B for Beauty Aug 18, 2009 @ 9:20am

My One and Only

by Abby Gardner

We may be buzzing with excitement as news about Fashion Week trickles in. And we’re starting to plan wardrobes and new beauty looks for the fall that is soon to be upon us.

But the fact remains that it is hot as balls outside and more humid than anyone with wavy to curly hair should ever have to endure. Unfortunately for me, my frizz doesn’t turn out as sexy as Lily’s in this photo or any other for that matter.

I’ve basically tried every anti-frizz product on the planet. While many are good enough, I always return to my one constant since I discovered back in middle school: John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Hair Serum. (And before anyone loses their mind in the comments section, I buy this $9.99 product with my very own money—though I would never write about anything I don’t truly and honestly like no matter how it came into my possession.)

I used to try to mix up concoctions with other gels, sprays, mousses and whatever else I had around. But now I’m back to being a purist. I mean we have been through summer camp, college, and countless New York Augusts together.

Is there something I’m missing that you desperately suggest I try? Because while nothing can completely combat this hideous humidity, my old friend seems to do the best job.

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posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 9:52AM

With a medicine closet full of product, it's what I'm using today - and I have straight hair.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:03AM

I always found that the John Frieda stuff made my hair greasy- though maybe I wasn't using it correctly- I love FX Curls Up- not matter how much I use it doesn't feel greasy...

posted by mrsPILATI

Aug 18, 2009 10:11AM

I'm so glad you brought this subject up Abby.

Does anyone know what the deal is with that Living Proof brand??

posted by ifiweretaller

Aug 18, 2009 10:23AM

My hair can take on a life of its own in this weather. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer after I shower. After I am moisturized, I run my hands through my hair, the ends only and it really helps to tame my wild locks.

posted by k1mb3rly

Aug 18, 2009 10:31AM

to #3 - I bought the no frizz styling cream by Living Proof. Everyone at Sephora was raving about it so I gave it a shot... sadly, it did nothing to tame my frizz and left my hair feeling like straw.

Unless someone else knows a trick to using this stuff, I found it to be a huge waste of my $24

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:33AM

why is lara stone tagged instead of lily cole?

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:35AM

I am in love with Kiehl's Heat-Protective Silk Straightening Cream. I inherited this really weird hair texture from both of my parents (thanks, guys) so I have fine hair but lots of it. I have to balance between trying to combat frizz, and not making my hair look limp. So far the Kiehl's cream is the only thing that does it for me. You don't even have to straighten your hair-just use it before you blow-dry. Good luck!

xoxo,
http://KateDarling.Blogspot.com

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:37AM

@ k1mb3rly,
I had the exact same issue...my hair ended up feeling greasy and dry when I used the Living Proof products. Is there a trick to this stuff, because when I went to Sephora, everyone told me it was fool-proof?
also, shouldn't Lily be tagged -not Lara?

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:38AM

I use RUSK Wired, which I find works really well on my curly hair in normal weather, and almost as well in this humidity :)

posted by BlairWaldorfsHeadband

Aug 18, 2009 10:42AM

Big ups to the SP reference in the title.

posted by shinyredthermos

Aug 18, 2009 10:42AM

I will start off by saying that i have an OUTRAGEOUS amount of hair that is mostly wavy/curly but there are patches that are stick straight. Its bizarre. But it gets epically frizzy. I have an Amory.

For the winter I use Frizz-Ease, the heat protection one. I don't always use styling tools but whatever. It weighs my hair down too much in the summer though.

Right now i am using a combo of all of these products. Its a lot, but I need it and it works (they are a little pricey but they all last forever because you don't need to use a lot):

http://www.amazon.com/Moroccan-Oil-MOROCCAN-OIL/dp/B001RRBBVW

http://www.sleekhair.com/14152.html

http://www.sleekhair.com/14167.html

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P9955&categoryId=C7244&shouldPaginate=true

http://www.target.com/b/ref=pd_sim_cat_1_1/176-1680567-3042620?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1GW7Z0E1QRG0GQRHHJK0&pf_rd_p=483838411&pf_rd_i=B001DJ2USM&node=1232449011&pf_rd_s=left-3&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=201

Sorry this is a long post but I know how aggravating it can be to find the right product and these all do exactly what they say and i LOVE THEM ALL.

Hope it helps someone.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 10:49AM

this stuff at sephora called no frizz...its just the word frizz with a line through it. its a bit pricey but AMAZING! i was using john frieda before until i found this. the bottle is cute too its brownish and small with a white cap.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 11:04AM

i am cursed with curls and not the nice separated kind, more like the unkempt kinda look...i have tried every frizz product under the sun, recently i discovered my miricle:
Spectrum organic Coconut Oil, available in the beauty section at Whole Foods.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 12:06PM

phyto defrisant. best.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 12:24PM

love no frizz by living proof. it is god's gift to the frizzy haired girl

posted by k1mb3rly

Aug 18, 2009 12:32PM

to #s 12 & 15... how do you apply it?... or maybe a better question, what kind of hair do you have? My hair is a hybrid of wavy and curly... and its pretty thick.

I'm trying to figure out what you guys are doing different.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 1:10PM

I use the no frizz stuff, too - and it's awesome. When I first bought the curl holding creme version, it had too much "hold" and made my hair too stiff. It works well when you are going for a more styled look, but I touch my hair too much. So I got the straight creme, because it doesn't have hold. I find it still is a little dry, but I think that's because it doesn't have the greasy 'slip' of silicone products. I find because there aren't any heavy silicones/oils in my hair, it stays clean for up to 3 days. I use Terax Crema as a conditioner, then towel dry and smooth a little more over my ends. I blowdry halfway, then flip my head over and pull a quarter-sized amount of the no frizz through my hair, brush it in, then blowdry the rest. Using heat styling is important with this stuff, because it makes it adhere to your hair (science is weird...) They say it doesn't work well with silicone products, but I find if I need a little more shine, I can rub a bit of FF Glossing over the ends, and I'm sure you could use a shine spray like Bedhead. Hope that helps!

posted by maladroite

Aug 18, 2009 1:38PM

Most women underestimate the power of a deep conditioning mask. I have the exact same problem, but I deep condition biweekly. It does wonders for my hair without making it feel limp and greasy. I also use The Body Shop's Grapeseed Serum.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 3:13PM

What's with all the pre-emptive defensiveness? Insecurity really isn't attractive and it's definitely not professional.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 3:57PM

Aloe Vera oil is the best. Its extremely cheap and your hair will be super healthy! Just buy some at any drugstore, apply a VERY minimal amount after you shower (while your hair is wet) and let your hair dry naturally.

My hair is (was) very curly... I stopped blow drying my hair, dying it and treated it with love & it looks great! Its super long, shiny & my waves are nicely shaped as if I used an iron. Non-frizzy, healthy hair. All I use is this oil after a shower. Cheap & works!

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 5:56PM

Living Proof is my savior! I've been using it for the past couple of months non-stop and it truly has tamed my hair. It's amazing and I can't live without it!

posted by shharvin

Aug 18, 2009 7:08PM

I have really curly hair and live in Houston, so this is a big problem for me as well. Luckily, I've found a remedy. I put an obscene amount of leave in conditioner in my hair. Like, way more than you think you need. Then, I sparay alot Garnier Curl Scrunching Spray on my hair and scrunch periodically while it air dries. And Voila! My curls are always silky and bouncy, never crunchy or frizzy. I've been using this method since I was 14 and through many different lengths and styles. Seriously, Abby, you should give it a try.

Oh, and I lived in NYC all summer, so I know it stands up to the weather there.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 7:35PM

true that. john frieda is my man. i use his frizz-ease serum every day on my hair, and i love it.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2009 11:52PM

to get lily's hair in this photo, I wash, use my products, blow dry 90%, then twist my hair and coil it in a bun/topknot. wake up, toss, fix pieces around my face. lily perfection.

posted by guest

Aug 19, 2009 1:56AM

Um...havent you heard about the Godsend for girls with curly/frizzy hair? The Brazilian chemical treatment!!! Unlike the Japanese YUKO, the Brazilian doesn't straighten your hair, it gives it gorgeous beachy waves right out of the shower but the best part is...it 100% eliminates frizz. Seriously. Look into it. I have a couple friends who have done it and they have silky, gorgeous, wavy hair. I'm waiting for my extensions to come out so I can do it too!

posted by kelleyd

Aug 25, 2009 11:43AM

I've tried the John Frieda stuff, and it does work, but I prefer Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum. It's about $15 bucks and has been my standby for years. Of course, my hair isn't reMARKably frizzy, but it looks and feels like shit if I don't use the serum after showering.

Right now, I combine it with MOMO Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid, which is a bit expensive, but together they're perfect for combating summer weather. The MOMO fluid is a bit lighter than the serum, which feels like silky hair minus the hair, and just feels CLEAN somehow...not sure how to explain it. It's like someone put rain and grass into a blender and made it good for your hair. Watery in the best way possible
But anyway, the result is that PM's silky texture + summertime perspiration/grossness does NOT equal summertime oiliness. yaaayyyyyy