Frizz is a common issue in the curly hair community, but don’t worry, there are effective ways to keep unwanted frizz at bay. Preventing frizz starts with consistent moisture, gentle handling, and the right techniques. Everything from how you wash and dry your hair to how you apply your styling products play an important role in preventing frizz and keeping your curls looking their best.
Table of contents:
How to Prevent Frizzy Curly Hair
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
As mentioned above, there are various things to consider when preventing frizz. But what actually causes frizzy hair? Two of the main causes are lack of moisture and raised cuticles. When your curls are dry, they naturally try to draw moisture from the environment. If the cuticle is raised, that moisture enters the strand unevenly causing the hair to swell and resulting in frizz.
How to Prevent Frizzy Curly Hair
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent frizz from forming. With the right techniques, habits, and small adjustments throughout your haircare routine, you can keep your curls smoother, more defined, and far less prone to unwanted frizz.
1. Avoid Overwashing
Regardless of whether you have wavy, curly or coily hair, it’s important to avoid over-washing. Washing too often can strip your strands of their natural oils, leaving them dry and more prone to frizz. If you prefer to cleanse frequently, try alternating your regular shampoo with a co-wash. This allows you to refresh your scalp and hair mildly.
It is often recommended to shampoo twice, however, if you are washing your hair frequently, you may find a single shampoo is enough to keep your hair cleansed.
2. Reduce Heat
The thought of a hot steamy shower is one that many of us have, but when it comes to washing your hair, reducing the water temperature is key. This is especially important when rinsing out your conditioner. Switching to lukewarm, or even cool water can make a noticeable difference. Hot water can contribute towards raising the cuticles, which as you know by now, leads to dryness and unwanted frizz. Cooler water on the other hand, helps keep the cuticle flatter, which contributes to moisture retention and prevents frizz.
3. Use Hydrating Shampoos
If you’re experiencing frizz caused by dryness, using products that contain moisturising ingredients can help smooth the hair’s cuticle and prevent frizz from forming as your hair dries.
Anyone with curly, coily, or wavy hair can benefit from using a sulfate-free shampoo, such as the Frizz Control Cleanser as it helps gently remove dirt and build up without stripping essential moisture, while nourishing the hair and helping to tame frizz.
4. Use a Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioners help restore and retain moisture in the hair, which can significantly reduce frizz in curly hair. If your hair is dry, using a deep conditioner regularly, such as once a week or every two weeks, can help obtain optimal hydration. Those with hair that isn’t very dry can deep condition once a month, or as needed.
Some deep conditioners are richer than others, such as the Double Cream Deep Quencher, which makes it ideal for extra dry or coarse hair because of its thicker, more nourishing formula. Lighter options like the Multi-tasking Conditioner or the Hydro Creme Soothing Mask are a great option for medium to fine hair, offering hydration without weighing curls down.
5. Use Leave-In Conditioners
A leave-in conditioner helps your curls stay moisturized well beyond day one hair. Since frizz is often a sign that your strands are craving hydration, keeping them moisturized can make a noticeable difference in how healthy, and defined your curls look.
Leave-ins come in various forms so choose the one that suits your hair texture and needs. Lightweight sprays and milky formulas tend to work well with finer textures, while light creams like the Weightless Air Dry Cream are good for medium to coarse textures. Alternatively, richer creams such as the Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream are ideal for coarser textures or thirsty curls. The key is finding the right leave-in conditioner to suit your needs so your curls stay hydrated, soft and manageable.
6. Air Dry Hair as Much as Possible
Air drying is a great option for those who prefer to avoid heat styling. It’s low-effort and gentle on your curls, but for the best results, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When air drying, it’s important to refrain from touching your hair as much as possible while it dries. Constant touching can disrupt the curl pattern and lead to frizz. Additionally, stepping out into wind or humidity before your hair is fully dry can cause moisture imbalance, which also contributes to frizz.
By allowing your curls to dry undisturbed in a controlled environment, you help preserve definition, reduce frizz and maintain hydration.
7. Use a Hairdryer Diffuser
If you choose to dry your hair using heat, it’s best to use a hair dryer designed for curly hair as well as a diffuser. Properly diffusing is key to not causing frizz as your hair dries. Avoid touching and disturbing your curls as they’re drying. Begin by hovering your diffuser at a distance, and then you can gently scrunch your hair with the diffuser once the protective gel cast starts to form.
8. Add a Serum or Oil
Oils can also help seal moisture in your hair and protect it from humidity. Oils likely will not tame frizz entirely, but they can help smooth the hair's cuticle and prevent moisture loss. Our Bonding Oil is formulated with a unique Plansilk complex, specially designed to target damaged hair, help seal cuticles, help reduce the appearance of split ends and make curls feel softer and smoother. This can be used to smooth over frizzy pieces and help lock in moisture.
9. Use a Hair Gel
Using a gel can make a big difference when it comes to frizz control, especially if you're looking for definition and long-lasting hold. Gels often come in a variety of holds, from light and flexible to strong hold, so choose the one that suits your styling goals. If you like a medium hold that defines without compromising on volume, the Hydro Style Fexi Jelly is a great fit. For curl friends that prefer a stronghold and protection against humidity, the In-Shower Style Fixer is the way to go.
10. Sleep on a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
Protecting your wavy, curly or coily hair at night should be non-negotiable. It’s a simple habit that helps make a noticeable difference to the overall health of your hair. Traditional cotton pillowcases create friction as you sleep, which can lead to frizz and breakage over time. There are various ways to keep your curls protected overnight, from silk or satin pillowcases to silk or satin scarves, or bonnet’s. With so many options available, there’s no reason to let your curls go unprotected while you sleep.
11. Get Regular Trims
When you have curly hair, getting a trim can seem like a daunting task, and let's be honest, many of our curl friends have lived through at least one traumatic trim. However, regular trims are essential for keeping those split ends at bay, and maintaining healthy, bouncy, curls.
Finding a trusted curl specialist stylist makes all the difference. Once you do, aim to visit them every 8-12 weeks for a maintenance trim to keep those curls popping!
12. Embrace the Frizz
Frizz happens, and that’s completely normal. With waves, curls, and coils, there are so many factors that can lead to frizz, so trying to avoid it altogether is really inevitable. What is realistic is embracing the fact that curly hair is unique, never perfectly uniform, and always full of personality.
Also, let’s take a minute to highlight that not all frizz is bad. There’s the kind that disrupts your definition, the ‘bad frizz’ that most curl friends try to tame. Then there’s the ‘good frizz,’ the kind that boosts volume and gives your curls that soft , lived in fullness while still keeping the definition. Learning the difference makes embracing your natural texture much easier.
Conclusion
Frizz is part of every curl friend’s journey, and learning how to prevent unwanted frizz can make it so much easier to embrace your natural texture. With a combination of hydrating products, curl friendly drying techniques, and a night time routine, you have the recipe to help prevent unwanted frizz. Add in regular trims and consistency in your hair care routine, your curls will stay beautifully defined.
