Rains can cause havoc on curly or frizzy hair. I learned this the hard way when I was young and in high school. The humidity used to damage my tresses, but with me, I learned how to handle and tame my frizzy hair.
The knowledge I acquired help save me lots of bad hair days, and dried-out and fazed hair.
This is why I thought I should share the few things everyone with frizzy hair should know to have smooth and shiny hair. It doesn’t matter if your curls are genetically bound or if they tend to pop up only after a sweaty workout.
Not many know that it is possible to smoothen out the pouf, if you want it smooth.You can also always look as if you had just stepped out of the salon.
Jump to:
You need to do much more than just take some preventive measures like knowing what products can best control your frizzy hair the best. It’s better to:
- Restrict your various damaging grooming habits that only aggravate your curls. Opt for something more natural and safe like a DIY hair mask for frizzy hair.
- Change the method you use for drying your hair because your existing method can make it even curlier. Even the excessive scrubbing of your hair at night in the shower can aggravate curls.
- Not make the mistake of not applying the conditioner just because you are late for an appointment or work. These vital few minutes may help you reach on time, but you also end up with really frizzy strands.
Why is My Hair so Rough and Frizzy?
While humidity is the main cause of frizz, some other things may trigger it like hot water. Hair generally gets frizzy when it’s dry, and devoid of moisture.
This is because the hair cuticle gets rough in dry hair. Humid weather thus forms the perfect recipe for the frizz. This is when your hair’s outer layer absorbs moisture in the air to make your hair swell and turn frizzy.
The hair cuticle comprises of ‘little shingles’ which generally lie flat. They, however, open up when damaged or if exposed to moisture. The so many anti-frizz products in the market may make you think that controlling frizzy hair will be a cinch.
However most of the time, nothing seems to happen, no matter how many and types of products you apply to your hair. This is why most of the time you end up being the main cause for your hair’s frizziness.
Why is my Hair Getting Frizzy as I Age?
It’s part of the aging process. Yes, unfortunately, your hair also shows signs of aging as you grow older, just like your skin. This means that grey hair is not the only sign of an aging scalp.
There are other indicators like your scalp producing less oil and losing elasticity to give you brittle and dry hair. Even coarseness, thinning of hair, lackluster and frizziness are signs of aging hair.
Now you may wonder if there is any way you can turn back time. It is possible if you make a few lifestyle changes. It helps if you follow a balanced diet comprising of proteins, iron, healthy fats like coconut oil or avocado, zinc, vitamins B and C and fatty acids from fish and vegan flax seeds.
What Causes Frizzy Hair
The main cause for frizziness is damaged cuticles found in dry and brittle hair. It’s mainly because your hair’s outer layer doesn’t lay flat that your hair strands end up less shiny and smooth.
The aging process also makes well-moisturized hair look unruly. Hormonal changes can change your hair texture where the straight hair you always had turns curly or you suddenly see wavelets instead of ringlets.
Besides, the regrowth process is frustrating if you lose hair because of hormones, stress or breakage. You end up with short baby hairs that seem to stick out from all over your scalp.
You could condition and fight the frizziness by using a serum to smoothen out wild hair. Use something made of natural oils because it not only smoothens your hair cuticle but also nourishes dry hair.
7 things you do which may make your hair frizzier
Mistake #1
Don’t Shampoo Everyday – But when Washing, Use a Sulfate-free
Most of the shampoos you find in the market contain hair-damaging sulfates. They are nothing but strong detergents that are added to shampoos.
They may create foam but end up removing your hair’s nutrients and healthy natural oils that moisturize your hair. This only adds frizz to the hair while drying it out.
Look and start using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners which are available in various brands, and drugstores.
Mistake #2
Using products with Alcohol
It’s saddening to know that the many aerosol hairsprays that you use to control your hair, end up drying your hair and making it frizzy in the long run. Even alcohol-containing products tend to dry your hair leaving it brittle and frizz-prone.
This is because alcohol absorbs vital moisture your hair needs for combating frizz. It’s better to use hair oils or styling crèmes because they retain the moisture to give you shiny hair.
Mistake #3
Washing your hair in super hot water
If you have frizzy hair, it’s time you stopped washing your hair in very hot water. This is something everyone should practice because the hot water strips your hair of its natural oils that moisturize and keep hair soft.
Mistake #4
Touching your Hair Too much
Repeatedly fiddling with your hair can create frizz, especially if your skin has moisture. Even meddling too much with wet hair can affect your hair curl and wave patterns.
Maintain a habit of applying styling products to wet hair. Don’t touch your hair till it’s completely dry to prevent your curls from losing its definition and getting frizzy. In short, keep your hands off because excessive touching creates excessive frizz.
Mistake #5
Towel-Drying your hair
Many people tend to scrunch their hair in a towel after a shower, mainly because it conveniently dries your hair. However, it doesn’t help in preventing frizz at all.
According to hairstylist Kirsten Patterson, towel drying tends to rough the hair cuticle to create a lift instead of letting your hair lie flat. Remember your hair is the most fragile when it is wet.
So it’s worth investing in a microfiber towel if your hair is frizzy, and not wrapping your hair in a towel like a turban. The microfiber towel will gently absorb the excess moisture and control frizz. You just have to blot your hair with the towel. Don’t touch it because it anyway will dry in the air.
Mistake #6
Over Styling with Hot Tools
It doesn’t matter what your favorite tool may be; a flat iron, curling iron or blow dryer. The heat they emit with everyday use can damage your hair by stripping it of vital moisture to create frizz.
It is better to restrict the use of heated styling tools as much as possible, and preferably let your hair air dry. If you have no other option but to use heat, then use it in the lowest setting and protect your hair with a thermal protectant spray.
It is better if you use an ionic technology blow dryer because it ‘produces natural negative ions to smooth the hair cuticles.
Another tip to remember to restrict frizz while using blow dryers is to use its smoothing nozzle while blow-drying your hair in the hair growth direction or from roots to ends. This helps seal the cuticle and control frizzing.
Mistake #7
Brushing hair when it doesn’t need to be brushed
Brushing indeed helps untangle locks but it’s not that helpful at controlling frizz especially if you don’t intend to use the blow dryer. Yes, brushing your hair from roots to tips before blow drying it helps to naturally distribute your scalp oils.
If you plan to air-dry your hair, then brushing it only disrupts its outer layer to create frizz. Excessive brushing of hair stretches your hair strands which only leads to possible breakage.
Extra Tips:
- It’s better to rake any styling products through the wet hair using your fingers, and then keep your hands off.
- Brushing dry hair should be done gently, and not as if you were practically ripping through it.
- If your hair texture permits it, then it’s worth brushing your hair from scalp to the ends using a brush with both boar and nylon bristles. It helps distribute oil from the scalp to your hair tips while adding moisture and shine.
What’s the Right Way to Keep the Frizz Away?
Don’t worry. According to the experts we contacted, there still is hope to keep your hair smooth and shiny. The most important thing you have to do however is to know your hair type.
You should identify, and decide if your hair is curly, fine, wavy, damaged or dry. Once you ascertain this, then you will find it much easier to select something that’s safest and best for your hair.
- Hairspray is usually more than enough to tame the frizz of fine hair. However, those with wavy and curly hair should opt for something like a crème or mousse for added moisture.
- Your repair work starts in the shower for those with dry or damaged hair.
- You can also reduce frizz friction while sleeping by covering your nourished tresses with a sallow pillowcase or scarf while sleeping. The benefit of this is that it doesn’t suck the moisture in your strands, and it’s perfect to help reduce frizz causing friction in all hair types.
What are the Best Oils for Extremely Dry Hair?
Thick tresses, coarse hair and even thin, fine and oily hair benefit from oil, as long as you find the right elixir for your hair type.
Argan oil: Best for Dry or Frizzy hair
Argan oil is called liquid gold in its native Morocco, but it was kick-started to popularity in the UK’s hair oil obsessive market. This nutty oil is high in fatty acids and vitamin E to effectively make dry, unruly and coarse hair shiny and smooth. It not only makes hair more manageable but also helps reduce frizz and fly-always.
It is perfect for adding weightless shine and moisture to your hair because unlike other oils like coconut oil, argan oil has really small molecules that easily penetrate your hair shaft. This helps provide instant and deep moisturizing to treat and strengthen your hair without weighing it down.
It, however, is better to avoid silicone and its products because it tends to create a barrier around your hair. This, in turn, causes frizz by preventing humidity from reaching the cuticle, making them unfeasible for most people.
Products with silicone waxes may control frizz but regular use also forms a coating that makes your hair flat, lifeless and dull. While silicone serums may make your hair look shiny they just give a coating to your hair. They do not help add necessary moisture to your hair strands at all, to fight frizz in the long run.
Coconut oil: Perfect for any hair
Coconut oil is perfect to use on all hair types, including greasy hair. It’s a multi-tasker that works at replenishing your hair while keeping your scalp healthy.
The best and most common way to use coconut oil to hydrate your frizzy and dried-out hair is through its hair mask. Besides, a coconut oil hair mask is the easiest to do at home, without any additional tools.
Should I apply coconut oil to dry or wet hair?
This sounds like a weird question to ask but it is worth asking anyway. It’s better to apply coconut oil to dry hair because both oils and moisturizers do not penetrate through the shaft of wet hair as in dry hair.
Just make sure you detangle your hair by giving it a good brushing before applying oil to it.
Macadamia oil- Best oil for damaged or very dry hair
Of the lot, it’s the nut oils that are most intensive. Macadamia oil, in turn, is one of the richest oils available and is perfect for use on dry or damaged hair as a weekly mask. You can also use it to replenish your hair if your hair has gone through some heavy heat styling session.
Abyssinian oil: The oil for fine hair
Abyssinian oil is also referred to as organic Crambe seed oil. it is very hydrating in nature but is also at the same time very light in weight and texture.
This is what makes it the perfect choice for oiling thin, greasy and fine hair that tends to lank with too much oil. besides, thanks to the oil’s molecular structure it is one of the most heat resistant oils, making it an ideal pre-heat styling product.
Almond oil: Ideal for fighting dandruff
Don’t get fooled by the lightness of almond oil because despite being a light oil it’s full of goodness. It contains fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E and even contains lots of magnesium that’s vital for boosting hair growth while reducing breakage.
You can even use it to reduce inflammation, redness, and dandruff if you have scalp irritation by massaging your hair with almond oil whenever you wash your hair.
Best homemade hair mask for dry hair?
You can create a fabulous DIY hair mask for dry hair from ingredients you probably already have at home, except glycerin, but it’s inexpensive and commonly found in the skin care area of most drug stores.
Each ingredient improves the health of your hair, while also moisturizing, reducing frizziness and making it look smooth, shiny and beautiful.
Best of all, this won’t cost a fortune to make or take forever to see the effects. You’ll notice the difference immediately and see even more improvement each time you use it.
Ingredient #1
Milk & Butter
Milk products play a prominent role. The first important ingredient is butter. Organic butter from grass fed cows that is unsalted is best.
Butter contains many fatty acids the hair absorbs that make your hair healthier, while also smoothing the hair and adding moisture. Milk is the second of the dairy products used.
Milk contains vitamin D, vitamin E and many different proteins that help make hair shinier, while also repairing damaged hair and making it softer.
Ingredient #2
Olive Oil & Castor Oil
Olive oil and Castor oil are two other products used in this hair mask. Both contain antioxidants that can help the scalp and the production of hair.
They also contain many vitamins and nutrients important to hair health, such as vitamin E and Omega fatty acids.
Both ingredients help make hair more manageable and both aid in making hair smooth and soft. While not everyone will have castor oil, it’s another inexpensive item you can find at your local drug store.
It’s also used for many other beauty treatments for the hair and skin.
Ingredient #3
Honey
Honey is another ingredient found in this hair mask. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture and prevents loss of moisture content.
Be careful when you choose your honey for the hair mask. Many commercial types of inexpensive commercial honey are diluted with water and sugar to make it less expensive.
Try to find local honey and even better, raw honey. Honey also has antibacterial properties, It stimulates the growth of hair and makes it more manageable.
Ingredient #4
Glycerin
Glycerin, just like honey, is a humectant that attracts moisture. Using this combination of ingredients in your hair mask will make your hair healthier and more beautiful, without the frizz.
DIY Hair Mask Recipe
You’ll Need :
- unsalted butter
- milk
- olive oil or coconut oil
- castor oil (you can get it from amazon)
- raw honey
- glycerin (you can find this in your health stores or at amazon)
More Reads:
step by step instructions:
① Grab 2-3 tbsp of unsalted butter and put in a bowl and add 4 tbsp raw milk, 2 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil.
② Put in the mixture – 2 tbsp castor oil, 2 tbsp raw honey and 1 tbsp glycerin.
③ Now, mix all the ingredients and whisk or use a hand mixer and beat the mixture in low setting.
④ Whisk/beat until it will form a paste-like consistency and it’s ready to use.
⑤ Apply the mixture by section from roots to tips but concentrate more on the hair tips.
⑥ Let it sit for 30 minutes and shampoo to wash it off. Repeat the shampoo if you feel your hair is a bit greasy
⑦ Do this routine 2x a week to see best results.
6 Other DIY Hair Masks for Damaged Hair
Hair Mask # 1
Olive oil and avocado hair mask
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that play an integral part in your hair growth, shine and strength. It also contains vital antioxidants that help fight off all the free radicals that promote hair aging.
Avocado provides your hair with necessary proteins and amino acids which help in hair production. It also helps moisturize dry hair while soothing dry scalps. The combination of these two ingredients makes this an ideal DIY hair mask for frizzy hair!
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado, mashed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Add 2 tablespoons of honey for extra hydration.
how to Do It:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out and condition as usual.
Hair Mask # 2
Honey, egg, olive oil and mayonnaise hair mask
You read it right! The very mayo you use in sandwiches also makes a great hair mask ingredient. It’s because it contains lipids that help your hair absorb moisture while the fatty acids nourish your hair follicles.
The olive oil and honey provide both moisturizing and antioxidant benefits while the egg protein helps strengthen your hair.
This DIY mask is ideal for curly hair where it helps keep the entire frizz at bay without any weighing down of your hair.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
Combine ingredients and blend. Apply in small sections to clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
Hair Mask # 3
Honey and coconut oil hair mask
This is the perfect hair mask for those with fine to medium hair. Coconut oil helps in two ways. It protects the hair’s natural proteins, which is helpful for those with hair that’s low in protein. It also provides antioxidant benefits while its lauric acid helps honey’s emollient properties penetrate deeper into the hair shaft.
Ingredients:
- 2 to 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out, and condition.
Hair Mask #4
Honey, apple cider vinegar and lemon mask
This hair mask is for those with oily hair. Its lemon juice absorbs all the excess oil while apple cider vinegar restores the scalp’s acidity by balancing pH levels.
Besides, apple cider vinegar cleanses your hair without stripping off too much oil while honey helps seal moisture to give lustrous hair.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice from one whole lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
Blend ingredients and apply in small sections to clean damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.
Hair Mask #5
Coconut oil and almond milk mask
This is another interesting DIY mask for frizzy hair. Almonds are a good protein source, where proteins are an important part of your hair structure.
The antioxidant vitamin E in almonds also reduces inflammation while promoting hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- 5 tablespoons almond milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions:
Whisk or blend ingredients, then work into clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 45 minutes. Shampoo out, and follow with conditioner.
Hair Mask #6
Egg yolk hair mask
Eggs are rich in amino acids and proteins, which are vital building blocks for healthy hair. The egg yolks also help to deeply moisturize your hair and scalp.
Eggs are also one of the few natural sources of the vitamin D your hair needs to prevent hair fall.
Ingredients:
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
- Just enough water (to dilute)
Directions:
Blend ingredients, then massage into clean, damp hair. Cover hair with a shower cap for 30 to 60 minutes. Shampoo out and condition.
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