Beat the summer "frizz attack!" on your hair

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Jun 6th 2007 7:27AM

It's that time of year when every woman's beauty nemesis rears its ugly head: humidity. We all know it, and we all know what it does to our hair -- especially curly hair. Try these tips next time steamy weather threatens to ruin your do:

After washing and conditioning, use your fingers to twist hair into curls
Finger comb hair -- no brushes!
Don't handle your hair, especially not when it's dry
Keep humidity from seeping in by using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
Use products for your hair type
Try a curl activating product, a.k.a. 'voluminizer'
Curl your hair with hot rollers or a curling iron to clearly define them
Get the right haircut. Believe it or not stylists can give you a cut designed to minimize frizz

My hair has a mind of its own and I fight frizz pretty much all the time! My ultimate "nothing is working!" solution? Ponytail!

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Comments (29)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Nicki 6-06-2007 @ 8:51AM

I'm an early riser, so I'm showered, dressed, done with makeup, and everything else I need to do by 6:30am. If I know it's going to be hot and steamy out, I'll leave my hair wet after showering and twist and roll my hair up into a bun and clip in place using butterfly clips. Later on in the day, when my hair is mostly dry, I let the bun down and my hair will be slighty damp, but curly and looks great!

jenking329 6-08-2007 @ 6:22AM

Good luck with these things working. I've had frizzy hair for over 40 years and as of about 6 months ago, I now have slinky hair. Tx to the invention of the Chi hair straightener. I wish they'd have had these when I was in high school!!! They are all ceramic, and for whatever reason it works magic. They are expensive but they are totally worth it. (about $130)
Jenny

Sharon 6-08-2007 @ 7:43AM

Curly hair is a creature of its' own isn't it???? Those of us who have naturally curly hair can recognize eachother immediately...and it doesn't even have to be on FRIZZY hair days. These are all great tips, but even these aren't foolproof. I also do just what Nicki (comment from 6/6) said. It really works. Great for days when you have special plans for later, unclip and go instead of rushing home to re-shampoo and prep the hair!

msen121324 6-08-2007 @ 7:48AM

i had frizzy, curly hair for over 40 years But not anymore thanks to japanese straightening. i have had it done 5 times over the past 5 years 1st time full head after that just the regrowth in may just before summer humidity. I am soooo happy with the results. Just nake sure that whereever you have it done that the technican is EXPERIENCED!!!!

Barbara 6-08-2007 @ 9:00AM

I second the recommendation for the Chi hair straightener - both my daughters have curly hair, and the Chi works miracles at making their hair look sleek, straight, and shiny. And it lasts all day. I have curly hair too, but I don't want straight hair, just curls without frizz. The curlier the better. I use Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious conditioner every morning after shampooing, and Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream as I finger curl or scrunch my hair after brushing. This combination encourages curls and discourages frizz. I still do have frizz days occasionally, but I'd much rather risk a frizz day here and there than to wear my hair stick straight.

Karen 6-08-2007 @ 8:45AM

I also have had the Japanese straightener done annual for the past 5 years and absolutely love the results. It stays non frizzy through any weather, showering, swimming..........all the time and my hair comes out shiney and soft, but straight. It is expensive, but totally worth it.

carrie cohan 6-08-2007 @ 8:55AM

I have naturally curly hair and there are 2 products that keep it almost frizz free. First, De-Frizz by Sunsilk and then Garnier Curl Creme. They both work great and are very inexpensive. Also, don't wash your hair too often and dry with paper towels rather than towel dry.

Janet 6-08-2007 @ 9:04AM

I've never heard of "Japanese straightener". What is it? How does it help. My hair isn't curly but it sure is frizzy.

SKW 6-08-2007 @ 9:09AM

I already do all these things and what do I get? Moist frizz. My hair's not dry and it's not nappy, it's soft and shiny in loose but springy curls. But I still have a lot of frizz! Especially around my hairline.

Jeffory 6-08-2007 @ 9:09AM

Where can I find/purchase Chi hair straightener?
Thanks.

Lisa 6-08-2007 @ 9:15AM

I too have curly thick hair, I have always used a chi iron and it really does work. I resently purchased a T3 wet to dry straightening iron. It works great and eliminates blowdrying. Its alittle pricey but well worth the money.

Melissa 6-08-2007 @ 9:25AM

My hair is semi straight hait that is thin and fine. I also have a problem with frizz. Since this article offers no advice or help to anyone else in the smae situation as me, i thought i would pass on what i have found that seems to work.

So for those of us with straight or semi straight hair... use a little spray on conditioner once your hair is dry, and comb it through. this sheould help tame the frizzies.

Christy 6-08-2007 @ 9:39AM

I also use a Chi iron, and so does my daughter. We both have very thick, coarse, frizzy hair. NOT PRETTY!!!! The Chi iron was expensive, but well worth the money. I know what it's like to have straight, shiny, glossy hair, and so does my daughter. Just make sure to deep condition at least once a month and use a heat-protectant product to keep your hair from becoming dry and damaged.
You can get a Chi iron at Ulta stores, or from a reputable Ebay seller. We got ours off of Ebay and have had no problems at all. I've seen the T3 at Sephora, and I sure would like to try that, too!!

Crabby McSlacker 6-08-2007 @ 9:37AM

I'm a straight haired person who always envied curly girls--now I'm finding out they don't have it so easy either!

(Crabby has her own grouchy health and fitness blog--whatever you do, don't click on http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/, it only encourages her.)

Olive Branch Soap 6-08-2007 @ 9:44AM

My daughter has thick cork screw curls and hates to take care of it. I have been using products from jessicurl.com and they are wonderful! Love the Rockin Ringlets!

kyro298 6-08-2007 @ 10:28AM

None of these tips work for me...Curly, thick, frizzy hair is just that. I have only tried TrueCeramicPro hair straightener and it has also worked magic for myself and my daughter. (Doesn't control curl-just gets rid of it altogether!) I also found it for much, much less on Ebay.

Robert 6-08-2007 @ 10:39AM

The Chi is good but the Paul Mitchell Flat Iron is better. It is dipped in the ceramic several times more than the Chi which allows for better heat distribution. It also has a temperature dial and the Chi does not. Im a stylist and prefer the Paul Mitchell flat Iron. You can get them in the mall salons or check the Paul Mitchell Web site.

Misty 6-08-2007 @ 11:26AM

I have had the frizziest hair since puberty...like a lion's mane. My hair is very long and I live in Miami, Fl....a very humid place! Recently, I have been using Garnier Fructis Curl and Shine shampoos and conditioners, along with a deep conditioning mask about two times a week. I follow that up with plenty of Garnier's Curl and Shine leave-in conditioning cream and some of their Sleek and Shine anti-frizz serum. When I want my hair to stay wavy, I usually twist some parts with my fingers and put it up into a bun until it is semi-dry. Otherwise, I use the MaxiGlide by Maximus to straighten it. My mother used to be a hairstylist and she says that this product is absolutely amazing. It's better than regular hair irons (Chi, etc...I've tried MANY) because it has little pins that detangle hair and you can do it while the hair is wet. It even has an extra burst of steam that you can use to set the hair. I usually follow my straight hair looks with some Biosilk serum to combat frizz and add extra shine.

Sauce' 6-08-2007 @ 11:00AM

How utterly refreshing to click on something of interest and actually find the subject matter present with no gimmicks and lots of interest. It is a first for me and I have saved all these wonderful suggestions. I will definately be trying alot of them.
I have little patience with this hair, but can't live without Silk Therapy when I'm running out the door.

curlygirl 6-08-2007 @ 11:10AM

One of the best resources I've found for curly hair is www.naturallycurly.com There are product and salong reviews. There are message boards for those trying new products. You can even swap products, you know, those barely used bottles in taking up room in your closet?!

No need for straightening irons... Just surf the site to find the right products and cut for you and you'll learn you can love your curls!!

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