Portrait of a curly woman with freckles and naked shoulders.

Hair Feeling the Humidity? Here Are 10 Ways to Banish Frizz

Get expert tips on how to banish frizzy hair this season with our anti-frizz solutions at Rush Hair & Beauty. Embrace your natural curls and get bouncy, beautiful hair no matter the style with our guide. Discover more at the Rush Hair & Beauty blog.

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Portrait of a curly woman with freckles and naked shoulders.

Here at Rush we love curly hair and we’re not the only ones; today’s trends are all about embracing your hair’s natural texture, whether you’ve got loose, bohemian waves or tight, voluminous curls. The poker straight styles of the nineties and noughties have made way for a more carefree approach to styling – whatever the shape, texture or weight of your hair. This is all well and good, but during the summer months, the hot weather and humidity leads to one thing; frizz. Though straight-haired ladies can suffer bouts of it, frizz is something that’s particularly common for those with curls, since curly hair is more prone to dehydration.

What is frizz?
Frizz happens when the cuticle layer of the hair is raised, allowing moisture to pass through and swell the strands. This is why humidity tends to exacerbate frizz. Dehydrated hair that is stripped of its natural oils is more easily exposed to moisture in the air; hair damage is a known cause of frizz too.

There are three different types of frizz, though the cause is the same:

  1. Surface frizz is the frizz you get on the outside of your hair (not underneath).
  2. Halo frizz occurs on the crown of your head but not elsewhere.
  3. In-the-curl frizz is responsible for the lack of definition that’s sometimes seen with curly, frizzy hair.

Anti-frizz solutions for sleek, smooth hair.
Environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors all play a part in the condition of our hair. However, there are a number of ways in which you can banish frizz, define your curls and keep your hair looking smooth and sleek (without weighing it down).

With these 10 top tips, you’ll never have to suffer strays again.

Ginger girl with shiny curly and wavy hair in hairdresser salon
  1. Avoid washing your hair every day as this will dry it out. Ideally, you should limit shampooing to just a couple of times each week. If you feel the need to freshen it up between shampoos, choose a mild cleansing conditioner instead; these are gentle, detergent-free formulas that clean, hydrate and condition the hair in one go – without stripping it of moisture.
  2. Don’t brush your hair when it’s dry because this will disrupt the hair cuticle and can cause breakage by stretching curly hair. Instead, comb or finger-comb your hair whilst it’s still wet; use a wide-toothed comb while conditioning your hair in the shower for the best results. On the days when you’re not washing your hair, spritz it with a detangling or water spray, then use a damp brush or comb to detangle. This will ‘rake’ the curls rather than brushing them out. To finish, apply a hair oil, scrunch up your curls and let them air dry.
  3. Invest in a synthetic bristle brush with larger, stiffer bristles; these create less static than natural bristles, and will help to make your hair more manageable during the styling process. Detangle, blow-dry and add shine to damp curls with a finishing brush that has widely spaced, ionic (or rigid) bristles.
  4. Use moisturising products on your hair. Swap out standard products for those that have been specially formulated to moisturise hair; drugstore hair care products usually contain alcohol, which is known to cause dehydration and damage. Reverse any existing damage with a salon-quality hair mask to hydrate, nourish and repair your hair. Use moisturising sprays, oils or creams daily to battle any future frizz, and choose products that contain natural oils rather than synthetic ingredients; argan oil is known to be particularly good for dry or frizzy hair.
  5. Use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Sulfates are chemical detergents that are harsh on the hair and scalp, and strip away its natural moisture. Since sulfates are known to dry hair out, those with curly hair (which tends to be drier) should really avoid sulfate-containing products. Instead, choose an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner that contains natural oils and nourishing, organic ingredients.
  6. Once it’s washed and conditioned, rinse your hair with cold water. It doesn’t need to be freezing cold, but giving your hair a quick once-over with water that’s cooler than room temperature will seal the hair cuticles, making them lay smoothly. Smoother hair cuticles also reflect light, which makes your hair appear shinier once it’s dry.
  7. Limit your use of hot tools on frizzy hair. It’s a known fact that blow-drying, straightening and curling our hair every day can leave it feeling dry and damaged, so giving your hair a day off once or twice a week will definitely do it some good. Hot tools cause moisture to evaporate from the inside of the hair; they also break down the keratin proteins that give hair its strength and elasticity, meaning hair strands become weaker and prone to breakage. When you do use styling tools, always apply a heat protectant; serums are ideal for blow-drying, whilst heat protectant sprays are better used with straighteners.
  8. Sleep like a Queen by treating yourself (and your hair) to silk or satin pillowcases, or wrap your hair in a silk scarf. The smooth, slippery fabric will help to reduce friction, which can cause frizz. What’s more, cotton pillowcases absorb moisture, whilst silk retains it; when you lie on a silk or satin pillowcase, the natural oils in your hair are maintained instead of being soaked up.
  9. Use a microfibre towel (and don’t rub your hair dry). Microfibre towels dry hair much faster than standard towels, which is good for preventing frizz. Wet hair will absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water, which causes it to swell – weakening the hair strand and raising the cuticle. When it’s wet, the hair is more fragile and prone to damage; rubbing our hair in this state can lead to split ends – known frizz-causing culprits. Terrycloth towels also create friction, which leaves the hair cuticles even rougher and raised.
  10. Don’t skip salon visits. It’s advisable to get your hair cut about once every two months to keep on top of split ends, although this can vary depending on your hair length and style. If your hair could do with a boost, it’s worth kick-starting the battle against frizz with a nourishing in-salon hair treatment too; your stylist will be happy to offer some professional advice on how to continue your new regimen at home to prevent future frizz.

Ask your Rush stylist for advice on solving your frizz today: Find your salon now.

Beautiful girl at hairdresser salon. Making of hairstyle on healthy hair