Frizz is inevitable with curly hair, especially during transitional seasons such as fall. That’s why you need to work doubly hard with maintenance and maintain that moisture balance. Since fall is now in full swing, we have some tips that you can use to prevent and minimize frizz.
What Causes Frizzy Curls?
Before we get into how to avoid frizz, it’s important to understand what causes it in the first place.
Lack of moisture
Curly hair is naturally drier than straight hair so it needs lots of moisture. This dryness is further exacerbated by the drier fall weather.
Weather
If the weather is particularly dry, the changes in moisture can cause frizz. Keep in mind that if you’re not giving your hair the moisture it needs, it reaches out into the atmosphere to get that moisture. That’s why it’s important to give your hair the hydration and nourishment that it needs to keep it resilient no matter what the elements are doing.
Product Build-up
If you notice frizz particularly concentrated around the halo area, perhaps it’s all sticky and gunky, this might mean that you need to use lighter products. Perhaps you’ve been refreshing your hair all summer without washing it and you need to stick to a consistent wash cycle.
Over Manipulation
Constantly playing with your hair, which can happen often during the summer, can and will undefine your curls and cause frizz.
Protein/Moisture balance
If your hair has protein overload, you might experience a dry frizz, while dry hair can lead to a wet, mushy frizz.
How to Prevent Frizz During the Fall
Moisturize
Deep conditioning treatments are really good at moisturizing the hair and putting that moisture back that it loses throughout the day. Doing regular deep conditioning treatments with a vegetarian hair conditioner at least once a week is a proactive way to prevent frizz during the fall. Once the frizz starts receding, you can do these treatments less often than once a week.
Using water with your product application is another way to keep your curls hydrated and moisturized. You can do this whether you’re shampooing or conditioning your hair. Curly hair needs loads of water to stay hydrated just as our bodies do.
Use the ‘Squish to Condish’ Technique
With this method, you’ll first get your hair soaking wet and then detangle it, making sure it has lots of water and conditioner. Then, scrunch the conditioner gently with the tips of your hair to get moisture into the cuticles and nourish your hair from the inside out. You can use either deep or regular conditioner for this.
Protect Your Hair Overnight
Avoid sleeping on a cotton pillowcase and opt for silk or satin instead. Also, make sure to tie your hair up in a way that’s going to protect it. A soft wrap will eliminate moisture, while its gentle material will dry wet hair in a flash.
Guard Your Hair From the Elements
Protect your hair while outside by tying it up into a loose pineapple style. As the temperatures continue to drop, you can even get wooly hats with silk lining to further protect your hair.
Use the Right Products
Use products that are best suited for your hair type and texture. Avoid heavy products that are going to build up on your hair. Instead, go for products that are going to define your curls such as curl activator creams and curl-defining gels.
Be gentle When Applying Products
Rake the products by soaking wet hair, and use the roping method or glaze and scrunch it through gently. The roping method requires you to separate the hair into sections and then work the products into each section from root to tip. The mixture of water and product will help to maximize hydration.
Bonus Tip! Stop touching your hair so much, especially when it’s wet. Unless you’re applying products onto your hair — refrain from touching it.
