How I Finally Got My Dry, Frizzy Wavy Hair Under Control

I have had curly hair since I hit puberty (I had straight hair before that!) but it was always frizzy and dry! So I have had to go on a journey to figure out how to get my dry, frizzy hair under control.

If you have dry and frizzy hair I have some amazing things to share with you that have really helped me.

It’s funny though how many people with straight, smooth silky hair tell me how much they would love my curly hair. It just makes me laugh because sometimes yeah it’s nice to have unique hair but it has been a journey where at times I have wanted to cut it all off and wear a wig lol

One day to the next it can look so different.

And let’s not talk about brushing it! Giant fluffy triangle anyone!?

What I’ve learned is that curly and wavy hair is actually pretty easy once you understand a few things about it. The problem is that most of us spend years treating our hair like it’s straight hair. And it isn’t.

***This post might contain affiliate links, but it won’t cost you anything extra. I only recommend products that I know and love.***

The Biggest Thing I Learned About Curly Hair

The biggest shift for me happened when I realized my hair wasn’t frizzy because it was naturally unhealthy, it was frizzy because it was thirsty because the oils from my scalp have a harder time travelling down the hair.

Once I understood that, so many things started making sense, about why the ends always felt dry and brittle, why it looked a more shiny and healthy a few days after washing it, and why heat tools just fried my hair.

My hair wasn’t difficult. It was dehydrated, constantly…

And honestly, I think that’s true for a lot of curly-haired girls.

What you need to know about Shampoo

For the longest time I obsessed over finding the perfect shampoo.

Now I barely think about shampoo. Shampoo’s job is pretty simple – clean your scalp.

That’s it.

Now, I don’t even let the shampoo clean the bottom half of my hair, I only let it clean my scalp.

Because Conditioner is where the magic happens.

If you have dry, wavy, curly, fluffy, frizzy hair like mine, conditioner isn’t optional. It’s basically life support, this is what is going to bring your hair back to LIFE!

Now, I only wash my hair twice a week. The first wash, I let the conditioner sit in my hair while I shave my legs, and do everything else I need to in the shower. Every second wash I use a hydrating hair mask for a few hours after I come out of the shower.

Don’t over wash your hair, or you will strip all the oil it needs…and don’t forget – Your hair is thirsty, let it drink!

The Mistake That Creates Half The Frizz

We need to talk about something that surprised me. TOWELS.

I used to aggressively rub my hair dry with a giant bath towel. Which is basically the way to create 3x the frizz. Now I use a microfiber towel or sometimes even an old t-shirt.

This created significantly less frizz, better curl definition, and less fluffiness.

This small change requires very little effort, but makes a big difference.

Why Your Hair Looks Amazing One Day And Awful The Next

This used to drive me insane.

I’d have a fantastic hair day.

Then I’d use the exact same products and somehow wake up looking like Hagrid (welp, lol)

What I’ve realized is that curly hair is incredibly affected by things like:

Humidity
Wind
Hard water
Heat damage
Sleep
Hydration

Honestly, sometimes the problem isn’t your products. Sometimes it’s the weather.

I’ve learned to stop expecting perfection and focus on having generally healthy hair instead. Everything got simpler after that, because we can’t control everything.

The Product That Made The Biggest Difference

Out of every product I’ve ever tried, I think leave-in conditioner has made the biggest difference.

It helps with softness, frizz, tangles, and makes my waves look healthier overall.

If your hair constantly feels dry, this is probably where I’d start.

Moisture And Oil Are Not The Same Thing

This is something I wish someone had explained to me years ago.

For the longest time I thought oils were moisturizing my hair. They’re not.

Oils help seal moisture in. But first you NEED moisture.

Think about putting a lid on an empty jar. There’s nothing inside to protect.

That’s what happens when we keep piling oils onto dry hair. Your hair often needs hydration first and then something to help seal it in.

Once I understood that, I stopped drowning my hair in oils and started focusing more on moisture. I still use oil, it makes my hair look shinier and healthier, but I don’t use it without hydrating my hair first.

How to create healthy looking curly hair without all the frizz!

Silk Pillowcases Are Soooo Worth It

I wanted silk pillowcases to be overrated – but they’re not.

I finally bought one because everyone kept talking about them, and gosh they were right.

My hair tangles less, looks smoother and the frizz isn’t so crazy anymore in the morning. And stays presentable longer between wash days.

This is such a simple hair upgrade that has a big impact!

Healthy Hair Starts Before Wash Day

One thing I’ve noticed is that my hair tends to reflect what’s going on in the rest of my life. When I’m stressed, my hair seems drier. If I’m not sleeping enough, it looks dull.

When I’m not drinking enough water, my skin and hair both look worse.It’s easy to think only products will help our hair, but healthy hair isn’t created entirely in the bathroom.

A lot of it comes down to simple habits like:

-Good sleep.

-Enough water.

-Decent nutrition.

-Managing stress.

An overall healthy lifestyle definitely impacts your hair, more than we think!

Curly Hair Care Products that I use and love:

Microfiber Hair Towel

Bonding Hair Oil

Hydrating Curl Conditioner

Hydrating Hair Mask

Leave-in Conditioner

Silk Pillowcase

How I style my Hair Without Heat

I have been experimenting with different ways of styling my hair without frying it. Because sometimes I don’t want to style it curly. I want more long waves, styled curls, or even straight hair.

These are my favourite non-heat products that have worked for me.