Happy February, everyone! As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to address the dreaded "F-word" - frizz. Frizz can be both a blessing and a curse. When you have the right amount and type of frizz, it can give you that gorgeous volume you desire (we like to call it "good frizz"). However, frizz can also become unruly and make your hair difficult to manage. In this month's blog post, we'll delve into frizz from root to tip (yes, pun intended). We'll define frizz, explore its various types and causes, and provide tips on how to prevent and treat it effectively. Let's get started!
What is frizz?
Frizz can be understood as the result of hair strands clumping together to form curls. However, when the strands decide to go in their own separate directions, frizz occurs. It can be attributed to a raised cuticle layer, but the underlying causes are more complex and multi-faceted.
The 5 types of Frizz
When you get down to it, there are 5 basic types of frizz. Each of these can be further broken down, but for our conversation, they'll do nicely and we'll tackle them one at a time:
- Pouf- ball frizz
- Surface frizz
- Halo frizz
- Wet frizz
- Frizz at the ends
Pouf-ball frizz
The term "pouf ball" aptly describes a type of frizz that occurs all over the head, resulting in a voluminous, rounded appearance resembling a pouf ball. This type of frizz, known as "pouf ball frizz," is commonly associated with humidity. This specific topic is so dear to our hearts at Ecoslay, that we've devoted an entire blog post to the subject: Enough's Enough.
Pouf-ball frizz can also be caused by various forms of damage. This damage can arise from chemical processes like coloring or relaxing, heat styling such as blow-drying or flat-ironing, environmental factors like sun exposure and wind, as well as physical damage due to over-brushing, over-combing, excessive manipulation, or lack of nighttime hair protection.
In these situations, it's best to lay-off the culprit (at least for awhile) and start incorporating protein treatments like Aphoghee 2-step (best for severe damage) or Ecoslay's Matcha Boost (best for mild-to-moderate damage and prevention). Always remember to follow up your protein treatments with a moisturizing deep conditioner like Banana Cream.
If the cause of your frizz is from the lack of night protection, consider using a Satin Bonnet or Pillowcase.
The use of products containing silicones or sulfates can contribute to pouf-ball frizz. While silicones initially provide a sleek and shiny appearance to the hair, they form a coating that can block moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. Unless properly removed, typically with sulfate-based cleansers, they can lead to dryness, damage, and frizz in the long term. Similarly, excessive use of sulfate-based cleansers without subsequent moisturizing deep conditioning can be harsh on the hair and contribute to frizz.
Improper product application is another culprit for pouf-ball frizz. To minimize frizz, it is recommended to avoid applying products to dry or damp hair. Instead, it's best to apply leave-in conditioners and styling products to soaking wet hair, ensuring better absorption and reducing the likelihood of frizz.
Poor drying techniques can lead to pouf-ball frizz as well. If you're touching your hair while drying, using a cotton towel to dry, diffusing on high (especially if moving the diffuser and your head all over the place) or blow-drying on high, you're looking for trouble, my friend. Consider switching up your drying techniques to see if you achieve a better result.
Finally, an often overlooked cause of frizz and overall hair challenges is stress. When we're under stress, cortisol is released which causes inflammation and, in turn, our hair follicles to swell. This has a direct effect on the strength of hair strands, making them weaker and more susceptible to damage.
If you feel yourself coming under stress, you know the drill: Eat well, sleep well, exercise and protein-treat! Adding in a treatment like our Matcha Boost will help keep your strands their strongest until your stressful period passes.
For other tips on how to identify and manage the effect that stress can have on your hair, check out our blog post on the topic.
Surface Frizz
This type of frizz only occurs on the surface of the hair. That is, it’s on the outer layers of your hair, but not on the layers underneath.
Simlar to pouf-ball frizz, the main cause of Surface frizz is also humidity. Again, our Enough's Enough blog post will get you completely squared away before the dewpoint rears its ugly head!
Frizz at the ends
"Frizz at the ends" refers to a type of frizz that is predominantly observed at the tips of our hair. This frizz is characterized by the ends appearing unraveled from their defined clumps, resulting in a ragged, tangled, and difficult-to-manage appearance. It is often noticed when it's time for a refresh or a trim, indicating the need for attention to maintain the hair's overall health and manageability. Thanks to my Banana Cream, Orange Marmalade and Jello Shot combo, I'm usually able to get 7 solid days from my wash day. However, around Day 5 or so, my ends need some love. On these days, I reach for Rice Pudding or Lemon Buttercream if my ends feel dry or Jello Shot if they need more definition. Ultimately, it's getting close to another wash day and time to reset my style.
However, sometimes, products just won't do the trick. If your ends are constantly looking haggard, it might be time for a trim.
Halo Frizz
Halo Frizz is a type of frizz that primarily affects the crown area of the head, disrupting an otherwise perfect hairstyle. Recent discussions among experts suggest that the root cause of this frizz is related to moisture imbalance, specifically with insufficient moisture reaching the hair roots despite an abundance of moisture in the length and ends of the hair.
Several factors can contribute to this issue, but starting with a clarifying routine can be beneficial. A mixture of half Apple Cider Vinegar and half water is often recommended for this purpose, particularly for individuals with low porosity hair or those who primarily co-wash. Excessive oil buildup at the roots can hinder moisture penetration, leading to frizz. A few other tips are to:
- Try washing your hair upside down to give your crown a break
- Concentrate deep conditioner on the roots instead of at the ends
- Glaze with a gel
- Seal with an oil
Wet Frizz
Wet frizz is the frizz that you encounter when your hair is, well, wet. It can seem as if all of the water kinda gushes from your hair and causes hair strands to appear stringy and dry rather than smooth and sleek. Rather than forming “clean” curl clumps, the curl clumps will have strings of hair sticking out.
There are a few causes of wet frizz:
- Lack of moisture
- Product buildup
- Flash drying
- Moisture overload
If your hair feels dry and you feel that this lack of moisture could be contributing to your wet frizz, reach for the clarifier and Banana Cream. Similarly, if product build up might be the reason for your wet frizz, a clarifier is going to be your best friend. Always remember to follow it up with a moisturizing deep conditioner like Banana Cream and to apply it with a heat cap or steamer for 30 minutes, especially if you're low porosity.
If you believe Flash Drying to be the cause of your wet frizz, check out this blog post on the topic. We discuss Flash Drying in full, offering tips on how to identify, prevent and combat it.
YAY! You made it to the end! I hope that you found this post to be super-helpful in defining frizz, identifying the different types and how to prevent/treat them!
What types of frizz do you most commonly struggle with? What tips do you have to share?
Until March,
Adria
Credit:
https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/wavy-hair-type-2/what-is-frizzy-hair-how-to-stop-it
https://lusbrands.com/blogs/news/9-reasons-your-curls-are-frizzy
https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/frizz-forecast/how-to-stop-halo-frizz-at-the-roots
https://wavyhaircare.com/wet-frizz-in-wavy-hair/
https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/frizzy-hair
