How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair

Dry, Brittle Hair

Usually, frizzy hair is caused by a lack of moisture in the hair shaft. When you have dry hair, it starts seeking out moisture elsewhere – and, usually, it finds it in damp or humid air. Your hair then soaks up this moisture, causing the cuticle to swell and, in turn, frizz out. So, if you find your blow dries are often victim to unruly frizz, dryness is likely to be at the root of the problem.

High Hair Porosity

Highly porous hair tends to be dry by nature, so it's also prone to frizziness in high humidity levels. When strands are porous, they have gaps and tears along the cuticle through which moisture from the air can easily get in. What's more, the kind of moisture you want in your hair (think oils, conditioners and masks) can also easily escape through these holes, resulting in a cycle of frizz and dehydration. 

Static Electricity

Sometimes, it's not frizz you're dealing with; it's static electricity. That 'standing on end' effect happens when hair rubs against another object (like a hat or scarf) and swaps electrons, creating an electrical charge. When this happens – usually when both the air and your hair are dry – the strands start to repel one another. This creates the appearance of frizz and a mane that's tricky to tame.  

Excess Friction

In some cases, friction can also be a key cause of frizz. Take rough drying, for example: rubbing wet strands with a towel can ruffle the hair cuticle, so it looks frazzled and frizzy. Too-frequent combing – especially through curls and waves – can also disrupt the natural texture, while also putting strands at risk of hair breakage. Cue split ends and flyaways.

Mixing Up Curl Types

It's easier than you might think to get your hair type or curl pattern mixed up. In fact, one look at HairTok tells us it happens a lot; people believe they have wavy hair when, really, it's curly. This leads them to use the wrong products, so instead of the defined curls they could have, they end up with frizz. The good news is that it's an easy problem to fix once they start working with, and not against, their hair type.

On Hair Wash Day

1. Massage Shampoo in Gently

Your first challenge: finding a shampoo that fends off frizz. If your flyaways are caused by damage, the deeply reparative, ultra-gentle ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo is for you. The luxurious lather deep cleanses the debris and dirt that contribute to breakage, while kick-starting the bond-rebuilding process to get locks back on the route to repair. Suitable for all hair types – straight, wavy, curly and coily – it leaves hair beautifully clean and prepped for conditioning.

Prefer a co-wash? You can also prevent frizz with NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner, which is specially formulated to nourish and enhance the shape of curls and coils. Whichever wash you choose, make sure you massage it into wet hair gently rather than scrubbing at strands. And if lengths are dry, focus shampoo on the roots, letting the lather run through the ends without rubbing it in.

2. Detangle With a Conditioner or Mask

Is it a conditioner or hair mask day? If hair needs lightweight nourishment, reach for conditioner, but if it's calling out for mega moisture, make the time for a mask. It's best to use products that match your shampoo, as the ingredients are formulated to work in tandem. So, if you wash with ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, follow it up with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner or ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. The Conditioner treats damaged hair with rich, creamy care that rinses completely clean, while the Mask works even deeper, using smart conditioning agents to deliver targeted repair where strands need it most. The Conditioner needs up to three minutes to work its magic, while you can indulge in the Mask for up to five minutes. Your (now-silky) hair will thank you for it. 

For curls and coils, you can also use NutriCurls Deep Treatment, a sumptuous mask that keeps hair healthy, springy and frizz-resistant. This deep conditioning treatment makes light work of defining hair texture and shape, and lets your wide-tooth comb glide through knots for easy detangling. Smooth through mid-lengths and ends, allow it to absorb for five minutes, comb out tangles, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. For added shine, you can do a second rinse with cool water; a simple trick that encourages the cuticle to lie flat.

3. Prevent Hair Damage

After rinsing out your conditioner or mask, blot hair dry (don't rub!) with a microfiber towel. Then, apply ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, a leave-in treatment that gives you 99% less breakage** and repairs hair damage in 90 seconds***. Simply mist it through damp hair from root to tip, allow it to absorb, and then style hair as usual. You're setting yourself up for a frizz-free look that lasts. 

4. Seal Lengths and Split Ends

Because ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue is so lightweight, you can easily layer it with other frizz-fighters. Choose the best styling product for your hair type...

For Straight and Wavy Hair: Try a hair oil, like Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil. Focus it through the mid-lengths and ends of damp tresses (but not the roots), keeping in mind that less is more; a drop or two should be enough to banish hair frizz. If certain sections of hair are drier or more broken, add a little more oil with fingertips. This will help to seal and hide split ends, instantly. 

For Wavy Hair and Loose Curls: When you're looking to enhance those natural waves, tip hair upside down and mist with a leave-in conditioner, like NutriCurls Milky Waves. Then, hold the palms of your hands facing upwards at the ends of hair, and 'push' up to the root, so lengths are accordioned upwards. Gently squeeze then release for a gentler alternative to scrunching; one that gives you lustrous waves without crushing your natural texture. 

For Tight Curls and Coily Hair: Your hair will love the richness of NutriCurls Curlixir Balm. It helps curls and coils 'clump' together, so you get defined ringlets and zags that feel soft and healthy. Use it with the finger coiling technique for frizz-free hair. Simply smooth the balm through a section of hair, twirl it tightly around your index finger until it's completely spiraled, and then release in a downward motion. Repeat until all sections have been coiled. 

5. Gently Dry and Style

How you dry your hair can have a big impact on how frizzy it appears, so whether you're air-drying or blow drying, keep these tips in mind...

Apply a Heat Protectant: If you're blow drying hair, make sure you shield strands against heat damage first. After all, excessive heat styling = dryness = a frizzy appearance. Use ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In, which not only safeguards hair strands against direct heat, but also injects instant moisture to smooth down flyaways.  

Use an Ionic Hair Dryer: By using negative ions to dry your hair, an ionic hair dryer helps to keep frizzy strands under control, while also leveling up shine. For extra smoothing power, dry straight hair with the nozzle pointing down the hair shaft, or use a diffuser to style wavy, curly or coily hair. 

Help Hair Air-Dry Flawlessly: If you're air-drying, keep your hair oil, spray or balm at the ready for touch-ups. As hair dries, you may see flyaways spring out, so top up your product to tame frizz and, if you have curls or coils, refresh the texture. 

In Between Washes

Reapply Your Smoothing Product

Whether it's Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil, NutriCurls Milky Waves or NutriCurls Curlixir Balm, reapply your go-to anti-frizz product to dry hair, using just a touch to add instant smoothness. For curls and coils that want extra moisture, you can even mist dry hair with water before reapplying Curlixir. It will bump up hydration and take down frizz instantly.

Target and Tame Flyaways

When you spot stray flyaways, reach for a clean spoolie brush, mist it with hairspray, and then target unruly strands one by one. Simply brush them down or back into place. Looking for the perfect hairspray? We love EIMI Stay Firm for a flexible veil that locks down every style.  

Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase

Upgrade your beauty sleep. Swap cotton for silk pillowcases, which are gentler on the hair cuticle, allowing strands a little extra 'slip' while you sleep – even on restless nights. The same goes for scrunchies; silk is kinder to strands than elastics, so make the switch now to reduce breakage, split ends and – of course – frizz.

Now you've got all the hair-smoothing tips you need, we'd love to see your results. Share them on Instagram and tag us @WellaHairUSA.

* Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.

*** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.