Use the right curly hair products
Don’t shampoo every day because the hair needs the oils. When you do, make sure to use a more moisturizing formula.
Torch believes frizz is caused by water molecules sitting on top of the hair’s cuticle, acting like a barrier. He believes the key is learning how to get the water into the cuticle.
Heavy products are a no-no, Pelusi says. They can create buildup, which can dry the hair out making it look frizzier.
“Often times people resort to strange things like olive oil and Vaseline out of desperation,” Pelusi says. “They only coat the hair and weigh it down, making it look greasy.”
A number of new styling products use the latest technologies to enhance nature. Lightweight, water-soluble silicones may work well for some types of curly hair by smoothing the cuticle without causing buildup.
“Less is more,” Christo says. “That sounds counterintuitive. But if you try using too much silicone, oil or wax, it makes the hair frizzier.”
Proper application of the product is especially important. Christo suggests dividing the hair into three sections, distrubting the product first to the back, then to the sides and finally to the top layer. That insures that every hair receives the benefit of the product.
Those who want to straighten their hair during the summer should stay away from products that contain humectants. Using a round brush, blow the hair dry and use flattening iron to get it straight. Also, avoid spritzers and heavy hairsprays, which can make the hair frizzier and cause the curl to spring back.
Get a good curly haircut
A good haircut is especially important during the summer. Curly hair that’s all one length can look too triangular and has a tendency to bush out.
“Generally speaking, with curly hair, you want longer layers when there’s a lot of humidity,” says Lisa Garcia of the Color Salon, a Farouk Systems educator.
She recommends point-cut layers or undercutting the bottom layer to help the curls blend better. Rather than thinning the hair, which can create shelves or cut marks, point cutting the hair helps reduce the bulk.
And it may need to be cut more often. Christo suggests every six weeks for short hair and every eight weeks for longer curls.
“That allows you to clean up the split ends where the frizz begins,” he says.
But even with the best products and haircuts, there will be those days when nothing seems to keep the frizz at bay.
When flyaways appear, Christo suggests putting some water in your hands and twisting the hair softly — smoothing the sections with a little paste or pomade “When you’re planning your day, always bring a finishing tool with you,” he says. “It will save your day.”
