BellaSugar

3 Tips on Battling Wintertime Frizz in a Flash

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:48 -0800

Do you have flyaways galore? No doubt frizziness is a year-round issue. But now that the warmer-weathered humidity-induced frizz is pretty much no longer the cause of extreme pouffiness, lots of us get the frizzies from merely wearing scarves, hats, and gloves - not to mention the low moisture levels in the air.

Recently, famed stylist John Frieda, along with Harry Josh, gave us tips on eliminating frizz on wet locks. However, let's say you just don't have time to go through the whole blow-drying process, or your already-styled hair is showing signs of frizz galore. Here are three simple tips from the stylists on battling frizz in a flash, all on dry (as in not wet) locks. To get their expert advice, just keep reading.

Do You Ever Dry Your Hair With Paper Towels?

BellaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:00:28 -0800

Recently, while perusing the Tabatha's Salon Takeover website (have you joined my We Love Tabatha group, by the way?), I came across a tip that I really hadn't heard before, although it seems to be reserved for the more frizz-prone or curly-haired set. Instead of rubbing water out with a towel, simply squeeze the moisture out with paper towels. The theory is that the softer texture of paper towels is less aggressive than than rougher-textured terry cloth towels.

It goes beyond paper towels, too. Often those with curly locks will opt for squeezing out the excess moisture with old cotton t-shirts or microfiber towels - a more environmental option, if you ask me. Sorry, Brawny Man. What about you? If you've got curly or particularly frizzy locks, do you go the nontraditional anti-terry-cloth route? If so, how's it working out for you?

Source: Flickr User edkohler

Tame Your Frizz With Tips From John Frieda

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:30 -0800

Lack of body or too much frizz: "Most people fall into one [category] or the other," explains hair guru John Frieda. The solution? "A product and a technique," he says. In the 1970s and 1980s, when Frieda first started out, the majority of the products available were just for body and volume. If you had any issues with frizziness, as 60 percent of women do, you couldn't turn to your favorite anti-frizz serum or cream to quell the problem, as those types of products just didn't exist quite the way they do today. At least there was disco, right? Frieda, along with stylist Harry Josh, recently spoke on the stubborn issue of frizz. To find out how to prevent your hair from looking as if it's been hit by a Van de Graaff generator, keep reading.

Reader Review of the Day: Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Treatment

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Living Proof's Straight Making No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair ($24) is one of the newest frizz-fighters on the market, and it promises everything from a humidity barrier to the ability to repel dirt and oil so that you can go longer between shampoos. Reader sabriel2 finds that it does deliver in some areas, but still gives it mixed reviews. She says:

I have long, thick, dry hair, so I was pleased with the amount of straightening and control I got when I heat-styled after using this. The only thing is that it left my hair feeling lackluster, kind of "gummy" to the touch, and hard to style - and I hadn't even used that much. The next day, the product buildup was even more nasty. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who doesn't wash their hair every day, but it does straighten fairly well.

Had a product experience that you want to tell everyone about? Want to know if the beauty buy you've been coveting is right for you? Just head over to our Product Reviews section to write a review of your own or read about other peoples' experiences with more than 50,000 products.

Avoid Naughty Hair This Spring

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:11 -0700

Have you noticed? The sun is sticking around a little longer these days and the temperatures are steadily rising. Does that mean we should be doing anything differently to take care of our delicate tresses? To find out, I've asked the advice of Herbal Essences stylist Charles Baker Strahan, who has styled the likes of Leighton Meester and Lindsay Price, to name a few.

"Hydration is key as we walk towards warmer weather," advised Strahan. The combination of being out in the sun, flat-ironing, blow-drying, and/or curling, robs hair of moisture, therefore causing hair to react more to the dryness and humidity in the air. "Healthy, well-hydrated hair responds better to heat styling and allows styling agents to do their job more effectively," he said.

To put moisture back into weak locks, Strahan recommends Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.30 each). "There are three versions so regardless of your hair type, you can get the hydrated base you need," he added. So long, misbehaved manes.

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Dear Bella: Help Smooth My NOLA Frizzies

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:57 -0800

Recently, I received an email from a Bella reader, and I knew I had to help. Here's her dilemma:

I have slightly wavy, very thick, and frizzy long hair. I live in constant humidity here in New Orleans, LA. I am not sure chemicals are the answer for me because technically my hair is already straight for the most part, but I would be willing to try a chemical procedure if it will smooth my frizzies and give me a sleek shine. I would love to try a new color when I finally learn how to control my mane. And for the record, I have never dyed my hair and only used heat in my hair about every three months so it should be healthy - can't tell behind all this frizz, though.

To see what I have to say, read more.

Winter weather often means dry, Winter hair - which often leads to frizz. But, since you're living in a more humid climate, excess moisture in the air is attracted to the the porosity of hair, which causes it to swell up. Frustration. While any chemical service will open up the hair's cuticle (which can also cause frizziness - ugh!), consult with a stylist for details on gentle hair color services and straightening options. But when it comes to defrizzing at home, here are some tips to keep your hair tame. The whole point is to keep your cuticle flat, protect your hair, and repel excess moisture:

Cleansing: Shampooing daily can make the hair behave badly. If you must shampoo every day, consider using a smoothing shampoo, washing only the roots to remove oils. Then, condition the hair shaft and ends to keep hair hydrated without weighing it down. To finish, blast your hair cold water to seal the cuticle as you rinse.
Don't touch: After washing, let your hair air-dry. Whatever you do, don't aggravate your locks by rubbing the towel all willy-nilly. Instead, try keeping your hair wrapped in that towel a little longer to absorb excess water. Then, apply an antihumidity smoothing cream like Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother ($24), distribute with a wide-toothed comb, and let it be.
Yes to silicone. No to alcohol: Once your hair has dried, apply a silicone serum to boost shine and further prevent the dreaded frizz. Try Citre Shine Shine Anti-Frizz Serum ($6.89). Something to avoid? Products with alcohol, which can be drying and frizz inducing.
If you must add heat: Apply a heat protector first to prevent damage. If using a blow-dryer, point the nozzle downward to avoid ruffling up the cuticle. For even smoother results, use a flat iron to help manage those wild strands. But whatever you do, always use protection.

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Reader Review of the Day: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Wind Down Relaxing Creme

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:00:31 -0800

All across America, the weather is in varying states of coldness. Brrr. And while I chowed down my morning breakfast, I took a peek at the forecast. Wind chills, negative temperatures, gusting snow? Yikes. Needless to say, I'm sure the cold, dry air wreaks havoc on your hair - particularly if you have curly locks that tend to frizz.

So, for today's reader review, I did a little searching on our Product Reviews website for some hair tamers. And reader Ameliajc thinks that her John Frieda Frizz-Ease Wind Down Relaxing Creme ($5.99) does the trick for keeping her curly hair straight. Here's what she had to say:

"I have pretty curly hair that I like to straighten every once in a while. This is a good product to help tame my curly hair for the day. I comb it through my hair, blow dry, and then hit it with the straightener. It definitely makes a difference and keeps my hair straight all day."

Want to add your own two cents? Check out our product reviews section to share your thoughts.

Hair Static Dilemma: Avoid "The Einstein"

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:00:24 -0700

I love when I get to dabble in the advice-giving role, much like our DearSugar does on a daily basis, so when I got the following question from TeamSugar member hottpink, I just had to help. She writes,

I have very fine hair that's about chin-length. When I wake up every morning, my hair looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket! It literally stands up and out making me look like Albert Einstein. What can I do so that I won't wake up looking like a crazy-haired monster?

I've always had a soft spot for ol' Albert's mane, but I can see why it might not fly all of the time. For my genius advice, just read more.

Sorry to hear about this hair-raising (sorry) dilemma. Flyaways are common in hair that is fine, straight, and/or dry. That, plus the combination of your hair rubbing against the fabric on your pillowcase, generates static electricity. Check out my guide below for some tips to help tame your unruly tresses, and hopefully your hair will be flat in no time, er flat:

As crazy as it sounds, try rubbing a dryer sheet on your pillow before bed or on your hair in the morning. Just as this anti-static staple rids your clothes of the cling, the dryer sheets should rid your hair of the flyaways.
Try the old trick of spraying a comb with hairspray, then lightly running it through your hair. This cheap and easy tip will help put out the charges causing the static, plus it will help your locks stay put.
Avoid overwashing, which can cause dryness - which can then make your hair more susceptible to the frizzies. To keep hair fresh, try a light rejuvenating spray between washings such as Mario Russo Once a Day Spray ($7.50 to $17.50) or Dove Advanced Care Daily Moisture Therapy ($4.84).
Try an anti-static comb and/or heating tool, which work to reduce the negative ions in your hair. Try Bio Ionic Hybrid Bristle Paddle Brush ($30) and/or heating tool like Hot Tools 1875 watt Anti-Static Ion Dryer ($36).

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Doing Drugstore: Citre Shine SHINE MIRACLE

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:00:16 -0800

Citre Shine has recently released SHINE MIRACLE, a six-product collection created to fight frizz, combat fly-aways and add serious shine to your hair at affordable prices. Here are two of the products that stand out from the rest.

Citre Shine SHINE MIRACLE Highly Laminating Glossing Pomade ($4.26) is a non-greasy styling product that provides medium hold and tons of shine to all types of hair. It's a lightweight formula, so it will control the hair without leaving behind any heavy residue.

Citre Shine SHINE MIRACLE Highly Laminating Anti-Frizz Spray Laminator ($4.04) is a mouthful to say. (Imagine asking your pharmacist where you can find it!) It's a fruit-scented, silicone-based serum that helps protect hair from heat styling and UV damage. It is made with grapefruit, lime and mandarin extracts to give it a really refreshing smell.

How-To: Fight Off Winter Frizzies

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:00:22 -0800

Fried frizzy hair isn't only a summer problem, winter weather can cause the same results. Since there is a lack of moisture in the air, often hair becomes prone to static and split ends. One way to ward off frizz is by using a good hydrating shampoo. Also, don't towel dry your hair too vigorously after a bath or shower and be mindful of over-blow drying. Weekly deep conditioning treatments are a must as are regular trims to remove dead ends.

For three more frizz fighting tips to follow, read more.

STEP 1: Make sure you're using the correct products. Keep an eye out for moisturizing ingredients such as avocado oil, almond oil, aloe and vitamins A, E and B. Steer clear of sodium laureth sulfate and tea laurel sulfate; two drying and damaging detergents.
STEP 2: Use the appropriate tools. Make sure that hair is prepped with heat safe styling products and blow dry hair with a vented round ceramic brush with boar bristles.
STEP 3: Choose a good finishing product. Shine boosting sprays or drops containing silicone are wonderful ways to seal in moisture. Just remember to use them sparingly and keep them away from the roots of your hair. The goal is too look polished, not greasy.

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