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If you’re quick to point a finger at Singapore’s high-humidity for your straw-like, frizzy hair… well, strictly speaking, you aren’t technically wrong to do so. While blaming the local weather conditions and opting for indoor air-conditioned environments instead could tame flyaways and frizz, there are in fact a handful of other factors that could result in frizzy hair that the AC can’t fix.

In this guide, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about this hair struggle 99% of us face all the time. From causes we tend to overlook and salon deals for frizzy hair treatments you’d want to snag ASAP, to best conditioner for frizzy hair and hair oils for frizzy hair.

What is frizzy hair?

Before we dig deep into the technical causes of frizzy hair, it’s essential that we first understand what it looks like. Frizzy hair is commonly described as “rough, dry, and stiff” with a hay-like texture and appearance that racks up friction when running fingers through your tresses.

Some things that add to the perception of frizz include split ends, cuticle loss, and fibre breakage as hair strands may appear misaligned and disorderly. Due to these factors, individual hair fibres often carry variety (not in a good way) and run in multiple different directions, contributing to the inflated science-experiement-gone-wrong look.

Frizzy hair also tend to have raised cuticles that lead to a thicker feel caused by the “expansion” of hair fibres.

What causes frizzy hair?

frizzy-hair-how-to-smooth

Good ol’ humidity

Similar to roots of trees that grow towards the main source of H20, our hair has the tendency to reach out to the nearest source of water (water molecules in the air) for hydration when an insufficient amount of moisture is present within the cuticles. Damaged tresses or hair that has undergone severe trauma are especially prone to doing so.

High humidity relates to a high concentration of water droplets in the environment, triggering cuticles to open up even more quickly, allowing water molecules to enter and bind to hair proteins. This also explains why hot-showers can contribute to frizz.

Although humidity likely augments frizzy hair amongst Singaporeans, it might not be the main culprit contributing to frizz as compared to hair porosity.

What is hair porosity?

Hair porosity is a measure of your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture due to differences in the outermost layer of hair strands, called the cuticle. Aside from genetics and the body’s internal circumstances for instance, nutrition, hair porosity can change with damaging exposure to UV rays, heat, and chemicals.

High porosity hair have their cuticles fairly open and tend to absorb and subsequently lose moisture very easily, resulting in dehydrated locks that barely retain products. Think: easy in, easy out. On the other hand, low porosity hair have their cuticles tightly closed-shut making it hard for any form of moisture to enter in the first place, leaving hair brittle and dry.

Hair with low and high porosity can both lead to frizziness.

Using the wrong shampoo

Another thing that affects the quality of hair immensely is the acidity or alkaline levels of your hair products, measured via pH levels. The natural hair is situated between 4.5 and 5.5 on the scale, meaning shampoos with a slight acidity are our go-to products.

However, the issue with this is that the market is saturated with products a little higher up on the scale, which could cause hair damage in the long-run. It’s thus essential we pick the right hair care products and keep a look out for “pH balanced” shampoos to prevent hair damage.

For frizzy hair in particular, high pH levels can cause an increase in negative electrical charges in hair fibres and result in excessive friction between strands. This causes cuticle breakage, giving rise to flyaways that ruin a good hair day.

Frizzy hair tips: preventive measures

Suspect you might have some serious beef with frizz? Here are a few things to keep in mind to best protect your hair.

#1: Avoid sulphates and alcohol in your products

Sulphates are known to strip hair of natural oils that keep the scalp and hair shafts moisturised while short-chain alcohols dry out your strands by absorbing any moisture present within in the first place.

Overtime, hair cuticles will turn brittle and rough, leaving behind dry and frizzy hair that is unable to naturally care for itself.

It’s paramount we start flipping our bottle around to check for labels that carry prevalent yet damaging ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, and Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate. These are present in hair care products to produce a lathering effect.

For alcohols, some ingredients to dodge include ethanol, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol.

Skip out on these detrimental ingredients with these strand-loving shampoos.

Rahua Classic Shampoo

Rahua Classic Shampoo

This 100% natural shampoo is free from gluten, synthetics, parabens, and sulplates to cleanse your hair gently while nourishing it.

Formulated with Amazonian nut oils, quinoa, coconut, and shea butter, it strengthens hair, boosts moisture retention, while making sure it doesn’t strip your hair’s natural oils.

Retails for USD35 (~S$46.30). Click on link to check for promotions.

Net-a-Porter

OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo

OGX Coconut Milk Shampoo

Formulated with organic coconut milk and coconut oils, this helps to moisturise, repair, and strengthen your hair.

As a bonus, it has a pleasant scent that is so relaxing, you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away for a getaway on a tropical island.

Retails for S$16.90. Click on the link to check for promotions.

Watsons

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo Glowing online reviews

This sulphate-free shampoo isn’t just ultra-hydrating but also contains hair-loving ingredients that can strengthen your tresses while preventing future damage.

The nourishing shampoo also delivers hydration and vital nutrients such as antioxidants and vitamins B to the hair; it’s no wonder it’s received a strong 4-star rating among more than 400 reviewers.

Retails for S$89. Click on the link to check for promotions.

Sephora

#2: Avoid over-washing

While it’s hard to resist the urge to shampoo at least once a day here in sunny Singapore, experts around the globe have agreed that three to four washes a week would work best to boost hair longevity as the natural moisturising effect of sebum is adequately retained.

Shampooing any more than once a day will strip the scalp of its natural oils, quickly drying strands out. No matter your hair condition, setting aside “off” days in your hair schedule is bound to revive it better than any hair serum.

If you’re having trouble dealing with an oily scalp, try using a dry shampoo or limit the wash to just your scalp, avoiding shampooing the lengths of your hair.

#3: Long and hot showers are a no-go

As aforementioned, hot showers can deprive hair of moisture. Remember to use cold or lukewarm water instead when washing hair so as to reduce excess water loss via evaporation.

#4: Avoid towel-drying

We’re all probably guilty of scrunching up our hair or vigorously scrubbing away at it with a towel straight out of the shower in an attempt to dry it quickly. It’s time to ditch this bad habit of ours as not only does this cause damaging hair snagging that encourages fibre breakage, it also removes water way too swiftly causing frizzy hair. Besides, wet hair is extremely delicate and fragile.

Make the switch from a towel to an old T-shirt. This method prevents excessive water from being removed resulting in luscious hair that shines. If you’re adamant in using a towel, try blotting hair gently instead.

#5: Air-dry, don’t blow-dry

We get it, it might be the most efficient way to dry our hair especially when you’re rushing to catch some Z’s after a long day at work. But reaching for the blow-dryer every single time will cause more harm in the long-run as heat damages the hair shaft easily by removing moisture.

In order to combat frizz, try setting aside some extra time in the morning to allow hair to air-dry. Or if you’re working against time, an alternative would be using the blow-dry on the coolest setting possible. using a heat protectant spray could work as well.

This would also mean it’s best to put away your heat styling tools as much as possible and maybe opt for hair accessories or a different hair style to zhuzh up your look instead.

If you’re willing to splurge a little, we promise, an ionic hair dryer would make all the difference. Working without heat, this innovative device produces millions of negatively charged ions that break down the positively charged water molecules in your hair for the same drying effect — except without raising hair cuticles.

GHD Air Hair Dryer

GHD Air Hair Dryer

The GHD Air Hair Dryer works with an advanced ionic technology that renders frizz and flyaways things of the past.

It comes with a variety of settings, including cool-drying, makes drying your hair such a breeze!

Retails for S$225. There’s a generous promotion going on at the time of writing. Check the link for latest price. 

Sephora

Conair 1875 Watt Turbo Hair Dryer

Conair 1875 Watt Turbo Hair Dryer

For the buidget-conscious, this ionic hairdryer does just as well a job without the hefty price tag. Its concentrated ionic technology delivers smooth, frizz-free hair with its incredibly quiet motor.

Retails at S$90. 

Amazon

#6: Be careful when you brush your hair

When it comes to frizzy hair, brushing dry is an absolute no-no. As this hair type typically come accompanied with extra coarseness or roughness, it’s not advisable to introduce any more friction than necessary.

Try raking a wide-tooth comb through semi-wet hair to prevent breakage and if you must tidy up dry hair, opt for a natural bristle brush. These help to distribute protective sebum from scalp to lengths.

#7: Switch your regular sheets out

Much like the clothes we don on, our hair too needs attention to comfort. Reduce the amount of friction your hair is exposed to when you snooze with a simple switch in pillowcase.

Silk is known to be one of the best fabrics for pillows due to its silky texture that allows hair to slide around effortlessly as you turn in your sleep.

#8: Get regular haircuts

Although frizzy hair can’t be fixed with a trim per se, a hair cut does reduce the appearance of frizz as you snip away split ends that add to the look of roughness.

It’s best to get a trim every four to eight weeks to obtain a healthy set of locks.

Check out this offer at ZEN Beauty for a personalised cut, coupled with professional wash & blow — at just S$20 (U.P: S$88)!

Known for their cleanliness, professionalism, and value-for-money quality, GC Hairdressing has a comprehensive cut & wash (including blow and styling) at just S$30.40 — check it out here.

#9: Invest in a dehumidifier

Wake up to fuller, smoother, and more luscious locks when you go to bed with a dehumidifier to cut down the saturation of water in the air. Controlling moisture in the environment will work to retain water and keep hair hydrated.

Best hair treatments for frizzy hair at salons

frizzy-hair-tips

If you’re looking for a one-stop solution to snipping off split ends and addressing damaged tresses at the same time, we’ve got a round up of the best treatments for frizzy hair.

Heartlight Hair Studio

Pamper yourself to a collagen hair treatment with this reputable hair salon that boosts professional haircuts and styling.

Improve on your hair’s manageability with sleeker and straighter hair within an hour. Snag 27% off when you book an appointment now.

Spa Aperial Beauty Hair Nail Salon

If you’ve been reaching for the flat iron every morning in futile attempt to tame your frizz, this one’s for you. Ditch the heat tools with new technology from Japan used to straighten and rebond hair with extra conditioning.

Or to change things up, why not give this hair colouring deal a go? PSA: this deal is going at 73% off its original price.

Follow up with an argan oil hair treatment that leaves hair with adequate bounce.

Trichomed

Restore nutrients and strengthen hair with this damage repair session by Trichomed that promises to prevent breakage and fix any damages caused by heat and chemical treatments.

Say hello to nourished hair that looks healthy from every angle!

Best conditioners for frizzy hair

A good conditioner that is formulated to help smooth frizzy hair can do magic on your tresses. Here are the ones we love.

John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Conditioner

John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Conditioner

This conditioner offers smoothing and repairing benefits and promises to reverse 75% of surface damage so your frizzy hair can be three times smoother.

Formulated with Amino Repair Complex, it delivers silky-smooth results you’ll love.

Retails for S$15.90. Click on the links to compare prices.

Watsons
Guardian

Herbal Essences None Of Your Frizziness Conditioner

Herbal Essences None Of Your Frizziness Conditioner Most affordable

Besides helping to soothe out frizzy hair, this also has a pleasant and refreshing orange fragrance that makes you want to smell your locks all day.

Retails for S$8.90.

Amazon

PHS ADV Smooth

PHS ADV Smooth

This frizz-control conditioner delivers moisture to the hair shaft while smoothing hair cuticles by creating an anti-humidity barrier on the hair.

Unruly, frizzy hair will love its lightweight and smoothing formula. The result? Tangle-free hair that’s hydrated and smooth.

Retails for S$96 (for shampoo and conditioner). There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Click on the link to check for latest price.

Shopee

Best hair oils frizzy hair

Hair oils can also be applied throughout the day to help smooth out frizziness and offer nourishment to damaged hair that’s hard to manage.

Here are a few to consider.

L'Oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil Gold

L'Oreal Paris Elseve Extraordinary Oil Gold Cult-favourite

This lightweight and non-greasy oil has a good rep in the beauty community as an affordable hair oil that works on frizzy hair.

Containing six flower extract oils, this nourishes hair while protecting it from UV damge. Frizzy hair becomes smoother and more radiant  with just one pump of this well-loved formula.

Retails for S$26.90. Click on the links to compare prices. 

Watsons
Guardian

Utena Hair Oil Yuzu-Yu

Utena Hair Oil Yuzu-Yu

Formulated with natural ingredients, this hair oil helps smooth frizzy hair with just a few drops.

You’ll love its non-greasy formula, how it creates a glossy finish on hair, and the fresh citrus fragrance it comes with.

Retails for S$16.90. Click on the link to check for promotions.

Shopee

Amos Professional True Repair Essential Oil

Amos Professional True Repair Essential Oil

Made with a complex of four hair-loving oils, this protects hair while improve its strength.

While it delivers heavy-duty benefits, it is super lightweight and has a refreshing finish without greasy residue.

Retails for S$42. There’s an ongoing generous promotion at the time of writing. Click on the link to check for latest price.

Shopee

Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shine Oil

Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shine Oil Most affordable

This handy and portable repairing oil delivers silkiness and softness in frizzy hair, thanks to the potent argan oil in its formula.

It also has an invigorating scent that will uplift your senses and you’ll love its lightweight texture that doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue.

Retails for S$4.90.

Watsons