Products to keep curly hair from frizzing

Now is the perfect time to stock up on your favorite frizz-fighting products, but we know you don't want to waste your cash on serums that promise magical results but don't deliver (we've all been there). We've narrowed down our top recommendations for anti-frizz products that actually work.

1. Controlled Chaos Curl Creme

This is the curl crème of a curly girl’s dreams. A bit of this curl-enhancer springs coils to life, keeps frizz under control, equalizes porosity and provides amazing shine. Controlled Chaos Curl Crème creates beautiful, bouncy curls without the dreaded sticky, crunchy, or oily feeling. Lavender extract soothes and smooths curls to perfection.

2. DevaCurl Heaven in Hair

If you can't manage to reduce your frizz no matter what serum, oil, or gel you use, then you may want to consider your moisture. If your hair is dry or you live in a humid place, your hair will expand as it absorbs moisture from the air. If you ensure that your hair is fully moisturized and completely dry before stepping out of the house, you can cut down the chances that your hair will expand into a frizz halo. A deep conditioner like this intensive deep moisture treatment by DevaCurl will hydrate your curls and help prevent frizz before it starts.

3. Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle

This lightweight Curl Junkie product probably won’t provide enough hold for girls with very curly or coily hair, but it’s great for girls with waves or type 3A curls. It controls frizz and adds shine to your hair, making your curls pop! A tip: this product works best if you air dry your curls.

4. Jessicurl Confident Coils Styling Solution

If you’re fighting frizz, look for silicone-free products like this one. Silicones strip the hair of natural moisture, which can be especially damaging in the summer months.

Confident Coils also has “Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice,” otherwise known as aloe vera. Aloe vera is a natural conditioning agent--its essential vitamins and minerals will restore your hair to good health, and that means less frizz! It has even been linked to increasing growth rate.

5. Curly Hair Solutions Tweek

If you have frizzy hair, you want to avoid hairspray. Hairspray promises to control frizz and keep flyaways in check, but its high alcohol content actually contributes to frizz.

This silicone-free cream is a great alternative to hairspray. It can be used throughout the day to refresh your hairstyle, bringing bounce and shine back to your curls.

6. Darcy’s Botanicals Tucuma Butter Moisture Whip

One look at the ingredients list is all the convincing you will need. This Darcy’s Botanicals butter is packed with moisturizing oils and tucuma butter, which brings natural shine to dry, damaged hair. It’s provides the conditioning and control that users will need for locs, twists, and braids.

This product is also an anti-humectant. Humectants tend to upset the balance of moisture in the summer--they will either suck the moisture out of your hair or they will attract water from the air into your hair, making your hair more susceptible to frizz. Avoid frizz and dryness by sticking to anti-humectants.

7. DevaCurl DevaTowel Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towerl

Using a traditional terry cloth towel will draw the much-needed moisture out of your hair and create friction when you dry your hair. Friction and dryness will definitely lead to frizz, so trade in your terry cloth for a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt. We love the Deva Towel, it's great to dry and enchance curls without causing frizz. Use your microfiber towel or tee to gently blot your soaking wet hair and then use the popular curly method of plopping.

8. Jane Carter Solution Curls to Go Shine On Curl Elixir

When your hair is particularly dry and frizzy, hair oil is a great fix. Oils are great sealers and conditioners, which makes them great for achieving frizz-free hair! Try a homemade recipe or opt for an oil like this Jane Carter Curl Elixir, which is enriched with Argan, Aloe Vera Gel, Macadamia Oil.

If you have wavy hair, be patient when it comes to finding an oil blend that works for you. If an oil is too heavy, it will weigh down your waves. Check out this article to learn more about the best hair oils for waves.

9. Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

“I had a sample of Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel and, for kicks, I gave it a try on a day when I felt my hair was hopeless. I couldn't believe the results, particularly in the area of definition. This serum-like product is completely non-sticky and it disappears into my hair. It provides natural curl definition without a hint a frizz.” -- 3B user gardencurls

If you have thick, curly hair and you can’t find a styling cream that works for you, I would definitely recommend trying this product--a Best of the Best 2012 winner--or another similar gel. Because gels are heavier than creams, they’re great for providing all-day hold.  

10. Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Quinoa Co-Wash

Shampoos can be harsh on curly hair because they strip the oils from hair that is naturally lacking in moisture to begin with. Dry, stripped hair can lead to frizz, so opt for a more moisturizing cleansing option like a co-wash. Or if you feel a co-wash is not cleansing enough for you, you could alternate between your shampoo and a co-wash. This co-wash by Briogeo is consistently voted as a favorite by the NaturallyCurly community, and here are 9 more co-washes and cleansing conditioners that we love.

Have you found a frizz fighting product that really works for you? Or are you still on the hunt?

This article was originally published in June 2013 and has been updated to replace discontinued products.

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