Control frizz for good: Your total guide to smoothing your hair

Frizzy hair might feel complicated to control, but its causes are quite simple: a lack of moisture in the cuticle forces your hair to absorb whatever dampness is in the air around you, making it swell in the process. While everyone will have to deal with frizz at some point, it’s most common with curls and coils, as these hair types are naturally drier and more likely to drink up any excess moisture.

If you’ve tried what seems like every anti-frizz serum in the book and nothing works to ease your fuzziness, you may be wondering if smooth, sleek hair just isn’t an option for you. We’re here to tell you this is far from the truth: all you need are a few key changes to your routine and proven, scientifically-backed products to make a huge – and almost instant – difference to your hair’s definition…

Fighting frizz starts in the shower

After a long day – and especially during the winter months – it’s tempting to jump into a hot steamy shower, but the temperature of your water is crucial when it comes to controlling frizz. If your shower is too hot, not only will it strip your hair and scalp of natural protective oils, causing even more dryness, it will also make the cuticle swell. And as we know, a raised or swollen hair cuticle is the key cause of frizz. While there are health, as well as hair, benefits to having cold showers, you don’t need to freeze in there – just opt for a lukewarm temperature.

Frizz-fighting products aren’t created equal

We all experience frizz and flyaways from time to time, which is why there are so many products on the market claiming to help. But the reality is, most of them just coat your hair in heavy silicones, which is problematic for a couple of reasons. First, this approach simply masks frizz when what you really need is to replace the hydration your hair is so desperately crying out for. Second, silicones build up in the hair long-term, causing dullness and scalp irritation. Nexxus’ Ultralight Smooth range is different. The range, which includes a weightless protection shampoo and conditioner and a frizz defy cream serum, is all silicone-free and tackles frizz at the source. How? Formulated with the PROTEINFUSION blend with almond protein and jasmine flower, it strengthens hair from within and fills holes and cracks in the outer cuticle layer to restore smoothness.

Tackle frizz by pampering wet hair

The hair types that are more prone to frizz are also the most delicate, and when hair is wet it’s at its most fragile. If you want to control fuzz, be sure to avoid dry-brushing your hair. Instead, comb it through wet post-shampoo, and before you rinse out your conditioner (using a wide-toothed comb is best), or after you’ve sprayed a leave-in product, such as Nexxus Humectress Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner For Dry Hair, or Nexxus Curl Define Leave-in Conditioner For Curly Hair.

The former has a lightweight protein complex to lock in 24-hour moisture, while the latter offers more intense hydration for curly and coily hair, thanks to Nexxus’ PROTEINFUSION blend of silk protein and marula oil. Choose based on your hair type to keep hair hydrated and control frizz. Once out of the shower, avoid rubbing or wrapping your hair in a regular cotton towel and instead try using a microfiber version or a T-Shirt, which won’t rough up the cuticle or cause breakage.

Replenish moisture to tame frizz

As frizziness is caused by a lack of moisture, injecting hydration back into your hair is essential for a smoother finish. Do this by incorporating a deep-conditioning treatment into your at-home haircare routine at least once a week. The Nexxus Humectress Moisture Restoring Masque is the equivalent of an in-salon treatment and provides deep moisturization to smooth the cuticle. Simply apply post-shampoo and leave on for three to five minutes, comb through and rinse thoroughly.

Tackle frizz by changing up your bedding

Nothing rubs up your cuticle the wrong way quite like a night tossing and turning, which is why the fabric of your pillowcases is so important for managing frizz. Cotton and linen sheets can rough up the hair, but silk helps keep it smooth – even if you have a restless night, thanks to the minimal friction it causes. Not only that, but cotton pillowcases absorb more moisture than silk ones, meaning you lose that all-important hydration you’ve been working to put back into your hair.