You’re ready for a hot date; your makeup looks flawless, your outfit is sexy, and your hair- a total FRIZZ ball. I’m pretty sure frizzy hair is one of the top style spoilers out there and can completely take you from looking hot to NOT. The good news is that it’s a very fixable problem. Once you are able to understand what causes frizzy hair, and how to control it, you’ll be treating it like it was last year’s news.
The outer layer of your hair is called the cuticle and it is sole purpose is to protect the inner layers of your hair from damage. This layer is made up of protein cells that resemble scales on a fish. When you mistreat your hair by constant coloring, abusing heat tools, lack of moisture, or constant exposure to external agressors such as sun, wind and pollution, you damage the cuticle which causes the protein cells to lift or peel as shown below. This means FRIZZ.
BLOWN CUTICLE . LIFTED PROTEIN CELLS . THIS IS BAD.
HEALTHY CUTICLE. PROTEIN CELLS LIE FLAT AGAINST THE CORTEX. – THIS IS GOOD!
Using the appropriate products for your hair type is an essential part to having a healthy head of hair. It is important for you to start with a shampoo and conditioner that are moisturizing and nourishing to reduce any frizziness. In addition to your cleansing regimen, when you use the proper styling products for your hair type, you will be able to see a difference in the way your hair conducts itself.
Some of our favorite products for reducing frizziness in the hair are:
Kerastase Moisture Treatment – We love giving this treatment to our clients because it COMPLETELY changes the hair they came in with; the boost of moisture really renews your hair.
Kerastase Nectar Thermique- This product protects your hair from the damage of heat appliances while adding moisture. It is really helpful if your frizziness is the result of daily straightening or curling of the hair.
Kerastase Oleo Curl/ Oleo Relax – These are both styling aids that reduce frizz by defining and calming your natural curl.
Kerastase Elixir Ultim- This is one product we always recommend to our clients that have problems with frizz. It repairs your hair, smoothes it down, and makes it shiny… it’s amazing.
Along with product, your blowdryer can become your best friend in helping you to combat frizz. As you blowdry your hair, blow down the hairshaft not up it. You want to lay those cells down so if you blow against the hairshaft, you will cause more lift which equals more frizz. Use heat to lay the cuticle down and cool air to KEEP it down. Cool air is key in getting a smooth finish on your style and helps to pump up the shine.
If you use these techniques and products yet don’t notice any changes in your hair, your damage could be deeper into the hairshaft. Consulting with your hairdresser will be your best option in this situation.
Hopefully, understanding the root of the problem and having a guideline of products to use will help you make this a problem of the past. Remember that if you start off on the wrong foot by blow-drying improperly, product won’t make much of a difference. The key to covering up frizzy hair is knowing how to use the right techniques with the right product. Once you’ve got that down, your hair will follow.