If you aren't into rocking big, poofy hair, you are probably driving yourself nuts trying to avoid the dreaded frizz. It's a woe of the summer months for many of us. With so many expensive products out there promising to give you the perfect frizz-free look, you probably don't know where to start! Well, you are in luck. Start in your own kitchen!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Not only is it a natural conditioner, but apple cider vinegar (also referred to as ACV) also dramatically improves your hair's porosity. Try a 1 part water/1 part ACV rinse for the hair. It will help you to retain moisture more effectively. And as an added bonus your hair will have a great shine to it!
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Avocado
Rich in both vitamins B and E, avocado is great for taming frizz, as well as preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. The natural high-fat content of avocado makes it a great moisturizer and mask. Try mixing it with olive oil and lemon juice for a citrus summer hair mask.
Coconut Oil
I know you probably love to use this everywhere, but for the summer it is especially helpful with the frizz. It's great for hydrating the hair's cuticle and keeping the scalp's oil levels in check. You can even use it as a hot oil treatment to deep condition and restore damaged hair. The best part about it? Once you wash it out, there is no greasy residue left behind.
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Banana
This potassium and vitamin A, C, and E-rich fruit is a great addition to any DIY hair mask. greek yogurt and banana hair smoothie is easy to make and a great way to achieve tangle-free, shiny and frizz-free hair!
The best way to wash your hair
Now that we've got you covered on the best products to use on your hair to avoid frizz, let's talk about the proper way to wash your hair because how you wash your hair matters.
1. Finish with a cold water rinse
After washing your hair, hairstylist Josh Shellhammer recommends a cold rinse to help seal your hair’s cuticles. The lower temperature will prevent your hair from overdrying and frizzing. This goes for showers as well, especially if you wash your hair in the shower. Not to mention hot showers can dry your skin out as well. If you're like the average person that doesn't like cold showers, try pinning your hair up to prevent it from hot water damage.
2. Use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry hair
The towel you use to dry your hair can contribute to frizz because it can rough up your cuticles. So what are the best options? Your best bet for frizz-free hair is to throw that standard towel to the side and replace it with a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt. Microfiber towels, in particular, are made from finer fibers, which means less friction and snagging on your hair.
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3. Detangle Hair With a Wide-Tooth Comb
Are you using the right comb and brush? A boar bristle brush should never be used on wet hair. Instead, opt for a brush that a designed to work well on wet hair. As for combs, wide-tooth combs are your best bet. They work great at preventing frizz because they have more space for hair to pass through the teeth. A bonus? Wide-toot combs also prevent breakage.
It is also wise to clean your brush regularly because oil and product residue can stay on your brush and cause frizz.
“Wash your brush with a mild shampoo at least once every couple weeks.” Shellhammer explains that “there can be fuzzies that get trapped in the bristles that can get into the hair.”
4. Let your hair air dry
The heat from a regular, non-ionic hair dryer can damage your hair, making it look and feel frizzy. For this reason, it is wise to skip the hair dryer altogether and let your hair air dry. While air-drying your hair Shellhammer recommends wrapping your hair in a cotton t-shirt, which he calls “hair plopping.” If you have curly hair and want to avoid ruining your curl pattern, this is a great option because it allows your hair to keep its curl while also preventing frizz.
If you are running low on time and/or air-drying isn't an option, use an ionic dryer.
“Regular blow dryers use hot air to dry your hair, and over time that heat can be damaging. Ionic dryers use a magnet, which pulls water out of the hair and it helps seal the cuticle down more smoothly. A lot of people make the mistake of using high heat all the time. With an ionic dryer, you have the option to turn that function on or off.” says Shellhammer. "Once your hair is nearly dry, finish drying your hair with cold air. “The hair is pliable when it’s warm, but when you cool it down, it seals the cuticle, resulting in more polished hair,” he says.
5. Trim your hair regularly
Split ends can also lead to frizziness because they can expand up the hair shaft. To prevent this, make sure to get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Your hairstylist can also recommend the best haircuts for thick, frizzy hair.
Hopefully, these tips put you on the path to healthy, shiny and frizz-free hair this summer!
