This year it feels like change of season has been less crisp and fresh, a little more damp and muggy and this is bad news for our hair.
If the sheer thought of flyaways and frizz is enough to give you night terrors, then make sure you’re sitting down and listen up.
There are a plenty of tips and tricks on how to manage frizz and many contributing factors. Along with humidity, your hair could be dry or over styled making it more susceptible to frizz. But, when it comes corralling strands that have adopted the look of a fuzzy halo there are plenty of options that will keep your hair sleek and smooth, no matter what the BOM has to say that day.
Given there can be multiple factors that contribute to frizzy hair, we’re taking a look at the causes before getting to the good stuff.
Main image: @tashimrod
What Causes Frizzy Hair?
Of course, most of us know what frizz is and have likely spent hours in front of the mirror fussing over flyaways with every tincture and potion within arms reach. But when it comes to how our hair can develop such a frustrating and unmanageable look is a different story.
When the level of humidity in the air becomes greater than the volume of water in your hair, that’s when frizz joins the party. The humidity in the air makes its way into your strands and then rearranges the bonds inside each hair fibre, creating sheer chaos.
One may notice an increased amount of frizz when humidity levels skyrocket past 70 per cent or when your hair becomes porous from chemical treatments or heat styling, allowing your tresses to soak up every ounce of humidity on offer.
Depending on your hair type, the dreaded flyaways will find you in different ways. Those with fine hair can see frizz leaving your mane looking limp and lifeless.
On the other end of the hair spectrum, people with wavy and curly hair can expect to endure the dreaded ‘frizz crown’, that’ll introduce gravity-defying flyaways as far as the eye can see.
What Hair Cuts And Styles Should You Avoid In Rainy, Humid Weather?
When it comes to determining which hairstyles and cuts will show frizz the door, there aren’t many that will do so. But rather, there are certain styles and cuts that are best to avoid if you want to make life easier for yourself and your mane.
For those who are keen to debut a fringe—hello, curtain bangs—perhaps wait until the depths of winter (especially for our curly-haired friends). Naturally, sweat begins to develop on your scalp and hairline, so opting to go without something that sticks to the sweatiest part of your face is ideal.
But what does a professional suggest? Anthony Nader, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Raw Hair, recommends avoiding razor haircuts when beating the heat this summer.
“You can still have texture in your hair without your hairdresser taking to the razor or thinning scissors this coming season,” he tells ELLE Australia. “The problem that these hair weapons can cause is when hair strands are over razored or thinned, and the ends will look and feel wispy and furry. Having this finish on your ends will make you look like you’ve accidentally been electrocuted while making your toast”.
“Having texture in your hair is still very doable, but adding texture only with scissors will always give clean and polished ends that won’t feel frail and mostly… will last the distance between salon visits”.
When it comes to colouring your tresses, Nader says that over processing your strands can give you grief in humidity.
“Bleaching your hair will always swell up each hair strand which can be a negative, especially if your hair texture is naturally wavy/curly/frizzy,” he explains.
“If you’re having highlights or freehand colour, go easy having too much bleach added into your colour this time around.
“Ask your hairdresser: ‘Can we cut back a little on the bleach and if so, how will my new colour look compared to my last colour?’ I always believe that less is always more when using bleach, and it’s always gentler on the hair.”
If you’re ready to make a chop or simply need a cropped freshen up, then bobs and pixie cuts are your go-to. Exposing the back of your neck to any form of breeze that rainy and humid weather may be so generous to offer will be a God send.
“‘Hair out, don’t care!’ That’s what you are going to end up saying when all that humidity and summer rain comes within the stratosphere of your crown of glory, and it’s way too late even to rectify any of the damage,” Nader says.
“If you leave your hair out, it’s basically going to frizz up because the hair shape isn’t in a restricted tight clean shape (think: ponytail) here,” he explains. “Think of this as battening down the hatches. If you are not armed and prepared before you leave your front door to face the day, you’ll lose the battle.”
Tie up your tresses and keep the back of your neck free of hair, it’s bound to keep you feeling cooler. And honestly, it’s a perfect reason to take the plunge and lob your strands off.
Once you have a humidity-proof haircut and style down pat, there has to be more that you can you do to fight frizz once and for all.
Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up the best—and most effective—products and tools to combat the dreaded rain-inspired flyaways and maintain your mane throughout the rest of the wet year.
The Best Products Anti-Frizz Hair Products
Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil, 100mL, $72.
Kerastase, Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale
$118 at Oz Hair & Beauty
This one is a hair oil, meaning its goal is to sink deep into hair to nourish from the core. Suitable for all hair types and contains three useful ingredients to help give dull hair some shine: marula oil, argan oil and camellia oil.
JVN, Complete Blowout Styling Milk
$26 at Sephora
You know that incredibly irritating moment when you realised the hair you spent hours styling has completely collapsed, unable to hold any shape or texture? Yeah, this product will stop that from happening. Queen JVN has released this incredibly styling milk that will work to hold your hairs shape in the face of humidity and protect it from the heat of styling tools to boot.
Briogeo, Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner
$41 at Mecca
A lightweight leave-in conditioner, it works to lock in hydration and say ‘goodbye’ to frizz caused by humidity. Packed with rosehip, argan and coconut oils, Farewell Frizz seals the hair cuticle to eliminate unwanted fuzz to enhance smoothness, shine and manageability.
Super G Series Curl Shine Styler Round Brush by Y.S. Park
$93 at Raw Hair
“Each hair strand needs to be moulded into a smooth and polished finish, giving longevity to your hair shape,” Nadar says. “I use 100% boar bristle brushes that have lodged two different lengths on the brush’s barrel. The shorter bristles are beneficial for curly roots to straighten out beautifully, which dramatically reduces my blow-drying time.”
Cool Wind pH Perfect Air-Dry Creme by R+Co
$52 at David Jones
For those who want to ditch the dryer, R+Co’s Perfect Air-Dry Creme leaves strands feeling extra smooth, soft and shiny. Thanks to its unique cold styling polymer that helps transform your tresses, frizz is also tamed and hair-related stress eased. All that’s needed is a small dollop through towel-dried hair and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Hask, Repair Series Leave-In Treatment Cream
$27 at Hask
Hair that is damaged, through over processing with hot tools and colour treatments, is more likely to react poorly to heat and humidity (and look frizzy no matter the weather). Treatments like the Hask, Leave-In Treatment Cream fortify hair and smooth the shaft. This treatment includes the brand’s TripleBond Complex and a blend of lightweight oils that leave hair shiny and smooth (at a pocket-friendly price point).
Dyson, Supersonic Black Nickel
$549 at Dyson
For those hunting for softer, shinier and quicker blowouts, look no further. Dyson’s offering checks its temperature 40 times a second to prevent excessive heat damage but its flyaway attachment is where your attention should be. Shaped like a capital ‘C’, the add-on is designed to tuck stray flyaway hairs under longer strands, ensuring your mane ends up with a smooth and glossy finish. Need we say more?
The Ordinary, 100% Cold Pressed Marula Oil
$18.90 at Myer
“This serum works a treat even on finer hair textures as it doesn’t weigh strands down,” says Nader. “I find that some serums can sometimes make those beautiful blondes look a little brassy because the serum is too yellow.”
Eleven Australia, Make Me Shine Spray Gloss
$31.95 at Oz Hair and Beauty
Jam-packed with anti-humectants, Make Me Shine Spray Gloss is a go-to for locking out moisture and humidity, while working to keep your hair smooth and frizz-free. The best bit? Its lightweight texture means it feels almost weightless on the hair, making it perfect for thin to thick strands.
Ghd, Glide Smoothing Hot Brush
$285 at Adore Beauty
Tames stubborn strands and calms down frizz, the Glide Smoothing Hot Brush is a heated brush that uses its ceramic and ionic technology to create silky hair quickly. Its combination of high density short and long bristles make it easier to style large sections of hair at once, meaning less damage to your strands.
Oribe, Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray
$69 at David Jones
Oribe’s anti-humidity finishing spray works to protect hair from frizz even on the most steamy days and nights, shielding sleek blowouts and keeping curls perfect. Not only does it help keep frizz non-existent and hair care low-maintenance, it is suitable for colour and keratin treated hair, as well as helping to protect against UV damage.
IGK, Good Behaviour, Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
$46.80 (usually $59) at Oz Hair and Beauty
Created as a multi-purpose hairspray, IGK’s offering aids in protecting hair from heated styling while also nuturing each strand with much-needed vitamins and minerals. Boasting 24-hour frizz control and protection against temperatures of up to 450ºC, it’s sure to keep your sleek style lasting longer.
