How to control frizz in curly hair?

Straight hair is very popular right now, but there is no doubt that there are just as many fans of tousled curls too. Just a few years ago, women and teens flocked to the beauty salons to get actress Kerri Russell’s coveted tendrils. They weren’t too happy when she cut them all off though, and WB television execs saw the ratings of teen drama “Felicity” nosedive by 30 percent after she went “poodle.”


What wisdom can we derive from this? Think good and hard before you snip. For those with natural curl or the salon-enhanced kind, here are a few tips on how to get that hair to behave.

Control the frizz in your curly hair by…
• Getting a great haircut from a pro. Start with an expert trim from someone who knows curly hair and can give you the structure you need. Medium length is a safe bet. You don’t want to go too short, as the extra length helps weigh down the curls a bit and reduce some of the frizz. You might want to avoid blunt cuts, so that you don’t end up with a poufy do. Also pass on razor cuts…as they aggravate the cuticle of the hair and invite split ends.

• Using the appropriate hair products. A moisturizing shampoo and conditioner are a good start. Follow up with a smoothing serum. Products that contain silicon can be very helpful in taming the “wild beast,” but avoid products that contain alcohol, which is drying.

• Limiting how often you wash your hair. Curly locks tend to be on the dry side, and obsessive washing will strip the hair of essential oils. When you do wash your hair, be careful not to rub it dry with a towel. This only makes the hair cuticles stand up instead of lay down flat, inviting frizzies to have a party. Blot or air dry. No rubbing!

• Knowing what tools to use. If you have the time, air dry. If not, use a blow-dryer with at least 1800 watts and a diffuser. When styling, grab small sections of damp hair, twist it and dry it with a diffuser, which reduces the force of the air coming out of the dryer and circulates it gently around the hair. If you let the hair blow around too much, you will only compound the frizziness.

• Having Japanese thermal re-conditioning. This radically reduces the frizzies. In fact, you’ll have to kiss the curls goodbye as this is a long-term, hair-straightening procedure. Consult with a trained professional to see if this is a service that is right for you and your hair. Give it some extra thought and then make an informed decision.

These are just a few of the things you can do to tame frizz. For more advice, schedule a free hair-analysis appointment by calling our salon in Palos Heights, Ill., just outside downtown Chicago.


Salon Trendz
12859 S. Harlem Ave.
Palos Heights, IL 60463
www.SalonTrendz.com
708-671-1333