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How to Get Rid of Frizzy Curly Hair

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Are you wondering how to get rid of frizzy curly hair? Frizzy hair is a problem for many people, and it can be hard to find the right solution.

Curly hair is more susceptible to frizz because of its natural texture and tendency to dry out. This makes curly hair especially vulnerable in humid weather.

This post has everything you need to know about how to control frizz in curly, wavy and kinky hair types.

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Curly Hair

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Curly Hair

What is Frizz?

Frizz hair is usually caused by excess dryness. When the hair is dried out or damaged it attracts excess moisture from the air. This moisture can then cause the hair shaft to swell and change shape.

Frizz happens in curly hair when it attracts more moisture than it can comfortably hold. This excess moisture rises to the surface in a sort of “plume” formation, around which your hairs have more space and tend to stand up.

People with naturally curly hair tend to to be more prone to dryness since the natural oils from the scalp find it more difficult to travel down the hair shaft than on straight hair. As a result curly hair tends to be more prone to dryness, frizz and breakage. Instead of the hair strands coming together to form a defined curl they appear fluffy and frizzy.

What Causes Curls to go Frizzy?

Frizz can be caused by both external factors such as damage, product buildup, or humidity, or internal factors such as the amount of natural oils your scalp produces.

Some of the main causes of frizz include:

  1. Dryness
  2. Certain Hair Products
  3. Humidity
  4. Your Haircut
  5. Damage

1. Dryness

Your hair’s moisture level is an important factor in whether it frizzes – with curly hair, the more moisture it holds after styling, the curlier and more defined the shape will be.

Dryness can be caused by many factors including cold weather, the sun, certain hair products that contain too much alcohol, or heat styling tools.

2. Hair Products

Among the main culprits behind dry, frizzy hair are products containing alcohol. Alcohol works as a drying agent that can attract moisture and reduce the amount of hydration your locks can hold, resulting in frizz!

These products could include gels, mousses, hairsprays and pomades. If you’re using too much of a product with alcohol in it, or several different products with alcohol, your hair could easily become dried out, and frizzy.

Products containing too much silicone can also cause problems for curly hair types. Silicone forms a coating on the surface of your hair that, over time, can build up and make your strands dry out.

Products with lots of fragrance should also be avoided as perfumes can also strip moisture from the hair.

3. Humidity

Humidity can cause hair to become frizzy or make frizzy hair even worse. In humid weather, your hair takes in a lot of extra moisture that it can’t easily keep up with. This makes your strands swell, resulting in frizz and more volume than you wanted.

When the air is very humid be careful about how much time you spend outside – the longer you’re out there, the more moisture your hair will take in.

4. Your Haircut

Frizz can be caused by split ends that haven’t been trimmed, or a blunt cut that doesn’t let the hair hang naturally.

Curly hair that’s cut in an awkward shape can be more likely to frizz because it has less room to move and is forced into a shape that prevents the curls from forming properly.

If you’ve recently had a very drastic haircut and the result makes your strands look frizzy, the best thing to do is wait it out. As time passes your hair would eventually adapt to its new shape – or at least become more facile with products that can help tame the problem.

5. Damage

With damaged hair, your strands are weak and unable to maintain their moisture levels as well as healthy hair, making them more prone to frizz.

Hair that is exposed to chemical treatments or excess heat can become porous and brittle. Highly porous hair is unable to hold moisture properly as it has a harder time absorbing it. This results in the hair drying out.

Curly hair types should avoid excessive heat, sun exposure, and chlorine which can all damage the texture of the curls and lead to frizz.

Curly Hair Care Tips to Tame Frizz

Even though taming frizzy curly hair might seem like an impossible task, with the right technique you can make your locks shine without any unwanted frizz or volume. Some of the best products to tame frizz and encourage defined curls include serums that contain water or oils.

Basing your regimen on some of the following helpful tips can help keep frizz at bay:

Get Rid of Dryness with Humectants

Most serums are packed with humectants that draw moisture from the air and bind it to your strands. These hydrating serums can prevent frizz for up to 24 hours, and give you smooth, shiny curls.

Many of the best frizz-fighting products contain glycerin or panthenol – both are humectants that make sure moisture is well-distributed throughout your locks. Hydrating cationic polymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid or cationic guar can also be found in many frizz fighting serums that attract moisture and keep it there.

Many hydrating serums are specially formulated for curly hair types – you’ll want to look for ingredients like glycerin or panthenol in your serum to make sure it’s an option that will work for you.

I recommend the L’Oreal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Plump Serum for adding hydration to your curls. If you have a frizzy curly hair type that’s been damaged from too much styling, this serum will also help to seal the hair cuticle and repair hair damage. It helps to prevent frizz caused by lack of moisture and adds bounce and hydration to dry hair.

L'Oreal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Plump Serum

I did a full review of the entire L’Oreal Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Range in the video below.

Use Daily Oils

Oils can be added to your hair regimen as a way to smooth frizzy strands and prevent them from looking dry. Make sure you use oils designed for curly hair and products that don’t contain alcohol or silicones.

Curly or kinky hair types tend to have naturally low porosity hair. Light oils work best on this hair type. Try products Argan oil, ceramides, apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil.

There are two different ways you can use oils on your hair, either as a pre poo or as a styling product. If you use an oil as a pre poo, massage the oil into your hair and scalp before shampooing in order to prevent the hair being stripped of moisture during washing.

If you’re using an oil as a styling product, rub the oil into your hands first and then apply it to curls or twists. You can also use oils on dry hair if you want to add shine and moisture back to cuticles that are brittle due to exposure to high levels of humidity!

The Curly Hair oil contains the perfect blend of oils for frizzy curly hair. It was formulated to moisturise and strengthen dry, brittle hair and gently remove any tangles. The ingredients include Argan oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil, as well as the essential oils lemongrass and ylang ylang. Together they not only nourish and moisturise the hair but also strengthen the hair follicles and promote growth.

The Curly Hair Oil is great for defining your natural curl pattern and leaving you with frizz-free hair! This oil will ensure you no longer have bad hair days!

curly hair oil

Related: Oils for Low Porosity Hair: 13 Light Oils for Natural Curls

Choose a Sulfate-Free Shampoo

If you shampoo with a product that contains sulfates, it can strip away the natural oils in your hair and cause frizz. To help maintain your curls while keeping them frizz-free, look for products that are free from harsh sulfates.

If you can’t find a shampoo without sulfates, look for one that has gentle surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine or sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate.

Sulfate-free shampoos tend to be better for curly hair because they are designed to hydrate and nourish the curls. Sulfate free shampoos are sometimes known as low poo shampoos.

The John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls shampoo is sulphate free and specifically designed for naturally curly or wavy hair. It contains Rosehip oil and curl defining technology to turn your frizzy hair into beautiful bouncy, hydrated curls.

This shampoo won’t strip your hair’s natural oils which is a great first step to battle frizz. It helps to enhance curl definition and improve hair health over time.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Shampoo

Related: Best Cheap Sulphate Free Shampoo to Keep Hair Moisturised and Beautiful

Condition, Condition, Condition

If you have frizzy curly hair, you’ll want to condition often. Using the right product is essential because a daily conditioner that doesn’t contain the right ingredients will not help quell the frizz in your locks . Choose a conditioning treatment that’s rich and hydrating – look for keratin-enriched formulas to nourish your curls as they tame them.

If you use a daily conditioner that does contain ingredients like cationic polymers, it will help protect against frizz and define the texture of your strands. To maintain your defined curls, choose a leave-in conditioner that contains hydrating elements and nourishing vitamins.

The Maui Moisture Vegan Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera Curl Milk is a creamy leave in conditioner for frizzy curly hair. This product works well on thick hair that has become frizzy with undefined curls. The blend of aloe vera juice, coconut water, coconut oil, papaya fruit extract and plumeria extract leave the curls smooth, detangled and full of bounce.

This conditioner is free from silicones, SLS, synthetic dyes, mineral oils, or any ingredient that could dry out your strands. It’s a great way to deep condition your hair and improve hair texture. It helps to reduce hair frizz regardless of curl type.

Maui Moisture Coconut Oil Conditioner

Related: How to Stop Frizzy Hair After Washing – 9 Amazing Products!

Use a hydrating mask once a week

Hydrating masks restore moisture to your locks and de-frizz and nourish curls even when they’re at their most vulnerable. A mask can help keep frizzy hair under control during humid months.

Masks can be applied to your hair every week, and are most effective if you use them in the shower. You’ll want to focus on the ends of your strands as this is where frizz often begins.

To get rid of frizzy hair, you’ll want to look for a hydrating mask that contains ingredients like glycerin or panthenol.

On days when you want to use a mask, make sure you shampoo with a gentle cleanser and then apply the hydrating mask before you condition your hair. Leave the treatment for as long as possible (preferably over night), before rinsing out.

Goat Milk hair masks are great for turning frizzy and rebellious hair into beautiful shiny curls. My favourite is the ziaja goat milk hair mask which I reviewed here.

Ziaja goar milk hair mask

Related: Does Olaplex work for Curly Hair?

Incorporate coconut oil into your hair routine

Coconut oil is a star ingredient for managing frizz! Make sure you apply it to your strands before you shampoo, and use a second dose on wet hair after towel-drying. Coconut oil has moisture-attracting fats that can help combat frizz and keep curls under control, even in harsh weather conditions.

To get rid of frizzy hair using coconut oil, try massaging it into your hair and then cover your strands with a shower cap for up to 30 minutes. Enjoy the rest of your shower, and then shampoo your hair.

Related: Coconut Oil for Hair: 10 Top UK Products in 2023

Use Curl Creams or Gels

Curl creams, gels or hair yoghurts helps to reduce frizz and define curls. These gels and creams keep hair moisturized throughout the day, and some products contain special ingredients that help smooth strands or reduce frizz.

Use a cream or gel daily – make sure you apply it to damp hair after shampooing but before conditioning. Work the product into your locks and then style as usual.

The Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream helps to create frizz-free curls with a light hold, and if you’re following the Curly Girl Method, this product is curly girl approved!

Cantu curl activator cream

Use a Microfiber Hair Towel or Cotton T-Shirt

Microfiber towels are made from a soft fabric that won’t add extra weight to your hair or cause frizz. Microfiber helps to absorb excess moisture whilst reducing frizz.

You could also wrap wet hair up in a cotton t-shirt which is less abrasive to the hair than a terry towel. It helps to dry hair without drawing out too much moisture from the strands. The technique of wrapping hair in a t-shirt is called hair plopping.

This microfiber towel is designed to pull excess water out of your hair fast whilst reducing frizz. It is one of the easiest ways to dry your hair quickly without using heat.

Microfiber Towel

Related: T Shirt Towel for Curly Hair: How to Plop Your Hair and Prevent Frizz

Sleep on Satin or Silk

Putting your hair in a satin scarf is an easy way to keep your hair from drying out at night and leaving you with a frizzy curly mess in the morning. Satin scarves helps keep moisture trapped near your curls and prevents them from drying out as you sleep.

You could also sleep on either a silk or satin pillowcase. Both options produce less friction on the hair than a cotton pillowcase. This means the hair is less likely to become frayed of damaged while you sleep.

Silk pillowcases are also popular because they’re cooling, comfortable and help to keep wrinkles at bay!

Satin is less expensive that a silk scarf or silk pillowcase and works just as well! This premium quality satin pillowcase creates less friction on your curls and reduces hair breakage.

Silk pillowcase

Regular trims will help keep frizzy hair at bay!

Frizz can be caused by dry ends that are snapping (causing static) and flyaway hairs that always look out of place and make you feel like your locks don’t belong on your head.

Regularly trimming your ends will make a huge difference in the health of your hair and reduce frizz. The less damage you have on your strands, the smoother and more hydrated they’ll be – this means that the cuticle layers are healthier and can stay closed.

Anti-humidity Sprays

You can reduce frizz with heat protectant sprays that are formulated to combat humid weather. These sprays help keep strands frizz-free even when you use a hair dryer or flat iron.

To minimize the damage caused by humidity, look for products that contain ingredients like ceramides and panthenol.

Frizzy Hair Styling Tips

It can be difficult to find a styling technique that helps to combat frizz and prevent hair becoming puffy and undefined. The more hydrated and healthy your hair is, the less frizz you’ll face – this means that you should adopt a hair styling routine with minimal heat and no harsh brushing that could snag or break the hair.

How to Brush Frizzy Hair

The wrong brush can cause static and damage your strands. If your hair is frizzy, use a boar bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb.

The bristles of a boar bristle brush are designed to grip hair rather than tug on it, and this helps reduce breakage. To tame frizzy hair a paddle brush with soft bristles works wonders.

A wide-tooth comb is a great tool to use on frizzy hair. The tooth spacing allows you to comb styling products through your curls with ease, and it’s gentler on the strands than a brush.

Never use a brush or comb when your hair is dry as this could cause static and frizz. Brushing or combing when your hair is damp helps to reduce breakage.

Related: 15 Amazing Detangling Combs

How to Apply Your Styling Products

You should always apply your styling products to dripping wet hair. This helps to seal moisture into your hair. Try to comb conditioning products through the hair while you are still in the shower. This way you can gently work the products through without causing any damage.

How to Dry Your Hair Without Causing Damage

Try to avoid using heat on your hair if possible. If you want to blow dry it then let the hair air dry as much as possible first to reduce the amount of time your hair is exposed to the heat.

If you do use a blow dryer then make sure it’s on low or cool setting and work in small sections to help reduce frizz from forming. Also, aim to use a diffuser to help distribute the heat.

Related: Diffuser Hair Dryers for Curly Hair

Summary: How to Get Rid of Frizzy Curly Hair Do’s & Don’ts

What to DO with your frizzy hair:

  • Use a sulphate free shampoo
  • Get regular trims
  • Condition your hair regularly
  • Use hydrating serums and oils
  • Use a boar bristle brush or wide tooth comb
  • Apply styling products to damp hair
  • Prevent heat damage with an air dryer or diffuser

What NOT TO DO with your frizzy hair

  • Use products with too much alcohol, silicone or fragrance
  • Use chemical treatments such as dyes or bleach on your hair
  • Apply excessive heat from styling tools

Further Reading

POST FROM OTHER BEAUTY BLOGS

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy the following posts from other beauty blogs that I follow and trust.

BYRDIE

NATURALLY CURLY

CURLY NIKKI

MANE ADDICTS

GET THE GLOSS

This post was all about how to get rid of frizzy curly hair 

Thank you for reading my post about how to get rid of frizzy curly hair. Do you have curly frizzy hair? If you have tried any of the techniques I’ve recommended, leave me a comment below and let me know how you got on.