How To Reduce Frizzy Hair to Reveal Smooth, Flyaway-Free Strands
Frizzy hair is one of those universal struggles, which is why many of us have tried to figure out how to reduce frizzy hair. Whether you’ve got straight, curly, or wavy hair, frizz shows up when you least want it to—like during a first date or job interview. Frizz has no respect for calendars or life events. And beyond just a few stray hairs, frizz can make you feel uncomfortable and less confident, like your hair is working against you instead of with you.
Here’s the truth, though: frizz is normal. It’s not some flaw you need to “fix.” Humidity, wind, hot water, blow dryers, and other environmental factors all play a role. Sometimes, frizz is just part of life. And while embracing your natural texture is always an option (and something we should normalize more!), not everyone feels their best when they let frizz take over.
That’s why we put together a guide on how to reduce frizzy hair safely and effectively—with strategies, styling products, and expert picks that actually work.
How To Reduce Frizzy Hair
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about frizz: what it looks like, what causes it, how to get rid of frizzy hair, and the best products to help you achieve smoother strands. Think of it as your survival guide to frizz protection, whether you’re battling damaged hair, experimenting with new styling products, or just trying to make your blow dryer routine more effective.
What Is Frizzy Hair?
Frizzy hair happens when the outer layer of your strands (a.k.a. the cuticle) lifts, letting moisture from the air sneak in and swell the hair shafts. Instead of lying flat and smooth, your hair sticks out in different directions, creating that fly-aways-all-over effect. But it may look different depending on your hair type.
On straight hair, frizz looks like flyaways and uneven texture, especially at the crown or hairline. On curly hair, frizz can show up as undefined curls, puffiness, or strands that won’t clump all the way together. On wavy hair, you’ll often see a combination of both: uneven waves that don’t sit smoothly or just lie flat.
(Pro tip: If you’re working with waves, you’ll love our guide on how to style wavy hair.)
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
Environmental Factors
Humidity is the number-one culprit behind frizz (take it from this curly-haired girl who spends lots of time beachside in Mexico). When there’s a lot of moisture in the air, your hair absorbs it like a sponge. That causes the strands to swell and lose their smooth alignment, creating frizz. But wind, rain, and heat can also make things worse by roughing up the cuticle even more.
Heat Styling and Hot Water
Frequent blow drying, curling iron use, and even washing your hair with hot water strip away natural oils. Without those protective oils, your cuticle lifts, making it easier for frizz to set in. This is why heat protectant is non-negotiable whenever you’re using a curling iron, straightener, or blow dryer.
Damaged Hair
Chemical treatments, dye jobs, and overuse of styling products can all cause damage to your hair. Once your strands are weakened, they’re more likely to frizz. Product buildup on the scalp and hair shafts (from heavy conditioners, serums, or sprays) also disrupts the cuticle, leaving you with frizz instead of shine.
Genetics
Some hair types—most of which are genetic—are naturally more prone to frizz. Curly hair, for example, has more bends and twists that make the cuticle lift more easily. If frizz runs in your family, genetics may play a stronger role. While you can’t change your DNA, you can absolutely adjust your hair care routine to reduce frizz and boost shine.
How To Get Rid of Frizzy Hair
Wash Your Hair Less Often
Over-washing strips away natural oils that keep your strands smooth. Aim to wash your hair 2–3 times a week instead of daily. If you need a refresh, use dry shampoo to absorb excess oil without stripping moisture.
Avoid Hot Water
Hot water opens up your hair cuticle, leading to frizz. Instead, rinse with warm water and finish with a cool rinse to help seal the cuticle. This locks in moisture and gives you a smoother finish.
Use a Leave In Conditioner
Leave in conditioner provides frizz fighting hydration and protection. It coats the hair shafts, keeping moisture from sneaking in. Apply it after you wash your hair and before styling products.
Protect Hair From Heat Styling
Always use a good heat protectant for natural hair or any hair type before blow drying, curling, or straightening. This prevents heat damage, which is a major cause of frizz.
Air Dry When Possible
Air drying is gentler than constant blow drying. If you do need to speed things up, use a blow dryer on the cool or low heat setting. (In case all this talk about air drying got you wondering about blow drying, check out our guide to using the Dyson Airwrap vs Supersonic.
Embrace Hair Oils
Hair oils like argan or jojoba add shine, tame flyaways, and provide long-lasting frizz protection. Apply a few drops to damp hair before styling, or smooth a tiny amount over dry hair to lock in your look.
What Are the Best Hair Products for Frizzy Hair?
Here’s a roundup of frizz-fighting products that actually deliver. Each pick is targeted to reduce frizz, hydrate dry hair, and give you that sleek, confident look. Because figuring out how to reduce frizzy hair starts with finding the right product.
Rizos Curls Nourish Oil for Hair, Scalp, and Body
Available at Ulta ($23) | Also available at Amazon
This lightweight multitasker hydrates dry hair, reduces frizz, and adds shine without greasiness. It’s perfect for curly hair or any hair type needing extra smoothness. Plus, the brand is technically still a small business and it’s Latina owned!
Ouai Anti-Frizz Crème
Available at Ulta ($30) | Also available at Target and Amazon
A leave-in conditioner and styling cream in one (who doesn’t love practicality?), this product smooths flyaways and protects against humidity. Bonus: It also acts as a heat protectant when you style. And be sure not to skip a good heat protectant for natural hair.
Nopalera Moisturize + Shine Solid Shampoo Bar
Available at Amazon ($26) | Also available at Nopalera
Eco-friendly and effective, this solid shampoo hydrates while cleansing. It helps reduce frizz by keeping your scalp balanced and your strands moisturized. There’s a nice lather to it, too, but it’s not overwhelming.
Nopalera Moisturize + Shine Solid Conditioner Bar
Available at Amazon ($26) | Also available at Nopalera
Pair it with the shampoo bar for maximum frizz protection. This conditioner bar smooths the cuticle, leaving hair soft, silky, and plastic-free. Unlike its shampoo counterpart, the conditioner bar is clear versus light blue.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème
Available at Ulta ($26) | Also available at Target
This cream smooths frizz while also protecting against heat damage from your blow dryer or curling iron. It’s a must-have for anyone who styles daily, but it’s also a godsend for people whose hair may not be used to harsh heat styling.
Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer
Available at Target ($18) | Also available at Amazon
A weightless spray that refreshes dry hair and tames flyaways instantly. Perfect to keep in your bag for long day touch-ups. Think of it as a dry shampoo, except it’s specifically designed to reduce frizzy hair.
Cécred Clarifying Shampoo
Available at Ulta ($38)
Sometimes frizz is caused by product buildup, and that’s exactly when you want to reach for a clarifying shampoo. This clarifying shampoo removes excess oil and residue without drying out your hair.
Cécred Hydrating Conditioner
Available at Ulta ($31)
Follow the clarifying shampoo with this lightweight conditioner to hydrate and smooth the hair cuticle. Together with the shampoo, it helps keep frizz under control by delivering your hair the moisture that it needs.
Frizz is universal—and normal. While you can’t always control humidity or the weather, you can adjust your hair care routine and invest in the right styling products to reduce frizz and boost confidence. From clarifying shampoos to hair oils, leave-in conditioners to heat protectants, these strategies and picks will help you get rid of frizzy hair fast, safe, and for real.
