How to Tame and Control Frizz for Curly, Wavy, or Straight Hair

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Washing and styling tips to make your hair less poofy

Co-authored by Christine George and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: July 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Shampooing & Conditioning

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Drying Poofy Hair

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Styling Poofy Hair

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

Do you struggle to tame poofy hair? Are you looking for strategies to create smooth, silky tresses? Don't worry your pretty little head about it! Everyone's hair is different, and whether you have naturally puffy hair or your hair has become poofy as a result of bleach or hair dye, there are tons of products and hair care methods you can use to help you get rid of the poof and smooth your hair. Keep reading to find out how to wash, dry, and style your hair to tame the poof.

How to Make Your Hair Less Poofy

Use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and only shampoo every 3-5 days.
Rinse your hair with cool or cold water to help seal the cuticle and prevent frizz.
Blot excess water from your hair with a soft T-shirt or towel, then air dry.
Apply alcohol-free, moisturizing products like creams, serums, or oils.
Avoid perming, relaxing, or otherwise applying excessive heat to your hair.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Shampooing and Conditioning Poofy Hair

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1
Wash your hair as infrequently as possible. Your scalp produces natural oils which provide your hair with a lot of moisture. When you shampoo your hair, you wash away these oils, leaving your hair dry and frizzy. Instead of washing your hair every day, simply rinse your hair in the shower and only shampoo every 3-5 days.^{[1]
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- If your hair looks greasy in between washes, use a dry shampoo to soak up the oil and add texture.
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Use shampoo and conditioner formulated for dry hair. Select a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help smooth your hair and reduce puffiness. Read the labels and choose products that specify they are “moisturizing” or “smoothing.” Avoid using products with sulfates, which can dry out your tresses and lead to frizzy hair.^{[2]
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- Avoid products that advertise increased hair volume, as these will exacerbate frizz.
- Condition your hair from the mid-lengths to ends, and leave it on your hair for at least 2 minutes before rinsing.
- You can also try a leave-in conditioner for extra moisture.
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Rinse with cool or cold water. Cold water seals the hair cuticle, which will prevent each strand from losing valuable moisture and create a sleeker, shinier look. Enjoy a warm—not hot—shower and rinse out your shampoo and conditioner with cool or cold water.^{[3]
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Part 2

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Drying Poofy Hair

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1
Carefully blot excess water from your hair. Avoid using terrycloth towels to dry your hair, as they have loops that can disturb hair cuticles and contribute to frizz. Try gently pressing the water from your hair with a T-shirt or microfiber towel instead. Remember to never wring or rub your hair aggressively.^{[4]
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Gently detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. If you have curly hair, it’s best to comb through it in the shower after applying conditioner. If your hair is straight, you can comb through it when you get out of the shower. Either way, use a wide-tooth comb, begin at the ends of your hair, and work your way up to the roots.^{[5]
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- Avoid brushing wet hair if your hair is straight, as this can cause breakage.
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Let your hair air dry and apply a moisturizing product. To avoid damage, let your hair air dry rather than using a blow-dryer, especially if you have curly locks. Apply a moisturizing product like a cream, serum, or oil, then shape your curls as desired. If you have straight hair, simply apply a smoothing product and let your tresses dry on their own.^{[6]
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- If you do choose to blow-dry your hair, apply a heat-protectant product first. Then, use an ionic ceramic blow-dryer to help combat frizz. Or, use a hooded dryer so the air flows down over the hair shaft.
- Another alternative is to plop your hair. Wrap it in a soft T-shirt or microfiber towel to enhance your curls while drying.

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Styling Your Hair to Minimize Poof

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Let your natural shape work for you. With so many styling products available, there are plenty of options to help enhance your natural curl while fighting off unwanted frizz. Avoid straightening, perming, or relaxing your hair, as these can cause dryness and additional damage.^{[7]
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- Products like gels, mousses, and curl-enhancing creams all contain ingredients called polymers, which coat the hair and “lock” your curls or waves into place.
- If your hair is fine and wavy, mousses are your best choice since they don’t weigh hair down. If your hair is coarse and curly, gel or cream is recommended.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

Celebrate and play up your hair type. "Always embrace and enjoy your natural texture, instead of fighting it."
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Switch to alcohol-free products. Most hair sprays and mousses have a high alcohol content, which can cause the cuticle to swell up. Alcohol can also dry out your hair, making it look poofy and eventually leading to breakage. Try using alcohol-free products that work to reduce frizz, such as creams and serums.^{[8]
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Opt for a boar-bristle brush. If your hair is damaged from dye, or just naturally dry, a boar-bristle brush can help reduce frizz. This type of brush helps to gather the natural oils from your scalp and distribute them throughout your hair.^{[9]
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Tame flyaways with a curling iron. It may seem counterintuitive, but wrapping flyaway strands around a curling iron can help set them in place and smooth out your hair. Be sure to completely dry your hair first and use the curling iron sparingly. Keep it on a low heat setting and don’t hold the strands for very long.
- Whenever you use heat, you risk causing damage to your hair. Always apply a heat-protectant product first.
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Do a weekly hot oil treatment. A hot oil treatment is a great way to condition and strengthen your hair. Choose a treatment with jojoba oil to help strengthen the cuticle and further prevent frizz. Warm up the oil then massage it into your hair and scalp. This works well for all hair types, so try it out with your friends!^{[10]
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- If desired, put a shower cap over your hair and let the oil soak in for 30 minutes before washing it out.
- Help the oil penetrate deeper into the hair shaft by applying heat with a hair dryer.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you tame fluffy hair?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Comb your hair in the shower, after you condition. Then, run a little more water over your hair to keep your hair from inflating after you comb it. Also, use a microfiber towel or old T-shirt to dry your hair. Don't fluff your hair with a cotton towel when you get out of the shower. Cotton creates friction against the hair, which separates the curl or wave patterns. Additionally, apply a curl cream or control cream to your hair before it's dry. Disperse the cream throughout your hair with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. Then, scrunch the hair to control the curl pattern.

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Question

What shampoo is best for thick frizzy hair?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Choose shampoos and conditioners that are hydrating or made specifically for curly hair. Usually if your hair gets poofy, it's because it's curly and lacking in hydration. However, gray hair tends to be dry as well, so hydrating products are still important if that's the cause of your poofiness.

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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 or damaged, because of humidity, or because it's been over-styled. If you have curly hair, be careful to touch it as little as possible while it dries; even scrunching can cause frizz.

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Tips

Cut away as much damaged hair as possible and get regular trims to prevent split ends.

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Spray a light shine spray onto a large paddle brush and skim it over your hair to reduce flyaway strands.

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When it's humid, put your hair up to protect it from moisture on the way to your destination, then let it down when you arrive.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Boost moisture with weekly deep conditioning. Deep conditioning treatments intensely hydrate for smoother, less poofy strands. Apply generously and let sit 30 minutes before rinsing.
Limit heat styling; heat damage causes frizz and poofiness. Allow hair to air dry when possible. If using heat, always prep with a protectant first.
Apply oil to damp hair before styling. Oils like argan, coconut and olive nourish strands and increase shine and smoothness. Start with a few drops.
Sleep with hair wrapped in a silk scarf or bonnet. Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture leading to frizz. Silk allows moisture to stay locked in.
Switch to a wide-tooth comb for detangling. Unlike brushes, wide-tooth combs glide through curls without disrupting the cuticle.
Try co-washing instead of shampoo. Co-washing cleanses hair using only conditioner, retaining beneficial oils that combat poof.

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