Frizz Free

Original Article
Pricey serums, scorchingly hot tools, noxious straightening chemicals like formaldehyde -- women aren't afraid to bring out the big guns in the war on frizz. But many of these methods can actually cause frizz. "When the cuticle is damaged -- which can occur from chemical processing, UV exposure, or excessive heat styling -- it becomes porous, allowing water to enter the hair shaft and swell it open," says Joseph Cincotta, a cosmetic chemist. In civilian terms, that's frizz -- and you don't have to have curly hair to get it. Thankfully, there are safe solutions, including breakthrough products that seal the cuticle to keep out moisture and simple but effective styling techniques.

Choose a shampoo and conditioner for your hair type with smoothing ingredients such as silicones. Wash hair, then leave conditioner on for a full five minutes. Once out of the shower, blot -- don't rub -- hair with a towel.

Rub a dime-size drop of anti-frizz serum or cream between your hands; rake your fingers through the length of hair, concentrating on the outer layer. If hair is particularly damaged, spritz on a heat-protecting spray.
If you are wearing your hair straight, blow-dry it using the dryer's nozzle attachment and a big round brush. The technique is up to you, as long as you aim the air down the hair shaft and keep at it until hair is completely dry.

Or, if you are wearing your hair curly, dry from underneath, using a diffuser attachment on the blow-dryer; cup the ends of your hair with your hand and gently lift them up a few inches as you go to help keep curls intact.

For straight hair, spritz shine spray into one palm and rub your hands together, then smooth lightly over hair. Do the same for curly hair, using an anti-frizz styling cream; be sure to just skim palms over the surface to avoid flattening.

Once a week, apply a deep-conditioning treatment with keratin to damp, just-shampooed hair. Leave it on for ten minutes. The conditioners seal the cuticle to keep out moisture, while the keratin strengthens it to resist damage.