How to tame frizz and achieve smooth, manageable hair
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date of publication: 18/04/2025
Reading TIME: 3 MIN 10 sec
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Author of the post: Oblique
From relentless winds to indoor heating and rainy days, Winter weather can leave your locks frizzy, dry, and unruly. The good news?
With the right care and techniques, you can protect your hair and keep it smooth, manageable, and frizz-free. Whether it’s choosing protective hairstyles, nourishing your hair with hydrating treatments, or shielding it from the elements, these tips from Mariana Eidelkind (Founder of Oblique House of Hair) will help you maintain silky, sleek strands all season long.
Understanding Frizz: What’s Really Happening to Your Hair
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what causes frizz. When your hair’s cuticle layer (the outer protective layer) is raised rather than lying flat, moisture from the environment can enter the hair shaft, causing it to swell and create frizz. This happens more frequently with dry or damaged hair, as healthy hair naturally repels excess moisture. Different weather conditions affect various hair types uniquely – what works for fine, straight hair may not be effective for thick, curly textures.
Keep Your Hair Up to Avoid Wind and Rain Tangles
Winter and autumn winds and rain can leave your hair tangled and frizzy, especially if you wear it down. Over time, this can lead to increased breakage. To combat this, try alternative hairstyles which keep your hair up and out of the face during harsh weather conditions. This could be a high bun, ponytail or braids, for example. Be conscious not to tie your hair up too tight, as this can cause tension and friction, which can lead to increased hair loss. Make sure to use silk scrunchies to reduce friction, breakage and prevent stress on your scalp.
Protective Style Options by Hair Type:
- For curly hair: Loose braided updo or pineapple style
- For straight hair: Low twisted bun or sleek ponytail
- For shoulder-length hair: Half-up styles with covered ends
- For fine hair: Loose chignon with minimal tension
Protect Your Hair from Dry Indoor Heat
As temperatures drop, we naturally find ourselves spending more time indoors to stay warm. This season brings more exposure to dry air from indoor heating systems, which can cause hair to turn frizzy. To prevent your hair from becoming dehydrated and brittle, switch to more hydrating products that help lock in moisture, like leave-in conditioners and serums. Apply these products after showering to protect your hair from both the rain and the drying effects of home heating.
Recommended Ingredients to Look For:
- Hyaluronic acid: Attracts and retains moisture
- Glycerin: Helps hair retain water molecules
- Argan oil: Lightweight moisture that won’t weigh hair down
- Shea butter: Intensive moisture for very dry or coarse hair
For optimal protection, consider using a humidifier in your bedroom or home office to maintain healthy moisture levels in the air. Aim for humidity between 30-50% to prevent your hair from losing moisture to the surrounding environment.
Try Keratin Treatments for Unruly Hair
If your hair is particularly unruly and resistant to other treatments, consider a keratin treatment. Keratin has revolutionised the way we manage frizz and maintain sleek hair during rough weather conditions. With modern keratin treatments, the result is manageable hair that lasts between 3-5 months depending on hair type, without any damage to the hair. The key to this is to look for modern keratin treatments that are formaldehyde-free. This means they do not contain harmful formaldehyde or its derivatives, making them safer for both clients and stylists. It works by replenishing lost keratin in the hair, which strengthens and smooths each strand from within. Whether your hair is strongly damaged, chemically treated, blond, wavy, curly, or particularly stubborn, a keratin treatment is a great option to keep it frizz-free and easy to manage.
What to Expect During a Keratin Treatment:
- Duration: Typically 2-4 hours depending on hair length and thickness
- Process: Cleansing, application of keratin solution, heat processing and flat ironing
- Aftercare: No washing for 48-72 hours after treatment
- Cost: From £200 depending on hair length
- Maintenance: Use sulfate-free shampoos and avoid chlorinated water to extend results
DIY Alternative: While not as long-lasting as professional treatments, at-home keratin-infused masks applied weekly can provide similar smoothing effects for 1-2 weeks at a time. Look for products containing hydrolysed keratin and follow heat-activation instructions carefully.
Shield Your Hair from Harsh Weather
As well as using nourishing products to protect your hair from the elements, it’s important to also physically protect your hair when stepping outside in the rain. Remembering to take an umbrella outside is the best way to shield your hair. Also, wearing hats, scarves, or headbands on rainy days can create a barrier between your hair and the rainfall. This helps to reduce frizz and protect your strands from harsh winds and wet weather. For extra protection, choose accessories made from soft, natural fabrics like silk or cotton to avoid causing static.
Quick Emergency Fixes for Unexpected Weather
When caught in sudden rain or humidity without preparation, these quick fixes can help salvage your style:
- Keep a travel-size anti-frizz serum in your bag for on-the-go application
- Smooth a tiny amount of hand lotion over hair ends in emergencies (avoid roots)
- Dampen hands with water and smooth over flyaways rather than adding more product
- For oily hair, dry shampoo can absorb excess moisture from light rain while adding texture
- Twist hair into a low bun until you can properly style it again in drier conditions
Hair Type-Specific Advice
Curly Hair: Embrace your natural pattern while controlling frizz by using microfiber towels instead of terry cloth. Apply styling products to soaking wet hair and avoid touching curls while drying to prevent disrupting the curl pattern. Consider the “curly girl method” which eliminates harsh sulfates and silicones.
Fine Hair: Focus on lightweight hydration that won’t weigh hair down. Use clarifying treatments once weekly to remove product buildup that can make fine hair more susceptible to frizz. Consider volumising mousses with anti-humidity properties.
Thick Hair: Deep conditioning treatments are essential. Pre-treat hair with oil before shampooing to minimise moisture loss during washing. Consider overnight treatments with a silk bonnet for intensive moisture.
Conclusion
Managing frizz is about finding the right balance of moisture, protection, and styling techniques for your specific hair type. By combining preventative measures – like protective styles and appropriate products – with targeted treatments, you can maintain smooth, manageable hair regardless of weather conditions. Remember that healthy hair is more resistant to frizz, so prioritise overall hair health with regular trims and hydrating treatments. Whether you opt for professional services or DIY solutions, consistency is key to seeing lasting results.
Date of publication18/04/2025
