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Big, bouncy, and beautiful, naturally curly hair is envied by many. However, anyone with curly hair will know that this distinctive texture comes with challenges. It can be hard to tame, and one big reason is frizz. Flyaways and unruly locks can make curly hair feel messy and unkempt – which is annoying, to say the least. Luckily, anyone can manage their frizz level with the right products and care routine. And you’re in the right place if you need some guidance. Below we’ll be sharing the best products for curly frizzy hair, so you can reclaim your most gorgeous curls!
Why Is Curly Hair Prone To Frizz?
Wondering why frizz just can’t seem to leave curly hair alone?
It comes down to the nature of curly hair follicles and strands. It’s harder for curly hair to retain moisture because of its texture, which is why curly hair tends to be dryer than other hair types. The hair’s natural oils can’t easily stick to all the twists and turns of curly hair from root to end, leading to dryness and frizz.
Imagine painting a smooth surface vs a textured one. The paint would easily transfer onto the smooth surface after just one stroke, but you’d inevitably be left with gaps on a textured surface. Of course, you’d be able to fill them in with time, which is why it’s important to choose your products wisely when you have curly hair.
Individual care routines also impact hair health and frizz levels, so you’ll need to tailor yours for your curls.
Here are some other things that can cause frizz in curly hair:
- A lack of moisture. Your products and/or diet may not be hydrating enough.
- Washing hair too often. Shampoo can strip hair of its natural oils when used excessively. Waiting in between washes helps to preserve these oils and lock in moisture.
- Excessive friction. Touching your hair too much, sleeping with loose hair, using bedding with a rough texture, or using hair accessories that pull too much lead to excessive friction, and therefore frizz.
- Humidity. When hair absorbs excess moisture in the environment, the shaft begins to swell and break, leading to frizz.
Fortunately, many of these things can be controlled with the right care and products.
The Best Shampoo For Curly Frizzy Hair
Finding the right shampoo for curly frizzy hair requires a delicate balance. You’ll need one that’s just right – a formula that nourishes, hydrates, cleanses build-up, and promotes curl definition without weighing your locks down.
We recommend choosing curly hair formulas that contain the following ingredients:
- Argan oil. This oil is lightweight enough to not weigh hair down, but has the power to fully penetrate the hair shaft to seal in moisture and reduce frizz. It’s a dream for curly hair: easy to absorb but non-greasy and hydrating.
- Castor oil. You’ll love castor oil if you’re looking for extra scalp support. It protects hair follicles, strengthens locks, and promotes scalp health and cleanliness with its antifungal properties. Plus, it’s a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air and into your hair shaft, locking in the hydration your hair craves.
- Jojoba oil. With a consistency similar to sebum, the natural oil our scalp produces, jojoba is an excellent choice for curly hair. It can easily penetrate the hair shaft to lock moisture in, plus it’s great for nourishing dry scalps and balancing oil production.
The Best Conditioner For Curly Frizzy Hair
Conditioner is definitely a product you shouldn’t skip with curly hair. Just like shampoo, you’ll benefit from a formula that’s lightweight but ultra moisturizing.
Look for conditioners with these ingredients:
- Shea butter. This is a rich yet lightweight emollient that easily seals moisture into hair strands. It’s also water-soluble, so you won’t have to worry about it feeling heavy or leaving a residue.
- Coconut oil. One great thing about coconut oil is that it doesn’t just penetrate and hydrate hair fibers – it attaches itself to their protein structures, preventing excess moisture absorption and swelling. The result? Smooth, balanced, and well-moisturized hair follicles. Plus, it’s soothing for the scalp and is known to promote healthy growth!
The Best Hair Oil For Curly Frizzy Hair
There are a lot of different styling products out there, but we love using hair oils for curly frizzy hair. They supplement the sebum that your curly hair may be lacking, adding in extra moisture, protection, strength, and shine.
You can look for hair oils with any of the ingredients listed above in our shampoo and conditioner lists. Glycerin is also a beneficial ingredient: it’s a humectant, which means it binds with moisture in the surrounding environment to bring extra hydration to your hair. It’s a helpful ingredient for creating healthy, shiny, well-defined curls.
Ingredients To Avoid For Curly Frizzy Hair
Whether you’re looking for a shampoo, conditioner, or styling product, these are ingredients that aren’t very curl-friendly:
- Sulfates & harsh detergents. These can strip hair of their natural oils and prevent moisture retention.
- Silicones. While silicones provide fantastic shine, they only sit on the outer layers of your hair. This means they’re not doing much in terms of moisture, and can eventually turn into build-up that weighs your hair down. You can use them sparingly, just be careful to not overload your hair or leave them on your strands for too long.
- Ethyl alcohols. This type of alcohol is known to dry out hair, so beware of ingredients like ethanol, SD alcohol, and alcohol denat. However, not all alcohols are bad for curly hair. Plant-based, fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol can actually be beneficial in conditioners and other moisturizing products.
The Best Hair Dryer For Curly Frizzy Hair: Laifen Swift Special
The wrong hair dryer can dry out curly hair, causing even more frizz. The right one, on the other hand, can help you unlock your most beautiful and bouncy curls ever.
Consider the Laifen Swift Special. Powerful in terms of drying but gentle on curls, this hair dryer is specially designed for thick, textured hair. It uses ionic technology to smooth the hair cuticle, lock in moisture, prevent frizz, and boost shine. Plus, its Smart Temperature Control settings prevent excessive heat exposure and damage.
The Swift Special is equipped with a rapid brushless motor for ultra fast drying times so your hair doesn’t stay wet for too long – wet hair is more vulnerable and prone to breakage (another culprit of frizz) than dry hair. All the while, its airflow is gentle enough to uphold your natural curl pattern.
And if you really want to bring out the best of your curls? Simply use the diffuser nozzle it comes with to unleash an even, curl-boosting airflow. You’ll also have two other nozzles for when you want to switch up your hairstyle. It’s a game changer for those with curly frizzy hair!
Conclusion: The Best Products For Curly Frizzy Hair
Frizz doesn’t have to be a necessary evil that accompanies curly hair. By using products with lightweight yet nourishing ingredients and a high-tech hair dryer, you’ll be able to tame those locks once and for all.
