How to control every type of frizzy hair

While there’s nothing wrong with intentional frizz (some styles actually require it), when you’re hoping for a smooth, sleek look, there’s nothing more annoying than painstakingly spending time curling, straightening, or blow drying your hair to perfection, only for it to be ravaged by humidity in seconds.

Frizz is the result of moisture entering the cuticle of the hair, causing it to swell – but not all frizz is the same. In fact, the type that’s most common to you really depends on your individual hair type, which means the way you should treat frizz may be different from how your friend should treat theirs. While it’s most common in dry hair types, or those who have chemically treated or colored hair, where you live and the different seasons can cause frizz, too. So here are the different types to know about – plus how to outsmart frizz once and for all.

Surface frizz

Often mistaken for static, surface frizz only tends to affect the outer layers of hair and can cause it to stand up, or fly around seemingly with a mind of its own. The key to keeping it at bay is to ensure hair is kept as hydrated as possible using a lightweight shampoo, such as Nexxus’ Ultralight Smooth Shampoo, which is enriched with almond protein – abundant in moisture-repelling amino acids – and jasmine flower – thanks to its ultra-light, moisturizing properties – to form a weightless, invisible barrier around every strand to block out humidity and frizz, leaves hair looking and feeling soft, smooth and tamed.

Another way to help this kind of frizz is to avoid rough-drying your hair and instead use a microfiber towel as soon as you get out of the shower. Then, when you’re blow-drying it, point the nozzle of your hairdryer downwards to ensure the cuticle is smooth. Heat protection, such as the Weightless Style Prep & Protect Leave-In Spray, which also conditions hair, is non-negotiable, too, and if you can, it’s always best to use your styling tools on a lower heat setting – not only will that be kinder to your hair, but it’ll hold the style better, too.

Frizz on curly hair

Frizz is not always a bad thing – especially on curly hair – but it can cause limp, undefined curls when it’s uncontrolled. The key here is to add hydration in order to create that sought-after definition. Weightless, nourishing products are best – and Nexxus’ Ultralight Smooth Conditioner ticks all the right boxes: a weightless, frizz-defying product, consider it an extra-added dose of moisture when your hair needs it most. Apply it from the mid-lengths into the ends while hair is sopping wet, and try not to rub your hair too much once it’s washed. Instead, scrunch it dry using a cotton T-shirt and then twist curls into shape before leaving it to air-dry properly. If you need to re-energize your day-two or three curls, use the Nexxus Curl Define Leave-in Conditioner, applying it liberally before scrunching in and leaving to dry again.

All-over frizz

The most common type of frizz is the one that happens to even the most hydrated hair. Instead of being either inside the curl or just at surface level, this one is in multiple layers and causes hair to literally expand outwards. Touching hair less helps combat it, as does adding in moisturization at every turn. Nexxus’ new Ultralight range has a lightweight, hydrating shampoo and conditioner, while the Leave-In Cream Serum will defend against frizz and humidity by forming a breathable invisible barrier around each strand, offering 72-hour protection without the weight.