Frizzy hair is frustrating, and in the summertime, with the humidity and heat, it can unfortunately be the norm. One second, you have the perfect blowout (that you spent an hour on, BTW) and the next it has fallen flat and frizzed out. Why must summer be so anti-good hair days? But sadly, frizzy hair isn’t just limited to one season of the year. While summer can intensify the frizziness, there are a lot of other things that can cause dry and unruly strands. And as someone who has struggled with frizzy hair for years, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be to figure out just how to care for it.
To get to the root of how to treat frizzy hair, I tapped a couple of celebrity hairstylists to spill the exact routine they’d recommend for their clients (Gigi Hadid, Hailee Steinfeld, Alix Earle, Sarah Pidgeon, and Lindsey Lohan included). Ahead, learn everything you need to know about frizzy hair care and all the secrets celebrity hairstylists suggest to get your hair looking silky in no time.
Laura Polko, one of Hollywood’s most in-demand hair stylists is renowned for creating her signature “chic cool girl hair.” Her work has graced the pages of top fashion and beauty publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and more.
Originally from Northern Virginia, Alex Pardoe is the hair extension guru to the stars with 15 years of hair extension expertise. His clients carry themselves with confidence on Vogue covers, red carpets, film and television sets, making his undetectable hair extensions some of the most sought after hair in the world. His signature is effortless, never-too-perfect hair that leaves you guessing “is that all hers?”
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
From weather to how you blow-dry your hair and going to bed with your hair wet, many factors can cause frizzy hair. But according to Laura Polko, an LA-based celebrity hairstylist, the biggest factor is often just your natural hair texture. That said, she notes that a lot of other factors can play a role, too, including breakage and hair damage from “not properly taking care of your hair, like excessively bleaching or heat styling.”
Weather can be a major culprit as well. “Humidity will almost ‘re-wet’ the hair—not in the sense it actually [gets] wet, but it can reactivate frizz and texture, causing it to swell,” Polko explains.
Alex Pardoe, celebrity hair stylist and founder of hair extensions line The Anti, adds that over-washing your hair can contribute to frizz, because it strips that hair of the oils that help smooth hair. He also agrees that relying on hot tools every day to style your hair is a no-no if you’re trying to keep your frizz under control.
“Frizz is completely normal, especially in the summer or in humid climates, so it’s less about fighting your hair and more about working with its texture and keeping it healthy,” says Pardoe. “The healthier and more hydrated the hair is, the easier it is to manage and style smoothly.”
Expert-Backed Advice to Tame Frizzy Hair
While frizz can never be fully eliminated, especially if you live in a humid climate like mine, the right routine can make a major difference. Both experts agree that hydration is the foundation for smoother, healthier hair. “The biggest thing is moisture,” says Polko. “If someone is struggling with frizz, making sure they’re getting as much moisture into the hair as possible is important, as this weighs down the hair, reducing the amount of frizz.” Ahead, experts break down how to tame frizz step-by-step, from shampooing to sleeping.
Frizzy Hair Shower Routine
1. Start with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
Whether you shower in the morning or at night, your shower routine can have a huge impact on how frizzy your hair is throughout your day. Making sure to start with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is key to reducing dry hair, which often looks frizzier. “I always recommend using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner,” says Pardoe.
2. Use a hair mask once a week
If your hair feels especially dry or damaged, incorporating a weekly hair mask can help replenish that moisture and bring your locks back to life. “Using a really good hair mask regularly is important in the shower or using the old school trick of sleeping with the mask in your hair,” says Polko.
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3. Finish with a cool rinse
Before stepping out of the shower, turn down the temperature for a few seconds. According to Pardoe, cooler water can help smooth the hair, which may reduce frizz once your hair dries. “A cold rinse will close your hair cuticle from the jump, helping to mitigate frizz from the start of your routine,” he says.
Frizzy Hair After-Shower Routine
1. Dry hair gently with a microfiber towel
What you do immediately after washing your hair is just as important as the products you use. “Rough towel drying is one of the worst things you can do because it lifts the hair cuticle and creates even more frizz,” says Pardoe. Instead, he recommends using a microfiber towel, gently removing the excess water from your hair. He also says to avoid brushing your hair roughly, especially if you have curly or textured hair, as it “can cause breakage and make the hair look even puffier and less controlled.”
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner
Once your hair is damp—not soaking wet—reach for a leave-in conditioner. This extra layer of moisture helps keep strands hydrated throughout the day while also making hair easier to detangle and style (meaning less breakage). “A strong conditioner and leave-in conditioner is also crucial,” says Polko.
Frizzy Hair Styling Routine
1. Layer anti-frizz products before styling
Before picking up a blow dryer or a hot tool, create a barrier with products designed to lock in moisture and smooth the hair cuticle. “[Layer] in a leave-in conditioner, a smoothing balm or serum, and a heat protectant before styling,” says Pardoe.
READ: Want to Try The Viral Abbey Yung Method? Everything You Need to Know Before You Start
2. Blow-dry your hair completely
If there’s one piece of advice Polko says makes the biggest difference, it’s making sure your hair is completely dry before walking out the door.
“One of the biggest things is making sure they’re blow-drying their hair all the way,” she says. “If your hair still feels cool when you touch it, this can cause frizziness in a humid climate.” Pardoe recommends using a nozzle attachment and directing the airflow downward to help smooth the cuticle while drying.
3. Finish with an oil or anti-frizz serum
Once your hair is fully dry, seal everything in with a lightweight oil or serum. “Lightweight oil or anti-frizz serum on the mid-lengths and ends to lock everything in as your last step on dry hair,” says Pardoe. Those with thicker or denser hair may prefer heavier oils, while finer hair types often benefit from lighter oils, suggests Polko.
4. Smooth flyaways with styling paste, spray, and wax
For any pesky flyaways, Polk recommends keeping a styling paste and flyaway wand on hand, and notes that hairspray can also do wonders for keeping hair in place. Some of her favorites include the Sun Bum Sonny’s Original Surf Paste, Emi Jay Angelstick, and the DAE 3-In-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand.
Frizzy Hair Nighttime Routine
Sleep on a silk pillowcase (and don’t go to sleep with your hair wet!)
All the tossing and turning you’re doing at night can really impact how frizzy your hair is the next day, especially with typical pillowcases that are rough on the hair. That’s why Pardoe recommends swapping out your regular pillowcase with a silk one. “Sleeping on a silk pillowcase, avoiding super hot tools—especially daily—and incorporating a weekly hydrating mask can make a huge difference in keeping the hair smooth and healthy long term,” he says.
One more thing? Resist the urge to go to bed with wet hair, which can disrupt the hair cuticle and leave you waking up with extra frizz.
Lauren Barnhill, Contributing Writer
Lauren Barnhill is a freelance writer with a passion for all things fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle. Beyond The Everygirl, Lauren has written for top outlets including Real Simple, SUCCESS, and BuzzFeed. She is also the voice behind Leisurely, a Substack newsletter all about living an unhurried, intentional life.
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