Do you struggle with frizzy, unmanageable hair? Just one of the many ice cube with long hair troubles that can happen on a bad day. Whether it’s been raining, is cold outside, or you just have naturally curly hair that never wants to cooperate – we’ve got you covered with this helpful list of suggestions to keep your locks soft and shiny.
1. Define the hair.
When you’re getting ready to apply a styling product it’s easy to apply too much and end up with more frizz than you wanted. To prevent this, define your hair before applying anything. For best results, use a flat iron (or similar straightening tool) to smooth out your hair for about 15 minutes before applying any product. Keep in mind that it’ll be harder for heat tools such as flat irons to penetrate through fine hair than others but if you want maximum shine being gentle is key.
2. Take it down.
If you have particularly curly hair that’s prone to frizz when you wash and condition it, be sure to wash and condition your hair at night. Styling products tend to be more effective when your hair is clean and conditioned, so shampoo and condition your tresses each week. Not only will this make your locks less prone to frizzing during the day but you’ll also have time to prep while they’re still wet.
3. Moisturize from the roots.
Whether it has been raining all day or it’s just been a particularly hot day – dry air can really dry out the ends of your hair, causing them to look dry and break off. To keep your ends soft and sleek, take a small dollop of hair conditioner and rub it into the roots of your hair (do NOT rinse it out!). This will make the ends of your hair more malleable and prevent them from breaking off.
4. Trim your split ends.
Like dry air, split ends cause frizz in curly hair, regardless of length. To make sure you’re left with shiny, silky locks after each shampoo & condition session make sure to trim off any split ends that you find during subsequent brushing sessions. Take a pair of scissors, comb them through your hair, and trim away any rough ends that you find.
5. Take care of your scalp.
For those of you who suffer from dandruff or other scalp issues make sure to regularly keep your hair moisturized throughout the day. Your scalp produces oils each day so if you’re not taking care of it properly this oil can remain underneath the hairs on top of your head and cause the frizzing effect known as ‘the jungle’. By using a shampoo specially formulated for dry skin (like Aveda Dry Oil Shampoo) you can be sure to hydrate your scalp with every wash and help prevent flakes or itchiness by eliminating build up there.
6. Set your hair with dry shampoo.
To help add shine to your hair as well as prevent the build up of greasy residues in the root area a small amount of dry shampoo will do the trick. While you’re in the shower applying a small amount of dry shampoo and raking it through from roots to ends will keep your tresses clean and significantly reduce frizziness when you’re on-the-go.
7. Keep products from leaking.
Many people who use styling products (especially more extreme ones) end up with product build up on top of their heads due to leaks that occur over time. To prevent this, try using an inexpensive bobby pin or clothespin to clip all loose hair back during styling sessions.
8. Use a diffuser.
If you’ve been using a flat iron or straightening tool to style your hair for the past hour or so and it’s still not sleek and shiny – you probably need to switch up your tool. Instead of pressing down on your hair with the heat from your iron, try gently running the machine through your tresses for a smoother result. Some people like to use a diffuser (sold separately) in addition to a flat iron for added moisture.
9. Take it down.
If you’re battling frizz on your hair and you need to take it down a notch before going out, take a small amount of dry shampoo and some water to your roots and smooth it through your hair. This will help add some shine and minimize the amount of frizzing that occurs around your roots during the day.
10. Take care of the ends.
If you’re having trouble with frizzy ends or they’ve become thin from repeatedly washing them, try taking a small handful of flaxseed oil (or other scalp nourishing oil) to the tips of each strand. While this may require some time for it to work, the benefits of using a scalp nourishing oil are numerous. While using a slightly heavier oil like castor oil will weigh down your hair and leave it feeling less voluminous – flaxseed oil is lighter and offers some key vitamin B (which improves overall hair health).
11. Use a flat iron.
When you’re out of flat irons and need to style your hair in a pinch try using a ceramic or titanium curling iron. If you don’t already have one, they’re inexpensive, easy to use, and they can help add shine while giving your curly or straight hair an extra boost between professional cuts.
