How to Fight Frizz for Every Hair Type

DIFFUSER

"Constantly touching and fussing with curls as you blow-dry disrupts the surface and results in frizz," says stylist Bridget Brager, who is based in L.A. and N.Y.C. When curls are wet, cup them with a diffuser as you dry, allowing the "teeth" to help circulate air and create a smoother finish.

Bio Ionic Universal Diffuser ($24; sephora.com). 

MOISTURE MASK

Curly hair tends to be drier than other types (natural scalp oils have a harder time traveling down spiraled strands), so incorporate a weekly deep-conditioning mask. The coarser your hair, the denser and more butter-rich the salve should be, says Brager.

Klorane Masque With Mango Butter ($26; sephora.com). 

PRIMER

Skip heavy leave-in conditioners that may weigh down finer hair and apply a hydrating multipurpose primer after washing. This one by R+Co adds moisture (with smoothing fruit oils) and definition to keep curls in shape.

R+Co Twister Curl Primer ($25; randco.com). 

MICROFIBER TOWEL 

If your strands are so fine they can almost dry during an episode of Botched, invest in a microfiber towel. Instead of blow-drying, blot curls with the soft, absorbent cloth, which produces less friction and frizz than traditional versions, and air-dry as usual.

DevaCurl Deva Towel ($20; devacurl.com).

SLEEK TREATMENT

The Cezanne Perfect Finish (from $350 at select salons; cezannehair.com for locations) delivers strengthening keratin and the silk by-product sericin to pouf-prone waves. They fill and smooth strands without making them poker-straight or flat. The formaldehyde-free process (which works best on waves as opposed to tight curls) manages frizz for several months.

BOAR-BRISTLE BRUSH

Wash, condition, and apply a moisturizing styling cream before drying. Then brush with this tool: Gentle enough to get through blankets of thick hair without causing fraying or breakage, it helps distribute natural, shine-enhancing oils from your scalp down through strands.

Mason Pearson Extra-Large Brush ($325; bergdorfgoodman.com). 

WEIGHTLESS STYLER

Rather than burden dry waves with a heavy serum, do your troubleshooting while your hair is damp. Mist it with a silicone-free, humidity-blocking spray such as Living Proof Weightless Styling Spray before drying to smooth the cuticle without causing product buildup.

Living Proof Weightless Styling Spray ($37; sephora.com). 

FREQUENT TRIMS

If you have hair that frizzes only at the ends, a monthly snip is your safety net. In a pinch you can coat tips with a split-end sealant. Such formulas can superficially seal ends with "sticky" polymers.

Redken Extreme Length Sealer ($24; ulta.com).