Lean into Summer Frizz: 10 Tips from a Top Hairstylist

A halo of curls backlit by the glow of the sun. Beachy waves, mussed and chaotic, skimming sun-burnished shoulders. A little frizz—whether your hair is curly, kinky, or straight—has an effortless sexiness about it. “I personally love a little frizz,” says Helen Reavey, a top New York hairstylist, trichologist, and cofounder of Act + Acre. “It can make hair look more voluminous. But too much frizz means the hair is quite porous and damaged.”

Hair is frizzier in summer, Reavey explains, because heat and humidity open the hair cuticle, roughing up its texture. Reavey’s brilliant tips for keeping frizz at bay focus on repairing damage for smooth, shiny hair; giving the scalp some love; and, at times, playing up the frizz.

It’s a myth, according to Reavey, that washing your hair less often is better for it. “If you live in a polluted city, have soft water, or work out regularly and use a lot of products, it’s important to keep your scalp clean,” she says. Reavey recommends oily hair types wash every one or two days; coily and kinky textures, which tend to be more dry, once a week; curly hair, every three or four days; and hair types that are not especially dry or oily, every two or three days.

A preshampoo treatment, as well as the type of shampoo and conditioner you use, can make an enormous difference in getting the smoothest, most moisturized, healthiest results. Work this frizz-easing serum through dry hair and let it sit for at least 10 minutes—allowing the cuticle-sealing vitamin C and omega-rich sea buckthorn oil to sink in—for noticeable shine. “Use sulfate-free shampoo and a conditioner with hydrating ingredients—like glycerin, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid—that are gentle on your hair and scalp,” Reavey says. “Avoid clarifying shampoos: They can open the cuticle and make hair feel dry. And finish with a cool rinse to help seal the hair cuticle.”

The scalp is the linchpin of hair health, shine, and even frizz management. “Keep the scalp hydrated,” says Reavey, who advises using a moisturizing scalp serum daily. Hers is a soothing milk that sweeps away dry cells and helps balance the scalp with amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and peppermint oil (the latter’s subtle tingling effect feels very spalike).

“Increased sun exposure, chlorine, and salt water dry out hair,” says Reavey. “Deep conditioners and masks replenish moisture, help repair damage from UV rays, and help prevent further breakage.” Switch your normal conditioner for a deep-conditioning treatment—Reavey’s favorite nourishing mask ingredients include glycerin and shea butter—as many times a week as you feel the need. People with major frizz should avoid touching their hair. “The more you do,” she says, “the more you disrupt the cuticle and encourage frizz.”

“These hydrate and protect your hair, sealing the cuticle (raised cuticles cause frizz) and creating a smoother look,” says Reavey. Work a leave-in cream or oil through damp just-washed hair for the most potent frizz-taming benefits. Or smooth flyaways and edges once your hair is dry. “Look for options made with argan oil,” says Reavey. “They help protect hair from UV rays while improving shine and reducing frizz.” The amount of product to use is individual, involving some trial and error to determine the magical amount for your particular hair.

On the frizziest days, Reavey loves slinging hair back into a messy bun or haphazard braid. First, work in a bit of product to shape your texture so the look reads more intentional and polished.

“Hair is more elastic and more vulnerable when it’s wet. The cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair shaft, can lift slightly, making your hair more susceptible to damage,” says Reavey. “A microfiber towel exerts even less friction and causes less frizz than a normal towel.” Wring out (don’t rub) just-washed hair and wrap it up in this extra-soft, extra-absorbent hair towel designed to speed up drying time—and thus minimize the window in which hair experiences the most damage. After a few minutes, unfurl the towel and twist up sections of hair with clips. (These tortoiseshell ones are so chic, we’ve been known to keep our air-dry look for the entire day.)

“Limit heat styling, but if you’re going to do it, use low heat so it’s less damaging, ” says Reavey. “Always apply a heat protectant first.”

“Water helps loosen knots, making it easier to glide a comb or brush through your hair with less resistance,” says Reavey. For curly and kinky textures specifically, brushing or combing hair while it’s wet better preserves the curl pattern. Apply leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to wet hair of any texture to provide slip and reduce friction. “Combing or brushing wet hair also allows you to set the hair in the desired direction, which can help with styling as it dries,” she says. “Brush it in small sections with a detangling brush—avoid brushes with hard bristles; you want flexible ones—or use a wide-tooth comb, which is gentler on hair, as well as great for creating a part.”

If a little summer frizz is sexy, with a subtle shift in thinking, an abundant puff of it—or cascades of frizz, depending on your hair type and how it falls—is bombshell territory. “If you want more frizz,” says Reavey, “brush out your hair when it’s dry to get a soft-frizz effect.”

Designed to repair hair on a deeper level, this one-step bond repair treatment is made with a patented technology—the founder has a PhD and is a chemist—to deliver smooth, sleek, very shiny results.