What Causes Frizzy Strands? + How To Style Them For An Effortlessly Chic Look

Messy makeup? It's in. Messy hair? That too. As if you ever needed what's trending to dictate whether a messy chic look is the epitome of effortlessly sexy, right? That being said, we know frizz can be a bit much to handle sometimes.

If you take a look at a single strand of hair, it might not look frizzy at all. Yet, with all of your hair combined, a straggly look may appear—why is that? Well, frizz doesn't necessarily take over every single strand. "Frizzy hair is caused by the cuticle being flared," stylist Amy Stollmeyer tells mbg.

"Think of shingles on a roof, aligned and lying flat," Stollmeyer says. When the many causes of frizzy hair take place (more on that next), they can all cause the cuticle (aka the shingles) to raise and flare out, she explains.

"This creates a rougher and 'frizzy' surface texture as well as allows moisture to enter and swell the hair strands," Stollmeyer notes. But what does this actually look like? Let's be honest—frizz is subjective.

Some hair types are more prone to frizz than others. More specifically, "Natural textured waves and curls commonly have a degree of frizz," Stollmeyer says. "The hair strand naturally bends and twists, and cuticles may not lie as flat," she continues.

If you go from the dry desert to a high-humidity area, your strands may frizz—especially when you're not used to styling your hair for the new weather. "Humidity causes the cuticle to absorb water, making the hair swell up and frizz out," stylist and Matrix Brand Ambassador George Papanikolas notes.

"The moisture is absorbed into the cortex, or the long fibers at the core of each strand, and is especially problematic for curly and wavy hair," Papanikolas explains.

Especially if your strands are frizzy and brittle, you may be overusing shampoo or using drying formulas. "Harsh products can strip the hair of natural oils and make the cuticle open and flare, causing it to be more prone to frizz," Papanikolas says.

A few common products that may dry out your strands include shampoos with sulfates, hair spray, dry shampoo, and some purple shampoos. However, committing to a solid conditioning routine post-wash will help replenish some of the moisture lost by drying products.

If you've ever wondered why silk pillowcases and microfiber hair towels are a must-have for stylists everywhere, it's because they mitigate friction. "Friction is a big culprit to frizz for waves and curls," Stollmeyer reiterates.

Invest in a rich cream leave-in conditioner, hydrating serum, or omega-rich oils to apply post-wash. "If the hair is already saturated and coated with nutrient-rich ingredients, it is far more protected from being affected by the elements that contribute to frizz," Stollmeyer explains.

A blowout can help minimize frizz, if done right. "For smoothing the hair with heat, make sure you're opting for heat protection, serum, and a light flexible spray gel could be another great addition to maintain the style and repel frizz," Stollmeyer says.

If you have curly hair, using a diffuser can help minimize frizz too. Stollmeyer recommends starting with a heat protectant and curl gel from roots to ends (her go-to is the DESIGNME BOUNCE.ME curl balm). 

How your stylist cuts your hair can help enhance curls, let the strands fall delicately, and reduce the appearance of puffiness. It can also remove split ends and damage, which can make hair appear frizzier than it might be otherwise.

Sulfates are cleansing agents commonly used in shampoos. They’re effective, however they can be very drying for certain types of hair—making strands appear frizzy in the process. 

If you want to tame your frizzy strands, first find out what's causing it—if anything. To tame the stragglers, use hydrating and smoothing ingredients post-wash and put heat protectant and hair care first.