Is the humidity attacking your hair? Studio 5 Beauty and Style Contributor Holly Stone helps you fight back.
Whether curly hair or straight, it happens to the best of us. You spend time styling your hair only to walk outside and look like the frizz monster attacked you. Can you prevent it? Can you avoid it? Can you even stop it? Yes, yes, and YES!! But first, you must know its cause. Then, you can attack back with tools and products on your front line of battle.
What Causes Frizz?
· Split ends
· Dry, brittle hair
· Over coloring
· Brushing dry hair with any type of brush
· Super curly hair
· Frequent hair straightener use
· Alcohol-based product
· Humidity/Environment
· Too much heat styling
· Lack of styling know-how
o Wrong product
o Wrong technique
o Wrong amount
o Wrong tools
Get It Right!
It’s all in the Science. Calming frizzy hair is actually a scientific occurrence. The technique desired is to put the internal bond of each hair- also known as the hydrogen bond-en tact.
It Starts in the Wash
Controlling frizzy hair starts in the shower. If you want protection to keep frizz out for up to 72 hours, begin by using a shampoo/conditioner that assists in locking in moisture and creates the beginning building block for the bonds to hold hair in place. Also, if you can go 2-3 days without washing, all the better. Frequent washing with no matter the product is hard on the hair. Let it breathe and soak up the nourishment.
Having tried five different shampoos and conditioners from outrageously high end to grocery store, I was shocked that Pantene won hands down. At this price, you can afford to splurge on some of the styling products recommended.
Holly’s Product Pick: Pantene Smooth Shampoo and Smooth Conditioner, $6.99
Designed to barrier hair and lock out humidity. Smoothes the hair cuticle and effectively creates the bond to hold hair in place
Leave-In for Longevity
Leave-in conditioners are the foundation for allowing up to 72 hours of frizz fighting. Beyond a typical conditioner, this one is packed with protein and keratin, which is a natural component of hair. It gives some added weight to the hair allowing it to hold the bonds in place and allow for natural movement and style.
Holly’s Product Pick: Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge Moisture Whip Leave In Conditioner , $4.97, Wal-Mart
Dry or Die
If you must dry your hair with a blow dryer, opt for an ION dryer. Ion hair dryers create negatively charged ions, which tighten the cuticle on your hair helping prep for more styling techniques designed to hold hair in place. ION dryers typically yield far less frizz. For the best results to preserve the strength of your hair, dry hair in the medium heat setting. Most high heat settings are too harsh and will damage hair. This applies to all hair types-frizzy or not.
Holly’s Product Pick: ION Hair Dryer, $59, Sally’s Beauty Supply
Boar is Best
Boar hairbrushes are the best to prevent breakage to vulnerable hair. Don’t brush dry hair frequently, instead opt for a wide tooth comb. Dry hair breaks easier when grabbed with all those tiny brush bristles. When you do brush—Brush with a boar-frizz no more!
Holly’s Product Pick: Boar bristled brushes, $6.99-22, Ulta
Smooth it Out
As the final step to guarantee 72 hours of frizz-free hair, apply a liberal amount of smoothing serum. Serums are the best option since anti-frizz lotions and creams can actually weigh hair down. I also tend to select serums that are not only for hair but are for both skin and hair. This tells me that the formula does not just sit and build up but is able to be absorbed. The product I recommend is not a greasy product but has silicones to boost shine and seal the frizz. This is the one product most commonly underused. Think about it: Frizz cannot stand up when weighed down lightly. When determining amount to use, length is less relevant than the texture and thickness of your hair.
Factors to determine usage portion:
· Thick, curly hair: 50 cent piece size
· Average frizzy hair: a quarter size
· Thin hair that frizzes: a dime size
Use appropriate amount when wet to calm the frizz and then apply a pea sized amount when dry to capture any little hairs trying to taking flight.
Holly’s Product Pick: Enjoy Hair and Skin Treatment Oil , $25-33, The Sweetest Thingz Salon
This incredible non-greasy, dry lightweight formula instantly penetrates and absorbs into hair and skin reducing drying time dramatically without buildup. Smooth, condition, and seal with amazing shine. Eliminates frizz. Locks in moisture, blocks out humidity. Alcohol-Free. For All Hair Types. As a bonus, this oil is excellent for use on dry skin areas, cuticles, nails, feet, hands and elbows.
Flat Iron Faux Pas
Flat irons can certainly smooth frizzy hair but they can also create it too. This is where you really want to use the right amount of smoothing serum to protect the hair before you style. When using a flat iron, comb it through the hair quickly as if you are brushing it. If you drag the iron slowly from root to end, you significantly increase the chances of burning you hair creating the worst kind of frizzies-broken off hair in random places. Iron each section or strand only one time through.
Use hot styling tools 1-2 times a week if possible and make sure you have protected your hair with the regimen of products suggested above.
Holly’s Product Pick: Classic Flat Iron, $145-185. I love this brand because there is a computer chip built inside to automatically sense the texture of your hair and adjust the heat accordingly. I can tell the heat sensor really works as I move over thicker or damp sections of my hair. I have had so much less damage to my hair since using this curling iron. I love it more than my Chi and Babyliss Pro combined!
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