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As the saying goes, the higher the hair, the closer to God. But when that includes unintentional or unwanted frizz, it doesn’t seem so heavenly. So, what causes our hair to frizz up, and how do we get it to stop? “Frizz comes from the hair absorbing moisture in the air,” hairstylist Jen Atkin tells Allure. “So making sure you’re conditioning and masking will help your hair combat that and leave it moisturized without wanting to absorb the moisture outside.”
Depending on your hair type, there are certain techniques you can use to ensure frizz-free days. For the straight and wavy textures, Atkin says applying styling creams before using a hot tool is a great practice. “If you’re styling with a curling iron or flatiron, spraying the hair with hairspray beforehand and brushing through will help prolong the style and prevent frizz,” she says.
Those with curly and kinky textures that aren’t reaching for hot tools as much should consider applying products to damp hair, according to Atkin. If you’re letting your curls air dry, she recommends using a microfiber towel or old cotton T-shirt to wring out the excess water first to speed along the process.
These days, there are many products including leave-in conditioners, oils, shampoos, even wipes to help you in your pursuit of frizz-free (or mostly frizz-free) hair. But not all products that claim to combat frizz are universal, and it can take a lot of practice, product, and patience to get your hair to behave in the way you want it to.
With the help of several hairstylists, Atkin included, we’ve rounded up 21 of the best ones on the market.