In each issue of WebMD the Magazine, our experts answer your questions about skin care, beauty, makeup, hair care, and more. In our September 2010 issue, Lily Ramos, 35, a director of operations for a company in Orlando, Fla., asked for advice on dealing with frizzy, fly-away hair. For recommendations, we contacted both Ni'Kita Wilson, vice president of Cosmetech Laboratories in Fairfield, N.J. and Jet Rhys, celebrity stylist and owner of Jet Rhys Hair Salon, in San Diego.
Q.My hair gets so frizzy. How can I tame it without making it too greasy?
Ni'Kita Wilson's top picks:
Before you can conquer frizz, you need to understand what causes it: too much moisture and not enough moisture. When it's humid, moisture from the air penetrates the hair shaft, causing strands to swell and look frizzy. When hair is too dry or damaged, it develops a negative charge that causes strands to repel each other, making flyaway hairs more visible.
Curly hair will benefit from products that lock in moisture while locking out external moisture. I like CurlFriends Tame Smoothing Serum ($11.99), which contains dimethicone, an excellent sealant.
People with straight or damaged hair can fend off frizz with conditioners that saturate porous areas. Try Neutrogena Triple Moisture Split End Mender ($6.99), a lightweight balm that seals split ends and reduces the negative charge. Straight hair can also benefit from TIGI S-Factor Dream Drops ($31), which adds luster and prevents humidity from ruining your blowout.
People with fine hair should stick to mists containing lightweight oils. Ellin Lavar Textures InstantShine ($7.99) contains nut oils that are effective at controlling flyaways without looking greasy. Use frizz products, which are often greasy, with a light hand. Start with a pea-sized drop to avoid overdoing it.
Jet Rhys's top picks:
My trick to restoring moisture and health to curly hair is to mist Infusium 23 Leave-In Treatment Repair & Renew ($7.99) all over. Then I twist the curls with my finger and air dry or blow-dry with a diffuser. This locks out frizz and holds curls with lightweight silicones without looking greasy.
When blow-drying hair straight, a cream can seal in moisture so it doesn't absorb extra moisture from the air. I like Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème ($5.99).
Many frizz-fighting ingredients can make fine hair look oily rather than shiny and sleek. I like Kiss My Face Upper Management Styling Gel ($8.95) because it's lightweight but strong enough to hold style, and it shields fine strands from moisture.
When in doubt, Citré Shine Mist Anti-Frizz Spray Laminator ($3.99) is my go-to. It works on every hair type, doesn't contain drying alcohol, and because it's in spray form, the silicone goes on in a super-fine mist.
Making sure frizz-fighting products can really do the work is all about the blow-dry. Blast your hair on high heat until it's 80% dry. Then work product through and finish drying. The more water you remove before product application, the more likely it will help hold your style and fight frizz.
Home Remedies for Frizzy Hair
Rhys suggests using these handy items to tame flyaways:
Lip balm: Dab a bit of a non-waxy balm (like Vaseline) on the tips of your fingers and use it to slick baby hairs into submission.
Hand lotion: After you soften your skin, use the excess on your hands to smooth down kinky pieces.
Dryer sheet: Keep the fabric-softening laundry aid in your purse and run it over strands to combat flyaways.
Static Guard spray: The handy product can stop static cling, but a light mist on your brush will also make fried strands lie flat.
Olive oil: Warm three or four drops in your palms and smooth unruly strands while adding shine.
The opinions expressed in this section are of the experts and are not the opinions of WebMD. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
