YOUR HAIR ISN’T MISBEHAVING - IT’S RESPONDING
Your hair looked smooth when you left the house. Then the humidity arrived and suddenly there was expansion, movement and a halo of flyaways you definitely didn’t invite.
But frizz isn’t random, and your hair hasn’t forgotten everything you did that morning. It’s responding to water molecules in the air.
Humidity can disrupt the temporary bonds that help hair hold its finished shape. As moisture enters the strand, the hair begins shifting back towards its natural pattern. When some areas absorb more water than others, the strands swell and move unevenly and that uneven movement is what we see as frizz.
Understanding why this happens is the first step towards choosing the right solution. Because while frizz may look similar from the outside, natural texture, porosity and damage can each play a very different role.
WHAT HUMIDITY DOES INSIDE YOUR HAIR
Hair is made primarily from keratin proteins held together by several types of bonds. Among them are temporary hydrogen bonds, which help your hair hold its shape from one wash or styling session to the next.
When hair is wet, blow-dried or straightened, these temporary bonds rearrange around the new shape. As the hair dries and cools, that shape becomes more stable, but it isn’t permanent.
When the air becomes humid, the hair absorbs more water. That moisture interferes with the hydrogen-bond network and softens the internal structure, allowing each strand to begin moving back towards its natural pattern.
The strand also swells as it takes in water. If every part of the hair absorbed moisture evenly, the change might be less obvious. In reality, some strands and some sections of the same strand, absorb more than others.
The result is uneven swelling, movement and separation. A smooth, aligned surface begins moving in different directions, creating the expansion, flyaways and texture we recognise as frizz.
Your hairstyle isn’t simply “falling out.” The structure supporting it is responding to water in the air.
WHY SOME HAIR REACTS MORE THAN OTHERS
Humidity may be the trigger, but your hair’s natural texture, porosity and condition shape the response.
Two people can step into the same weather and experience completely different results. One may notice a few flyaways, while the other watches a smooth blow-dry expand before reaching the car.
NATURAL TEXTURE
Waves, curls and coils naturally want to return towards their original pattern. When humidity disrupts a straightened or blow-dried shape, that underlying movement begins to reappear.
The greater the difference between your natural texture and your finished style, the more noticeable the change may be.
POROSITY
Porosity describes how readily hair allows moisture to move in and out.
Hair with higher or uneven porosity may absorb water more quickly. Some areas swell more than others, creating irregular texture, expansion and flyaways.
Porosity can vary from one section of the hair to another—which is why the ends may react differently from the healthier hair closer to the roots.
DAMAGE
Heat, lightening, colouring, chemical services and everyday wear can compromise the hair’s protective cuticle.
When the surface becomes damaged, moisture can move through the hair less evenly. These weakened areas may swell and shift more unpredictably, making a smooth finish harder to maintain.
Frizz may look the same from the outside, but the reason behind it isn’t always the same.
HOW TO REDUCE FRIZZ IN HUMID WEATHER
You can’t stop water from existing in the air, weather remains stubbornly outside our jurisdiction. But you can help slow uneven moisture absorption and give your finished style a better chance of staying smooth.
1. START WITH THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CONDITIONING
Hair that feels dry or rough needs enough conditioning to remain soft and manageable. However, using the richest formula available isn’t always the answer. Fine hair may become flat or heavy, while thick or coarse hair may need more nourishment and control.
Choose products according to your strand thickness, condition and preferred finish.
2. APPLY FRIZZ CONTROL BEFORE YOUR HAIR DRIES
Frizz Control Crème works best on freshly washed, towel-dried hair.
Start with half to one pump, adjusting the amount for your hair’s length, thickness and texture. Distribute it evenly through the mid-lengths and ends, concentrating on areas that tend to become frizzy. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb for even distribution.
3. STYLE
For a smoother finish, blow-dry the hair in controlled sections and direct the airflow down the hair shaft.
If you prefer to air-dry, apply the crème evenly, shape your waves or curls and then allow your hair to dry with as little unnecessary handling as possible.
4. MAKE SURE YOUR HAIR IS COMPLETELY DRY
Leaving sections slightly damp gives your hair another opportunity to change shape as it finishes drying in humid air.
Before heading outside, check the roots and denser areas of the hair, not only the ends.
5. FINISH WITHOUT OVERLOADING
Once your hair is dry, smooth a tiny amount of Frizz Control Crème over visible flyaways if needed.
For additional shine and polish, apply a small amount of Riot Control Oil through the mid-lengths and ends. Begin sparingly; you can always add more, but removing too much product is a considerably less elegant operation.
