Frizz is one of those universal hair frustrations—especially if your hair is dry, wavy, and on the thicker side. You can be using “good” products, heat protection, and the right tools, and still end up with hair that feels puffy, undefined, or one humid breeze away from chaos. The good news? Frizz is almost always a hydration issue, and once you treat it that way, everything changes.
Let’s break down why frizz happens, what to tweak in your routine, and the exact product layering that actually smooths hair—whether you’re blow-drying or air-drying.
How To Combat Frizz This Season
Why Frizz Happens (And Why Hydration Matters More Than Hold)
At its core, frizz is caused by lack of moisture in the hair. When hair is dry, it pulls moisture from the air—especially in humid conditions—causing the cuticle to swell and lift. That’s when hair starts to look fuzzy, undefined, or uneven.
Wavy and textured hair types are particularly prone to this because natural oils don’t travel down the hair shaft as easily. So even if your hair feels “healthy,” it can still be dehydrated.
This is why adding more hairspray alone rarely fixes frizz. What you need is hydration + sealing.
Rethinking Your Wash & Prep Products
If you’re currently rotating between hydrating and strengthening shampoos, that’s not a bad thing—but balance is key. Strengthening formulas are great in moderation, but overuse can sometimes make hair feel drier or stiffer.
If you’re happy with your current budget, switching to the L’Oréal Professionnel range can be a great move. Their formulas tend to focus heavily on slip, softness, and manageability—three things frizz-prone hair needs.
Blow-Drying Without the After-Frizz
One of the most overlooked causes of post-style frizz? Hair that isn’t fully dry.
Even if your hair feels dry, any remaining moisture left in the cuticle will react to the environment later. Before you reach for straighteners or curling irons, do one final pass with your blow dryer to make sure the hair is truly 100% dry.
For smoothing during blow-drying, L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil is a standout. It’s lightweight enough to layer, adds instant softness, and doesn’t collapse volume. Think of it as hydration without heaviness.
Once styling is complete:
- Add a small amount of lightweight serum to the mid-lengths and ends
- Or mist a humidity-shielding spray, like Redken Spray Smooth, to lock everything in
This final step acts like a seal, helping prevent moisture from re-entering the hair shaft.
The Secret to Frizz-Free Air Drying: Layering (and Restraint)
Air drying can be magical—or disastrous—depending on how you prep the hair. The biggest rule? Once you’re out of the shower, less touching is more.
Here’s a routine that works especially well for dry, wavy, thicker hair:
1. In the shower
Rinse out conditioner and gently finger-comb or part your hair before stepping out. Once you’re done, try not to manipulate it again.
2. Ditch the rough towel
Use a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt to lightly scrunch out excess water. No twisting, no rubbing.
3. Layer your leave-ins
Start with Kevin Murphy STAYING.ALIVE, a lightweight leave-in that hydrates without weighing hair down. This is an ideal year-round base product.
Follow with Kevin Murphy YOUNG.AGAIN, focusing on mid-lengths and ends. It’s slightly richer, which helps seal moisture and keep frizz at bay while treating the hair at the same time.
4. Hands off
Once products are in, resist the urge to touch your hair until it’s fully dry. This is crucial for maintaining definition.
5. Winter tip
If air drying in colder months feels impossible, use a diffuser on low heat and low airflow to gently set the shape without disrupting the wave pattern.
The Takeaway: Smooth Hair Is About Moisture, Not Control
If your hair is dry, wavy, and prone to frizz, the solution isn’t more heat or stronger hold—it’s hydration, layering, and sealing. Whether you’re blow-drying or air-drying, focus on products that nourish the hair first, then lock everything in once it’s dry.
The result? Softer waves, less halo frizz, and hair that looks intentional—not accidental—even on low-effort days.
Some of the products featured here may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal use, stylist feedback, or product performance.
