First of all, let’s get something clear: Frizzy hair is absolutely not something that needs to be “fixed.” Nor does it need to be tamed, controlled, or whatever else you’ve heard over the years. If you love your frizz (hi, voluminous waves and curls), keep it and work with it. But if frizz and flyaways aren’t part of the ~lewk~ you’re going for rn, you might be searching for the best hacks to smooth your frizzies, flyaways, and wispies—and hey, that’s cool too.
Few things are as frustrating as spending all your time styling your hair only for it to frizz up with a gust of wind and a little humidity. But as you know because you’re currently searching for how to “fix” frizzy hair, smoothing your frizz and flyaways isn’t all that simple. So to help ya out, we got all the tried-and-true tricks and product recs from professional hairstylists, beauty editors, and even a dermatologist. If smooth, flyaway-free hair is your goal, keep reading for the 15 best tips for frizzy hair, and take notes.
Meet the experts
- Aaron Grenia is a hairstylist and one of the cofounders of IGK Hair.
- Anthony Campbell is a celebrity hairstylist and R+Co collective member who has worked with Alexandra Daddario, Amanda Seyfried, and Rachel Ziegler.
- Iris Rubin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Seen Hair Care.
- Laura Rugetti is a celebrity hairstylist who works with Noah Cyrus, Julia Michaels, and Jasmine Sanders.
- Marwa Bashir is a celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and R+Co collective member who works with Maren Morris, Lily Aldridge, and Kristin Cavallari.
- Mark Townsend is a celebrity hairstylist who works with Elizabeth Olsen, Jennifer Lawrence, and Dakota Johnson.
- Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist and R+Co collective member.
- Giovanni Vaccaro is a cofounder and the chief brand officer of Glamsquad.
- Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan.
- Sami Roberts is the beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan.
- Valeriya Chupinina is a freelance beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan.
- David Lopez is an NYC-based beauty expert and celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Ashley Graham, Nikkie de Jager, and Hailey Bieber. Lopez has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of flat irons for natural hair.
- Cory Aaron Scott is a celebrity hair expert and founder of Loft 647 in West Hollywood. Scott has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of the best hair scissors.
- Leigh Hardges is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Hardges has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of hair diffusers.
- Kathy Combs is the global director of education at Cezanne. Combs has previously spoken to Cosmo on the topic of keratin treatments.
What causes frizz and frizzy hair?
Before we jump to the tips, a quick refresher of what frizz is and what leads to frizzy hair: When your hair is damaged, dry, or chemically treated, the cuticle (outer layer of the hair strand) raises and opens up, which lets moisture enter, causes it to swell, and creates frizz. Knowing this, the key to smoothing frizz is making sure your hair cuticles are as flat and sealed as possible. So how exactly do you do that? Keep reading.
1. Apply oil on damp or dry hair.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss
“Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, or any lightweight hair oil, is my true BFF for second-day flyaways on my 2c hair,” says Sami Roberts, beauty assistant at Cosmo. “I shake three or four drops into my palm, flip my head over, and rake oil through the length of my hair. It adds shine and lays down frizz without looking greasy.”
Celebrity hairstylist Anthony Campbell loves using oil on frizzy hair when dry as well but also suggests applying it to damp, towel-dried hair after a shower. “I would use less oil on finer textures and a little more for thicker textures,” Campbell says.
2. Take your time when blow-drying.
GHD Air Professional Performance Hairdryer
GHD Air Professional Performance Hairdryer
If you haphazardly blow dry your hair, chances are you'll have knots, tangles, flyaways, frizz—you name it—by the end of your styling sesh. Blow-drying your hair in sections with a boar bristle brush to create the tension needed to smooth the hair, and actually using the nozzle attachment that comes with your blow dryer can make all the difference. “When blow-drying, use the concentrator nozzle so that you can control the direction of airflow, pointing downward, so you are encouraging the cuticle to lay down flat,” says Aaron Grenia, co-founder of IGK Hair.
3. Prep your hair with heat protectant.
Deeper Than Hair Glass Brilliant Shine
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
Fried, sizzled hair is way more prone to frizz and flyaways than healthy, nourished hair, so if you know you're using a hot tool, make sure you've got a solid heat protectant on hand. Don't have one? Consider a multipurpose styling product that offers not only heat protection but other benefits as well so you get the most bang for your buck. Grenia recommends the Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray as the first step in your styling routine. When applied to damp hair, it can help detangle, smooth frizz for hours, add shine, and of course, protect against heat up to 450 degrees.
4. Use mousse for hairline frizzies.
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl-Boosting Mousse with Berry Essences
Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl-Boosting Mousse with Berry Essences
If your hair frizzes up around your hairline or roots, Cosmo deputy beauty director Chloe Metzger has the perfect trick for smoothing it out when wearing a bun hairstyle or updo. “When I want a sleeker finish fast, I wet my hands, rub the tiniest puff of mousse between my hands to dilute it—think: 90 percent water, 10 percent mousse—then smooth my hands over my roots and hairline,” Metzger says. “Since it’s just the top layer of my hair, it doesn’t take a long time to dry, and I’m left with smooth, but not stiff, curls, thanks to the hint of mousse.”
5. Wash with cleansers that contain glycerin.
OUAI Detox Shampoo
Adwoa Beauty Blue Tansy Clarifying Gel Shampoo
Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Verb Reset Clarifying Shampoo
Along with cutting out the sulfates, look for a shampoo with glycerin as one of the first ingredients (the closer the ingredients are to the top of the list, the more concentrated they are in the formula). Not only does glycerin help combat frizz by penetrating the hair shaft and hydrating it from the inside out, but it also creates a protective coating on the strand, helping mitigate damage, says celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend.
6. Finish styling with a hair serum.
Hair serums are one of the best answers to frizz and flyaways, but they're often filled with silicones. While some hair types may find silicones beneficial for heat-styling protection, conditioning, adding shine, and smoothing the cuticle, if you're trying to avoid them (as someone with curly hair or fine hair might), Iris Rubin, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Seen Hair Care, says to look for products with silicone alternatives.
“Hemisqualane is a plant sugar-derived silicone alternative that provides color and heat protection and is great at reducing frizz,” Dr. Rubin explains. “Squalane is also wonderful for adding moisture and shine into hair.” The Seen Magic Serum is fragrance-free and only contains three ingredients: squalane, hemisqualane, and ethylhexyl olivate, which softens the hair.
7. Dry hair with a microfiber hair towel.
HOPESHINE Women's Soft Shower Hair Towel
AQUIS Copper Sure Rapid Dry Microfiber Hair Wrap
As you know, your hair is at its most vulnerable state when it’s wet. That means using the wrong towel can literally make (or break) your hair, which is why your fabric choice is that much more important. “Cotton towels create friction with your hair, leading to frizz and breakage,” says Giovanni Vaccaro, co-founder of Glamsquad. “I love and always recommend Aquis Towels to dry your hair—they have a microfiber technology that prevents friction and helps dry hair faster.” You can also use an old T-shirt (Grenia's tip) to wring out any excess water without roughing up the cuticle.
8. Get frequent trims to prevent breakage.
One of the easiest ways to prevent damage and breakage that can lead to flyaways? Make sure you trim your hair at least once every three months. Split ends are especially prone to dryness (aka frizzy hair's worst nightmare) and can lead to breakage that makes the strand much shorter than the rest of your hair, so schedule regular appointments with your hairstylist to avoid any long-term damage.
And, yes, since I know you're thinking it—you can trim your own hair at home, but make sure you invest in a pair of legit shears. “Think of cutting your hair as you would cutting fabric—you want a pair of good-quality shears to make sure you're getting a clean and safe cut,” celebrity hair expert Cory Aaron Scott previously told Cosmo. Scott recommends a pair from Fagaci for quick and easy maintenance in-between salon visits.
9. Deep-condition your hair.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
Mixed Chicks Detangling Deep Conditioner
Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher
If your hair isn’t properly hydrated and moisturized, you’ll have a harder time smoothing frizz with styling products later on, which is why hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein says smoothing frizz starts in the shower. Opt for a smoothing shampoo and conditioner when you wash your hair, and add a deep-conditioning mask that suits your hair needs (whether that's moisturization or restoration) to your routine. Rubenstein's favorite for a silky finish is the R+Co Bleu De Luxe Repairative Styling Mask, which is low in proteins and contains moisturizing ingredients like tananu, maracuja, and argan oil.
10. Try keratin treatments.
If you're looking for a long-term solution to frizzy hair, ask your hairstylist about an in-salon hair-smoothing treatment. There are a handful of gentle, formaldehyde-free options on the market rn (see: Cezanne and Goldwell Kerasilk) that help soften and elongate your hair texture—no damage included.
Kathy Combs, global director of Education at Cezanne, previously told Cosmo, “Formaldehyde-free treatments smooth frizz without removing your texture. That means your hair will retain its natural curl when you air-dry, but it can still look smooth and sleek with a quick blow-dry.” Celebrity hairstylist Laura Rugetti loves the Pura Luxe straightening treatment and suggests asking your stylist about it as well.
There are even a few at-home keratin treatments worth trying too. This product from Gussi is spiked with keratin amino acids (to strengthen and repair split ends), castor oil (to smooth damaged cuticles), and a dose of moringa oil (for frizz).
11. Ditch harsh shampoos.
“Find a shampoo that is sulfate-free to prevent frizz,” says Rugetti. Shampoos with sulfates can strip and damage your hair over time, which will mess with your hair cuticle and lead to frizz. “My favorite gentle shampoo is Davines Oi Shampoo—it's super moisturizing and leaves your hair feeling silky," she says.
12. Dry your hair with a diffuser.
Dyson Special Edition Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson Special Edition Supersonic Hair Dryer
If you've got curly or coily hair, you know that traditional blow-drying can leave you with more frizz and flyaways. If that's not your goal, try a diffuser attachment instead—it'll help evenly disperse the airflow from your dryer so you get more definition and volume. Hairstylist Leigh Hardges previously told Cosmo that one with a lot of tiny holes (like this diffuser by Dyson) decreases drying time without disturbing the curls.
P.S. Need a visual? This tutorial is a great place to start for type 4 hair, and this one's excellent for looser curls. Just take your time with it and don't be afraid to customize your technique to fit your hair and its needs.
13. Apply leave-in conditioner.
SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner
Not to sound like a broken record, but if there's one piece of advice you take away from this article, let it be that moisture is the key to smoothing frizz. “I love to load the hair up with leave-in conditioner while wet to ensure my hair cuticle is filled with nourishing ingredients that will give the hair softness and shine,” says celeb hairstylist Marwa Bashir. When the humidity is higher and you need a bit more control, Bashir recommends the R+Co Waterfall Moisture Shine Lotion, but if you're wanting a silicone-free option, we suggest using the Adowa Beauty Baomint Leave In Conditioning Styler, which is packed with curl- and coil-loving oils.
14. Block out humidity.
Humidity is a big reason behind unwanted frizz, and since you can't control the weather, try the next best thing: anti-humidity formulas. Hairstylist David Lopez previously told Cosmo that a humidity-blocking product is a must for anyone who lives in a humid climate to both minimize the effects of frizz and limit your use of heat-styling tools. Freelance beauty assistant Valeriya Chupinina agrees and says, “I like to pat my roots with an anti-humidity hairspray, like the Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray, to shield my hair from any heat or frizz-inducing foe I might encounter throughout my day.”
15. Sleep on a silk pillowcase for smoother hair.
Kitsch Leopard Satin Pillowcase
Slip Pure Silk King Pillowcase
Swurly Co. Solid Queen Silk Pillowcases
If you're still sleeping on cotton and wake up with frizz, now is officially the time to switch to a silk pillowcase. “Silk really helps protect your hair while you sleep,” says Vaccaro. “It maintains your hair's natural oils, which is especially important if your hair is fragile from chemical treatments."
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
