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Hairstyles for Frizzy Hair That’ll Get You Through Humid Days

 

Bookmark this for the next rainy day.

To many frizz-prone individuals, humidity is public enemy number one. It’s as if just looking at rain can cause a smooth hairstyle to transform.

There’s a reason why humid weather has this effect. “Frizzy hair happens when moisture in the air penetrates the hair shaft,” says hairstylist Davontaé Washington. “This causes the hair to swell up, which gives the rough, frazzled appearance we call frizz.” 

Hair that’s damaged from heat, chemical treatments, etc., is more prone to frizz, notes Washington. “This has to do with the cuticle [i.e., strands’ outer scale-like layer],” he says. “If it is damaged, the cuticle is jagged and does not lay flat. The cuticle protects the hair shaft just like shingles protect a roof.” Weak “shingles” allow moisture in the air to more easily penetrate strands, leading to frizz.

Naturally wavy and curly hair is more often prone to frizz than straight hair, according to hairstylist Jenna Spino. The twists that curls form make them more susceptible to breakage, increasing the odds of provoking frizz during combing, according to a 2015 article in the International Journal of Trichology.

No matter the factors contributing to your frizz, it’s better to work with it than avoid living your life for fear of humidity. Whether you prefer to play up your frizz or smooth it into sleek styles, these are the best hairstyles for frizzy hair. 

Featured experts

Lacy Redway is a celebrity hairstylist
Jenna Spino is a hairstylist in Chicago
Davontaé Washington is a hairstylist in Los Angeles
Tiffanie Richards is a hairstylist in New York
Jessica “Ghost” Pudelek is a hairstylist in Los Angeles

 

Uninhibited curls

The best approach to styling frizzy hair is to lean into the frizz, believes Tiffanie Richards, hairstylist at Louise O’Conner Salon. “The key to being able to rock your curls with the frizz is having a very refined haircut,” says Richards. “If you are planning to wear your natural hair texture with its glorious frizz, you should be seeing a stylist that either cuts dry hair or at least refines it at its dry state.”

A leave-in conditioning treatment can help keep your hair hydrated, and a sea salt spray can play up your texture, says Richards. She likes Rahua Leave-In Treatment ($46) and Sachajuan Ocean Mist ($38). 

Blowout

A well-executed blowout won’t succumb to humidity. “Blowing your hair out properly will seal the cuticle, making it more difficult for the hair to get frizzy,” says Spino. “Following the hair with the dryer from root to end, ensuring hair is dry will seal the cuticle down.”

Half Up

A half-up style is always an option when you’re feeling indecisive. The hairstyle requires you to gather a section of hair at the top of your head, tying it off with an elastic. From there, you can wrap a strand of hair around the base of the ponytail if you want to hide the elastic.

Headband

Whether you have a pixie cut or hair that skims your lower back, a headband can offer an instant hairstyle. Your options range from soft, sporty headbands to bejeweled accessories that complement formal clothing. 

Air-Dried Waves

Those with wavy hair can opt to air dry their hair rather than fight their frizz, notes Spino. Washing your hair with moisturizing products, like Oribe Intense Shampoo ($49) and Conditioner ($52) for Moisture and Control, can bring out the best in your waves, she says. She also suggests applying a leave-in product before allowing your hair to air dry.

Sleek, straight hair 

All hair types can go with a sleek, straightened hairstyle, says hairstylist Lacy Redway, who gave Hunter Schafer the style shown here. To achieve the style, wash and dry your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner and mousse, and blow dry with a paddle brush, says Redway. 

Once your hair is completely dry, use a flat iron to straighten it. Finish off with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Weightless Silky Shine Spray ($7) to add shine and TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Weightless Anti-Frizz Finishing Spray ($7) to help maintain the style and reduce unwanted frizz, advises Redway.

Pigtails

To try pigtails, start with a middle part, clipping off face framing pieces if desired. Gather each half near the crown of your head—or at your neck if you’d prefer low pigtails—and secure the pigtails with elastics.

Sleek ponytail

A slicked-back ponytail will never do you wrong, says Spino. To smooth out frizz, apply a hair gel or mousse before gathering your hair into the ponytail, she says.

Ponytail with a Baseball Cap

Position your ponytail just right, and you can pull it through the gap at the back of a baseball cap. Your hair will remain out of your way, and your face will get some shade.

Low Ponytail with Ribbon 

To enhance a ponytail, you can add a hair accessory, like RPZL The McKenna ($20), a satin ribbon with a rosette, says Spino.

Curled

The heat from a curling iron can create ringlets while reducing frizz. “If needed [after blowing out your hair], you can add some curls with the curling iron for extra protection,” says Spino. “Always use a heat protectant to keep hair from getting dryer or damaged.”

Braided ponytail

This hairstyle is doable with a two-step process that minimizes frizz. You’ll create a sleek ponytail, as described above, then form a regular three-strand braid with the ponytail, securing the braid near your ends with an elastic.

Bun with clips

When your go-to bun hairstyle feels like it’s missing something, reach for a pair of matching clips. You can use basic clips that match your hair color for a subtle effect or go with something more quirky, like the star-shaped barrettes shown here. 

Slicked-back bun

When you don’t want a trace of your frizz to be visible, a slicked-back bun is a quick and easy option. The best tool for nailing this hairstyle is a hair balm or pomade stick, says Richards. She and hairstylist Jessica “Ghost” Pudelek both recommend R+Co DART Pomade Stick ($25). 

“Before you slick your hair up, you’re going to want to put a balm or holding product where your hair lays against your head,” says Richards. “Use the slick stick to get all of the baby hair around the hairline, and don’t forget the baby hairs at the back of the neck.”

Space Buns

You can use the same approach for space buns, says Richards. You’ll gather your hair into two high pigtails, then wrap both sections of hair into buns and secure them into place.

Low Messy Bun

Slicked-back buns have their place, but a messy bun allows you to embrace your natural texture. “I absolutely love a great messy bun or top knot that uses your natural hair as the base,” says Washington. “It gives the look more personality, and there is no right or wrong way to wear one.”

High Messy Bun

If your hair is long enough, you can go with a messy bun positioned toward the top of your head. 

To try it, twist an elastic around your hair a few times, but don’t pull your hair all the way through on the final twist. “Instead, leave about 1/3 of your hair hanging out the bottom as a tail, while the remaining portion of your hair will create a loop in the upper part of the ponytail,” says Pudelek. From there, wrap the “tail” around the bun and secure it in place with bobby pins. “Then, part the loop down the center, and pull the two sides to your scalp, and pin,” says Pudelek.

To add hold, Pudelek suggests finishing the style with hairspray. She considers R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray ($37) her favorite.

High Ponytail with Ribbon 

If you have a spool of ribbon lying around, you’re all set to give this hairstyle a go. After securing your hair in a high ponytail, you’ll tie the ribbon into a bow around the base of the ponytail.

Ponytail with clips

The first step to creating this hairstyle is to part your hair and form a low ponytail. Next, wrap a small section of hair around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic. Finally, dress up the ponytail by putting a variety of clips along your hairline. 

French braids

Richards suggests French braids for those who are prone to frizz, noting that braids can lay the groundwork for no-heat waves. “If you have plans that night and want a different hairstyle, apply a leave-in treatment, braid your hair on freshly clean hair, remove the braid hours later and rock the waves,” she says.

Silk press

Those who have textured hair and want to avoid frizz often find success with a silk press. The method achieves straight hair without chemical straighteners and involves a blowout followed by flat ironing. “If you want to lock in a super smooth, frizz-free look until your next shampoo, look no further than the classic silk press,” says Washington. Executed properly, the style will remain super straight, despite the outside elements, he says.

For a silk press, you’ll work in smaller sections than usual when flat ironing your hair, according to Washington. “This will take more time and energy, but it will be worth the extra work in the end.”

For those who want to remedy the damage of heat styling, Washington suggests SUTRA Heat Guard Renewal Spray ($28). “It addresses frizz by increasing moisture retention and repelling humidity,” he says.

Sleek ponytail

When you’re contending with a humid climate but want to keep your frizz in check, a slick ponytail hairstyle will suit your needs. After washing your hair, apply mousse, concentrating around the hairline, then rub TRESemmé Keratin Weightless Smooth Silky Shine Spray ($7) onto your hair, says Redway. 

Then, “using a flat paddle brush, through your hair with a blow dryer in the direction your ponytail will sit, and continue until your hair is smooth,” says Redway. “For textured and curly hair, a flat iron after this step could give you the smooth finish you desire.” Finally, spray an anti-frizz spray onto a flat boar brush and brush your hair into a ponytail, secure with an elastic, and rub any leftover product onto your ponytail.

Pigtail braids

Pigtail braids are somewhat unexpected, and they can help hide frizz. To achieve them, you’ll split your hair into two sections by creating a center part. Divide each half into three smaller sections and create regular braids, tying off the ends with elastics.

Face framing braids

Richards considers face-framing braids one of the best hairstyles for frizzy hair. Not only do they add visual appeal to your overall look, they require minimal effort. You’ll part your hair down the center and section off two chunks of hair at your hairline on either side of the part. Then, form regular three-strand braids on each side, securing each with mini elastics.

Half Up with Middle Part

This hairstyle can keep your hair from falling in your face while allowing you to still wear your hair down. Pull back two sections of your hair at your hairline, securing each in place with bobby pins.

Top knot 

Styling your hair can be as simple as letting your natural frizz be and gathering your hair into a top knot. You’ll want to make sure that the style feels solid once you’ve secured it in place with an elastic and bobby pins, ensuring the bun will last, says Washington.

Middle part with clips

Whether you’re embracing your frizz or have taken measures to smooth it out, you can add two clips at your hairline on either side of your part for a playful effect.

Large box braids 

Large box braids are another style that’s ideal for people who are prone to frizz, believes Redway. To create the style, you start by tying off sections of hair around your head with small rubber bands, using an edge control product to keep the sections in place, she says.

“Once the hair is tied off all over with little elastics, use a crochet needle and push it through from left to right on one of the sections with the elastic,” says Redway. “Allow the needle to sit on the front of the elastic. Once the needle is through, add braiding hair inside the eye of the needle, then pull the needle through from left to right, allowing one section of hair to live on the outsides of the elastic section.” You should repeat this step if necessary, until the density of the braiding hair equals the density of your natural hair. 

“Once you are happy with density, tuck the first section of the braiding hairs under your hair underneath the elastic section, then crisscross sections, then start braiding down, incorporating your hair with the braiding hair,” says Redway. Braid each section, applying more edge control intermittently so that the hair remains in each braid. After each section is braided, apply mousse on top of each braid to ward off unwanted frizz.

Braids under a hat

Braiding hair and throwing on a hat is one of the best options in Richards’ book. The combo offers two layers of insurance so that unwanted frizz won’t get in your way. 

Pulled Back with a claw clip

Forming a twist with your hair and adding a claw clip might just be the easiest hairstyle to exist. It doesn’t need to look perfect and is virtually impossible to mess up.