Taming the Frizzes

Updated on June 20, 2016
D.B. asks from Hopkins, MN
11 answers

Hi moms,

After many years of having hair that fell out a lot or broke easily, and which required me to have a pretty short haircut, I've solved that problem and now have the opposite problem!

My long time hairdresser closed her shop suddenly, and I'm in search of a new pro. While I was stalling, my hair grew quite long and I discovered how healthy it had become. (The hairdresser had noted that, but we just never changed my style.) I tried a new hairdresser who did a very nice job with the cut, but I felt a lot of pressure to constantly buy new products. I expected it on the first visit, but the next 2 were the same. I had only gone to salon owners before so it's been decades since I've been exposed to (apparently) individual (employee) hairdressers supplementing their income by getting commissions - which I assume is what's going on. Maybe I'm wrong on that. It seems that she gets a commission in addition to the salon owner making a profit.

I have fine hair, but it's very thick again, like it was in my 20s. I have a lot of new growth so there are lots of strands in the 2, 4, 6 inch length. The rest of my hair is down to the middle of my back, but the top is cut in long layers. I love having long hair again, but once the humidity hits, the frizzes start in both the new growth and toward the bottom of the longest hair. If it were uniformly curly, I would be happy - but it's not. It hangs pretty straight from roots to chin, then waves and frizzes.

I like having it long enough to stick up in a pony tail or in a clip, which is fine when I work at home or go to the gym, but once in a while I like to look like a real person and wear my hair down. And the shorter strands still frizz anyway.

I use a good conditioner (from the salon) with every wash, and a spray-in, leave-in conditioner (same brand) for styling days. I use mousse at the roots to give some lift, dry it, usually throw in some velcro rollers for an hour or two while I work, and then take it all out. I'm not all that talented with hair but I do an okay job and it looks great for about an hour, then starts to flop or frizz depending on weather conditions.

Hairdressers have given me hair spray (which I'm not opposed to in reasonable doses) and soy paste (which doesn't seem to tame the frizzy part and I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do with it). I tried an anti-frizz product from the grocery store (Tresemme) but it's so loaded with alcohol that I worry it will be too drying on a regular basis. I don't think it worked all that well anyway but maybe I don't know what I'm doing.

Is there some product I'm missing that would help? I know there are things for coarse or very curly hair, but wouldn't those weigh down my hair even more?

I'll be going to try a new hairdresser soon to get the layers cut up a bit and the ends trimmed, but I'd like to be armed with some knowledge from objective sources like you all so I have some way to evaluate hard sales pitches from sensible recommendations.

I realize this isn't a burning parenting question but I'd appreciate your help!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try the simpler options first, think/learn about the expensive keratin treatment, and consider getting rid of the layers. However, the new growth doesn't seem to be a short term problem but rather ongoing, at least for now. It's a decent problem to have though! I won't be trying the corn rows though - that's way beyond my abilities! I do use butterfly clips a lot but they don't hold all that well with my fine hair.

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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

I've never used salon products, and I tried Tresemme once and hated it.

I definitely have fizzy hair. I use either Garnier Sleek and Shine shampoo & conditioner or Pantene Smooth and Sleek shampoo & conditioner. Both of those are made for frizzy hair. I also use Aussie Sprunch Spray. I never blow dry my hair unless I absolutely have to. That's it. That routine works for me in the summer. In the winter I only use either use the frizzy shampoo and a normal hair conditioner or vice versa. If I use frizzy both, my hair ends up really greasy even later that day. I use the sprunch spray year round. If I deviate from that routine, it's frizz city for me :-(

I wonder if you are using too many products. Also, I wouldn't assume that a product was better just because you bought it at a salon. I'm too cheap to take a chance :-)

3 moms found this helpful

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

My frizzies came with grey and hormonal changes.

I use Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Oil for that. I use a teeny dob. It says on bottle "Silkens, tames, de-frizzes" hair.

I also got rid of my layers. I had same problem as you. Frizz on ends of my layers and hair and not exactly curl. I have long bob. One length and far more body. I bought into layers give you more body (I have lots of fine hair too). Not on me. One length and to my shoulders - most volume I've had in years.

Mouse never worked for me. I use Bumble and Bumble Thickening hairspray. You use it on wet hair at roots. Just a few squirts. Instead of rollers I roll my hair into my huge round brushes, blast with heat, and leave it till cool. Kids laugh at me, but it works. My round brushes are super big - way bigger than you can get in rollers so volume, not curl.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

I am also prone to frizz. The keratin treatments do help, but you have to block out chunks of time in your schedule because you'll be there for a few hours. I get mine every 3-4 months.

Between treatments, I like Moroccan Oil (the original salon brand). Moroccan Oil treatment even makes a light version if you're worried about it weighing your hair down too much. I also use "It's a 10" or "12 Benefits" leave-in conditioning spray on the ends. On occasion, when I've run out of my favorites and can't get to Ulta or Sephora, I've used John Frieda Frizz Ease spray in a pinch. That's worked well, and it even helps my husband, who has super thick, wavy hair, when we travel to high humidity places. They sell it in travel sizes, so it's good for taking on trips.

Before you start with a new stylist, prepare ahead of time for the product-pushing. When he/she asks what you use, have a few responses prepared and tell him/her you're happy with that (even if you're not so thrilled. It limits some of the pushing). Then, if she tries a new product on your hair and you like it, you can purchase some. But never feel pressured to buy a product without trying it. Just like at the department store cosmetic counter, ask if there is a small sample you can try before buying. I always tell salespeople, I'm done with having drawers full of products that really don't work for me.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Try to keep it up and/or braided.
Even short hair can be braided - a French of Dutch under braid (think corn rows) looks nice.
I don't always have time for that - but I LOVE my African Butterfly hair clips.
I can have my hair up and under control in a few minutes and it lasts all day.
I'm generally not into hair products that much.
Rinsing my hair with vinegar or beer gives me plenty of body.
I use henna every few months to keep the grey under control (and it makes my hair shiny).

1 mom found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

I have curly hair so frizz is always a problem for me. It hasn't totally solved the problem, but what has helped a lot is using sulfate free products. I've been using a L'Oreal product I got at Target.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have really fine hair and a vinegar rinse helps tame my frizzies - 1 tbs vinegar to 1 cup water, put on after conditioner followed by a quick rinse.

Updated

I have really fine hair and a vinegar rinse helps tame my frizzies - 1 tbs vinegar to 1 cup water, put on after conditioner followed by a quick rinse.

1 mom found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

The frizziness is a problem I ended up with when I started peri-menopause. Before that, I hardly had to do anything to my hair to make it look nice. I had very manageable hair with natural waves. I sure do miss that!

Now I have to really work with it to get it to look decent. What really helped me was to get a Keratin treatment done. I go to Ulta and pay extra for their most experienced Keratin specialist. The treatment lasts between 4 and 5 months. It makes my hair much more manageable.

The biggest drawback is that you have to use a special shampoo to keep the keratin in. A regular shampoo will strip the keratin quicker.

Anyway, you might try this. It's better for me because I don't have all these short layer you have, but it might help you as you are growing it out. Make sure you explain all this to the lady. I would actually talk to her in advance before making the appointment. It's an expensive treatment and you should make sure that it's okay for your hair, rather than have to make a decision on the spot just because you already have the appointment.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Coconut oil works wonders for me. Twice a week I coat my hair in coconut oil, wrap it in a towel, let it soak in for at least three hours, shampoo and condition, and go about my day.

N.G.

answers from Boston on

You are a parent and you have hair--so, yes it is a parenting question. Children like to see their parents look good.

JC Penney has good products and their stylists do not push products as much.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I suggest that the pressure to buy products depends on the hair dresser's personality. Observe the other hair dressers to find one who is more low key. That's been my experience. I suggest you ask the salon's policy on selling products. Ask if the hair dresser gets a commission or in some way benefits from her sales.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I love Dove products.

I use the conditioner for dry damaged hair, I do NOT use shampoo anymore. I got rid of shampoo about 5 years ago and haven't used it since. I love how my hair feels now.

I also use the Quench leave in stuff. I added a link. I use the mousse for curly hair. I added a link. It's not too heavy and my hair curls just enough. I don't comb or brush my hair all day so it stays set and looks and feels very nice. No tangles and I can run my fingers through it and it still look find.

1. http://www.dove.us/Products/Hair/Conditioners/Intensive-R...

2. http://www.dove.us/Products/Hair/Advanced-Hair-Series/Que...

3. http://www.dove.us/Products/Hair/Style-Care/Nourishing-Cu...

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