How Do You Tame Frizz After Styling Without Starting Over?

Where should you start?

Stop touching your hair for a moment and see exactly where the frizz is.

Before grabbing a brush, take a look at your hair in natural light. Are little hairs sticking up along your part, is the crown looking fluffy, or are the ends starting to puff out? The difference matters because you don't need to treat your whole head.

Give your hair time to cool after using a curling iron or flat iron. Warm strands are easier to disturb, and constant touching can undo their shape. Once everything has cooled, gently separate the problem areas with your fingertips instead of dragging a brush through your style.

What should you check?

• Start with the crown.
• Are little hairs sticking out around your temples and hairline?
• Separate fluffy ends from loose strands.
• Notice whether your hair feels dry or has a product coating.

How do you smooth flyaways?

A tiny dab of finishing product is usually enough to settle those loose hairs.

A lightweight smoothing serum or finishing cream is a good place to start when little hairs won't stay down. Begin with less than a pea-sized amount. Rub it between your palms until you can barely see any product left.

Gently glide your hands over the surface, following the direction your hair naturally falls. For one stubborn strand, use your fingertips to press it into place. Don't rub your whole head or get product near the roots. That's an easy way to turn a fresh blowout into a greasy, flat mess.

No smoothing product nearby? Slightly dampen your palms with water and gently pat down the flyaways. Keep the water to a minimum, particularly if you've just curled or straightened your hair. A soaked section can lose its shape surprisingly quickly.

Which quick fixes work?

• Use a drop.
• Warm a little serum between your palms, then smooth it over the flyaways (this keeps the rest of your hair from looking greasy).
• Still have stubborn hairs? Press them down with two fingertips.
• If tiny hairs keep sticking up, reach for a clean spoolie.

How do you fix frizzy ends?

Give the ends their own attention rather than coating your hair from root to tip.

Fluffy, dry-looking ends can spoil an otherwise lovely hairstyle. Take a small section, rub a trace of lightweight cream between your fingers, then gently pinch it over the last inch or two. You'll get a neater finish without weighing down the rest of your hair.

With curls or waves, reshape the unruly pieces around your finger instead of brushing everything out. If you've used a curling iron, briefly wrapping a loose strand around your finger may bring its shape back. Don't automatically reach for more heat. A couple of untidy ends don't mean you need to restyle your entire head.

Heavy oils aren't always the answer. Fine hair can turn stringy with too much, while thicker hair may end up looking greasy and coated. If your strands already feel slippery or oily, leave the extra product out.

How can you keep ends light?

• Try a pinhead-sized dab on fine ends.
• Loose curl? Wrap it gently around one finger.
• Leave the smooth lengths alone.
• If your hair already feels coated, skip the oil.

What should you stop doing?

Repeated brushing, too much product and unnecessary heat can make the frizz worse.

Running a brush from your crown all the way to the ends can turn a few stray hairs into a fluffy halo, especially if your hair is curly or wavy. A soft bristle brush may suit certain sleek styles, but there's no need to keep going over the same section. Try one gentle pass per section instead of repeatedly brushing the same hairs. For textured hair, your fingers or a clean spoolie offer better control.

Don't add another layer of serum every time a strand moves out of place. Give the first application a minute, then see how your hair looks. Too much product can leave it dull, greasy or separated into little clumps.

Hairspray needs a little care, too. Spraying your entire head from close range can leave everything stiff. For just a couple of flyaways, spray a small amount onto a clean toothbrush or spoolie and gently sweep it over the loose hairs. Keep it away from your eyes and face.

Which habits cause trouble?

• Stop brushing over finished curls again and again.
• Don't pour oil over already-dry lengths.
• Wait before adding more product.
• Keep the hairspray nozzle away from your hair.

How can you prevent more frizz?

Keep moisture and friction away from your finished hairstyle as much as you can.

Humidity can make styled hair swell and lose that smooth finish. If you're heading outdoors on a humid day, try a lightweight humidity-resistant finishing spray, following the directions on its label. Hold it at the recommended distance and use a light mist. Your hair shouldn't feel wet afterward.

Friction is another sneaky problem. Pulling clothes over your head, running your hands through your hair or rubbing against a rough collar can disturb the finish. Before putting on a coat or scarf, let your hair cool completely.

On your next wash day, reach for a conditioner that suits your hair texture and leave it on for 1 to 2 minutes before rinsing. Apply heat protectant before using hot tools. Both can help reduce some of the roughness that makes finishing harder. If your scalp stays irritated or you suspect a product allergy or skin condition, stop using the suspected product and speak with a qualified dermatologist.

What helps before heading out?

• Let hair cool.
• Wait until your style has settled before applying a light mist of humidity-resistant spray (too much can leave hair stiff or sticky).
• Notice rough collars rubbing against your hair?
• Before your next styling session, apply heat protectant.