without stripping it.
DON'T skimp on heat spray, not even if you're in a huge rush. Scorched, sizzled strands are way more prone to frizz and flyaways than soft and healthy hair, so if you know you're going to be thermal styling, make sure you've got a decent heat protectant on hand.
DON'T brush dry hair. If just about every stylist repeats one tip, it's this: avoid brushing hair after it dries. Brushing not only disrupts your hair's cuticle but can also stretch hair, leading to breakage. Try using a wide-tooth comb while your hair is still wet or damp to eliminate any tangles.
And to all our curly-haired guys and gals … curls are naturally more dry and more prone to frizz. To keep your hair defined, try applying JUSTICE Professional Curl Crème through your wet curls after shampooing and conditioning. Define curls by twirling small sections of hair around your fingers to shape and define, then leave to air dry.
Want to know one of the best ways to prevent damage, breakage, and frizz? Make sure you trim your hair regularly. Split ends are even more prone to dryness (aka frizzy hair's worst nightmare), so regular appointments with your stylist will help to avoid any long-term damage.
While it's OK to want to tame your frizz, it's important to remember that sometimes it's best to work with what you've got. Don't 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 don't do) or how many products you use, your hair is just not going to do what you want it to!
Check out other Style Talk entries for more hair care advice or talk to your professional Just Cuts Stylist for more expert hair care and styling tips.
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