Fashion

Don't Make These Frizzy Hair Mistakes

by Sienna Fantozzi

There is nothing worse in the summer than having frizzy hair. While you can get by in the winter (as long it's dry out), summer brings it's own set of problems, like humidity and constant time spent swimming and getting your hair wet. If you're struggling to tame it, there are some mistakes to avoid when dealing with frizzy hair, because you could actually be making it worse than it really is.

If we all learned anything from Friends, it should totally be that frizzy hair is going to turn into an afro if you ever travel anywhere with humidity (Monica was all of us in that episode), and though it doesn't get humid in all parts of the country, you definitely travel more in the summer, so a humid destination could be on your list.

You could also just be going to the beach/pool on the regs, meaning you're getting your hair wet and having to deal with it drying all frizzy more often than normal. And then there's the heat, and if you sweat on your forehead or neck, you'll end up with frizzy patches of hair. Not cute. But if your hair tends to frizz, you'll survive, you just have to learn how to take care of it. If you're making any of these frizzy hair mistakes, it's time to stop, ASAP.

1. Brushing It

It's like the cardinal rule of having frizzy, curly, or wavy hair — don't ever brush it. Brushing can create frizz, especially when brushing out curls/waves, so if you need to tame it, try finger-combing instead, or only brush when wet to detangle.

2. Washing With Hot Water

This one is tough to follow in the winter, but you might actually welcome a cool shower in the summer. Hot water is fine to start, but you want to finish with cold water, which seals your hair cuticle and keeps your hair shiny and frizz-free.

3. Skipping Conditioner

L'Oreal Paris EverCreme Nourishing Leave-In-Spray, $11, Amazon

If you have fine hair and tend to skip conditioner because it weighs it down, that could be what's causing your frizz. You need to moisturize your hair, because if you don't, the cuticle opens to let moisture in, and that's when your hair goes frizzy. If a normal conditioner is too heavy, try a leave-in spray instead.

4. Blow-Drying Too Much

If you're inclined to reach immediately for your blow-dryer when your hair gets wet to combat frizz — stop. Too much hot hair dehydrates it, making it frizzy. Instead, try to start air-drying your hair and smoothing the crazy pieces with a flat iron instead, and you may notice the frizz decrease over time. If you can't commit to that, then at least wait until your hair is almost naturally dry before you blow-dry to lessen the exposure to hot air.

5. Wearing Your Hair Down All The Time

If you have frizzy hair, you may need to start experimenting with other styles at certain times. Going outside when it's humid or when your hair is freshly cleaned and needs a day or two to tame itself can definitely cause frizz, so try wrapping your hair into a bun or braid to keep your hair frizz-free while out and about. Once you let it down, you'll have loose waves without frizz.

6. Towel-Drying

Towel-drying your hair roughs up the hairs cuticle, so to avoid frizz, just gentle press and squeeze out the water.

7. Touching It

When you know your hair is frizzy, you may be inclined to try and smooth it with your fingers, but touching your hair only creates more frizz, so try to let it be.

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