Don’t be frazzled over hair frizz

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, March 3, 2010

In a tizzy over frizzies? If you have something other than naturally straight hair, you’re probably dealing with the affliction day to day, whether you live in blizzard-battered, static-scourged regions of the North or all-humidity-all-the-time patches of the South.

“It’s the No. 1 hair complaint we get from readers,” said Victoria Kirby, beauty editor for Allure magazine. Kirby offers tips for those who are frizz-fighting at home.

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First, prep your hair

Living Proof No Frizz, 4 ounces for $24:

A team led by an MIT scientist says a compound called PolyfluoroEster prevents humidity from penetrating hair more thoroughly than a typical anti-frizz ingredient, silicone. Plus it is said to coat cuticles to reduce friction. The reviews of Living Proof No Frizz are as rave as you’re going to get from the frizz constituency. “Even the editors here, who are very hard to sway, say it’s a miracle product,” Kirby said.

John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease, 1.69 ounces for $8.99:

John Frieda’s line gets props from Allure magazine and Paula Begoun, author of “Don’t Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me.” Frizz-Ease’s makers say that supermodel Gisele Bundchen uses Creme Serum Overnight Repair Formula. You apply it to dry hair before bed, two or three times a week.

Deep conditioning

Rene Furterer’s Myrrhea’s silkening mask, 3.4 ounces for $24

phytojoba intense hydrating mask, 6.7 ounces for $38

Kirby also urges a deep conditioning treatment once a week.

Salon straightening treatments can be beneficial, but Kirby urges caution with those dubbed “Brazilian.” Some use formaldehyde. “Ask your salon how the treatment straightens,” Kirby said. “If it uses keratin, great. If they say something else, you might want to think twice about it.”

Time to style

Marilyn brushes, $20

Natural boar-bristle brushes help seal the hair cuticle of those who blow-dry straight, Kirby said. Many salon stylists like Marilyn brushes (themarilyn brush.com). If you get pockets of frizz at the hairline, Kirby recommends running a toothbrush coated with a little shine spray over them.

Hair dryers

T3 Tourmaline dryer, $119

Consider investing in a hair dryer that boasts buzz words such as “ceramic,” which evenly distributes heat, and “ionic,” which is said to help neutralize static and frizz. If you want to preserve curls, make sure the dryer comes with a diffuser attachment.

Irons

Sultra iron, $145

Maxius iron, $69.95

If you use a straightening iron, ceramic and ionic remain key words. A beveled edge gives a more natural curve to ends. Sultra irons have auto shut-off. Maxius irons are good for coarse hair, Kirby said.

Now, the finish

Citre shine’s Shine Mist anti-frizz spray laminator, 3 ounces for $3.99

Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Cream, 4 ounces for $20

Skip the hair spray! Instead, try either a shine spray between your hands or skim a smidgen of anti-frizz cream over the surface.

Savvy style

Frizz-controlling gear:

• Living Proof No Frizz, $24

• Phyto’s Phytojoba intense hydrating mask, $38

• Citre Shine’s Shine Mist anti-frizz spray laminator, $3.99

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