If you’re looking for a quick answer about how to get rid of frizzy hair, the truth is that there’s no magical, one-size-fits-all trick, product, or hack.
While hair care brands have bombarded us with messaging that frizzy hair is the enemy, there is something to be said for occasionally embracing it. But if you prefer a sleeker look, are looking for ways to decrease damage and get more healthy hair overall, or find flyaways to be annoying, we get that frizz isn’t everyone’s jam—especially when it’s not intentional.
For those days, we gathered intel from 14 women with various hair textures who always leave us wondering how their hair looks so incredible. Read on for the frizzy-hair tips and tricks they swear by for every hair type.
1. Invest in your hair tools
If you want to tame frizzy hair, it’s probably time to invest in a gold-standard hair dryer to lay the foundation for the smoothest hair possible. “Over the years I’ve realized professional hair dryers are like sports cars: crafted with high-velocity engines using top-of-the-line parts and performance-driven design and features,” says Glamour digital director Perrie Samotin.
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“Do your homework and be willing to spend the money. Coupled with the right high-quality brush for your texture, a professional-grade dryer is the single best way to get rid of frizzy hair, in my opinion,” she says. Samotin—who says she’s had frizzy, coarse hair her entire life—swears by Italian brands Solano and Turbo Power blow-dryers. “They’re not only powerful but beyond sturdy and literally can also last decades,” she says.
We’re also big fans of the Dyson Supersonic and Harry Josh Pro Dryer for their powerful but gentle capabilities, but any of these options from our list of the best hair dryers will leave you in good hands.
Solano Forza 2000W Ultra-Fast Drying Hair Dryer
Amazon
Turbo Power Twin Turbo 3200 +
Amazon
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Amazon
Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer
Harry Josh Pro Tools
Samotin also relies on products that won’t weigh her hair down but can still stop frizz in its tracks. Among her favorites? Coco + Eve Like a Virgin Super Hydrating Cream Conditioner, R+Co High Dive Moisture & Shine Créme, and IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray, a.k.a. “keratin in a can.”
When it comes to hairbrushes, Glamour art designer Channing Smith swears by the Altesse Beauté Hairbrush, which uses 100% first re-cut boar bristles to tame her thick curly hair. “When brushed through my hair, the bristles go deep enough to detangle my trickiest knots while also massaging the scalp to stimulate circulation for stronger, more resilient hair,” she says. “I saw results immediately. It gives me more time between wash days since the brush evenly distributes my hair’s natural oils. My strands are touchably soft and silky, with blowout-level volume.”
2. Style your hair when it’s wet.
If you have curly hair, it’s crucial to consider not only what products you use (like these best curly-hair products), but when you use them. “If you apply your product to hair that is the slightest bit dry, your product will not evenly saturate, and you will be left with frizzy, undefined curls,” says Melissa Guido, a hairstylist and curl expert. She advises skipping a towel turban and instead applying product on super-wet hair, right out of the shower.
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“A great rule of thumb to follow is if it looks frizzy when it’s wet, it’s going to be frizzy when it’s dry,” she says. “I personally like to comb through a leave-in conditioner, then rake in a curl cream with my fingers, and last, scrunch with a liquid gel. This provides moisture, enhances curl definition, and holds the style so your curls stay defined for days.”
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
Amika Curl Corps Curl Defining Cream
Amazon
3. Try a silk pillowcase.
As a former beauty editor, copywriter Jillian Ruffo has had access to every product imaginable to stretch her weekly blowout. Nothing worked, until she swapped her cotton pillowcase for a silk pillowcase. “They changed my life,” she says. “I twist my hair into a high bun and secure it with a silk scrunchie before bed—the fabric doesn’t crease my hair, especially when I’m also laying my head on a slippery silk pillowcase. In the morning I take my hair down, mist my roots with dry shampoo, and I’m good to go—no frizz at all.”
Slip Large Silk Scrunchies
Amazon
Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase
Amazon
4. Keep your hands off your curls.
Sometimes the best advice is totally free. “My number-one tip for preventing frizz: Keep your hands out of your curls,” says blogger Ashly Rodriguez. “Constantly touching your hair will bring all the frizz you try to avoid.” This tip may be easier said than done, but it’s a good thing to remind yourself.
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5. Hairspray can be your friend.
An old hairstylist trick is to lightly mist your brush or comb with some hairspray to tame frizzies and flyaways. Influencer Michaela Podolsky says she deals with frizz on a daily basis, and spraying her comb with L’Oréal Elnett Satin Strong Hairspray is the only thing that works for her.
“After spraying, I lightly brush through the top of my hair to set it in place,” says Podolsky. “On top of that, I wish this hairspray came in a perfume—I love the scent. And it holds my frizz down for the entire day.”
L’Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray
Amazon
6. In a pinch, try hand lotion.
“My secret hack if I’m out somewhere and have frizzy hair I need to deal with is to just use a little hand lotion,” says Anna Moeslein, deputy editor at Glamour. “A small bit goes a long way, and I’m much more likely to have a travel-size lotion in my bag than hair products.”
If you have finer hair, just be sure to focus the cream on your ends or rub it in your palms first to diffuse it, so your hair doesn’t get too greasy.
7. Detangle in the shower.
Tangles and frizz go hand in hand, so a big step in learning how to get rid of frizzy hair is cutting down on tangles. If you have straight hair, all it may take is the right brush, but if you have curls, you know the process requires a little more TLC.
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Glamour contributor Erin Parker swears by DevaCurl Wash Day Wonder Pre-Cleanse Slip Detangler to stop tangles in their tracks. “It makes your strands extra slippery and easier to work through, whether you’re finger-detangling or using a wide-tooth comb,” she says.
Wash Day Wonder Pre-Cleanse Slip Detangler
Amazon
8. Swap out your towel.
The towel you dry your hair with is just as important as the products you apply, so consider hair plopping, which recently took off on TikTok. “First you apply your regular styling products to freshly washed, still-damp hair,” says Parker.
“Next you lay a microfiber towel—not a traditional one; this is key to minimize frizz—or an old T-shirt down on a flat surface. Then you bend over and plop your hair down onto the towel or T-shirt.” Wrap the fabric around your head, and walk around like this for a while. This allows the water in your hair to soak into the microfiber towel or T-shirt, which helps you avoid the damaging friction that traditional terrycloth towels can cause.
DevaTowel Anit-Frizz Microfiber Towel
DevaCurl
Kitsch Microfiber Towel Scrunchies
Amazon
9. Use products strategically.
Often one product alone isn’t enough to get rid of frizzy hair, especially if you have thicker or curly hair. Instead, think of your products as part of a holistic hair care routine that works together to fight frizz. “I emphasize having a system,” says hairstylist Hachoo, whose clients include Kimora Lee Simmons, Rico Nasty, and Doja Cat.
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“Finding the system for your curl type is essential to a stress- and frizz-free day.” She swears by a regimen of hydrating shampoo, Style Factor’s Wig Out Curl Fitting Foam, leave-in detangler, and curl gel for both her clients and herself, but it’s all about finding what works for you.
Style Factor Wigout Fitting Foam
Amazon
Style Factor Wigout Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
10. Straighten smarter, not harder.
Taming frizz on your natural texture is one thing, but keeping straightened hair sleek is a whole other can of worms. Luckily, Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin has figured out a trick that makes straightening her curls smooth sailing. “While it’s super tempting to grab a brush and detangle my hair before straightening, I never do it,” she says. “Taking a brush through my hair separates the strands and makes my hair super frizzy when I go over it with a flatiron. Instead, I use a detangling brush in the shower—and if it gets a little knotty while straightening, I finger-comb it.” It also helps to use a heat protectant spray before working with a straightener.
11. Consider your climate.
Since frizz is caused by your hair’s looking for the nearest source of water in the air, humidity levels have a huge effect. “My thick, wavy hair was so manageable in New York, but when I moved in with my parents in Florida, my hair was not prepared for the humidity,” says Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour weekend editor. If you’re planning a trip, consider the climate and plan accordingly by adding smoothing or moisturizing products to your routine.
“Thankfully, my mom shared her bottle of Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, and my hair is back to being (mostly) frizz-free,” says Tannenbaum. “Its lightweight formula is super easy to work through all of my hair—and I have a lot of it—with just a tiny amount without making it look or feel greasy.”
Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
12. Moisture is your friend.
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“Frizz has always been an issue for me,” says Glamour contributor Talia Gutierrez. “Now I can confidently say I appreciate my curly, sometimes puffy hair, and have learned to understand what it needs when the frizz does arrive, and that’s moisture.” Her product of choice is SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Leave-In, since it delivers instant hydration and leaves her hair silky smooth and conditioned.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Multi-Action Leave-In
Amazon
13. Don’t discount the classics.
It can be tempting to always look for the newest and shiniest, but certain products are classics for a reason. “Honestly, Eco Styler Gel seems to be a staple for all Black women,” says organizer and writer Hope Giselle. “I don’t know a single one of my girlfriends who doesn’t own or use one of the formulas.” She prefers the Eco Styler Olive Oil gel, since it “keeps me sleek and frizz-free through the worst humidity,” especially when paired with Ebin’s 24 Hour Edge Tamer.
ECO Styler Olive Oil Professional Styling Gel
Amazon
Ebin New York 24 Hour Edge Tamer
Amazon
14. Use a diffuser.
If you’re a curly girl, a blow-dry may scare you, but there’s a better solution for them: Use a diffuser. Traditional hair dryers jostle your curls too much, but a diffuser will soften the air flow so your curls are bouncy, not frizzy. Model Toni Macaroni swears by one for full, bouncy curls. “Do it with your head upside down to achieve maximum volume,” she suggests.
15. Lean into the frizz.
Sometimes you’ve just got accept your hair frizz for what it is. Illeisha Lussiano, hairstylist and owner of New York’s The Way salon, agrees. “My number-one styling tip when it comes to frizz is that it’s most important to roll with it, especially if it’s caused by humidity,” she says. “Mother Nature is a battle you don’t want to fight.”
16. Use a dryer sheet.
Women have been secretly swearing for decades that using a laundry dryer sheet works to get rid of frizz, but thanks to—where else?—TikTok, it’s been boldly embraced.
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17. Cold water is your friend!
Hot water is one of the main causes of frizz, hair damage, and dryness since it can strip hair of natural oils. “My hair is very finicky and prone to frizziness unless I do the following,” says Glamour contributor Danielle Sinay. “Rinse my conditioner out with cold water and immediately wrap my hair up in Crown Affair’s The Hair Towel—I’ve found the fabric is gentler on my hair. After taking my hair down, I brush it out gently, apply Crown Affair’s Hair Oil, and blow it out with my Dyson AirWrap. This is usually enough to prevent frizz and flyaways, but if I really need it to keep its shape, I spray with Oribe Texturizing Spray—not hairspray, since that tends to weigh my hair strands down. Texturizing gives me a happy medium!”
Crown Affair The Oil
Violet Grey
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Amazon
18. Get a regular trims.
Damaged hair is especially prone to frizziness because of breakage and split ends. Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco keeps up with regular haircut trims to make sure her fine hair strands stay in top shape.
“With all the heat styling and hair-tie tension my hair endures, I always make sure to keep my ends fresh. If I don’t, I notice a lot more breakage, which leads to frizz and flyaways. I get a trim every eight to 12 weeks,” she says. “To prevent dry hair from heat damage, I’ll use a hair treatment mask between cuts to make sure my strands are hydrated and to seal in the hair cuticle. Some of my favorites are the Kristen Ess Softening Hair Mask and the Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask.”
Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.
The post How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair: 18 Tips That Work appeared first on Glamour.
