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If your hair is looking a little more puffy and frizzy than bouncy and curly lately, add some new tricks to your styling repertoire. Curly hair is particularly prone to puffiness since it tends to be drier; and when they separate, curls create a fuzzy fullness that is hard to manage and style. Fight the frizz by putting on the right products and using the correct technique to tame the puff.
Shampoo
Managing puffiness starts in the shower with the right shampoo. Curls need extra moisture than other hair textures, so lather up with a shampoo made for curly hair. These formulas deliver much-needed moisture to your curls to lock in style and lock out frizz. Look for shampoos that contain nourishing oils and proteins that will feed your frizz-prone locks. Stay away from clarifying shampoos, which strip your hair's natural moisture and leave it even drier than before.
Leave-in Conditioner
After showering, towel dry your hair gently but don't even think about rubbing it or wringing it out. Aggressive towel drying will break apart your curls and cause them to fluff up. Just blot up the moisture, and then mist your hair with leave-in conditioner. Focus on the lengths and tips, which tend to be drier. The conditioner leaves your hair softer, frizz-free and more manageable.
Spray Gel
Flip your head over and mist with a spray gel. Spray gels are lighter than regular gel, so your curls don't get weighed down and lose their shape. As you spritz, scrunch those tendrils up toward your scalp to coax them into cute curls. Again, don't rub your hair. Use a gentle touch on curls. For extra definition, wrap individual curls around your finger until they coil up. Leave your hair to air dry. Ditch the blow-dryer, as it blows apart your curls and throws away all your hard fluff-fighting work.
Serum
Once your hair is dry and the curls are set, a silicone-based hair serum is the finishing touch. Silicone coats the hair to keep flyaways down and seal in any frizz. Apply a drop or two to your palm, and then smooth serum through your hair, paying special attention to the lengths and ends. Don't overdo it on the serum and keep it away from your scalp. Too much can make your hair look greasy, but a couple drops leave it gorgeous and silky smooth.
