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African American women with naturally curly hair know that the one thing that keeps spiral tresses from achieving the "wow" factor is frizz. Whether you're dealing with hair that looks good on the day you wash but awful by day three, or hair that simply refuses to smooth out upon first styling, solutions abound. Oh, and while the right products are extremely significant, they're not the only thing keeping you from stunning tresses. It's not about pricey products or plush salons; simply giving your corkscrews the attention they need, will bring you from frizzy to smooth in no time.
1.
Wash your hair only once or twice a week -- over-washing can result in dried-out strands and subsequent frizz. Get your hair wet on your non-washing days instead of using any shampoo or conditioner and you'll achieve clean hair that isn't stripped of moisture. Choose anti-frizz shampoo and conditioners formulated for naturally curly hair when you do wash as these products are created to moisturize your particular hair type.
2.
Apply styling products to your hair before drying to keep your tresses from frizzing. Experiment with different types of products to find the one that works best for your hair -- try leave-in conditioners, curling cream and serums on their own and in combination with one another.
3.
Dry your curly hair by allowing it to air dry naturally, by using a hood dryer or with a blow dryer that has a diffuser attachment -- a diffuser disperses the air over a greater area for gentle drying that doesn't result in frizz.
4.
Gather longer tresses on top of your head, loosely securing them with a hairband or bobby pins before you go to sleep. Wrap your hair loosely at night with a scarf, no matter what length it is, so your curls are fresh for the morning and free of frizz.
5.
Add moisture to your hair as a way to freshen up your curls between washings. Spray hair with a light mist of water from a spray bottle, add a bit of styling product to your curls and then let them re-dry.
Avoid touching your hair while it dries -- the more you touch it, the more likely it is to frizz up.
Remember that every woman has a different hair texture and curl pattern -- products that work for your friend may not work for you. Test out a variety of products to find your favorite.
