No matter which way you slice it, managing frizzy, curly hair is frustrating.
Whether frizzy hair happens because of humidity, not letting your protective style fully set, hair damage, or your curl pattern’s natural propensity toward frizz, figuring out how to smooth it is challenging.
Smoothness is not only a visible sign of healthy hair, but it’s also an indicator that all is well within. Curly hair, in particular, tends to be the driest of textures and is more prone to frizz than other hair types. The good news is that getting frizz under control for more than just a day is doable, and it doesn’t require any chemical processes, nor will it disrupt your curl pattern. In fact, keeping frizz at bay is a normal part of a natural hair care routine. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about taming frizzy curly hair, from causes to the best frizzy hair products.
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
Frizz happens when the hair cuticle is raised. Each strand has layers like shingles on a roof that when lifted, allow moisture and nourishing product ingredients to seep in. Ideally, with healthy hair, the cuticle lifts up only temporarily so that dirt, grime, and grease can’t penetrate, and then things like cool water, conditioner, and hair oils help seal it back up to lock nutrients in. When the cuticle is damaged or certain hair habits become the norm, frizz can develop. We mentioned damage and not letting styles set properly as a few causes, but others include friction from sleeping on rough fabrics, using terry cloth towels to
dry natural hair, and washing with water that’s too hot. Additionally, while having low porosity hair means that hair soaks up moisture easily, it can also cause frizz.
When damage is the cause of your frizzy hair, it may be a bit hard to reverse, but it’s doable. With the best products for curly frizzy hair and consistent care, smoothing curls is a feat you can definitely conquer.
How to Control Frizzy Hair Naturally
Choosing the right product ingredients is the easiest way to control frizz naturally. Moisture and oils are ideal for smoothing and closing the cuticle. Of course, not all curl patterns handle oils the same way, but there are a variety of options that offer effective solutions whether your hair is wavy and fine or thick and coarse. Either way, start with moisture and work your way up from there.
2. LOC in your moisture. Follow the LOC method, using a leave-in, followed by an oil, and lastly a cream to boost moisture. To top things off, use the Hair Milk Nourishing & Conditioning Styling Pudding as your cream to help seal the moisture in.
3. Avoid brushing. Brushing hair isn’t always bad, but it can make frizz worse. Depending on the brush you use, it could cause unnecessary friction against strands and raise the cuticle. If done too roughly, it could also break the cuticle. It’s important to brush curly hair correctly. Stick with a natural bristle brush and avoid using it on wet hair, which tends to be more fragile.
4. Detangle carefully. Hair that hasn’t been properly detangled can not only lead to breakage, but it can also interfere with the direction of your hair cuticle. When you’re detangling, use a wide-tooth comb and work your way through knots starting at the bottom of each section and working up to the root.
5. Cover hair at night. As mentioned, lots of damage can occur while you sleep. Friction from rolling around on cotton sheets and pillowcases can cause breakage and suck moisture out of your hair, which is another frizz inducer. It doesn’t matter if you do a few twists and wear a bonnet or if you pull your hair into a pineapple and wrap a silk scarf around it, make sure you don’t sleep on curly hair that’s been left loose at night.
6. Utilize oils. Oils are a great way to not only impart moisture into frizz-prone hair but also seal it in. Pick an oil, like the monoi in the Monoi Oil Sacred Strengthening Serum or olive oil, that can actually penetrate hair. Top it off with a heavier one like castor oil to help smooth any fraying edges.
How to Tame Frizzy Hair Overnight
One of the easiest ways to tame frizzy, curly hair overnight is to put it into a protective style before bed. Section curls into large chunks and apply the Black Vanilla 4-in-1 Combing Creme to smooth down any humidity-induced frizz that the day may have brought on. Secure the piece of hair with a bobby pin or create Bantu knots that are self-secured. Once you’re done, wrap hair with a silk scarf or apply a bonnet to keep everything corralled until morning. The cream will help to rehydrate hair and reset it while you sleep.
If you’re closer to wash day, utilize bedtime for frizz calming with a deep treatment. Create large sections in the same way and then apply a moisturizing treatment like Coco Crème Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter to each. If it’s comfortable, replace your regular bonnet with a conditioning cap while you sleep. In the morning, shampoo or rinse it out, then condition and style.
What Are the Best Products for Frizzy Hair?
Of course, products geared toward smoothing are going to be best for achieving frizz-free curls. This means looking for ingredients that will both fill hair strands with moisture and seal in tandem. Start your smoothing in the shower with a creamy and moisturizing frizzy hair shampoo. Follow it with a not too heavy, moisture-infusing frizzy hair conditioner. Once you've applied your leave-in conditioner, an oil-infused cream like the Monoi (Repair + Moisture) Star Strength Leave In Cream is your next best step.
You can also use stand-alone oils or oil blends like the Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil With Castor Oil. Frizz-free hair needs moisture to be sealed in and for humidity and excess moisture to be kept out, and oils are just the right ingredient to do this.
What Are the Best Hairstyles for Frizzy Hair?
Twist outs,
flexi-rod sets, and
box braids are all ideal hairstyles for curly frizzy hair that help enhance curl definition. Creating protective hairstyles not only helps seal in moisture but also smooths hair as it sets. Swipe on an oil as your last step before it dries to help close the cuticle and make frizz-free curls a reality.
If your preferred style is a
wash and go, it can be tricky to pull it off without some level of frizz. The trick to making a wash and go a frizzy hairstyle is to limit touching your hair after you apply your products. Excess rubbing from your fingers will interrupt the strands, and even if not visible at first, you may notice some frizz once it dries.
