Curly girls rock. How awesome are natural, beautiful curls?! We just love ’em. However, if there’s one thing womxn with naturally curly hair struggle with, it’s frizz.

So how do I make my curly hair frizz-free, without spending a fortune on hair products? It’s definitely possible, once you know a few tips. To transform your mane from frizzy to fantastic, here are eight hacks every gal should know.

1. Moisturizing products are your friend

Why is my curly hair so dry and frizzy? Well, you’ve probably noticed how your skin gets dried out and flaky sometimes in winter, and you have to up your moisturizing game. Well, the same thing happens with your hair, so keeping it moisturized is key to preventing frizz.

Okay, so how do I hydrate my curls, if moisture is key? When buying hair care products, look for options that are designed for dry hair, such as leave-in conditioners or shampoos designed to fight frizz. You don’t need to shampoo daily, either, as this can massively dry out your hair – two to three times a week is usually the sweet spot.

Take care when purchasing hair products, too, as shampoos and conditioners that contain sulfates and/or alcohol should be avoided. They dry out your hair and strip it of its natural moisture, leaving it brittle.

2. Try out a silk pillowcase

Sounds weird, but your pillowcase could be to blame for your frizz. Most of us use cotton bedding, but cotton pillowcases create friction as we toss and turn in our sleep, which can cause breakage and brittle hair. Cotton also absorbs moisture, which can dry out your precious locks.

As an alternative, try out a silk or satin pillowcase. It’s better for curls, since it will do less damage to your hair, and it’s friction-free, so no damage. Plus, silk gives your bedroom a sexy boudoir feel, and that’s pretty cool.

Image by Tamas Pap on Unsplash: Tame your lion’s mane of curls with hydration and TLC.

3. Deep condition once a week

Remember how we said your best weapon against frizz is moisture? This is why you should deep condition once a week to really seal that moisture into your hair.

You can find great masks or conditioning treatments at your local pharmacy, but you can also make your own hair masks using ingredients you already have. Honey, coconut oil, and avocado can all help fight frizz.

Once you apply your conditioner, wrap your hair up, turban-style, to give the product an opportunity to really soak into your hair.

4. Ditch the terry cloth towels

How do you get rid of frizzy hair at home? It’s all about your towel.

Normal terrycloth bath towels are what we often use to wrap our hair in, soaking up moisture. However, the fibers in cotton and terry cloth are rough, so as we’re rubbing our curly hair dry, it’s actually roughing up the hair follicle, leading to breakage and frizz. Instead, try out a microfiber towel or even a soft T-shirt, as they’re much kinder on your delicate hair.

5. Seal your curls with a blast of cold water

We all love a hot, steamy shower – bliss. But the heat isn’t actually amazing for curls, as hot water can quickly dry out your hair.

You don’t need to give up your hot showers, though. After washing your hair, turn the tap to cold and rinse your hair with cold water right before getting out of the shower. The cold actually helps close your hair cuticles, giving you shinier and stronger hair.

Yes, it might be a little chilly, but it’ll do wonders for your hair!

6. Find a hairstylist who gets curly hair

Another secret to battle the frizz: it all starts with the right haircut. As all curly girls know, not all hairdressers know what to do with curly hair, often leading to disastrous results.

It might take some time, but find a hairstylist who’s a pro at curly hair and can get to know you and what works best for your style. A good haircut will frame your curls in a way that looks amazing, but also eliminate split ends, which can make your hair look frizzy, dried out, or limp.

Finding an amazing stylist is all about word of mouth, so ask your curly-haired pals where they go when they need a trim.

Image by Element5 Digital on Pexels: Go easy on the heat and styling, as heat can easily damage curly hair.

7. Limit heat styling, if you can

Many of us with curly hair love to go straight sometimes, using a blow dryer or straightener to mix up our look. However, it’s best not to make it a daily habit, as overusing heat styling products causes damage to any type of hair.

Limit your use of these products, and remember that if you want to make your straight hairstyle last longer, dry shampoo can be an effective way to keep your hair looking clean in between washes and blowouts.

8. Hands off!

Another surprising cause for frizz is touch. If you’re frequently touching or playing with your hair, this creates friction. And friction equals – you guessed it – more frizz!

If you use your hands to scrunch and style your curls, try adding a hair moisturizer or gel to your fingers first, so that you’re not styling with dry hands. Wet hair is also weaker than dry hair, so it usually helps to remove some of the excess moisture before you start styling.

Rock your gorgeous curls with these tips

So, how can I reduce frizz in my hair? It’s easy with the help of the tips above. Keep in mind that heat and friction are really what you want to watch out for; if you can avoid both as much as possible, you’re going to see less frizz.

Once you discover what works best for you, you’ll be rocking sleek, beautiful curls, and bad hair days will be a thing of the past.

Featured image by Brooks Liebee on Unsplash