Best Hair Products for Frizzy Hair
Fighting frizz has been one of my biggest hair struggles for as long as I can remember. I think frizz is particularly frustrating because there are so many factors that can contribute to it, such as dryness, environmental factors, humidity, excessive heat styling, and hard water. Certain hair types are also more susceptible to frizz; it’s said that naturally wavy/ curly or textured hair is more prone to frizz due to the shape of the shaft, which makes it easier for the cuticle to lift, causing frizz, but I have very fine, straight hair and the “baby hairs” are basically frizz magnets at times.
Living in Southern California also doesn’t help, as I’m constantly alternating between humid beach weather and dryer desert climates. I also don’t like the feeling of too much product in my hair, so it’s taken a long time to find the right line-up of hair products that fight frizz and give me smooth yet moveable hair - no crunch, no heavy, weigh-down feeling.
These are the best of the best hair products that actually combat frizz and smooth out your hair, both instantly and over time through their anti-damage properties. I’ve noticed my hair is overall less frizzy since using the hair care products consistently, and the styling products work no matter what shampoo/ conditioner combo I’ve been using (or I’ve subjected my hair to hard water while traveling). I’ve repurchased them constantly, keep a few on auto-ship with Amazon to save money, and they’re my go-to’s when I’m traveling.
best hair products for frizzy hair
davines nou nou shampoo
While there are anti-frizz shampoos on the market, I personally have noticed more of a difference with the Davines Nou Nou shampoo. Some anti-frizz products focus on taming your hair instead of re-hydrating your hair, and even those that do tend to weigh your hair down and leave unnecessary film. Shampoo in general can be drying, but think of this Davines shampoo as the Swiss Army knife of shampoos. It works with all hair types, hydrates without weighing hair down, is a gentle, color-safe formula, and it cleans hair and removes product build-up without stripping your hair. I know it’s best to not wash your hair every day, but I’ve used Davines Nou Nou daily in the past and my hair health was still great - no breakage, damage, or crazy frizz.
This shampoo itself isn’t going to tame your frizz, but it is going to work to heal your hair from root to end, add hydration back in, and clean your hair without compromising the integrity of your hair.
ouai medium conditioner
Similar to shampoo, it’s more important to use a conditioner that will hydrate your hair rather than tame your frizz, because so many anti-frizz conditioners contain silicones that superficially make hair more manageable, but do nothing to address the source of the frizz. Conditioner is the step in your routine that will help heal breakage, ad hydration back into your hair (especially after shampooing), and seal the follicle, strengthening your hair overall.
I love the Ouai Medium Conditioner (their Fine and Thick conditioners are just as good; Medium is just easiest for me to auto-ship without worrying about stocking problems). It softens my hair without weighing it down, adds hydration without leaving a residue, and the scent is beautiful yet not too strong. It’s priced fairly, and the reason I prefer Ouai’s conditioner to the Davines Nou Nou is that it’s easier to work through my hair, and I don’t have to use as much product to eliminate tangles.
hair chemist macademia oil deep repair masque
If your hair needs a break because it feels really dry and brittle, I really recommend this mask; it’s the best drugstore option on the market. It’s only $10 on Amazon, and I’ve purchased this 20+ times over the years without seeing a dip or change in quality.
This mask is going to give your hair a nice dose of hydration and add some shine in. It’s incredibly thick, so I wouldn’t recommend using this more than once a week (or every other week), but I love that you don’t have to leave it in for long to see results. It does leave a little bit of a film, but if you just need to hit the reset button on your hair, it’s worth it.
unite hair 7SECONDS detangler leave-in conditioner
I really love leave-in conditioners for combatting frizz. They’re going to keep your hair hydrated, protect from heat styling and environmental damage, and give your hair an extra boost of healing outside of the shower. I have a list of favorite leave-in conditioners, but when it comes to frizz, Unite 7SECONDS is my go-to. It’s offers heat styling protection, keeps your hair from getting tangled, and provides noticeable hydration without feeling like you have heavy product in your hair. I like Unite more than some of the drugstore options on the market because it doesn’t artificially hydrate hair with silicones; I also feel that the product lasts longer than other options because you don’t have to use much.
This leave-in works best when applied to wet or damp hair and a little goes a long way; if you use too much and don’t work it in, your hair might feel a little crunchy (but it’s easy to brush out the crunch).
dae prickly pear hair oil
A lot of people will recommend the K18 hair oil for frizzy hair, but I just can’t justify the price. The Dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil is a great alternative. It’s a thicker oil, but absorbs much better than Ouai (a thinner, best-selling oil). The scent of the Dae oil is heavenly - fruity yet not too sweet - and it makes your hair incredibly shiny while penetrating the follicles to smooth frizz and heal dryness. I recommend rubbing your hands together with the oil for a second; warming the product up makes it easier to work through your hair. I’ll even take whatever is left over onto my roots (those pesky baby hairs), and it doesn’t weigh my fine hair down. A little goes a long way, so it’s worth the purchase.
moroccanoil frizz shield spray
If you’re dealing with overall frizz from dryness and need some extra-help outside of a leave-in, this spray is a lifesaver. I like that it’s lightweight, easy to work through your hair, and makes my hair feel styled (not just done, if that makes sense). Some anti-frizz products work best if you’re curling your hair (or have natural waves), but this makes my straight hair look sleek, even in the most humid climates. It doubles as a heat protectant, so if you want a styling product instead of a leave-in, your hair will still be protected.
dae cactus fruit 3-in-1 styling cream
The #1 best product for taming frizz near your part or around your face. You can tell that the little brush that it comes with was thoughtfully made; it’s not some random throw-in by the brand. Too much product can make your hair a little crunchy, but it can be brushed out easily. I used to use pomade around my roots/ part, but the Dae cream is SO much better; it’s less harsh on your hair than traditional hair spray, especially since this is made with clean ingredients. I cannot get enough of this styling cream, and I always include it in little Secret Santa gifts and things like that.
amika the shield anti-humidity spray
If you like a hair spray or finishing product, this is a great anti-frizz option. It’s going to give you a polished, finished look but won’t dry out your hair like some traditional hairsprays do. The scent is pretty yet not overpowering, and it makes my hair noticeably shinier whenever I use it. Strategically speaking, I recommend buying the mini/ travel size because a little goes a long way, and I rely on this product more when I travel than at home.
microfiber hair towels
There’s so much emphasis on the hair products you’re using to wash and style your hair, but not enough conversation about how you dry your hair, in my opinion. The towel turbans can be really rough on your hair, and then we typically run towels through our hair to wring out the excess water. A really simple yet effective switch you can make is using a microfiber towel instead of your typical cotton. Microfiber will absorb the extra water, but is much gentler on your hair and helps reduce damage and frizz. I bought a set on Amazon; it’s one of the best $13 purchases I’ve made.
slip silk pillowcase
This pillowcase seems extra, extreme, and just ridiculous - over $50 for a pillowcase? I used to roll my eyes hardcore at the idea of it. But after trying one, I finally had the a-ha lightbulb moment and haven’t turned back. Silk pillowcases benefit your hair (and skin) by reducing breakage and damage (especially if you sleep with wet or damp hair), reduce tangles, help hair lock in hydration, and minimizes frizz while also reducing the appearance of fine lines on your face, especially if you are a side or stomach sleeper.
I prefer silk to satin (a cheaper dupe) because satin is often created from a blend of synthetic fibers like polyester and rayon. Satin is more absorbent, yet won’t last as long because the overall quality is lower.
If you deal with chronic frizz and haven’t noticed a difference when it comes to frizz, it’s absolutely worth it to switch to a silk pillowcase. I personally travel with one always now, because hotel water can wreak havoc on my hair.
slip silk scrunchies
If you aren’t interested in switching pillowcases, a quicker (and cheaper) option is a silk scrunchie. Normal hair ties can cause breakage, damage your hair, and are really rough on your hair in general. Silk scrunchies prevent creases, keep your hair hydrated, and eliminate frizz, particularly if you’re someone who puts your hair up periodically throughout the day.
I worried that I’d lose them like I do with normal hair ties and end up wasting the money, but something about knowing I spent more makes me keep track of them better - I’ve never lost one. (Don’t ask about my friends stealing mine; that’s a different conversation haha).
dryer sheets
If you’re dealing with a random burst of frizz and need a quick solution, dryer sheets are a lifesaver - seems random, but they really do work. They have anti-static properties, so you can run one over your hair to smooth things out. This works best for dry hair, especially if you’ve already styled it and just need a finishing touch or to touch-up while you’re out and about. I keep a few in my car. Just a note: this is a quick-fix; I wouldn’t use them daily or regularly, as they can cause product build-up in your hair. If you want a daily use product, stick to the Dae hair oil, which will also heal any damage over time, solving the root of the problem.