Mushroom hair? No thank you
Don't get me started on having frizzy hair. There's nothing worse than putting the time and effort into washing, drying and styling it to perfection only to notice it's grown *out of control* a few hours into your day. Sure, there are bigger problems out there, but it's very annoying nonetheless.
Thankfully, haircare has come thus far that we can now tackle frizz a lot easier than our schooldays. As somebody who's experienced (more than) her fair share of frizz, I decided to pick the brains of some of the biggest hair names in the business to share with you their top tips for frizz-fixing. Happy smoothing!
What causes frizzy hair?
If you have frizzy hair, you'll probably find that in humid or moist conditions (hello, rain) your hair has a mind of its own. Why does it always misbehave so?
'Frizz occurs when the cuticle layers of the hair are raised, allowing moisture to pass through and swell the strands,' explains award-winning hair stylist and afro hair expert Charlotte Mensah. 'As a result, your hair appears dry and frizzy instead of smooth and defined. Curls are naturally drier, and in turn naturally prone to frizz.'
Spoiler alert: Frizz needs moisture if it's going to behave. Let's dive in to the expert tips you need to keep it under control...
Zoë Irwin, ghd UK ambassador
A 10-minute session with your best hair masks a couple of times a week works wonders on a frizzy situation. 'The key to eliminating frizz is hydration: make sure that your hair is as hydrated as possible,' says Zoë. 'I suggest using a hair mask three times a week. A lot of people skip this step and just add a lot of serum at the drying stage, but then you lose the lightness and freshness of the blow dry – the secret weapon here is definitely a hair mask!
'For very dry hair I would even recommend “double masking” – so applying a mask, rinsing and then repeating a second time for ultimate hydration. Once the hair is styled, I smooth out any baby hairs using the ghd platinum+ styler.'
ghd Platinum+ Styler, £175, Fabled
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Charlotte Mensah, hairstylist and founder of Charlotte Mensah's Hair Lounge
Probably the number one bit of maintenance advice – even if you're growing out your hair – is to keep booking in for a tidy up with your hairdresser. ''To help manage frizz always use a hydrating mask once a week,' Charlotte tells us. 'Whenever possible, apply a leave in conditioner, especially on the ends, to keep frizz and split ends in check. Get a trim every 6-8 weeks – split ends and breakage can be a major cause of unwanted frizz. Curl cream will keep your hair defined.
'Try to avoid extreme heat because it will diminish the hair elasticity causing frizz and breakage. Also, try diffusing your hair at a low heat and avoid touching hair as much as possible, as this will lead to more frizz.'
Paul Windle, hairdresser and founder of Windle London
If there is one haircare product I am known to recommend time and time again, it's Windle's Day & Night Cream. I've got work friends hooked on it, my mum is hooked on it, her friends are hooked on it. It's a thick cream that you warm between your hands and smooth through your hair, and it flattens frizz. Frizz halo? A little bit of this bad boy gets rid of that in a matter of seconds. I called on Paul to explain why it works so well.
'The Invisible Day & Night Cream is essentially a leave in conditioner; small amounts on regular basis improves condition of hair over time,' he said. 'Use larger amounts and it will work as an instant styling product, as it injects moisture to help manage dry, dehydrated and frizz prone hair. The UV filter will help protect hair and help manage frizz, as well as monoi oil from the South Pacific to give far-reaching lustre and vitality, and aloe vera to soothe.
'Damage can occur to hair in the process of sleeping, when hairs rub against each other and create friction and thus potential frizz. Day & Night Cream protects hair against any form of abrasion, day and night – and it's 100% vegan and travel-friendly.'
Windle Invisible Day & Night Cream, £22
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Patrick Wilson, ghd Creative Artist
Finally, be careful when blow-drying your hair so as not to over-dry and exacerbate frizz, and always use heat protection spray. 'Don’t blast your hair dry – technique is key here,' Patrick tells us. 'A good blow dry is all about using the correct hair dryer and the right attachments; I would recommend the ghd Air Hair Dryer with the small smoothing nozzle to control the frizz and tame those annoying baby hairs around the hairline.
'When it comes to the blow dry, you want to start at the front of the head first. This way you have more energy and are less likely to get tired halfway through and give up on the mane! The front is the most important part because it’s what most people see, so if you concentrate on that area first you’re more likely to nail it. It's all about the tension, so I recommend using the ghd Natural Bristle Brush. This will give you a smoother finish to the hair that lasts all day.'
Now that you've got these tips under your belt, I hope your frizz is less of a nuisance. Because I feel your pain.
Got a fail-safe frizz tip you want to share? Get in touch on social at @marieclaireuk
