What Is Frizzy Hair & What Does It Look Like?

Wondering what exactly is frizzy hair and how to spot the signs? In this article, we’re sharing the whole who, what, where and why of frizzy hair.

We'll dig into what makes hair get frizzed out and how to fix it with the best frizz-fighting hair hacks. Because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that frizzy hair is frustrating.

Gail Federici, the founder of Color Wow, has devoted her life to finding a solution to the frustrating problem of frizzy hair.

“Personally, I’ve always struggled with frizzy hair. But, as it turned out, my obsession with figuring out frizz and how to stop it became the impetus that built our biz!"

Whether you have naturally frizzy hair or not, anyone can experience frizz frustrations from time to time. The good news is there are many remedies! Let's start by digging into what frizz actually is.

WHAT IS FRIZZY HAIR?

First things first, what is frizzy hair?

To answer this question, we went straight to Dr Joe Cincotta, PhD, renowned hair bio-chemistry expert.

“Dr Joe” is a leading hair industry scientist who has developed hundreds of innovative hair products.

He is best known for creating iconic, award-winning anti-frizz treatments.

“The scientific definition of “frizz” is when a percentage of someone’s hair strands do not fall in cohesive alignment, but instead go in all different directions.

Misaligned strands can be a big percentage of hair, which can result in unwanted, difficult-to-control volume or a small percentage of hair fibres, which creates a halo of fuzzy bits.”

WHAT DOES FRIZZY HAIR LOOK LIKE?

If you’re wondering “do I have frizzy hair” and “what does frizzy hair look like,” there are several “symptoms” you can easily identify just by looking in the mirror.

From appearance to texture to behaviour, here’s what frizzy hair looks like:

Puffy, poofy
Chronically dry
Dull with zip-zero shine
Damage, breakage, split ends
Irregular texture
Loss of elasticity
Styles never last + always revert back to frizzy

THE KEY CHARACTERISTIC OF FRIZZY HAIR: A RAISED CUTICLE

Whether frizzy hair is fine, thick, coarse, curly or straight, one thing is certain, it has a raised cuticle layer.

So if you want to learn why hair looks frizzy and how to make frizz go away, it helps to understand exactly what the cuticle is, and how the state of your hair’s cuticle is the best predictor of whether or not your hair is prone to blowing up into a frizz ball!

3 REASONS YOU HAVE POOFY, FRIZZY HAIR TEXTURE

So, now that we know that a raised cuticle is the essential characteristic of frizzy hair you may be wondering: what causes the cuticle layer to raise up in the first place?

The source of your frizzy hair could be because of how you’re treating your hair. Or, maybe it's just what DNA you were dealt! Here are the top 3 reasons your hair is frizzy....

1. Nature and heredity. Some of us are born with wavy, textured hair that tends to be drier and rougher. That makes the cuticle lift up, and frizzy hair happens.

2. Chemical treatments (hair colour, perms). Chemical treatments designed to change the texture or colour of your hair work by lifting the cuticle layer to change hair’s internal structure, or inject dye molecules. Once lifted, that cuticle never quite flattens completely and hair is prone to frizzing.

3. Damage from heat. Blow-drying and using hot tools without using a heat protectant can dehydrate your hair strands and lift the cuticle. And voila! Frizz-prone hair.

Visit our full guide to the causes of frizzy hair here, for more information!

HOW HUMIDITY WRECKS YOUR STYLE

If, for any of the many reasons described earlier, your hair’s cuticle layer isn’t tightly closed, your hair is going to be susceptible to frizzing up in humidity.

Has this happened to you? You’ve successfully blown dry/heat styled your hair in the shape you desire - hallelujah - only to have it revert back to its natural state the minute you walk outside into the humid air.

The frustration is real. All that hard work has gone right out the window.

Whilst the frustration is real, it doesn't need to be for long. We've spent a lot of time perfecting our range of anti-frizz hair treatments, so take a look at how we can help your hair!

WHY COLOR WOW HAS YOUR BACK WHEN IT COMES TO FRIZZ-FIGHTING

Our Color Wow team has been analysing and fighting frizzy hair with scientifically advanced formulas for over 30 years!

Before our founder, Gail Federici, started Color Wow she co-founded the John Frieda brand and its famed Frizz Ease line.

On that team of first frizz fighters? Dr. Joe Cincotta, who was instrumental in formulating the first line of “prescriptive hair products” created to address all the issues surrounding frizzy hair.

Working with Gail, he developed the first anti-frizz serum, which has been inducted into Allure’s Beauty Hall of Fame.

These first frizz-fixing formulas were designed to smooth and close the cuticle layer with a clear, glossy top coat. Problem is, these formulas would build up on hair, make it greasy and weigh hair down.

And they did not provide powerful, consistent, humidity-blocking. So If there was moisture in the air, freshly blown, dry, smooth hair would revert back to its normal frizzy state.

“I never stopped looking for a better solution to block humidity and shut down frizz,” says Gail Federici.

Dr Joe continued relentless research to find the ultimate frizz solution: a way to keep hair cuticles as closed and smooth as possible AND resistant to moisture without using heavy emollients or layers of silicones.

Hair goal: sleek, smooth, glossy hair with no frizz.

YOUR FRIZZ-FREE WASHDAY ROUTINE SORTED

Now that you know what frizzy hair looks like and what caused it, it’s time to answer the all-important question, how to get rid of frizzy hair.

Here are some simple measures to smooth frizzy hair or keep frizz from happening in the first place.

1. Cool it in the shower
Try showering with cooler water to prevent swelling and opening your hair’s cuticle which leads to frizz.

2. Use a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt to dry hair

Loopy, terrycloth towels can literally tear your hair, especially when it's wet and weaker. A better option is a microfiber towel (or head wrap) or even a cotton towel which will wick away moisture without rubbing or friction.

3. Hydrate your body + hair

Moisturised, hydrated hair won’t absorb moisture from the hair. Make sure to drink

plenty of water, and use a hydrating conditioner every time you shampoo.

4. "Waterproof” your hair

How can you stop humidity from ravaging your style with unwanted frizz? Use a scientifically-advanced anti-humidity treatment that acts like a raincoat for your hair!

5. Beat the heat

Keep hot styling appliances from hair “frying” your hair (making it brittle and dehydrated). NEVER blow-dry or style your hair with hot tools (irons, wavers, hot rollers) without using products that deliver powerful heat protection.

WE'VE DEVELOPED THE BEST NEW FRIZZ-FIGHTING PRODUCTS

When it comes to controlling frizzy hair, there’s a lot to consider. That’s why adding top products to your regime can make things a lot more manageable.

A run down of the best products to fight frizz in 2024:

Money Mist

This luxurious, lightweight leave-in conditioning spray gives you 82% less frizz in just one use, and leaves your hair looking glossy and expensive. Spray evenly on clean, damp hair before styling as usual.

Dream Coat

Our Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is the #1 anti-frizz treatment to create smooth, glossy, glassy hair plus, it contains waterproofing technology which stops hair from going frizzy even in the worst humidity.

The formula is so lightweight, it feels like nothing is on your hair and it lasts up to three-to-four shampoos.

Dream Coat Curly

We offer a one-step style solution for frizz-free and crunch-free curls with our Dream Coat for Curly Hair. Ideal for curl Types 2 and 3A, this superlight spray is alcohol-free and delivers bouncy, bundled, glossy, moisturised curls without crunchy or greasy feel.

One Minute Transformation

Already declared by celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton as his “special weapon”, our One-Minute Transformation Styling Cream is a game changer for an on-the-spot frizz fix.

One-Minute Transformation smooths, tames and essentially de-frizzes hair instantly with avocado and omega-3 ingredients. It’s also perfect for next-day bed-head.

Instead of washing your whole head of hair again, just pull some cream through the frizzy/unruly sections and brush. For super sleek results, hit with a blow dryer.

Pop and Lock

Color Wow’s Pop & Lock High Gloss Finish is a proven glossing serum, smoothing frizz, sealing split ends and preventing colour fade.

It combines all the conditioning benefits of an oil with the shine of a serum. It also has three levels of heat protection! Pop and Lock is ultra-light and non-greasy, promising a high-gloss finish while protecting against UV rays.

Color Security Shampoo

Our Color Security Shampoo is 100% clean, sulphate-free and leaves no residues. Perfect for all hair types.

It contains no silicones, thickening, conditioning, or anti-frizz ingredients because these agents stick to your hair and scalp and can weigh it down, causing scalp irritation that can even lead to hair loss. Unlike most shampoos, every ingredient in Color Security Shampoo rinses completely off..

Chris Appleton + Color Wow Money Masque

Chris Appleton’s one-step prep for luxurious, expensive-looking hair, Money Masque is a weightless formula which instantly absorbs and leaves no waxy or heavy build-up.

While penetrating deep to help repair, renew and essentially strengthen your hair, it suits all hair types and textures with additional heat damage /protection properties.

Coconut Cocktail | Leave in Conditioner

If you’re looking to transform your dry, damaged hair into a silky, smooth finish within one blow dry, let us introduce you to our Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused Leave-in Treatment.

For instant healthy-looking hair that restores hydration and silky suppleness with a heat protectant, look no further than Coconut Cocktail.

FRIZZY HAIR FAQs

If you still have a few more questions about how to fix your frizz, take a look below as we answer a few more frizz-related queries.

Does frizzy hair mean damage?

No, frizzy hair does not equal damaged hair. Due to the raised cuticle, frizzy hair is more likely to lose moisture and become dehydrated

Is frizzy hair unhealthy?

“Healthy” hair has a closed, tight cuticle layer. Frizzy hair does not, so it is not optimally healthy.

Will frizzy hair fix itself?

Without the necessary products and attention, frizzy hair will remain frizzy and can even get worse if it is exposed to heat styling, chemical treatments and mechanical abuse like pulling, brushing and combing.

Why is my hair frizzy even though it’s straight?

If your hair is naturally straight and gets frizzy it’s because the cuticle layer has become lifted, probably as a result of heat styling, hair colour or chemical straightening, or rough treatment. Visit our guide to frizzy straight hair for more advice.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FRIZZ ON THE COLOR WOW BLOG: