2 weeks Ago By Tracy Achonwa
Struggling to keep your hairstyles sleek? You need some anti-frizz haircare in your arsenal. From Olaplex to Color Wow Dream Coat , the best anti-frizz hair products don’t just de-fluff your strands – they seal the hair cuticle, manage moisture retention and smooth split ends for more resilient hair overall. Here, hair experts share how anti-frizz products actually work, and how to use them for salon-smooth styling.
Plus, Vogue ’s tried and tested favourites for silky shine, definition and strength on all hair types. Meet the experts: Tom Smith, Olaplex Artist Samantha Cusick, Professional Hairdresser at Samantha Cusick London What causes frizzy hair? There are four main culprits behind frizzy tresses: humidity, dryness, genetics, and damage. Samantha explains that hair is hygroscopic (translation: it absorbs moisture from the environment) and in humid weather, there is an increased concentration of water molecules in the air.
“As hair absorbs excess moisture, the hair shaft begins to swell and become frizzy.” In the same vein, frizz can also be triggered by dry hair. According to Tom, hair lacking moisture will “fluff up” to search for it in the surrounding environment.
In extremely hot or windy conditions – when moisture is stripped from the hair cuticle – this is why your hair becomes frizzy. Finding your hair has gotten frizzier over time? Dryness is responsible for this, too. As scalp oil production declines with age, there is less natural sebum to nourish the hair shaft, causing hair that feels brittle and is prone to frizz.
Then there is genetics. If your hair naturally grows in waves, curls or coils, it’s more susceptible to frizz. As Samantha puts it, “these hair types have a more uneven cuticle surface, which allows moisture to penetrate and disrupt the hair’s smooth structure.
” Similarly, where hair has been damaged (excessive heat styling, harsh chemical treatments, stripping shampoos and friction from rough handling and bedding all inflict damage on the hair shaft) she says the cuticle becomes porous and more susceptible to excess moisture absorption, which leads to frizz. Do anti-frizz products really work? Whatever the cause of your frizz, good haircare can actually tame the puff. “Most anti-frizz products work by filling in cracks in the cuticle, allowing the hair to retain moisture and stay smooth for longer,” says Tom.
“Some products, such as Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother go one step further, improving the integrity of the molecular structure as well as delivering smoothing, moisturising and anti-frizz benefits.” By nourishing dry hair, smoothing raised cuticles and shielding strands from humidity and rain, the best anti-frizz products really do work to keep frizz at bay.
What to consider when buying There is plenty of haircare out there promising sleeker, shinier locks, but to find anti-frizz hair products that actually work, pay attention to the ingredients. “Despite what you may have heard, good silicones are some of the best ingredients for hair smoothness and silkiness,” Tom says, adding that along with film formers, they’re very effective at sealing gaps on the cuticles for smooth hair with high shine. Look out for dimethicone (a silicone-based ingredient) and copolymer (a film-forming agent) in the formulas of your anti-frizz.
If your hair is quite coarse, both Tom and Samantha also recommend nourishing natural oils (think: sunflower seed and coconut oil) as these “create a protective barrier that reduces moisture absorption from the environment.” Bond-building technology like Olaplex’s patented Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate is widely considered the gold standard in repairing damage, but to avoid damaging your tresses altogether? Don’t neglect your wider hair regimen. Prevent friction and breakage with silk pillowcases and scrunchies , opt for gentler shampoos, and take care when towel-drying and brushing hair to keep the cuticle smooth.
Below, the best anti frizz hair products to buy in 2024. Vogue ’s anti-frizz favourites: Best anti-frizz for damaged hair: Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother , £28 Best anti-frizz spray for a waterproof finish: Color Wow Dream Coat Extra Strength , £32 Best anti-frizz shampoo: Drunk Elephant Silkamino Smoothing Shampoo , £26 Best anti-frizz hair product for fine hair: Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Spray , £34 Best for a sleek shiny finish: Got2b Got Gloss Hairspray, £5.
50 Best anti-frizz heat protectant: ghd Straight On Straight & Smooth Spray , £18 Best anti-frizz for dry, frizzy hair: Aveda Smooth InfusionTM Anti-Frizz Conditioner , £13 Best for baby hairs and flyaways: Larry King Flyaway With Me Anti Frizz Kit , £20 Best budget buy: John Frieda Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray , £3 Best for preventing breakage: Slip Pure Silk Turban , £75.
