Frizz Fighting Products That Really Work

There are times when you need your hair to look like perfection. Maybe you have an exciting date or a big meeting at work. You take the time to put every strand in its proper place, but within minutes of going outside, the best twist out ever or the most polished blow out turns into an undefined mess. That’s because humidity in the environment brings excess moisture to your hair. The humidity may be from rain, or because you live in Texas or Florida, or because you’re sweatin’ out your hurr in a hot club. Wherever the excess moisture comes from, it’s usually not enough to make your hair look wet, just enough to swell your strands and make your hair poof out. So frustrating!

Unlike many other hair care problems, the strategies for fighting frizz are more about product than technique. To protect your hair from humidity, you have to seal like your life (okay the life of your hairstyle) depends on it. Here are the must haves:

Frizz Fighter #1: A protein conditioner/treatment

Rinse out products that contain hydrolyzed protein temporarily patch up some of the cuticle holes in porous hair. If African American hair doesn’t get additional protein regularly, it will frizz out very quickly no matter what you do. Make sure to use a strengthening product at least once every 2 weeks. Salon quality protein conditioners will leave your hair smooth and strong, not stiff.

Product recommendations

Curlisto Deep Therapy Masque

Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner for Dry Hair

Nexxus Emergencee Strengthening Polymeric Reconstructor

Ouidad 12 Minute Deep Treatment

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Frizz Fighter #2: A polyquaternium styling product with hold

Usually, products with “hold” leave natural hair sticky or crunchy and of course that’s not good. Natural African American curls do best with mousses and gels made with holding ingredients called polyquaterniums. If you prefer all natural products that might sound like an ingredient category to avoid, but chances are you’ve used them before. Polyquaterniums are found in lotions, creams, shampoos, conditioners, mousses, and gels. They condition the hair by wrapping each strand in a protective film that leaves it soft, shiny, and easier to comb. There are many different types of polyquats, each with a different number. A good holding product for natural hair contains polyquaternium 4 and/or polyquaternium 11. Those specific polyquaterniums are excellent at keeping humidity from ruining your style.

Polyquaternium products should not be sticky, but they can make your hair feel crunchy when it dries. Don’t worry, you can get rid of that stiffness if you “scrunch out the crunch”. Here’s how you do it: Once your hair is dry, apply a small dab of oil or a silicone serum to your palms and gather your hair like you’re about to put it in a ponytail. As you run your hands over your coils, you’ll loosen up the top layer of the styling product so that your hair can be fluffy and have more movement. Keep scrunching and smoothing until your hair is soft but still defined. It takes less than a minute to “scrunch out the crunch”, but it makes the difference between soft and stiff hair. And more importantly, your wash n’ go or twist out should be able to last through an important event or long day.

Product recommendations

Curls Gel-les’c Curl Serum/Gel

Nexxus Gorgeous Curls Curl Enhancing Foam Styler

Pantene Curly Hair Series Curl Defining Mousse

Frizz Fighter #3: Hairspray

Hairspray is the original humidity blocker. As long as you hold the can the instructed 12 inches away, you’ll cover your hair with extra strong humidity protection. The major problem with hairspray is that it causes your strands to stick together and it really doesn’t leave the hair touchably soft (no matter what the commercials say). When using hairspray to protect your style, be disciplined and don’t touch your hair after it’s done. Running your fingers through hairsprayed hair will cause breakage. Therefore, you should only use hairspray when you need extra assurance that your hair will hold up (first day at work, weddings, promotional events, etc.). Also, unlike polyquaternium products, hairspray doesn’t rinse out or mix with water. You have to shampoo it out, so only use hairspray if you can wash your hair within the following 2 days.

Product recommendations

L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray

Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray

Frizz Fighter #4: Living Proof Products

Living Proof is a company started by a group of accomplished scientists who worked with beauty experts to create products that combat frustrating hair problems like frizz. Yes, seriously! One of the founders even teaches at MIT.

Their “No Frizz” Styling Cream promises to lock out humidity while leaving your curls both defined and soft. They also have a new styling spray called “Straight” that protects your hair from heat and keeps it incredibly soft and straight until the next wash (it really works). Living Proof products live up to their claims as long as you follow the instructions and use enough to thoroughly coat your hair. Unfortunately, the products are very expensive (a 2 oz sample costs $15) and you really will need to use a lot to get the intended results. Because of the price, they’re not a great solution for everyday, but think of Living Proof products as your secret weapon.

Product recommendations

No Frizz Wave, Curl Styling Cream

No Frizz Wave, Curl Styling Treatment

Straight Styling Hairspray

The inherent porosity of African American hair makes fighting humidity very difficult, especially if you have fine hair, which doesn’t like to hold its shape anyway. Good hair care techniques and a consistent regimen of shampooing, oil treatments, and trims will give you the best foundation for long lasting styles. After that, the secret to success is careful product selection and thorough application. Sorry product junkies, time for another trip to the beauty supply!

Hair Liberty is a comprehensive resource for African American hair care information. We sort through the latest hair care advice and compare hundred of products to find the most accurate recommendations for our readers. Visit hairliberty.org to learn about your hair and how to achieve your hair goals. And be sure to Like the Hair Liberty Facebook page for extra tips and info!