With the humidity index on the rise, women are compiling their arsenal of hair products in order to defend against the dreaded frizz that will ravage their hair. Here is some advice to help you build your arsenal.

First, frizzy hair is caused by two things. The first we are all familiar with and that is humidity. Humidity will cause your hair to grow about 20% in mass – just by walking outside to your car! If humidity is between 70% and 100%, your hair mass will even double! That means it will expand up to 40% – just by walking outside. The second thing that causes frizz is friction. Yes folks, friction. Your hair has a lot of texture in it and when it rubs up against other hairs, it will build mass, thus causing frizz. So, now we know the two major contributors to frizz, let’s talk explore the tools and products that combat this problem.

The first and most important thing you can do to fight frizz is take care of your hair. Yes, that seems like an obvious answer but one that we typically don’t follow. The more damage that you have from split ends, coloring, chemicals, etc, the more damage you have to the cuticles in your hair, making them open to moisture (humidity) and friction. So, don’t skip or hold out on hair cuts and make sure you are doing cleansing and conditioning treatments.

Now, onto products. There is an exciting new production on the market called No Frizz by Living Proof. It rejects the ingredients used in other frizz care products, which is Silicone. Rather, they worked with a scientist and found a new ingredient (PolyfluoroEster) that coats each hair fiber in a thin shield that keeps the water out of the cuticles of your hair, thus avoiding frizz. They have a whole line of anti-frizz products, including the “Straight Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair” that won the Cosmetic Executive Women’s Beauty Insider’s Choice Award. A 4 oz bottle will cost $24. A couple other products that work well include the John Freida “Frizz Ease” collection, especially the Overnight Repair Formula. It will help repair breakage and split ends and contains a “blend of conditioning agents and a humectant, plus an infusion of chamomile extract.” It is lightweight and won’t leave any residue on your pillow. A 1.69 fluid oz bottle runs about $9. Another great product line is Aussi 3 minute Miracle deep conditioning treatment. It uses “intense, fortifying conditioners” that deeply condition hair and repair dry, damaged hair. An 8 oz bottle runs about $7. OK, so this next product is a very cool, very stylish shower cap. It is called the Zazz Shower Cap and it is made of waterproof, ultra-thin Italian vinyl fabric. Unlike regular shower caps, the Zazz cap has a a thin stretch elastic and ribbon detailing that protects the hairline from getting wet, thus causing frizz. It’s super cute and comes in all different styles. It costs about $36. I had to include a picture of one of the caps as they are so cute!

Not so long ago, I went trekking to Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga, Philippines. It was a 2 hour trek on the way to the crate of this once active volcano. Imagine seeing about 13 girls huffing and puffing trying to trek like pros for 2 hours. Those of course in front of the line made it in no time while others staggered behind. Once we reached our goal per se, it was breathtaking. It was so hot we needed something refreshing. There stood before us the crate filled with fresh water. Only thing was.. it wasn’t color blue, it was orange. And off we went trying to cool ourselves down from that scorching hot trek. My hair and my friends hair got really solid and tangled like no other. Apparently sulfur from the volcano deposits in the water did the trick of solidifying my hair on my head. Upon showering I used a whole lot of conditioner and yet my hair didn’t really feel “normal” since it’s made up of very thin and fine hair strands. It just felt as if it would never get back to normal.
Another trip this time to a lake, my bestfriend tosses me something called Hortaleza Hair Conditioner, it smelled real refreshing too. Not too strong like other conditioners and shampoos. Wow! After my shower, my hair felt so silky and smooth! Best part was it didn’t even cost her a fortune to purchase it. Upon research over the net about this product, most people who use it, are those who have re-bonded their hair and Hortaleza is fortunately the shampoo and conditioner of choice.  My sister recently started to use it after her Keratese hair oil thing didn’t put an end to her frizzy hair.