To narrow my search, experts advised me to consider the following factors:
The below list includes cleansing, styling and finishing products. There are highly rated options that align with our experts’ guidance and recommendations we have personal experience (and success) with.
Suitable for all hair types and textures, this lightweight sulfate-free shampoo has a six-oil blend (coconut, safflower seed, macadamia nut, argan, sweet almond and grapeseed) that reduces frizz and protects the hair from breakage, according to the brand. Reviewers say the shampoo also smells amazing and that a little goes a long way. It has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.
Perfect for dry and damaged hair, this shampoo reduces frizz, prevents breakage and smoothes out hair cuticles with the help of ingredients like manuka honey, yogurt and mafura oil, according to the brand. “I’ve used this as both a regular conditioner and leave-in treatment,” says NBC Select editor Cory Fernandez. “I love that it’s not overly greasy and really helps define curls.”
This option is a go-to for NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who started using it after constant coloring and heat left her curly hair frizzy and damaged. “The mask has a jelly-like texture that is thicker than traditional conditioner but not as dense as other masks I have tried,” she says. “I apply it once a week in place of conditioner and leave it on for anywhere between 15-30 minutes.” The hair mask uses vitamin C, castor oil and a proprietary anti-frizz technology to strengthen the hair, retain moisture and prevent humidity from entering hair cuticles, according to the brand.
Boton recommends this sulfate-free shampoo from Oribe for reducing frizz in coarser, thicker hair. Its polymer complex has antistatic properties, boosts shine and makes detangling easier, according to the brand. To protect hair from damage caused by outdoor elements and ward off deterioration of natural keratin, Oribe also infused this shampoo with a “signature complex” made of watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower.
Reviewers say they notice a difference in hair manageability and frizz control after just a few washes with this sulfate-free shampoo. Its key frizz-fighting ingredients are jojoba esters, which smooth the hair to combat the effects of humidity, according to the brand. Plus, thanks to a proprietary amino complex, it can remove buildup without leaving the hair devoid of moisture, according to Living Proof.
Whether she’s air drying her hair or using a diffuser, NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin uses this spray daily. “In both scenarios, the spray reduces frizz and makes my curls look smooth,” she says. “It really locks in the definition my other curl styling products create, and I notice a huge difference in my hair’s overall frizz level when I use it versus when I don’t. I tell every curly-haired person I know that they have to buy this.”
If you don’t have curly hair but still want to reduce frizz, consider the original Color Wow Dream Coat, another NBC Select staff favorite.
Whenever I apply this smoothing spray to my naturally wavy hair, I see significantly less frizz. I apply it to my hair while it’s damp, blow dry it and apply the spray again before using my flat iron — this way, it really mimics a salon-like treatment. The best part is that it doesn’t leave behind a residue in my hair, nor does it weigh it down or make it look greasy.
When Rodriguez decides to blow out or straighten her hair, she uses this spray because it prevents her hair from frizzing up during hot and humid months. “I’m used to having blowouts that only last a day in the heat, but this spray keeps my hair smooth for two to three days,” she says.
To decrease frizz, this spray combines vitamin E (to strengthen hair and add shine), argan oil (to improve manageability and protect the hair from environmental aggressors), thermal polymers (to lock in moisture and protect hair) and an anti-static agent (for control, shine and body) according to the brand.
“I mainly use this spray to refresh my curls halfway through the day when I notice they look frizzy, and it helps tame them without making them feel hard or crunchy,” says Malin. “I also use the spray when I’m slicking my hair back into a bun, ponytail or braids. It removes flyaways and helps the style keep its hold for hours.”
This serum from Fekkai uses olive oil, prickly pear extract, plant-derived silicone, and extracts to help reduce frizz while adding more shine for a glossy finish, according to the brand. You can use this humidity-resistant and color-safe serum daily on dry hair as a finishing product or on wet hair to lock in moisture and create a smooth look and feel, according to Fekkai. This serum has a 4.8-star average rating from over 300 reviews at Ulta.
This gel is a must for warding off humidity and frizz, according to NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider. It’s also a favorite of Malin’s because it defines her curls and maintains their shape rather than allowing them to expand and become poofy. “It almost forms a protective outer shell over my hair, which prevents how much of an impact heat and humidity have on it.”
Reviewers say this serum, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 19,900 reviews on Amazon, effectively keeps their hair frizz-free throughout the day, thanks to a blend of argan, coconut and moringa oil. They say you only need a small amount to achieve the tame, shiny look without hair appearing greasy or weighed down.
The Frizz Ease serum is also available in its original formulation, which is best for medium to thick hair.
This leave-in conditioner, recommended by Dickson, defines and hydrates curls, and reduces frizz, according to the brand. Its key ingredients include argan oil to nourish the hair, polyquaternium-7, which is an anti-static agent and tocopheryl acetate, which is a form of vitamin E, according to Moroccanoil. For the best results, apply it to damp hair or refresh your hair by lightly spritzing it with water before, says Dickson.
This moisturizing cream is good for medium, frizz-prone and wavy hair because it adds shine, moisture and weight to control the frizz, says Dickson. The high-gloss cream is infused with a soy protein biopolymer to condition the hair without causing buildup, and a brand-exclusive complex created specifically for defending the hair from environmental elements, keratin deterioration and photoaging, according to the brand.
Before I blow dry my hair, I love using Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz because it doubles as a heat protectant and tones down frizz before styling. The formula includes ingredients like rosehip, argan, and coconut oils that work together to seal the hair cuticle, hydrate the hair and lock out humidity, according to the brand.
This styling cream from Moroccanoil combats frizz, improves hair manageability, controls hair and adds shine, according to the brand. “This is my go-to leave-in conditioner because it hydrates my curls and noticeably reduces my frizz,” says Rodriguez. “I sometimes switch between leave-ins while testing new products, but I always come back to this one because the reduction of frizz is so much more evident.”
In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than slicking back your hair with gels and creams only to see little flyaways and frizz start popping up. To prevent this from happening, I apply this dry wax spray all over my hair and immediately watch those little hairs go back down rather than sticking out and up. Although it has numerous ingredients, key ones like tamarind extract and styling polymers target frizz by reducing it, blocking humidity, and keeping styles intact, according to the brand.
This hair oil reduces frizz, restores hydration to the hair and protects it from humidity, according to the brand. “Not only do these drops help maintain a smooth blowout, but they also give my hair a beautiful shine that makes me feel like I just came out of the salon, says Rodriguez.
“It’s lightweight, and a couple of drops goes a long way, plus like every JVN product I tried, it smells divine.”
This wax stick has castor oil in its formula to smooth frizz, control edges and tame baby hairs, according to the brand. Malin enjoys using this product when putting her curly hair in an updo, especially when it’s humid and hot outside. “I slick my hair back into braids and use this stick that basically creates a frizz-proof helmet,” she says.
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves using this silk pillowcase because it’s as helpful for her hair as it is for her skin. “The silk material doesn’t pull or rub at my hair like harder cotton pillowcases do, so I usually wake up with a lot less frizz, making my hair so much more manageable when styling it in the morning,” says Godio.
After trying multiple satin and silk bonnets, Rodriguez couldn’t find one that would stay on as she slept through the night until she tried this stretchy satin option. “The elastic tie helps keep it in place without being uncomfortable or tight around my head,” she says. “When I use it consistently, I can see and feel a difference in how soft my hair is and how much more manageable my frizz is.”
When shopping for anti-frizz products, our experts recommend considering the following:
When you look at frizzy hair through a microscope, it looks like a Christmas tree, according to Boton. The goal is to fill in the hair with a smoothing product so the frizz is contained, she says.
To control frizz, consider your entire hair care routine. Start with the most effective shampoo and conditioner for your hair type and then add styling products like sprays, gels, creams and more. You can also use hot tools to flatten the cuticle down and then finish with an anti-humidity, anti-frizz product, says Boton.
Below, Dickson shares a few things to keep in mind when shopping for stylers.
“I personally like to mix a serum, oil or cream with a mousse or gel to get both the softness and hold for maximum frizz control on super humid days,” says Dickson.
When shopping for an anti-frizz product, proteins and moisturizing ingredients (like argan oil, glycerin and shea butter) are great since hair needs both of these things, according to Dickson. Oils can also seal in the goodness of previously applied products, she says.
Depending on the time of year or where you live, you may need more of one than another. For example, summertime humidity in New York should be counterbalanced with protein products to offset all the moisture in the air, but individuals in Los Angeles should lean toward moisture to offset the dryness.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care for NBC Select, including stories on the best curling irons and dry shampoos. For this article, I interviewed two experts about how to address frizzy hair. I compiled a list of their product recommendations, as well as options that align with their guidance and personal favorites of NBC Select staff.
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