How to Tame Frizzy Hair Quickly

Co-authored by Noël Reid-Killings

Last Updated: September 5, 2024 References

Is your hair always frizzy and fried looking? Hair is complex, as it is made up of three layers and thousands of cells. But the reason hair gets frizzy is pretty simple. Picture your hair's outer layer, the cuticle, as a shingled roof.^{[1]
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Research source} When your hair is smooth and straight, the shingles lie flat. But when you run a brush through dry, curly hair, the shingles lift and create frizz on the surface of your hair, and, inevitably, another bad hair day. You could also try experimenting with different kinds of hair products as some of the products mentioned might not work for your certain type of hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Professional Hair Products (Instant Fix)

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1
Use a silicone serum before you style your hair. These serums work by coating each strand of hair to make sure the cuticle stays smooth, and does not frizz up.
- Use a wide tooth comb to apply the serum and then let your hair dry or style it with a blow-dryer. Silicone products typically work much better when used with heat styling.
Expert Answer

Q

A wikiHow reader asked: "What helps prevent frizzy hair?"

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Laura Martin:

Laura Martin, a licensed cosmetologist, responds: "Reducing stress on the hair, using moisturizing products, and not disturbing the natural wave pattern will all help reduce frizz. Try combing your hair in the shower, styling it immediately after you get out, then leaving it alone until it's completely dry. Many times, frizz is caused by touching or scrunching the hair. "
The spray will to help weigh your hair down and flatten it with a lasting hold.

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Use children's detangling spray to make combing easier. Children's detangling spray isn't as oily as other products and will help you work through any tangles or knots with a comb.
- You can also create your own detangler spray by filling a spray bottle with ⅓ hair conditioner and ⅔ water.^{[2]
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Apply a shine spray to tackle any flyaways. Spritz a shine spray on your hands and then run them through the ends of your hair. Avoid applying it directly to your hair or to the roots, as it could make your hair look greasy.
- You can purchase shine spray online or at your local drugstore.
5
Put your hair up into a bun or top knot. If you only have 5 minutes to try to tame your frizzy hair in the morning, maybe the best solution is to just throw your hair into a stylish updo and call it a day.
- Top knots are a great option for a frizzy hair updo as they are supposed to have a messy, casual look.
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Purchase a mild shampoo with moisturizers. You want to avoid shampoos with harsh products as they can dry out your hair further.^{[3]
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- Get in the habit of conditioning your hair after you shampoo.
- How often you shampoo and condition will depend on if you have an oily or dry scalp, as well as color treated hair, and the water quality in your shower. Take a hair quiz or survey online to determine how often you should be shampooing and conditioning your hair.^{[4]
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Look for a protein-rich conditioner. It will help to manage your frizz and create a nice, healthy shine.
- Unless you have fine hair, you should always be looking for a deep conditioner and leave it in for 5 minutes before washing it out. Remember that products labeled this way are usually too heavy for frequent use.
Try a leave-in conditioner. "I’ve been using conditioner after shampooing and combing my hair with a wide-tooth comb, which helps my hair produce natural oils. I find that using leave-in conditioners helps reduce frizz." - Diane D.

Look into grooming cream. "I recently tamed my frizzy, wavy hair. After I wash it, I apply a generous amount of no-rinse conditioner and a generous amount of male grooming cream. I then blow dry with a brush as usual and when it’s dry, I again apply grooming cream, smoothing the surface of the hair with my hands. The result is no strays, good definition, still some volume but not too much, and no wet look. Works like a charm!" - David L.

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8
Check your hair products for alcohol. Alcohols can dry out your hair, especially if they are a major ingredient, setting you up for frizz or even more frizz. Watch out for the following names on the label (or any similar names): ethanol, ethyl alcohol, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, propanol or propyl alcohol.
- Other types of alcohol used in hair products are fatty alcohols, which are well-tolerated. These alcohols tend to have prefixes like lauryl, cetyl, stearyl or something similar.
9
Take water and some hairspray, mix it in a spray bottle. An hour before taking a shower, spray it gently on your fingers and rub it on your frizzes. It will absorb in your hair making it tamable to flatten out your frizz. Then once you are done with your shower, dry it with a cotton t-shirt and ta-da!
- Using a cotton t-shirt instead of a regular towel will help improve a lot on your hair like making it silky and soft.
For those with curly hair use a humectant to help attract moisture from the air to reduce frizz. For preventing frizz in straight hair, use an anti-humectant to block additional moisture. You may find these products more or less necessary throughout the year depending on the humidity.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Natural Remedies (Less Than an Hour)

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1
Apply a carbonated water rinse. This is the simplest and easiest method to treat frizzy hair. The low pH level in carbonated water helps to reduce your frizz.^{[5]
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- Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Then, give it a final rinse with several cups of carbonated water.
2
Use an apple cider vinegar rinse. The acidity in apple cider vinegar does wonders to tame frizzy hair, and gives your hair a healthy shine.
- After shampooing your hair, and completely rinsing out any shampoo, pour apple cider vinegar diluted 4:1 with water into your hair, from root to tip.
- Let it sit for about 30 seconds and then rinse it with cool water. Proceed to condition your hair as you normally would. Repeat this treatment once a week.^{[6]
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- For those with extremely frizzy hair, mix one cup of the apple cider vinegar with two cups water, then pour on hair and leave it in for 20 minutes. Rinse it off thoroughly with cold water, ensuring you get all the vinegar out to avoid making your hair smell of it.
3
Make an avocado and olive oil mask for your hair. These ingredients will act as natural conditioners for your hair, as both avocado and olive oil have very good hydrating benefits. Avocado also has good fatty acids, as well as Vitamin E, to help tame frizziness.
- Mash up an avocado in a bowl and then add a splash of olive oil to the bowl. Whip the two ingredients together.
- After shampooing your hair and toweling it dry, apply the avocado mask, making sure to fully cover all of your hair. Let the mask sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then rinse it out thoroughly.
- Condition your hair to get rid of the avocado scent. You can also add mayonnaise to the avocado mixture as the fat content in the mayo will help to create a natural, moisturizing mask.^{[7]
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- Use this hair mask once or twice a week to prevent dryness and to condition your hair.
4
Use raw egg to hydrate your hair. Eggs contain natural amino acids that are highly beneficial for revitalizing your hair follicles and smoothing down frizzy hair. They also contain enzymes that kill bacteria and get rid of unwanted oil on your scalp.
- Mix one egg with a spoon full of olive oil. Leave the mask to sit for 30 minutes so the ingredients dissolve.
- Apply it to your hair, being sure to cover all of your hair and keep it on for 20 minutes. Keeping it on for much longer could cause hair to become brittle.
- Rinse it out and proceed with your regular shampoo process.
- If you find raw eggs messy, you can also use egg oil.
5
Apply natural oils like coconut and olive oil to the ends of your hair. Coconut oil is very hydrating and as a bonus, it smells pretty good. Put some coconut oil on your fingers and run them through your hair when it is feeling really dry or frizzy.
- Rub the oil on the ends of your hair as opposed to your roots, as you do not want your scalp to get too oily.
- You can also apply olive oil the same way. Put a few drops in your hand and run it through the damp ends of your hair to lock in moisture.
- Avoid overusing coconut oil since it could add too much protein to your hair.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Noël Reid-Killings
  Celebrity Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.}
6
Try a hot oil massage or mask for your hair. Always make sure the oil is at a comfortable temperature to apply it to your scalp. You can make a home hot oil treatment using extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, Castor oil, almond oil, or rosemary oil.
- Put a cup of your chosen oil in a pot and warm it on a stove top for 2-4 minutes.
- Let it cool to room temperature or a temperature that will be tolerable, rather than painful, on your scalp. Feel free to add 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of honey to the oil, as the warm honey will help to smooth the fibers in your hair.
- Apply the oil onto your scalp, gently massaging it from root to tip.
- Take a plastic bag or hot towel and wrap your head, holding in the moisture from the hot oil treatment. Let it stay covered for 1 hour, and then shampoo and condition your hair, removing the oil.
7
Do a beer rinse to moisturize your hair. The natural enzymes in beer help to tame your frizz and gives you a shiny, healthy looking mane. Dark beers provide the most nutrients and moisture, so go for a dark amber ale or a stout to make your rinse.^{[9]
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- Coat your hair with beer and let it sit for several minutes.
- Rinse your hair with cold water, as cold water will help to get rid of the beer smell.
- You can also put beer in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair, then rinse after a few minutes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Knowing What to Avoid

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1
Avoid brushing wet hair. Brushing wet hair not only disrupts your hair's cuticles, it can also stretch hair, leading to breakage. Instead, gently squeeze your hair with a microfiber towel or old t-shirt and comb or finger comb it.^{[10]
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- Add a touch of your preferred conditional or anti-frizz product.
If you can't brush dry hair but still have to have a decent head of hair on a humid or brisk day, wet your hands and then finger-comb your hair to tackle any frizz and tame any tangles.^{[11]
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Only blow dry the roots of your hair. This way, you are still giving your hair a lift without drying the hair shaft and hair tips.
- Look for a blow dryer with a diffuser, as this can limit the amount of heat being blasted on your roots.
As you blow dry your roots, spin around brush through your hair to help smooth the cuticles flat.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Noël Reid-Killings
Celebrity Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 25 November 2020.}^{[13]
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Towel drying roughs up your hair's cuticle so instead of lying flat, it looks frizzy. Instead, use an absorbent microfiber towel to gently press water out of your hair.
These products will only cook your curls, rather than hydrate them and lead to more frizz.^{[14]
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These treatments can make your hair brittle and lead to breakage, so go easy on them or avoid them completely. You can use heat-protectors on your hair if you need to. Try a heatless way to straighten/curl your hair. You can also curl your hair overnight, although that may lead to more frizz.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I tame frizzy hair at home?

Noël Reid-Killings
Celebrity Hair Stylist
Noël Reid-Killings is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Noël New York Salon & Boutique. With over a decade of experience, Noël specializes in curating and customizing hair solutions for all hair types and textures. She has worked with countless A-list celebrities including Alicia Keys, Ciara, Yara Shahidi, and Simone Missick. Her work has been featured on makeover shows and in magazines including Essence, Sophisticates Black Hair, Teen Vogue, Elle, 21Ninety, WWD, POPSUGAR, Allure, The Cut, The Huffington Post, and Swaay.

Noël Reid-Killings

Celebrity Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

When you dry your hair, spin your hair around a round brush to keep it straight and frizz-free.

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Question

Why does hair frizz up?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Hair can frizz because it's dry, because the natural curls have been broken up, or because the wrong styling products were used. Frizz can also be caused by split ends or dryness.

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Question

How do I stop my hair from frizzing?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you keep hair healthy and hydrated you can prevent frizzing. Use moisturizing products and only touch and style it when it's wet.

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