How to Tame Flyaways

I’ve struggled with flyaways since I was kid; it’s one of the downsides of having superfine hair. I love tousled beach waves, but flyaways make me feel sloppy and less put-together than I’d like, especially if it’s humid outside. Taming your flyaways requires a delicate balance, though - you don’t want to use anything that will dry out your hair or cause more breakage, but you want products strong enough to give you a sleek, finished look.

After lots of trial and error, I’ve finally found the right combination of products and routine that tame my flyaways while encouraging healthy regrowth. For my best tips and tricks, keep reading.

how to tame flyaways

what causes flyaways?

dryness or damage

You hear a lot of talk about hydration when it comes to hair health, and it’s for a good reason. Lack of moisture causes the hair cuticle to lift, making hair stick straight up instead of lying flat. Heat styling, bleach, and color can also contribute to dryness and damage, especially if you’re not adding hydration back to your hair with a good shampoo and conditioner.

breakage

My flyaways are mostly because of breakage, especially at the crown and around my face. While we all love a “money piece” that extra color treatment can weaken your hair even more, causing breakage that leads to flyaways.

humidity or static

Moisture in the air expands the hair shaft, resulting in frizz and flyaways, particularly around the crown. Synthetic fabrics can also do this (I will never be okay with being shocked by static electricity).

new hair growth

Not all flyaways are bad, though. Sometimes it means new growth, and these baby hairs are notoriously softer and more delicate, making them harder to tame. You want to be cognizant of what products you use to tame them, though, so you don’t end up with breakage (repeating the flyaway cycle once more).

how to tame flyaways

use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner

Shampoo and conditioner make up the base, or foundation, of your haircare routine. Sticking to hydrating products that add nourishment without leaving a film or weighing your hair down is the first defense mechanism you can use to prevent and tame flyaways. I love Ouai’s shampoo and conditioner, but if you’re on a budget, the Kristin Ess line at Target works well, too.

use a leave-in conditioner

A leave-in conditioner will reduce frizz, smooth the hair follicle, and help lock in moisture. This one is incredible for healing damage and also works as a heat protectant, so it’s a nice two-in-one product.

add in a hair oil

A hair oil will add shine while also sealing the cuticle, reducing frizz. I really like the Ouai Hair Oil for slicked-back styles. If you want more moisture and deeper hydration, Dae’s Prickly Pear Hair Oil is thicker and more of a treatment (but still provides tons of shine, too.

add a mousse to your styling routine

As someone with stick-straight hair, I never really got the hype of using a mousse until I tried this one. It doesn’t make your hair crunchy or sticky, but helps mold your hair the way you want it and make it more cooperative - whether you want to straighten it, curl it, wear it naturally, or blow-dry it. It’s a little pricey, but a little goes a long way, and it tames flyaways beautifully.

use the right hairbrush

The Tangle Teezer is 100% worth the hype. The bristles bend as they detangle hair, and they don’t have the little ball at the end so you don’t end up with breakage like you do with traditional hair brushes. I have noticed such a difference in sleekness and softness since I got mine; I highly recommend it if you color your hair or use bleach. PS: it works for all hair types, including 3a-4c.

switch to a microfiber towel

Traditional cotton towels create friction and frizz, whereas microfiber gently absorbs water without roughing up your cuticle. Reduce flyaways from the start by switching to a microfiber towel; you can get a two-pack on Amazon for $20.

use silk scrunchies

I used to think these were super gimmicky, but silk scrunchies do the best job of preventing breakage and giving your hair a smoother, sleeker look (no more ponytail creases). They’re a bit of an investment; I was worried I’d lose mine (like I do with cheap hair ties), but for some reason I’ve never lost one of these and I’m so grateful I finally made the switch. Make sure you get silk scrunchies, though; satin seems like a cheaper option but they actually suck the moisture out of your hair, causing more damage and flyaways.

If you’re dealing with tons of flayers or breakage, I also recommend a silk pillowcase.

best products for taming flyaways

Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream - If you deal with a lot of flyaways around your crown like me, this cream is the BEST. It’s lightweight yet lasts all day, isn’t crunchy, and doesn’t dry out your hair. I love that it comes with a brush, but you can also use your hands to work the product in, too.

Kitsch Hair Wax Stick - The dream for giving you a slicked back look and taming baby hairs around your face. I used to like the Samnyte Slick Back Stick, and you can’t beat the price (under $10), but I find the Kitsch one to be a little more nourishing.

Dae Prickly Pear Hair Oil - Equal parts hydration and shine, this is my favorite finishing product, especially when I’m dealing with lots of flyaways. It smells fruity without being overpowering, a little goes a long way, and it makes my hair look like I just walked out of the salon. However, if you want a slicked-back pony or bun, I recommend Ouai Hair Oil instead; it’s more lightweight and provides ton of sleek shine.

Hairspray + toothbrush - Truth be told, I think we can get a little too materialistic when what you have at home is just as good. Hairspray can be drying for your hair, but it works in a pinch. And instead of buying a brush, a plain toothbrush works great, too. This is my go-to combo if I’m traveling and don’t have room for a bunch of hair products in my bag.

how to prevent flyawaways

use a deep conditioning mask weekly

Prioritizing hair heath is the #1 to prevent flyaways. No matter how often you heat style your hair, I recommend using a deep-conditioning mask once a week; it’s also a nice little self-care moment. This mask is light enough for fine hair, but if you’re on a budget, this one is under $12 and has been one of my favorites for years.

get regular trims

It may seem counterintuitive, but getting regular trims will help reduce split ends and as a result, flyaways. Even if it’s the smallest trim imaginable, getting one regularly will help to prevent flyaways in the future. I don’t love sitting in the chair, but once I committed to regular hair trims every 6-8 weeks is when I saw the most progress in reducing flyaways.

limit heat styling

Limiting heat styling - whether it’s curling, straightening, or blow drying your hair - to once or twice a week will also improve your hair health and reduce split ends and flyaways. And while you already know to use a heat protectant, I highly recommend a UV-protective spray if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside. UV rays don’t just damage your skin; they can also degrade the protein structure of your hair, causing dryness, brittleness, and breakage. I really like the Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray; it’s fairly priced, smells great, and doesn’t weigh down your hair.

avoid excess brushing

As tempting as it is to use a hairbrush to smooth out flyaways, brushing your hair too much can cause breakage. I try to limit it to just a few times a day (morning, before shower, and after), and if I need a touch-up mid-day, I’ll use my fingers to lightly comb my hair.