Air-drying is always touted as the means to a frizz-free style. Diffuser attachments have become the new favorite for curlies and coilies who want to expedite drying time without the disruption of curl clumpage and the damage of direct heat from a concentrator nozzle. Well, for some blow-dryers still create frizz no matter the temperature or speed setting so the battle continues even with air-drying. Curlydish from Q&A wants to know why she still experiences frizz even when she air-dries her hair.
Question
I am getting very frizzy hair, this is my routine – I cleanse using L’Oreal Cleansing Creme. I use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie as leave-in. I then apply some Deva Curl B-leave in and then use The Deva Curl Arc Angel gel. Even after air-drying, I am getting very frizzy hair that does not curl. The second day hair is just a frizzy mess.
Answer
Weather Elements
Weather conditions and the climate play a major role in maintaining curl definition throughout the day. When there is high humidity in conjunction with high dew points, wavy, curly, and coily hair naturally expand as they absorb the moisture from the air. This is great for your hair when it comes to health but many do not like the aesthetic. No one wants to spend hours washing and styling his or her hair just for the intended style to be short-lived.
Hard Water
If you have hard water at home, this could be the culprit to frizzy hair. Hard water contains high amounts of mineral, calcium, and magnesium that have not been properly removed from the water. This water tends to be extremely alkaline and changes the pH balance of the hair by opening the hair shaft, thus making it more vulnerable to the weather elements and more difficult for products to work effectively. If the rest of your products are performing well then hard water may not be a concern. A clear indication of hard water is roughness and excessive dryness.
Styling Application
Proper curl alignment is a major determinant of sustaining curl definition. Many women with textured hair achieve this with techniques like shingling, rake and shake, and smoothing. You may have to start applying your products in smaller sections to make sure it is thoroughly coating the hair. Usually the denser the hair and the tighter the curl pattern calls for smaller sections for product application.
Styling Products
You may have to switch your products. Everything does not work well for everyone and season changes are a huge component of that. Prior to applying your styling products you may want to consider applying a light oil to seal the moisture in your hair. Maybe you can substitute one of your leave-in conditioners for an oil.
Prematurely walking outdoors
Walking and staying outdoors before giving your style time to set will definitely alter your results. A perfect illustration is how Hair Rules Salon Owner Dickey achieves Donedo’s wash and go style. After applying styling products he puts her under a hooded dryer and then uses a blow-dryer with a concentration nozzle to lift her roots once the length of her hair has set. The reason Donedo sits under the hooded dryer first is so that the length of her hair will not frizz due to the temperature and air pressure of the blow-dryer. The same thing applies to the wind outdoors and the humidity.
Read more: Humidity, Weather and Hair Care Pt. 1 and Humidity, Weather and Hair Care Pt. 2
Blow-dryer with Cool Shot
If you do not have time to allow your curls, coils, and waves to air-dry before going outdoors for a prolong period of time then you can use a blow-dryer with a diffuser attachment. Using cool air will take longer time than using warm air but cool air is gentler on your hair. If you opt for warm air then it is best to use a blow-dryer with a cool shot button. The cool shot will help your hair to set because when your hair is warm it is more vulnerable to elements (e.g. touching and weather”> that could alter your finished look.
Shaking Prematurely
Although some shake their curls immediately after applying their styling products, I suggest that you wait until you hair is about 90% dry and then shake. Shaking can induce frizz when done prematurely. Your curls will still be able to separate when you give them time to set in their clump formation.
Touching
Do not touch your hair. Touching your hair, especially while wet or damp, can disrupt the curl clumpage and cause frizz. If you want to create a part or set your hair a certain way (e.g. bangs”> then it is important that you position your hair in the way you want it to lay while applying products, not afterwards.
Natural Texture
Lastly, your hair might just be naturally frizzy and there is nothing wrong with that. All curl patterns are capable of having high definition or being frizz prone; it is not exclusive to Type 4 curl patterns and it is not always an indicator of damaged hair. If you really want curl definition then I suggest your try Curlformers or perm rod rollers to wet set your hair.
How do you reduce frizz?
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