Key ingredients: avocado oil, banana oil, coconut milk, agave | How long to leave in: 5 to 10 minutes | Frequency of use: up to twice per week
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Jess & Lou 5-Minute ResQ Hair Therapy
Why it’s worth it: We consider the Jess & Lou 5-Minute ResQ Hair Therapy as a mask before our mask—hey, go big or go home. Made for especially dry, frizzy hair, this pre-shampoo treatment is enriched with babassu oil, murumuru butter, flaxseed oil, and chia seed extract, a color-safe combination that’s so impressive, Boston-based hair colorist Annalouise Rusk says she recommends it to all of her clients for post-color treatment maintenance. “It’s easy and quick, improves hair hydration and texture as fast as the first use, and only gets better with continued use,” she says.
Key ingredients: babassu oil, murumuru butter, flaxseed oil, chia seed extract | How long to leave in: 5 minutes (on dry, pre-washed hair) | Frequency of use: once per week
Best Budget: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm
Why it’s worth it: The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm is one of the best lines of defense against frizz that you can find at the drugstore, according to Giannetos. “The L’Oréal mask uses ceramides and almond oil to repair dryness and bring back smoothness,” he says. This mask also contains a 17-percent dose of L’Oréal’s proprietary Repair Concentrate, a protein-based compound that improves texture and luster.
Key ingredients: ceramides, almond oil, Repair Concentrate (hydrolyzed wheat protein) | How long to leave in: 3 to 5 minutes | Frequency of use: once per week minimum, up to daily
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes frizz?
Frizz is caused by a lack of moisture. When your hair is particularly dry, your strands will try to draw in water from the air (hence why your hair might poof on humid days), which messes with your hair’s natural smoothness. “Humidity is a big culprit, but things like chemical treatments, and naturally dry hair also increase the likelihood of frizz,” he says. (Chemical treatments, like hair dye, bleach, and relaxers, all damage the cuticle of the hair, leaving it drier and more susceptible to frizz.) Giannetos also notes that curly and textured hair types are naturally more prone to frizz “because it’s harder for your scalp’s natural oils to keep those strands smooth.” Hair that’s damaged from constant heat styling is also prone to frizz, notes Heath.
How can I minimize frizz?
To ensure your hair stays smooth and frizz-free, Giannetos says to use hydrating products at home to maintain your strands’ texture. Both Giannetos and Heath agree that moisturizing hair masks are one of the best ways to ensure your hair is properly conditioned.
