5 Easy Ways to Smooth Frizzy Hair [That really work]

We’ve all been there. You wake up, look in the mirror, and your hair is a frizzy, poufy, hot mess. You had big plans for today, but now you’re scrambling to find a way to tame your mane.

Never fear! We’ve compiled a list of five easy ways to smooth frizzy hair—that really work. 

5 easy ways to get rid of frizzy hair

#1: Don’t overdo it on the shampoo.

If you wash your hair every day, you may be stripping it of natural oils that help to keep it healthy and smooth.

Try cutting back to washing every other day or every two days. When you do shampoo, focus on your scalp and let the suds run down the length of your hair—don’t scrub too hard! And always follow up with conditioner. 

#2: Use a leave-in conditioner.

Leave-in conditioner is a godsend for frizzy hair. It adds moisture and helps to detangle knots and tangles, which can make frizz worse.

Apply leave-in conditioner to damp hair, comb through, and style as usual.

We recommend using a leave-in conditioner with natural ingredients that won’t weigh your hair down, like Argan Oil, olive oil or coconut oil.

#3: Don’t forget the heat protectant.

If you use heat styling tools like curling irons or straighteners, be sure to apply a heat protectant beforehand.

Heat protectants help to shield your hair from damage caused by high temperatures and leaves your hair looking shiny and feeling healthy. 

#4: Invest in a good brush

Investing in a good quality brush is one of the best things you can do for your frizzy hair.

Look for a brush that has natural bristles (like boar’s bristles) or nylon pins, which will help to detangle knots without causing damage.

And be sure to avoid brushes with metal bristles, as these can snag on strands and cause breakage. And never brush your hair when wet! 

#5: Try an anti-frizz serum or oil. 

Anti-frizz serums and oils can work wonders on frizzy hair.

They help to smooth the cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair shaft), which in turn reduces frizziness.

Apply a small amount of serum or oil to damp or dry hair from mid-shaft to ends, comb through, and style as usual.

Watch and learn: How to tame frizzy hair

Here’s a great video from our stylist fave, Brad Mondo who has all the answers to; what is frizzy hair? Why does it happen? Where does it come from? And how to tame it!

What is the main cause of frizzy hair?

Humidity is behind a lot of the frizz-inducing mayhem.

When the weather outside is humid, it can cause our locks to hold onto moisture in the air, leading to less than luscious looking hair.

Preventing frizzy hair requires one crucial step: hydration.

Make sure you are adding moisture into your hair from within by providing plenty of healthy nutrition and deep conditioning treatments – then add some protective products on top!

If you make this a part of your daily or weekly routine, your hair will be sleek and shiny no matter what kind of climate comes knocking.

Frizzy hair before and after.

Top 5 causes of frizzy hair and what to do about it.

Understanding the root of your frizzy hair is the first step to finding a solution. These are the five most common causes of frizzy hair and how to fix them. 

#1. Too Much Heat

Ever notice how your hair looks smooth and glossy after you blow dry it, only for it to become increasingly wild as the day goes on?

This is because too much heat can damage your strands, causing them to swell and look undefined.

What to do about it:

To combat this, try air drying your hair as much as you can or use a heat protectant before styling with hot tools

#2. Humidity

Humidity is one of the most frequent causes of frizz because high levels of moisture in the air make it difficult for your strands to maintain their shape.

What to do about it:

To beat humidity-induced frizz, try using products specifically designed for humid climates such as smoothing serums or leave-in conditioners formulated with glycerin or silicone-based ingredients that help seal in moisture and create a barrier between your hair and humidity. 

#3. Rough Toweling

Rough toweling can be very damaging for those with delicate locks, so avoid vigorously drying your strands with a towel post-shower!

What to do about it:

Instead, gently pat your hair dry using an old cotton t-shirt or a microfibre towel specifically designed for sensitive scalps and fragile hairs – this will help reduce breakage and keep your mane looking soft and silky instead of unruly! 

#4. Overwashing

Washing your hair too often can strip away its natural oils which are essential for keeping it hydrated, resulting in lacklustre locks that lack shine and definition.

What to do about it:

Aim to wash your tresses no more than two or three times per week; any more than this can cause excessive build up of product residue which also leads to dullness, split ends, flyaways static electricity…and yes, FRIZZ! 

#5. Wrong Products

If you’re using the wrong products then this could be contributing significantly towards making your locks look like they’ve been put through an electric shocker every day!

What to do about it:

It’s important that whatever product you use works with the structure of your individual hairs so switch things up until you find something that works well for you.

And try looking out for ingredients such as argon oil which is great at nourishing damaged tresses while eliminating those pesky little flyaways!   

Frizzy hair do’s and dont’s

Do:

  • Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
  • Leave-in conditioners are great for providing extra moisture to your hair.
  • Use a heat protectant spray before styling with hot tools.
  • If you have naturally curly hair, try using products formulated specifically for curls such as curl creams or gels.
  • Dry your hair gently with a soft towel or t-shirt.
  • Use styling products that contain frizz-fighting ingredients such as argon oil, silicone, and glycerin.

Don’t:

  • Overwash your hair – this will strip away its natural oils and moisture.
  • Towel dry your hair vigorously – this can damage the cuticles and cause split ends.
  • Use products with alcohol in them – these can be very drying for delicate locks.
  • Brush your hair when it is wet – always use a wide-tooth comb to detangle wet strands to avoid breakage!
  • Expose your hair to too much heat – always use a heat protectant and try to air dry or blow dry on the lowest setting.
  • Use products that are not specifically designed for frizzy hair – look out for smoothing serums, creams, and gels!

How do I stop my hair from frizzing?

For those of us who always find our hair looking more like a wild lion’s mane than the sleek, glossy look we’re going for, frizz can be countered with a few changes to our haircare routines.

The first step is to make sure you’re using shampoo and conditioner specifically tailored for your hair type; if you don’t know yours, visit your local salon and ask for advice.

When you shower, try patting instead of rubbing wet hair and use cool or tepid water rather than hot – this will reduce the amount of moisture in the air left in your locks and make them less susceptible to static electricity, which tends to cause frizziness.

Finally, switch up styling products: use an anti-frizz serum or cream on damp hair before drying then spritz lightly with hairspray after styling to help set it in place.

Once you apply these tips regularly and diligently, you’ll soon be on your way to showing off that shiny and smooth hairdo!

Frizzy hair FAQs

Is frizzy hair unhealthy?

Frizzy hair gets a bad rap, but there’s no need to be so hard on our manes!

The truth is, as long as frizz is caused by dehydration or excess product, it’s actually a sign that your hair just needs a bit more TLC.

Regular deep conditioning treatments, using heat protectants when necessary, and limiting the use of hot tools can go a long way in bringing out your curls’ best selves.

Even if you don’t want the ‘fro look, some anti-frizz creams or serums can give your do the definition and definition you crave.

Is frizzy hair damaged or dry?

If you have ever had to battle the frizzies, then you know that trying to find the right balance between managing the dryness and protecting your hair can be a challenge.

Frizzy hair can be tricky, but understanding whether it’s damaged or simply dry is one of the most important steps in discovering ways to better manage it and keep it looking great.

It turns out that both are true – frizzy hair is likely a combination of damage and dryness!

Knowing how to care for your hair and using the right treatments and products will give long-lasting smooth results.

Why has my hair gone frizzy as I get older?

As we age, our hair inevitably changes – and bothersome frizz can appear!

Frizzy hair is caused by the drying out of our hairs’ natural oils and sebum which in turn reduces elasticity and causes split ends, breakage and frizz.

Doing things as simple as using a mild shampoo and conditioner that won’t strip away too much of your hairs’ natural oils, or opting for protective styles such as braids and twists can help you maintain beautiful locks no matter what age!

What is frizzy hair lacking?

Moisture. Frizzy hair is usually dry, so make sure you give your locks the much-needed hydration.

You can do this by using hydrating shampoos and deep conditioning treatments plus regular oil treatments with natural oils like avocado and jojoba.

Most importantly, show your hair a little extra love: brush it regularly with a wide-tooth comb and always use heat protectants before blow drying or styling to keep the frizz at bay.

With a little TLC and the right products, your mane will soon be picture-perfect!

Why is my hair so frizzy and poofy?

The truth is, frizzy hair has everything to do with a person’s hair texture.

Those of us with naturally curly or textured hair in particular tend to have to fight more battles against poofy frizz when the humidity rises.

Even those of us with straight hair may find that humidity and sweat can play havoc on our locks during the summer months.

Fortunately, there are some products and techniques that can help give your mane more control and restore it back to feeling smooth and tamed!

Why is my hair frizzy even after using conditioner?

If your hair is still looking frizzy after using conditioner, you may just be using too much!

A little goes a long way and if you find you’re having to work through a lot of product to get your dreamed-of sleek hairstyle, then it might be time to rethink your hair routine.

It’s possible that the type of conditioner you are using isn’t helping either.

Make sure you have the right product for your hair type – if that fails to tackle the frizz even when applied correctly, then blame it on climate!

Humidity can leave anyone’s hair feeling poofy and unmanageable.

Try opting for protective hairstyles over heat styling tools, since these will only make the hair look drier and more frizzy.

Will coloring my hair make it frizzy?

If you’re thinking of adding some color to your hair, don’t worry – it doesn’t automatically mean you’re signing up for an extra helping of frizz!

That said, coloring can dry out the cuticle and lead to dryness if you’re not careful.

Box dye contains harsher chemicals like ammonia and store-bought hair dyes can be more damaging than salon color if you don’t do a deep conditioning treatment afterwards.

So if you’re planning on getting your hair dyed, make sure you’re extra careful with the aftercare routine to keep it looking healthy and smooth.

And as always, consult a professional stylists or colorist at your local salon if you’re not sure!

Does bleaching my hair make it frizzy?

Bleaching your hair can definitely lead to frizz – so much so that it’s often called ‘bleach-frizz’!

This happens because the chemicals strip away natural oils and moisture from the cuticle leaving your hair feeling dry and brittle.

If this happens, make sure you don’t neglect aftercare: regular oil treatments with hydrating ingredients like coconut or jojoba oil will help restore some of those lost oils and leave your mane looking its best.

Remember that bleached hair is extra fragile, so try not to over-style with hot tools or spend too much time in chlorine pools without protecting your locks first!

And if all else fails, you can always opt for a natural color or low-light option at the salon. That way you’ll still get the hue you’re after without all the potential damage.

Do keratin treatments tame frizzy hair?

If you’re looking for a way to restore your unruly mane, a keratin treatment might be the answer.

Keratin and amino acid treatments are designed to smooth out your strands from the inside out, making them less prone to frizz and flyaways.

After applying the solution to your hair, it’s usually blow-dried before it’s sealed in with a special flat iron.

The end result? Soft, silky hair that will make you want to run your fingers through its glossy perfection!

Parting words

Taming frizzy hair is all about finding the right balance between hydration, protection and healthy styling.

Reach for natural oils such as coconut, argan or jojoba to keep your mane looking soft and smooth. Invest in quality shampoo, conditioner and styling products that are designed specifically for curly or textured hair-types.

And remember – a little TLC goes a long way! Brush regularly with a wide-tooth comb and use heat protectants before you blow dry or style your hair to minimize damage from hot tools.

With the proper care and attention, your tresses will soon be back to looking sleek, glossy and beautiful!

This article was written and reviewed by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!

  • Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant
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    Hair Stylist & Color Consultant

    I’m Enza Piazza, your go-to hair stylist and color consultant with over 23 years of professional salon experience bringing vibrancy and life to hair of all hues. My Italian roots from sunny Sicily infuse passion into every snip and color, a passion that’s been recognized with top honor awards including bridal and party hair at the National Hairdressers Federation’s Championships. After training in Surrey, UK’s most prestigious salons including Head Master Academy, I embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and set up Enza Hair Styling, offering tailored hair care for 13 years, and treating each client like family. Away from the salon, I cherish moments as a proud Nonna to grandson Joseph and as a playful companion to my Jack Russell, Bo.