Frizzy Hair: How To Tackle It

Frizz. We all know it, we all see it, and for many clients, it can feel like a never-ending battle.

Whether it’s humidity causing a freshly styled blow-dry to puff up, winter weather leaving hair feeling dry and static, or damage making the hair more difficult to manage, frizz can be caused by a whole host of factors.

For salons, this means there’s a great opportunity to help clients understand why their hair is frizzy, what can be done to improve it and, importantly, how they can maintain their results at home.

What actually causes frizz?

Frizz happens when the hair’s cuticle becomes raised or disrupted, allowing moisture from the environment to enter the hair shaft. The result? Hair that looks fluffy, unruly and generally has a mind of its own.

There isn’t one single cause of frizz. It can be influenced by:

• Humidity: Moisture in the air can cause the hair to swell, particularly if it’s porous or damaged.

• Dry or dehydrated hair: Hair that’s lacking moisture is more likely to soak up moisture from the surrounding environment.

• Heat styling: Regular use of hairdryers and heat tools can contribute to dryness and damage.

• Colour and chemical services: Bleaching, colouring and other chemical processes can affect the hair’s structure and leave it more susceptible to frizz.

• Overwashing: Washing too frequently can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it feeling dry.

• Rough handling: Aggressive brushing, rough towel drying and friction can all contribute to damage and a raised cuticle.

• Using the wrong products: The right routine can make a huge difference, products that aren’t suited to the hair can leave it either under-nourished or equally weighed down.

The first step to tackling frizz is therefore understanding what’s causing it in the first place.

Why does frizz get worse at certain times of year?

If your clients seem to experience a sudden increase in frizz at certain points throughout the year, they’re not imagining it.

Summer

Humidity is often the biggest culprit.

When there’s more moisture in the air, the hair can absorb it, causing strands to swell and disrupting that smooth, polished finish.

Summer can also bring increased exposure to UV rays, chlorine and salt water, as well as more frequent hair washing, all of which can contribute to dryness and damage.

Autumn

Rainy days, damp weather and fluctuating humidity levels can wreak havoc on a freshly styled head of hair (especially in the UK and other damp climates).

One minute the blow-dry is looking perfect, and the next… hello frizz.

Winter

Cold weather and indoor heating can leave hair feeling particularly dry and dehydrated, while hats, scarves and coats can create additional friction and potentially even damage.

Spring

As temperatures and humidity begin to rise again, clients may notice their hair becoming more prone to frizz. It’s also a great time for salons to start conversations around hydration, smoothing and protecting the hair ahead of the hot Summer months. 

How can salons tackle frizz in-salon?

The salon is the perfect place to tackle frizz because stylists can see, feel and assess the hair properly before recommending a solution.

Start with the consultation

Not all frizz is created equal, so a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to work.

Ask your client questions such as:

• When does your hair tend to become frizzy?

• Does it feel dry, coarse or damaged?

• How often do you wash it?

• How often do you use heat?

• Do you colour or chemically treat your hair?

• What products are you currently using?

• What would you ideally like your hair to look and feel like?

• What hair brush are you currently using?
  

These simple questions can help you get to the root of the problem and recommend a much more personalised solution.

Introduce a professional treatment

If the hair is dry or dehydrated, incorporating a professional treatment into the service can make a noticeable difference to how soft, smooth and manageable it feels.

And remember, it’s not just about telling a client that a treatment is going to help with frizz. Explain what they’ll actually notice, softer hair, improved manageability, more shine, a smoother finish and longer-lasting colour results. That makes the benefit much more tangible. 

Perfect the finishing technique

The way you finish the hair can make a huge difference. When blow-drying, directing the airflow down the hair shaft can help create a smoother finish, while using excessive heat or rough techniques can work against you. Finishing products can then help smooth flyaways, enhance shine and give the hair that polished, salon-fresh finish clients love.

Even better? Talk your client through what you're doing. If they understand how you’re achieving that smooth finish, they’re much more likely to be able to recreate it at home.

How can clients manage frizz at home?

Getting a client’s hair looking smooth when they leave the salon is one thing. Helping them maintain it until their next appointment is where the real magic happens.

Don't overwash

For some hair types, washing too frequently can contribute to dryness and make frizz more difficult to manage. Encourage clients to find a washing routine that works for their individual hair type and scalp, rather than following a one-size-fits-all schedule.

Be gentle with wet hair

Hair is more vulnerable when it’s wet, so rough towel drying and aggressive brushing can cause unnecessary friction and damage. Encourage clients to gently squeeze excess water from the hair rather than vigorously rubbing it dry with a towel. It’s a small change, but one that can make a difference over time.

Sleeping with wet hair is another culprit that often times causes frizz, the hair is at it's most fragile state when wet. By prolonging that state, you introduce more opportunities for damage to arise.

Use the right products

A good anti-frizz routine should be tailored to the client's hair type and needs. Depending on the hair, that could include a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, a weekly treatment, a leave-in conditioner, a smoothing product, heat protection or a finishing product to tame those final flyaways. The key is making sure every product has a purpose and that the routine isn't overly complicated for your client to implement at home. 

Heat protection is non-negotiable

If your client regularly blow-dries, straightens or curls their hair, heat protection should be a staple in their routine. And this is another great opportunity for stylists to educate clients.

Rather than simply saying, “Use heat protection,” explain why it matters and show them how much product they actually need and where to apply it.

Finish with a smoothing product

For clients who struggle with frizz throughout the day, a finishing product can be the final step in their routine. Whether it’s used to smooth flyaways, add shine or tame those little fluffy areas around the hairline, having something they can reach for throughout the day can help them keep their style looking polished for longer.

Turn your frizz advice into a retail opportunity

Here’s where things get interesting for salons. When a client tells you they’re struggling with frizz, you already have a reason to recommend a product. You’re not trying to sell them something they don’t need, you’re solving a problem they’ve told you they have.

The key is to make the recommendation feel personal.

Instead of:

“You should buy this.”

Try:

“You mentioned your hair tends to get really frizzy between washes, so I’d recommend using this at home to help maintain the smooth finish we’ve created today.”

The difference? It’s a recommendation based on their hair and their concerns, rather than a sales pitch.

Create a complete haircare routine

Rather than recommending one product and sending your client on their way, think about the whole routine.

For example:

Cleanse → Condition → Treat → Protect → Style → Finish

Every step presents an opportunity to recommend something that genuinely benefits the client’s hair. And you don’t necessarily need to recommend six products in one go. Start with the product that will make the biggest difference to their routine and build from there.

Let clients see the products in action

One of the easiest ways to make retail recommendations feel natural? Use the products during the appointment. Talk your client through what you’re applying and why. Explain what the product does, how much you’re using and where it should be applied.

Then, when they love the finished result, you can explain how they can achieve something similar at home. It turns a product recommendation into a practical piece of haircare advice, and that’s much more valuable.

Make the seasons work for you

Frizz is also a fantastic conversation starter throughout the year. 

• As summer approaches, talk about humidity, UV exposure, holidays and protecting the hair from chlorine and salt water.
• When autumn arrives, discuss damp weather and maintaining a smooth blow-dry.
• In winter, focus on dryness, static and the effects of central heating.
• And as spring rolls around, it’s the perfect time to refresh your client’s routine and introduce products designed to add moisture and manage frizz.

The best part? These conversations can happen naturally during the consultation, wash or styling process.

Frizz doesn't have to be a losing battle

For clients, frizz can be frustrating. For salons, it’s an opportunity to show exactly how much value professional advice can add.

Instead of simply trying to hide frizz, take the time to understand what’s causing it, recommend the right in-salon treatment and educate your client on how they can look after their hair at home. And when they can recreate that smooth, shiny, freshly styled feeling at home?

That’s a win for everyone.

Not only are you helping your client feel more confident in their hair, but you’re also building trust, demonstrating your expertise and creating natural opportunities for retail. Because great salon service shouldn’t stop when your client walks out of the door.

In-Salon Treatments: Professional Solutions for Frizz

For dry and dehydrated hair

When hair is lacking moisture, it can feel rough, look dull and become much more prone to frizz. A professional hydration treatment can help improve the feel and manageability of the hair, leaving it softer, smoother and easier to style.

For clients who regularly complain that their hair feels dry or "fluffy", this can be a great opportunity to introduce a treatment as part of their regular salon routine.

Neal & Wolf HYDRATE Moisture Mask - A quick 10-minute service that delivers soft, shiny and frizz-free results after just one use. This deeply-hydrating yet lightweight formula is made with a combination of Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Shea Butter Extract, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Panthenol and Avocado Oil. 

OLAPLEX 4-in-1 Moisture Mask - Formulated to address the needs of those suffering with severe dryness and damage. This highly-concentrated mask has elevated levels of ceramides, oils and amino acids for a luxurious moisture service. 

OLAPLEX Broad Spectrum Chelating Treatment - For fast and effective cortex-deep purification. Clears away deposits from oil, hard water and 9 types of metals and minerals. These build-ups can all cause the hair to become heavy and more-frizz prone, using this Chelating Treatment before a moisture treatments improves the hairs ability to absorb the product. 

FABRIQ Hydrate Mask - Packed with proteins, oils and seed extracts, Hydrate Mask is an indulgent, nutrient-rich mask that repairs and rehydrates damaged hair, leaving it looking and feeling gorgeously soft and shiny.

For damaged or compromised hair

Colouring, bleaching and regular heat styling can all take their toll on the hair. When the hair's structure has been compromised, the cuticle can become more vulnerable, contributing to roughness, breakage and frizz. For these clients, a professional bond-building or repairing treatment may be more appropriate.

OLAPLEX No.1 Bond Multiplier & No.2 Bond Perfector - This first-of-it's-kind, 2-step professional bond-building treatment repairs damage and prevents damage from occuring during lightening or colour services. For clients that are undergoing any form of chemical service, this treatment is essential for maintaining the hairs integrity. 

GODDESS Maintenance System - This system combines science-backed formulas and luxury haircare, working to strengthen, protect and support long-term hair health. At the heart of the system is the exclusive Goddess Molecule™, a proprietary dual-peptide technology that works both inside and outside of the hair fibre to reinforce and strengthen hair from within. 

Neal & Wolf HARMONY Intensive Care Shampoo & Treatment - This luxurious duo is quick and effective at repairing the look and feel of damaged hair. Made with a blends of proteins and oils to both hydrate and repair, for stronger hair that's instantly more manageable and softer to the touch. 

FABRIQ Build Mask- A specialist strengthening treatment for damaged hair. Made with a blend of proteins to help nourish and restore strength whilst effectively moisturising. 

For hair that needs smoothing and manageability

Some clients aren't necessarily looking for perfectly straight hair — they simply want their hair to feel smoother, look healthier and be easier to manage.

A professional smoothing or conditioning service can help reduce the appearance of frizz while creating a better base for the final styling result.

This is also a great opportunity to talk to your client about what they're trying to achieve at home. If they're spending 45 minutes fighting with their hair every morning, a professional treatment could make their routine considerably easier.

FABRIQ Smoothing Treatment - Transforms dry, damaged, frizzy or curly hair, leaving it smoother, straighter, stronger and easier to manage. 

• ZERO - A super-gentle pre-treatment cleansing shampoo.
• REGULATE - Balances moisture and protein, hydrating and strengthening every strand.
• RESET - The hero product, smooths and straightens.
• TURBO - An optional extra for greater straightening power, ideal for afro, very curly or thick hair. NOT for use on porous, weak, very damaged, highly coloured or bleached hair.
• LOCK - Protects, replenishes and seals the hair.

For more information on the FABRIQ Smoothing Treatment, please contact your Account Manager.

Home-care: Retail Guide

The right home routine can make all the difference when it comes to managing frizz. Use your consultation to identify the client's main concern, then recommend products that target it (remember, using these products during their service becomes the perfect opportunity to up-sell without it feeling like a sales pitch).

Shop Neal & Wolf here

Shop Fabriq here

Shop Goddess here

Shop Olaplex here

See the OLAPLEX o7 Shine Serum Oil Mist in action here