Whoever said hell couldn’t frizz over was a dunce. Summer may be here, but – wait for it – so is the frizz (and the static, the fly-aways, and the wiry, out-of-control tufts). UGH!
Straight or curly, thick or thin, summer weather does not bode well for anyone’s hair. So much for beauty au natural… you’re in serious need of some assistance, and stat!
Lucky for you, that’s what we’re here for – beauty assistance… stat. So, first things first – some advice from a pro.
When you’re looking to buy products to treat your frizz, says Rosey Ibarra, owner of Urban Roots Salon in sunny Downy, California, you need to consider your type of hair texture. “Thicker hair requires more moisture in the product so to replenish the curls to keep their form and a high-grade silicon type style product to make the hair smooth and shiny,” says this American Board-certified hair colorist. Meanwhile, medium to thin hair need less moisture, and benefit most from high-grade silicon products with shine-inducing drops or spray. Just be sure to spray six to eight inches from your head, so the alcohol in the product can dry before it hits your hair!
I can personally attest to the value of Ibarra’s advice, as I’ve recently tried more frizz products than you’d like to know. So listen up – I’m here to tell you which products to use, and which ones to avoid. Like the plague.
On that note, let’s talk about the Zero Frizz Corrective Hair Serum, available at beauty and drug stores nationwide. The 4 oz bottle costs $4.64 at Walmart, so that’s a point in its favor for sure. Only problem is the stuff made this lady’s hair even frizzier than usual, and as the kicker, flat at the top.
To be fair, Zero Frizz says the product is “ideal for thick, coarse or extremely dry and frizz-prone hair,” and my hair is none of those (I guess Ibarra knows what she’s talking about). The serum also protects hair from UV rays – a valuable asset to have in the summer. But, unless you’ve got a serious fro to deal with, I say stay away.
Smooth ‘N Shine’s Diamond LUSTER POOF ERASER, on the other hand, has my approval, and at $4.99, it has the same price point. Wheat proteins strengthen your hair, vitamin E protects, and a silicon blend of anti-frizz polymers and quartz crystals show you why the company is called Smooth ‘N Shine. What really sold me, though, was the fact that it prevents hair heat damage up to 425°F! My Chi goes up to 410°F, so this makes me one happy la chica. The product made my hair feel a tad heavier than normal, but for that kind of protection, it was worth it! (I did apply a good amount, so I’m willing to bet the weight factor will disappear if I use a little less. Guess that’s what I get for being greedy.)
Keep reading! I saved the best for last.
Meet Urban Therapy’s Twisted Sista line. A shampoo, a conditioner and a serum – all de-frizz specialized and under $5 each – these products are perfect for the wash-and-wear girl. They smell like coconut, reduce breakage and frizz, and protect from the sun with anti-oxidant enhancements and UV filters. Time to say goodbye to frizz, and aloha to defined curls and/or smooth and shiny hair when straight! Buy them at Rite-Aid, Target and Duane Reade stores. You may worry when you see there’s Cetearyl Alcohol in the conditioner, but don’t. It is naturally derived, and is actually good for your hair because it prevents moisture loss!
Because your crowning glory needs to be glorious.
– Caitlin Garthoffner
