What Your Hair Is Trying To Tell You


By Stephanie Tweito Jacob

Frizzy Hair

When hair’s outermost layer, the cuticle, gets lifted and ruffled, it turns frizzy. Humidity often causes hair to poof, especially in the summertime, but over-exposing strands to blow dryers, styling irons, coloring, and even sun exposure, can also lead to frizz, says Kristan Serafino, a celebrity hair stylist in New York City and blogger behind serafinosays.com. “Frizz is usually telling you your hair is damaged.”

Frizz typically starts at the ends, so regular trims (about every eight weeks) are key. And avoid a full head of highlights or bleaching hair solid blond—both leave the cuticle so porous and open that it’s nearly impossible to smooth hair, says Serafino.

To manage frizz and keep hair sleek, the cuticle must lay flat. To achieve this, regularly apply a conditioner or leave-in that contains any type of protein — such as wheat, vegetable, or silk — to strengthen hair. When blow drying, use a boar bristle or thermal styling brush and point the nozzle down the hair shaft, alongside the brush, as you style small sections until completely dry (any dampness can promote frizz). If you use styling tools, like flat or curling irons, apply a heat protecting spray before you style. Finally, protect hair from damaging UV rays by wearing a hat or spritzing a product that lists “UV filter” on the bottle.

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