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.
Hair masks are a big stepping stone to smoother hair, but if you’re using heated tools, Giannetos says to make sure you take the proper steps to protect your delicate hair shaft as you expose it to heat. “Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser if blow-drying, and always use a heat protectant when styling,” he says. Giannetos adds to avoid over-washing and to sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction overnight.
Can I use a hair mask every day for frizzy hair?
Across the board, experts advise against using hair masks every day. “Using them more often won’t eliminate the frizz,” explains New York-based master colorist Lauren Paglionico. “Frizz usually happens due to your curl or texture, breakage, or humidity.”
Not only will overuse do nothing to address your frizz—it could also undermine the rest of your routine, and even your general hair health. “When hair masks are used too frequently, they can create buildup and excessive weight on the hair fiber, leaving the hair looking limp, feeling heavy, and becoming more difficult to style,” explains Michelle.
Most hair masks will suggest weekly use, and “for most people, once a week is sufficient,” says Michelle. “Those with highly porous, chemically treated, or very dry hair may benefit from two treatments per week, while finer hair types often require less frequent use.”
What are the disadvantages of a hair mask?
Hair masks can “weigh down” the hair—as in leave it coated in product and heavy-feeling—especially for certain hair types and with improper usage. “Using too heavy a mask too often, especially on fine hair, can make the hair flat and look greasy,” explains hairstylist Gina Rivera. Additionally, some protein-heavy masks can lead to an overload of protein, she says, which (as counterintuitive as it may sound) can “actually make the hair become dry and brittle.”
And it isn’t just your hair that’s at risk for buildup. “Another issue is applying a rich mask directly to the scalp when it is intended only for the hair fiber,” says Michelle. “This can contribute to buildup, especially for individuals who already struggle with excess oil, dead skin accumulation, or infrequent cleansing.” As such, it’s important to concentrate masks on the mid-lengths and ends, “unless the product is specifically formulated for scalp use,” she says.
Meet the experts
- Tylor Johnson, a hairstylist based in New York City and Los Angeles
- Angelo David, a hairstylist and founder of Angelo David Salon in New York City
- Mia Santiago, a hairstylist based in Ohio and New York City
- Dimitris Giannetos, a hairstylist based in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris
- Kylee Heath, a hairstylist based in Los Angeles
- Annalouise Rusk, a hairstylist based in Boston
- Kimberly Michelle, a hairstylist, educator, and founder of Mint Well Head in Houston
- Lauren Paglionico, a master colorist based in New York City
- Gina Rivera, a hairstylist based in Las Vegas
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hair masks for frizzy hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists who all want frizz-minimizing formulations for their own hair-care routines. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.