Whether you have straight or curly hair, you’ve probably experienced frizz. I used to blow-dry my hair straight every day, and I remember being so nervous about it getting frizzy. If the weather wasn’t ideal for my locks, I would just stay inside. Or I would crank up the AC in my car if I had to go somewhere in the humid heat to avoid ruining my hair style. It’s not fun to have to worry about something so often, especially something that you should only have to deal with once during the day.

Have you ever walked the streets of Manhattan in the summer? If you haven’t, let me just tell you that the heat mixed with the humidity is most girls’ worst enemy. Not only is every part of your body sticky, but you’re also hoping your hair doesn’t double in size and look like the hairball your cat just coughed up.

There are so many products and solutions out there for frizzy hair that it’s hard to know what will work for you and your specific hair needs. The first thing you’ll need to do to tame your frizz is to find out what’s causing it!  You need to get to the root (sorry, I had to) of the problem in order to find a solution. And that’s where we’ll begin.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

Your pillowcase can affect your hair.

Regardless of if you have straight, curly, or wavy hair, your frizz-levels depend on more than just your hair type. Frizz happens when the cuticle layer becomes raised, trying to absorb any moisture that it can. It causes your strands to swell, leaving your hair looking dry and frizzy instead of sleek and smooth. Curly hair tends to have more frizz than straight hair because it gets dehydrated more quickly.

There could be many reasons why your hair becomes dehydrated. It might be because you’re not drinking enough water, using hot styling tools too often, or using hot water to wash your hair. Taking a hot shower may be the best way to end a stressful day, but the heat isn’t doing your hair any favors. If the water is too hot, it can strip your hair of all the oils that keep it shiny and moisturized.

Using a rough towel to dry your hair could also be causing frizz. When you use an abrasive bath towel, it can quickly draw out hair moisture. You should certainly not use a bath towel if you have curly hair, since the friction may cause clumps and mess with the natural pattern of your curls.

Switch to a microfiber towel to reduce any hair damage. Your frizz may also be the result of your pillowcase. Use a satin or silk one to prevent it from causing any damage to your tresses. With this in mind, let’s take a deep dive into some natural anti-frizz solutions.

Top 10 Solutions For Frizzy Hair

1. Argan Oil

Argan oil.

Argan oil is a favorite in the beauty world. Not only is this oil great for your hair, but it also works wonders for your skin. It contains antioxidants, like ferulic acid, vitamin E and fatty acids, making a great nourishing and protective ingredient. All of this helps fight hair cell damage by fighting UV rays. It can work well as a conditioner, shampoo, hair serum, and hair mask. It’s probably one of the more common hair oils used to fight frizz and add shine to your luscious strands, which is why I’ve kick started our solutions with this plentiful oil.

Pure argan oil can be pricey because it isn’t that easy to make. The argan kernels have to be removed from the shell and then ground up by hand into the oil. It can take days just to get a liter of it. But, it’s definitely worth the wait and the price tag! It’s best if you use pure argan oil, since additional chemicals may damage your scalp and natural products are healthier for you and the environment. You can treat your frizzy hair with argan oil by putting a small amount through your wet strands before you blow-dry your hair. You can also use it after your hair dries by applying a few drops and smoothing them all over for a frizz-free finish. It not only hydrates your hair but makes it shine as well.

2. Avoid Hot Showers

Now that we know that frizz is caused by dry and damaged hair, it should come as no surprise that you’re going to have to turn down the temperature on those hot, hot showers. If you want to reduce your frizzy hair, you first need to focus on not stripping your hair of its natural oils. That means that taking scalding hot showers, while comforting, is doing your hair more harm than good. Hot water and steam strip your hairs oils for all their worth, leaving your tresses dry and susceptible to damage. In an attempt to preserve your hairs natural moisture start by using lukewarm or cool water on your hair.

I know, this isn’t the greatest news for any of you who, like me, find something almost cathartic about a boiling hot shower that strips your skin of the day’s events. But if you want your hair to be frizz-free and reduce flyaways then tone down that sizzling shower. This will also help to prevent breakage and allow your hair cuticle to close effectively, resulting in a hydrating shower experience. Also, it’s worth noting that after your shower you should refrain from using a tight ponytail on your hair to prevent further damage and frizz.

3. Avocado Oil

Woman holding avocado.

When your hair is frizzy, it means it’s lacking moisture and hydration. It could also mean that you’re exposing it regularly to flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. Avocado oil stands out above all the rest of the oils because it, along with coconut oil, has the ability to deeply penetrate hair cuticles to start a strong hydration and soothing process. The fruit unclogs follicles and stimulates new hair to grow from the used-to-be dormant follicles.

Since avocados have intense moisturizing properties, the oil can help prevent split ends and the hair shaft from breaking. It’s able to do this because of its unique combination of fatty acids that help strengthen the hair without weighing it down. After you get a trim, use avocado oil on the ends of your hair to prevent the usually-inevitable split ends.

Yet just when you thought it could only help your hair, avocados can actually do so much much more. Avocado oil is full of powerful vitamins like vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, and B5. These are important because they help your body transform food into energy. Avocado oil is also beneficial for your scalp and skin, not just your hair.

It’s recommended to use avocado oil on your scalp if you find that it’s extra dry or irritated. Avocados- helping hair from root to tip!

4. Skip The Hair Towel

There’s nothing better than wrapping up your hair in a heavy-duty towel post-shower and getting on with your day without those wet strands dampening your shoulders. While it’s important to dry your hair after your shower (wet hair is weak hair), heavy towels can exacerbate frizz and cause more friction on your hair strands.

The friction of your hair towel causes the cuticle to remain open which can lead to frizz. Leave your hair to air dry or wrap up those locks in a cotton t-shirt to avoid unnecessary frizz. It might seem extreme but there are many things that cause your hair’s cuticle to become ‘irritated’ if you will, and a rough clothed towel is one of them. If neither of these options sounds like your ideal post-shower experience, you can try blow drying your hair on a cool setting for a couple of minutes to speed along the drying process. If you want to be extra cautious, use a diffuser on your blow dryer to help minimize frizz and give you a freshly styled blowout. And don’t forget to use a heat protectant to prevent heat damage when using hair dryers or straighteners!

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera leaf.

It seems like I can’t go an article without mentioning the beauty of the aloe vera plant. If you want to combat frizz, aloe vera is your moisture-packed powerhouse. Replenishing your hairs moisture levels can reduce dry and damaged hair and restore it to it’s hydrated glory days. I like to add some aloe vera to my hair masks, or invest in a conditioner that contains aloe vera. This helps to reduce frizz and bring back moisture and life to lackluster locks.

If you’re not sure where to start with a nourishing, frizz-fighting hair mask, listen up for this quick and easy recipe. Mix half a cup of aloe vera gel with 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of ACV until it forms a runny mixture. Massage this blend into your hair, making sure to cover each strand. Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing off with a gentle shampoo. Your hair should be softer, smoother, and manageable. Just the way healthy hair should be!

6. Switch Pillowcase

This one’s a bit of a princess and the pea situation. I’ve always been cautious of treating my hair right, but who knew that your pillowcase could do so much damage? A silk pillowcase can reduce the friction on your hair while you sleep which can leave your hair smooth and frizz-free. Not only do silk pillows tame your frizz but they also reduce unsightly bedhead so that you wake up in the morning with hair that’s almost perfectly styled! Basically, a good quality pillow can turn you into hairstylist overnight. Okay, that’s dramatic, but you get my drift.

The way it works is that cotton pillows absorb the moisture from the hair, thereby drying it out. Meanwhile silk pillowcases maintain the natural oils and moisture in your hair as opposed to soaking them up. This preserves your hairs natural moisture levels resulting in frizz-free hair. It sounds high maintenance, but if it works, it works! If changing my pillowcase is all it takes to fight frizz, you can sign me up.

7. Co-Washing

The concept of co-washing is a relatively new one that has changed the hair vitality of many. The idea is pretty simple. You skip the shampooing phase and go straight to conditioner. This has the potential to reduce the stripping of your hair’s natural moisture levels. It can also help to detangle your locks and result in silky, smooth tresses. Additionally, one of the benefits of skipping the shampoo is reducing your exposure to sulfates found in shampoos.

To ensure that this co-washing techniques does the trick invest in a conditioner that’s enriched with keratin to help smooth your strands and tame frizzy hair. Maintaining your hairs keratin levels is an important factor of boosting moisture, smoothing the follicle, and ultimately reducing frizz. You can find this ingredient in both shampoos and conditioners but it’s especially relevant in a co-washing routine if you want to combat frizz and ensure that your hair is imbued with necessary moisture.

Once you’ve co-washed be sure to brush your hair with a large paddle brush with soft bristles to comb through your locks. You can also just use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb for a quick combing experience.

8. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has numerous hair benefits.

Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids. This allows it to go deep into the hair quicker than regular conditioners. It can specifically help oily and dry hair. Coconut oil can also help prevent protein loss in hair. Protein is important because each and every one of our hair strands is made up of protein fiber, meaning that they need protein to grow and remain strong. If you aren’t consuming enough protein your body will begin to ration it out and will give less to your hair follicles, making it frail and brittle.

Coconut oil works differently for everyone and may not be the best solution for all frizzy hair. You shouldn’t apply it directly to your scalp or roots if you have oily hair. Work your way from the mid-lengths down to the tip. Don’t be shy applying it if you have dry hair. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Therefore, you should heat it and then wait an hour for it to cool down. Put it in your hair and wait up to an hour before rinsing it out with a natural shampoo. you should do this once a week to leave your hair looking soft, silky and shiny.

9. Almond Oil

Almonds in a bowl.

Before you even think about going near your hair with a flat iron or blow dryer, spritz on a heat-protective spray. This is important for all hair types, but especially for fine hair, which is more prone to the kind of cuticle damage that leads to frizz. You’ll want to apply an oil that has a high smoke point. A smoke point is determined by when the oil starts to burn and smoke. Luckily for you almond oil has a very high smoke point, making it a perfect option for use with hot tools. It also has vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6, and A. These are all nutrients that allow your hair to grow in beautifully, healthy, and strong.

It may take a few tries to figure out the perfect amount of oil needed for your hair. I recommend using about two to three drops of organic, cold-pressed almond oil. Apply it evenly to your damp hair before using any heating tools. You can also just rub some almond oil into your hands, scrunch your hair, and let it dry naturally. You’ll notice your hair looking much sleeker. If you do decide to blow-dry your locks, a pro hair tip is to use the medium-heat setting and then switch to cool at the end to lock in the moisture and so your hair doesn’t lie flat.

10. Alcohol Free

Alcohol is used in haircare products to speed up their drying process. The problem is that it doesn’t just dry the product onto your hair but also dries the strands themselves. This results in undesirable frizz. A natural solution to frizzy hair is to go alcohol-free in your haircare products. Any ingredients that can be too harsh on the hair are better off avoided. It sounds obvious, but I think you’d sadly be surprised to see what undesirable ingredient are contained on the ingredients labels of some of your favorite haircare products.

Common hair products that often contain alcohol include hairsprays and dry shampoo. The fact that these products are often sprays means that they’re chemical-heavy and harsh on your strands. Your average drugstore brand styling products will contain numerous chemicals that leave your tresses worse for wear. Looking out for hair products that are alcohol-free and sulfate-free can help you to combat frizz and smooth your hair.

Conclusion

Once you figure out what’s causing your frizz, you’re one step closer to taming that uncontrollable nest of yours. Most of the time, you will only need to make a few minor adjustments to your hair regime to see frizz-free results. You may just need to change the towel you use to dry your hair, the heat setting on your blow dryer, or add a natural ingredient to your locks. Whatever you do, you’re sure to reap major benefits. Taking the natural route is a method that I’ll always stand by and that’s because the benefits always outweigh the cons. It gives your body a holistic approach to better health. It might sound superficial, but at the end of the day, frizz-free hair is healthy hair!

Sticking with natural frizz solutions for your hair is always the way to go. Not only are they healthier for you and better for the environment, but they are also less likely to cause a bad reaction. You know exactly what you’re putting in your hair and on your scalp- leaving you feeling confident with your hair decisions. Even though there are a million and one ways to try to prevent frizzy hair, you will inevitably suffer from it at some point. The best thing to do in that situation is to put it up in either a bun or braids. If the weather is nasty, you’ll be happy to have it out of your face anyway. Now, go on and make your hair frizz-free!