Contrary to popular belief, frizz isn’t a curly hair-specific problem.
Even those with pin-straight hair remain prone to flyaways and static just like those with curly and coily locks, especially if it’s been dyed or chemically treated.
Whether you live in the humid Floridian south or are based in the perennially rainy United Kingdom, you’ll know all too well the stresses and frustrations of letting freshly styled hair enter the elements unprotected.
What causes frizz?
Taming frizz is all about controlling and treating the five H’s. (We’re not sure if this rule has been coined in such a way just yet, so you heard it here first).
- Humidity: humidity refers to the concentration of water vapour present in the air. Interestingly, high humidity largely affects those with damaged, dehydrated and high porosity hair. This is because your dry hair craves moisture and will attract water from the air in order to nourish it. High porosity hair absorbs and loses moisture faster because the cuticle layer is raised or damaged – leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage and frizz.
- Hair type: as mentioned above, hair type greatly influences whether you’ll experience unruly frizz. High porosity and dehydrated hair will respond to humid environments by soaking in moisture from the atmosphere like a sponge. Straight and fine hair tends to look duller in humid environments, but damaged or curly locks are extremely prone to frizz because they are naturally dryer. Understanding your hair type is the key to formulating the ultimate hair care regime.
- Hair treatments: chemically treated hair results in damage to hair cuticles, which increases porosity. Dyeing and treating your hair is all well and good, so long as you ensure you have the correct products to nourish, hydrate and revive tired locks.
- Hydration: keeping hair nourished and moisturised helps to prevent it from reacting to humid environments. It goes without saying, but drinking plenty of water helps keep everything from your skin to your hair looking extra-radiant. You can also use hydrating shampoos and conditioners, heat protectants and avoid over-washing.
- Habits: if you’re struggling with unruly frizz, consider adapting your haircare habits. Invest in a silk pillowcase and a large water tumbler to stay hydrated. Don’t overwash your hair and try to go a few days, even weeks, without applying heat.
While there are myriad ways to keep the five Hs balanced and in check, one of the easiest and most nourishing means of teaming frizz is by applying oil or serum. We’ve curated a selection of the best anti-frizz, easy-apply treatments for all hair types below.
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Curlsmith Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum
Powered by an innovative formula which transforms the initial gel consistency of this frizz rescue wonder into a smooth serum, Curlsmith’s fabulous product has been designed with curly and coily hair in mind.
It’ll keep your freshly plopped and nourished curls in place for as long as you need until your next wash, and can be applied and reapplied to dry hair without appearing greasy or crunchy thanks to the hybrid consistency. Key ingredients include sweet almond oil, argan oil and olive oil.
Buy now £25.00, lookfantastic
Noughty Frizz Magic Serum
This value-for-money magic multipurpose serum is a must-have for humidity-prone heroes. Suitable for all hair types, it’s enriched with marula oil and daikon extract for ultimate smoothness and to help build an internal frizz-fighting barrier.
The serum also provides heat protection up to 220°C and should be applied to damp, freshly washed hair. We love the fact that whether you choose to style your hair with heat or let it air-dry, this frizz-control serum isn’t heat-activated and will work wonders no matter your post-wash decision.
Buy now £6.99, Boots
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Silicone-free and formulated to deliver unbeatable shine, Living Proof’s No Frizz Vanishing Oil is a non-greasy and nourishing dream. The quick-drying oil combats frizz with the help of amaranth seed extract which replenishes the hair with moisture and acts as a barrier against the visible effects of humidity.
It’s also infused with a biomimetic five-oil blend mimics the hair’s natural oils (a dream for those with naturally high-porosity hair) while ultra-hydrating hemisqualane further helps to lock-in moisture.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Umberto Giannini The Frizz Oil
This innovative vegan anti-frizz oil is powered by a KeraFusion Bond Repair Technology, which is a plant-based keratin alternative formulated using an upcycled by-product of milk thistle. Metal detox technology also helps to remove dulling metals found in hard water to deliver unbeatable shine, brighter colour and a softer feel.
Buy now £10.95, Amazon
Moroccanoil Intense Smoothing Frizz Control Serum
Those prone to frizz are bound to be aware of Moroccanoil. Brilliant for those with thick, coarse and frizz-prone hair, this intense serum is enriched with argan oil for smooth locks for up to 72 hours. Squalene and vitamin E help to promote high-octane hydration and the serum is infused with delightful aromas of spicy amber and sweet florals.
Buy now £17.65, Amazon
Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother + No.7 Bonding Oil
Two is better than one, and Olaplex’s No.6 and No.7 duo works to revive tired hair whether styling anew or reviving a salon blow-dry which is a few days old. The velvet soft bond smoother helps to control frizz and rehydrate dull hair, while the bonding oil helps to add unbeatable shine.
Even after a salon appointment, frizz-prone hair is bound to begin expanding – especially in humid weather. A pea-sized amount of the bond smoother alone will help to deliver up to 72 hours of frizz control with ease.
Buy now £56.00, Olaplex
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Negin Mirsalehi, the founder of Gisou, comes from six generations of beekeepers. The brand’s entire range of honey-infused products is not only born out of generational expertise, but contains honey from Mirsalehi’s family bee garden.
Officially a cult-favourite product, Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil can be used pre or post-styling to help rebuild and repair hair at the cuticle level. Never greasy and a powerful hydrator which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids, your mane will never be shinier or more sumptuous.
Buy now £19.00, Cult Beauty
Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Original Hair Oil
A must-have in your haircare routine if your strands or extensions are starting to look a little frazzled, the Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Original Hair Oil works as a primer, finisher or refresher, smoothing the appearance of split ends, while providing heat protection up to 230°C.
Its leave-in formula nourishes and visibly smooths hair for a soft, sleek finish. It also comes infused with a floral-woody scent of violet leaf, freesia, mandarin and musk, ensuring your hair doesn’t just look radiant but smells it too.
Buy now £46.40, lookfantastic
Bed Head By TIGI After Party Smoothing Cream for Shiny Frizz Free Hair
Another impressive hair smoothing product with a great scent to match, Bed Head By TIGI’s After Party Smoothing Cream for Shiny Frizz Free Hair is a styling essential if you’ve tried hair smoothing shampoos with not much luck. This powerful product is the ultimate anti-frizz hair product for silky, smooth, shiny, healthy-looking hair: not only designed with, but used by salon professionals.
Great on any hair type, especially frizzy hair, dull hair and coarse hair, it’s easy to use, even without the need for heat or styling.
Buy now £8.00, Boots
Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Redken’s All Soft Argan-6 Oil ticks all the boxes: it nourishes the strands, prevents frizz and smells amazing at the same time. Providing concentrated softness, deep conditioning and lasting suppleness, this intense argan-oil-based formula magically restores our tresses to their finest without weighing them down. And, despite being an oil-based formula, it somehow avoids feeling greasy on the hair and skin.
Buy now £26.00, Sephora
