Halo Frizz and 4 other Frizz Types To Look Out For
Frizz is an extremely universal hair concern, and yet, we all experience it in different ways.
But first, how do you know that it’s frizz you’re dealing with in the first place? There are several tell-tale “symptoms” that you can easily self-diagnose at home just by looking in the mirror.
- Puffy, poufy strands
- Chronically dry, dull hair
- Irregular texture
- Loss of elasticity
- Hair that reverts back to its natural texture easily in humidity after it’s been blow dried straight
If any of this describes you, the bad news is you probably have frizz. But the good news is you’re in the right place! Because we’re here to help you demystify the world of frizz. Let’s get started!
5 different types of frizz
Just like there are different hair types and curl types, there are a few different frizz types you should look out for:
- Halo frizz
- Surface frizz
- Pouf ball frizz
- Frizz at the ends
- Product frizz
Not sure which type of frizz you’re dealing with? We got you! Check out our ultimate guide below.
Frizz type one: Halo frizz
Halo frizz is centered around the crown of your head. It appears fluffy, fuzzy and wispy, creating the appearance of a frizz halo.
What causes halo frizz?
Halo frizz is the result of short, broken hair strands (aka, damage) as well as a compromised top layer of hair. When the hair is damaged, this causes the cuticle to lift, which results in frizz.
This kind of frizz is caused by a wide range of stressors, including combing wet hair, harsh brushing, tight hairstyles, hot water, exposure to pollution and rough pillowcases.
How to get rid of halo frizz
The best way to get rid of halo frizz is to first avoid putting your hair through the aforementioned physical stressors. You can also add a strengthening treatment to your regular routine to amp up your hair’s resilience to breakage.
Best products to help with halo frizz
We recommend using products with Blue Sea Kale, a powerhouse ingredient that binds with damaged keratin to restore strength and elasticity. Here are two of our faves!
- Dream Cocktail Kale-Infused – Reduces breakage by 50% in just one blow dry! Simply apply to damp hair before blow drying for instantly, noticeably stronger hair.
- Money Masque – Penetrates deep to help hydrate, strengthen and repair, for hair that looks super healthy and expensive in just 5 minutes. Use it once a week.
Frizz type two: Surface frizz
Surface frizz only occurs on the outermost layers of your hair, while the layers lying underneath remain frizz-free.
What causes surface frizz?
Surface frizz is the result of your environment. UV rays, pollution, humidity, friction from your pillow case, hot water – your top layer of hair is the most exposed to all of these external elements.
As a result, your surface layer tends to be less healthy and dryer than the layers hidden underneath, leaving it more susceptible to frizzing out.
How to get rid of surface frizz
The key to taming surface frizz is to maintain a healthy moisture barrier that a) keeps the cuticle smooth and closed, b) helps repel humidity and c) holds in essential moisture.
Best products to help with surface frizz
- Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – #1 humidity-blocker waterproofs your hair to prevent frizz. It literally forms an impenetrable barrier around each strand that blocks out moisture, yet feels like nothing on your hair. Results last through 3-4 shampoos.
- Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused – This leave-in hydrating treatment is clinically-proven to deliver a 211% improvement in your hair’s lipid layer, (aka the layer that helps keep the cuticle flat, locks in mega moisture, and leaves hair silky-smooth).
- Pop + Lock High Gloss Finish – This unique oil-serum hybrid not only hydrates and smoothes the cuticle, but provides an ultra glossy UV shield to help reduce sun damage.
Frizz type three: Pouf ball frizz
Pouf ball frizz looks exactly as it sounds (Monica Geller in Barbados, anyone?). It happens throughout all layers of the hair, with all strands pushing away from each other and creating the appearance of fluffy “volume.”
What causes pouf ball frizz?
Pouf ball frizz is the result of massively dehydrated hair that causes the cuticle to lift on every single hair strand. You can be born with it, or you can create this type of frizz through excessive heat styling, chemical treatments and hair coloring.
How to get rid of pouf ball frizz
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Hair that lacks moisture will literally reach out and try to grab it from the humidity in the air. To prevent this from happening, we recommend rotating some mega hydrators into every step of your routine, such as conditioners, leave-ins and lightweight creams to use after blow drying.
Best products to help with pouf ball frizz
- Money Masque – This intensive hydrator acts like a liquid IV, infusing mega moisture and nourishment deep in hair’s core. It can transform even the driest hair into super luxe, expensive-looking texture in just 5 minutes.
- Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused – This holy grail of hydrating leave-ins transforms straw-like hair to silk in just one blow dry.
- One-Minute Transformation – This non-greasy styling cream depuffs swollen hair in one minute or less thanks to ultra-nourishing Avocado Oil and Omega 3’s.
Frizz type four: Frizz at the ends
Frizz at the ends occurs in hair with lots of damage. It’s literally the opposite of halo frizz in that it occurs only at the ends of your hair.
What causes frizz at the ends of your hair?
Frizz at the ends is typically the result of having a lot of split ends. The ends of your hair are often less healthy than the hair at your roots, simply because they’ve been around the block longer and have taken the brunt of the damage from coloring and heat styling.
How to get rid of frizz at the ends of your hair
The only way to get rid of this type of frizz is to cut off the ends of your hair (sorry, we know that’s not what you want to hear!). A good rule of thumb is to get a trim every 4 to 6 months.
In between haircuts, you can use a split end mender as a temporary fix if you start to notice frizz reappearing.
Best products to help with frizz at the end of your hair
Frizz type five: Product frizz
Product frizz occurs as a result of using products that are too harsh on your hair, resulting in damage to your cuticle.
What causes product frizz?
You’ll often experience product frizz after using hair care products with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates, drying alcohols, salt sprays or gels that dry out the hair.
How to get rid of product frizz
The only way to get rid of product frizz is to avoid products with any of the harsh ingredients we previously mentioned.
Best products to help with product frizz
Any of our Color Wow frizz fighters! No one knows the frizz biz like our Color Wow team. Our founder, Gail Federici, and chief chemist, Dr. Joe Cincotta, Ph.D., have spent over 30 years analyzing and fighting frizz. They were the first ever to create a product specifically for frizzy hair, and have won countless awards for their breakthrough innovations.
Gail and Joe’s expertise has resulted in Color Wow’s game-changing collection of frizz fighters, made with only the safest, highest quality ingredients for your healthiest results! Shop the best frizzy hair products here.
Five frizz types – Now you’re in control
And there you have it! Hopefully by now you not only know what kind of frizz you’re dealing with, but also the best products to help you tame it.
No matter how your frizz manifests, remember: hydration is key; maybe give your hair a break from heat and coloring every once in a while; and when in doubt, just use Dream Coat Supernatural Spray so you don’t even have to think about frizz for days at a time!
Frequently asked questions about frizz types
Which hair type is the most frizzy?
The truth is, ALL hair types can become susceptible to frizz. Even if you aren’t born with it, you can still cause frizz through frequent coloring, chemical treatments and heat styling.
How can you tell if your hair is frizzy?
There are several tell-tale “symptoms” that you can easily self-diagnose at home just by looking in the mirror.
- Puffy, poufy strands
- Chronically dry, dull hair
- Irregular texture
- Loss of elasticity
- Hair that reverts back to its natural texture easily in humidity after it’s been blow dried straight
Is frizzy hair curly or straight?
Frizz has nothing to do with how curly or straight your hair is. The best indicator of whether or not your hair is prone to frizz is if it has a raised cuticle. The cuticle can become raised a number of ways, from genetics to chemical treatments to heat damage.
For more info on what causes frizz, check out the ultimate guide to frizzy hair.
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