Frizz is a special kind of beauty problem—the sort of ‘difficult to solve’ kind with a mind of its own. It ignores the blowout you paid good money for, gets worse the second you step outside on a humid day, and somehow always makes itself the star in your latest Instagram dump.
Most of us write it off as the hair we were born with, but frizz isn’t always about hair type; more often, it’s a moisture problem. When strands are dry or damaged, the cuticle lifts and starts pulling water from the air, which is why the same head of hair can look glossy in January and a halo of static by August.
Vogue’s Favorite Frizzy Hair Products
The Styling Cream: RŌZ Evergreen Hair Styling Cream, $32
The Sulfate-Free Shampoo: K18 Damage Shield Protective Shampoo, $14
The Weekly Deep Conditioner: Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $39
The Microfiber Towel: Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap, $23
The Leave-In Cream: Maria Nila Structure Repair Leave In Cream, $33
Taming it is less about hunting down a miracle serum and more about the small stuff you’ve likely never thought twice about—how long your mask actually sits before you rinse, how you towel off, which way your blow-dryer points, even what your pillowcase is made of. Once those become a habit, the right products can actually do their job.
Below, how to fix frizzy hair—a step-by-step routine for smoother, shinier strands, plus the formulas to give your style staying power.
Step 1: Wash With a Sulfate-Free Shampoo
“Frizz management really does start in the shower,” says celebrity hair stylist, Clayton Hawkins. “If you’re stripping all the moisture out of the hair before you even start styling, you’re making your job so much harder.”
Sulfates are the usual suspect, though the ingredient isn’t creating the entire problem. “Sulfate-free formulas are often a good option, especially for dry, coarse, or curly hair, although sulfate-free doesn’t automatically mean a shampoo is gentler,” says Dawn Queen, dermatologist and expert in hair restoration.
For dry or frizz-prone hair, she generally recommends a gentle shampoo that cleanses effectively without leaving the hair feeling stripped or dry. As for how often, there’s no universal schedule.
“The goal is to cleanse the scalp often enough to remove oil, sweat, and product buildup without leaving your hair feeling overly dry,” dermatologist and founder of SEEN Hair Care, Iris Rubin explains.
Step 2: Deep Condition Weekly
“I’m a huge believer in treating the hair before it becomes visibly dry or damaged,” says celebrity hair stylist Gregory Russell. “I recommend using a moisture mask at least once a week, especially if you’re someone who likes to style their hair every day with heat.” Dimitris Giannetos, celebrity hair stylist, regards it as necessary upkeep.
“A deep treatment can also be great if that is something you can squeeze into your schedule. Think of it like going for a facial.”
Then, take your time leaving the product in the hair to soak in. “I leave a mask in contact with the hair fibers for at least a minute (while also following the product directions) and make sure to rinse completely so no residue is left on the hair fibers,” Queen says.
Step 3: Dry with a Microfiber Towel
“Less friction, less frizz,” Hawkins says. “It’s very simple, but it works.” Wet hair is at its most fragile, and a regular towel makes it worse.
“Rough towel-drying creates friction that can disrupt the cuticle and contribute to frizz and breakage,” Ruben says. The fix is the technique as much as the fabric you choose.
“Once out of the shower, I avoid brushing my hair and instead gently squeeze or blot it with a microfiber towel,” Queen says. She recommends carefully wrapping hair in a microfiber towel and letting it dry slightly before moving on to styling.
Step 4: Apply a Leave-In Conditioner or Serum
“Adding in a leave-in conditioner or serum is one of my favorite and most key steps,” Giannetos says. “It helps evenly distribute the product, ensuring you have every strand coated, which can be difficult with dry hair (especially if you have thick hair or dense curls).” Applying onto damp hair is ideal, but not the only chance to reap its benefits.
“If you feel like your hair needs more moisture you can always add a little once dry for definition and smoothing,” Russell says.
Step 5: Seal the Cuticle With Styling Cream
“The product you use and the way you dry your hair work together,” says Nicolas Flores, celebrity hairstylist. “The combination of product and technique helps create a smoother, more polished result.” That means aiming the nozzle down the hair shaft, not at it from every angle, and keeping heat in check. “Most importantly, minimize excessive heat styling when you can, and always use a heat protectant when you do,” Ruben advises.
Step 6: Protect It Overnight
Yes, overnight protection qualifies as an important final step in any hair-care routine because well, you are in slumber for about a third of your day. “You’re sleeping on your hair for eight hours, so it counts,” Hawkins says.
“A silk pillowcase and a loose braid or loose style can cut down on friction and help you wake up with significantly less chaos.” Russell adds his own finishing move: “I’ll often smooth the tiniest amount of hair oil onto dry ends before bed if they’re feeling particularly dry for an added benefit.”
Making sure hair is swept away from the dermis has an added skin benefit, too. “Hair products can transfer from your hair to your pillowcase and then come into contact with your face while you sleep,” Ruben informs. “Change your pillowcase regularly and (especially if you’re acne-prone or have sensitive skin) choose leave-in hair products that are non-comedogenic and safe for sensitive skin.”