4 Ways To Deal With Frizzy Hair That Are Better Than a Blowout

Every morning from June through September, I start my day by asking Alexa about the humidity levels in New York City. That way, I know before I even get out of bed whether or not styling my hair will be a complete waste of time. For those of us with frizz-prone strands, moisture in the air can spell bad news for even the most perfectly-coiffed blowouts, which means we’re left looking for new solutions to keep our styles smooth during the summer months.

Frizz happens when moisture (like, for example, the humidity from the environment) penetrates the cuticle of your hair. This tends to be common on dry, damaged hair, because these hair types tend to have raised, uneven cuticles by nature, which makes it easier for water to sneak in. The result, of course, is the “poof” or “halo” that many of us experience the minute we step outside during the warm-weather months.

Thankfully, there are ways to keep frizz at bay it that don’t require spending the entire summer fighting with your hot tools. We tapped celebrity hairstylist Jeremy Tardo—whose client roster includes Miley Cyrus and Miranda Kerr—for his tips on how to get through the warm weather months frizz-free.

1. Skip the shampoo

When you’re sweating all day, every day, it can be tempting to up your shampoo schedule—but according to Tardo, that’s not the best idea if you’re trying to fight frizz. “Excess use of astringent cleansers will strip your hair of its natural oils and cause unnecessary dryness,” he says, which means it will be more prone to attracting moisture from the environment, and creating frizz.

“Some hair can be shampooed once a week or less—if your texture is coarse and dry, the natural oils from your scalp will be absorbed by your hair,” says Tardo. If you absolutely need to give your hair a refresh, try rinsing without shampoo, then apply conditioner only to the ends. Any time you do need to shampoo (which, again, should be as infrequently as possible), look for a frizz-fighting product like Bumble and Bumble’s Invisible Oil Shampoo ($31), which will help you defend against future poofiness before you even step out of the shower.

Bumble & Bumble Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo — $30.00

2. Look for cuticle-sealing ingredients

As Tardo puts it, “product usage is everything in frizz prevention,” which means that finding the right smoothing serum is key. Look for formulas made with “anti humectants,” which prevent your hair from absorbing moisture from the environment, thus helping to keep frizz at bay. “Natural oils like argan or baobab oils will help to seal your cuticle layer, which is great for frizz prevention, and silicones in hair products like serums can also be helpful,” he says. If you’re going to air-dry your hair, be sure to apply these products while your hair is still wet, and let it dry completely before you even think about stepping outside.

Prose Hair Oil — $48.00

3. Style for optimal drying

Even if you aren’t using a blowdryer to style your hair, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that it dries frizz-free. When it comes to post-shower drying, opt for a microfiber towel or t-shirt (instead of your standard bath towel), and scrunch the water out of your hair. This, stylists say, will absorb excess water without roughing up the cuticle, which again, makes hair more prone to frizz. Then, if you can, avoid using a brush, and instead comb through your strands with your fingers to get rid of any tangles. Finally, “after adding anti-humectant products, try letting curly or wavy hair air dry in twists or braids. When hair is dry and twists or braids are removed, the curl will be less frizzy,” says Tardo. “For straighter styles, after adding anti-humectant products, wrap hair around your head and secure under a silk scarf overnight as it air dries.”

Bumble & Bumble Bb Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo — $30.00

4. Keep a moisturizing spritz on hand

If midday frizz starts to creep in even after you’ve hacked your routine with the above, reach for a moisturizing spritz. You can create your own by mixing one part conditioner with two parts water, or snag Sunbum Anti-Frizz Oil Mist ($15), which uses kukui nut oil and tamanu oil to nourish strands and keep frizz at bay.

Sun Bum Anti-Frizz Oil Mist — $15.00

For more ways to hack your haircare routine based on your texture, check out the video below. 

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