15 Game-Changing Tips on How to Manage Frizzy Curly Hair
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Learning how to manage frizzy, curly hair can be difficult, especially in the summer months when you have more humid weather and more moisture in the air. Frizzy hair can also occur due to a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to heat damage, pillowcases, towel-drying hair, hair type, and not using the right products. Simply playing with your hair too much can lead to frizz! You can take many actions to prevent frizzy hair through products, towels, or eliminating hot tools. Regardless of the reasons for your frizz, these 15 game-changing tips on how to manage frizzy, curly hair will help you start to manage your mane and prevent those flyaways from ruining your day.
15 Tips On How To Manage Frizzy Curly Hair
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why is my hair always frizzy?” then ask yourself if you’ve done the following.
1. Invest In a Shampoo And Conditioner For Frizzy Hair
The key to managing your frizzy hair is to start with the basics. You want to invest in a hydrating, smoothing, or curl-enhancing shampoo and conditioner with a formula that will help combat dry hair and add extra moisture to your hair. These types of shampoos have conditioning agents that will help seal the hair's cuticles down. If your hair is curly, your hair shaft is more open, resulting in more fizzy, which is why using a shampoo and conditioner that will help to control the hair cuticles down is important. Also, using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner will give your frizzy curls that extra moisture that they need to avoid your curls from being a frizzy mess.
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2. Add a Hair Mask Or Deep Conditioner Into Your Routine
Hair masks and deep conditioners are formulated with concentrated ingredients that impact your hair in a shorter time frame than traditional shampoos and conditioners. Similar to when you choose your washing products, you want to pick a hydrating formula with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, shea butter, or castor oil to restore the oils in your hair. Deep conditioners are the easiest way to add in the lack of moisture your curly hair craves. When applying your deep conditioner or hair mask to your hair, you will want to follow the steps listed below for the best results.
Step 1: Make sure you squeeze all the excess water out of your hair first. This allows the product to absorb into the hair properly.
Step 2: If you have super thick curly hair, you will want to apply your hair mask in sections. Applying your hair mask in sections when you have thick hair ensures that each section is getting hydrated. If you are on the finer side, you can skip out on sectioning your hair. You want to apply the hair mask first to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Then work the excess product up to your roots if you do not have an oily scalp.
Step 3: After you have applied the product through your hair, use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush in the shower to comb the product through your hair. This will ensure that all the product is being worked into every single curl. When each curl is moisturized, you will find that your curls will have less frizz.
Step 4: let the hair mask or deep conditioner sit in your hair for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse out the mask.
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3. Switch Out Your Towel With a Microfiber Towel
Towel-drying your hair can be a quick and effective solution to getting dry hair fast, but it can also cause frizz before you start styling it. When your hair is wet, it's at its most vulnerable state. The thick material of the towel can also raise the cuticle of the hair or cause premature breakage to weak strands of hair. If you prefer drying your hair with a towel, swap your traditional cotton one for a microfiber towel. A microfiber towel will curb breakage and absorb excess water from your hair without causing frizz, or you can opt for an old cotton t-shirt to get the job done.
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4. Rinse With Cold Water
Using high water temperatures when washing your hair can strip your hair of natural oils and cause a lack of moisture. Frizzy hair is more common in these conditions, so it is a good idea to rinse your hair with cold water after washing to lay the cuticle flat. Another quick tip to note is that if you’ve already washed your hair, you can cover your hair with a shower cap and a sap headband to protect your hair from becoming a frizzy mess.
5. Never Brush Your Dry Curls
Like towels, brushing your dry curls can cause instant hair frizz and breakage. Using a detangling brush in the shower or on damp hair can be a great way to get rid of pesky knots, but make sure to be gentle and avoid tugging when combing out your curly hair. Start combing out your hair from the bottom and work your way up. This method of combing your hair will help avoid your hair from tangling even more. Also, always style your hair when it's wet to avoid causing unnecessary surface frizz.
6. Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase
Sleeping on a satin pillowcase is the best way to avoid frizz from happening overnight. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase causes less friction so your hair can maintain its natural texture, unlike a cotton pillowcase that is much rougher and less forgiving on curl definition. Investing in a bonnet can also help keep the top of your head from accumulating frizz, making your styles last longer. Your hair will also stay hydrated longer, making this little change go a long way.
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7. Cut Down on Heat And Hot Tools
While heat tools are a great way to change your curl type or straighten your hair, you will notice a big difference in your frizz levels if you use heat tools sparingly. Heat tools damage the hair follicles and cause problems like split ends, brittleness, and lack of moisture. There are many ways to achieve curls if you have fine hair using heatless methods like scarves, socks, or a heatless curler rod. Relaxers and other chemical treatments can also damage hair and cause frizz.
8. Always Protect Your Curls From Heat
If you have to use a hot tool, it is always essential to use a heat protectant to avoid heat damage when styling your hair. Some leave-in conditioner brands have heat protectant properties built into the product already. While there are separate heat protection sprays that can be applied to dry hair before using a hot tool. Heat protectants add moisture to the hair to reduce damage and breakage, making it KEY to implement into your curly hair routine if you use any type of hot tool on your hair.
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9. Use The Right Products For Your Curly Hair
Proper hair products for your hair type are essential to combating frizz. Researching ingredients and reading reviews are important when deciding what you want to put in your hair. Make sure to invest in products geared towards your hair type to avoid issues with formula. Investing in a curl cream will do wonders for maintaining moisture in between washes for curly-headed individuals. Also, remember that one size does not fit all. This means that a product that works for your sisters, moms, or friends' curly hair will not always work for your curly hair. Hair products are trial and error, and you might have to try out a few products before you find the right one for your curly hair type.
10. Use a rich leave-in conditioner
Using a leave-in conditioner with nourishing ingredients is key to maintaining moisture. Not only do leave-in conditioners protect your hair from damage, but they also help the detangling process. This makes it easier to style your hair once it’s dry, and if you have curls, diffusing your hair with cold air and a leave-in conditioner can help define your curls and prevent frizz.
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11. Don't Shampoo Your Hair Every Day
Using too much shampoo can strip your hair of natural oils produced in between washing cycles. When you shampoo too much, your hair doesn’t have enough time to reproduce these healthy oils, and your hair becomes dry and brittle. A good solution is to use solely conditioner when washing, as the formula is less harsh and doesn’t remove those oils.
12. Diffuse your hair with cold air
Diffusing your hair is an easy way to dry it faster than a traditional towel, which can cause unnecessary frizz when rubbed against the hair cuticle. Diffusing your hair with cold air eliminates any potential heat damage from using the hot setting and keeps your hair from rubbing against anything that could cause frizz. Make sure to leave your tresses alone after diffusing, or you could run into the same problem.
13. Style your hair when it's wet
Styling your hair when it’s wet prevents you from tugging on the vulnerable strands and any potential tangles that can cause damage. If you have curls, brushing your hair when it’s dry can cause your hair to expand and amass more frizz than if you were to do it wet. Also, brushing your curls when they’re dry can disrupt your natural curl pattern and cause tension, making the hair susceptible to breakage.
14. Finish Your Hair Off With a hair serum
Finishing your styling process with a hair serum is a good way to keep your ends and scalp moisturized throughout your day. Hair serums help tame existing frizz and flyaways while also adding a healthy shine to your mane.
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15. Don't Skip out on anti-humidity spray
Anti-humidity sprays also keep your hair frizz-free, fighting the harsh summer temperatures to make sure your hair stays smooth and clean. I recommend the Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof, KMS Hair Stay Anti-Humidity Seal or the Color Wow Dream Coat.
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Overall, you should find that your frizz levels have gone significantly down or have become manageable after implementing these tips. The summer heat tends to amplify this common issue, but if you take precautions to ensure that your hair is properly nourished and protected from friction, you should find no problem maintaining your summer ‘do.
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