FLY-AWAYS BE GONE
Beat the heat -- and what it does to your hair -- with these pro tips and anti-frizz hair products.
1. AVOID THE TRIGGERS
Frizz happens when your hair's cuticles--the tiny scales that cover each strand--don't lie flat. Two things can cause it: humidity that swells the hair shaft, or overstyling, which fries it. To defend yourself, start in the shower with sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, since sulfates remove the natural oils that coat cuticles. (Try Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.99 each, or use products created for color-treated hair, even if your shade is natural.) If you do dye, use a formula without ammonia. "It lifts the cuticles open, which really increases frizz," says hairstylist Ted Gibson, who works with Debra Messing. Lastly, steer clear of styling products that are heavy on alcohol (mostly hairsprays and mousses)--they'll suck the moisture right out of hair.
2. CUSTOMIZE YOUR STYLERS
Pros say the secret to silky hair is tailoring your de-frizzing potions to your hair type. If you have...
Fine hair. Leave-in conditioners won't weigh you down (try Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner Spray, $3.25). If you need a volume boost, use an alcohol-free root lifter such as L'Oréal Paris EverStyle Volume Root Lifting Spray, $6.99.
Normal to thick hair. A few drops of serum works best. Try John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum, $9.99, or Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Leave-in Oil Shine Treatment, $14.99.
Coarse or African-American hair. A thick gel, like Mizani Pure Style Gel, $6.25, will provide nice hold and nix fuzz. Work a liberal amount into wet hair, then style.
3. DO A DEEP TREATMENT
Sometimes a big dose of TLC is just what the hairstylist ordered. "Hair masks hydrate, repair, and smooth the cuticle," says Tommy Buckett of the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. The best part: Buckett says coconut oil from the grocery store works just as well as a fancy mask (and it smells delish). Once a week, or every other week if you have fine hair, saturate dry hair with it, avoiding your roots. Leave it on for 20 minutes, shampoo, and rinse to reveal supreme glossiness.
4. DRY BUT DON'T FRY
A great blow-out guarantees sleek hair, but blasts of hot air ruffle your cuticles. To prevent sizzling, try this technique from hairstylist Kim Kimble, who blow-dries Beyoncé: Prep damp hair with your de-frizzer from trick #2, then choose smart tools. A boar-bristle brush flattens cuticles (add body with a round one like Goody Smooth Blends Round Brush, $11.87, or go super-straight with a paddle shape), and an ionic dryer minimizes damage. Stick to medium heat, and direct the air toward your ends.
5. FIGHT FRIZZ ON THE GO
If, despite all your best efforts, errant wisps start popping out by lunch, reach for some hand lotion. "Most women keep a tube in their bag," Gibson says. "Emulsify a nickel-size drop of lotion with a little water in your palm, and run it through your hair."
