Frizzy hair happens because of a lack of moisture. Overprocessing, dyeing and other chemical treatments deplete hair's natural moisture, making the strands look stiff, coarse and unhealthy. Short haircuts can actually make dry, damaged hair look even worse, while longer styles can help tone down the puffiness.
Hairstyles to Avoid
As cute as they are, short styles like bobs and shags just don't work with frizzy hair. Blunt cuts are also a bad choice, as they have a tendency to puff up near the bottom, making the ends of your hair look more frizzy and damaged. Heavily layered cuts accentuate puffiness, too.
Tip
Do not let a stylist use a razor on your ends or slide cutting techniques.
Hairstyles to Try
Medium-length and long cuts are best for dry, frizzy hair. Long hair weighs strands down, softening frizziness and eliminating puffiness. Medium-length cuts that fall a few inches below the shoulders have a similar effect in toning down frizz. Add sideswept bangs to draw attention away from dry hair near the top of your head. You can also add a few light, face-framing layers below the chin to give hair some movement and texture.
For curly hair that's dry and frizzy, let it grow as long as possible—at least two to three inches past your shoulders—to weigh strands down. Have your stylist cut the ends of your hair at a slight angle instead of cutting straight across. Light layers cut throughout the hair give definition to curly hair.
Frizzy Hair Care Tips
Frizzy, dry hair can't be fixed overnight. It may take several months or even years of proper care to reduce frizz and bring back moisture to thirsty strands. Condition every day but shampoo sparingly. Washing hair too often strips it of naturally moisturizing oils produced in the scalp, so limit washing to twice a week or even less. Use a leave-in conditioner at least once a day, and a deep conditioning or hot oil treatment about once a month.
Do not blow dry or use hot styling tools, as heat dries out hair.
Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a bristled brush to detangle hair; a brush creates friction and frizz.
When towel drying hair, blot—do not rub—to absorb excess moisture.